Here’s some amazing news from Hollywood: A young actress is emerging as a star, and she hasn’t–repeat has not–been arrested, or given a ticket, or sentenced to a correctional facility of any kind. In fact, she doesn’t even seem to be a wild partier!
More amazing, in fact, was the fact that this rising star warranted some media coverage, even though she had nothing sordid or shady going on.
In a recent CNN interview by phone from Barcelona, 22 year-old Scarlett Johansson was talking about her new role in “The Nanny Diaries” and her work with superstar directors as Robert Redford, Brian DePalma, and Woody Allen. During the interview, she was asked about the social scene that hasn’t seem to have entangled her as it has others:

“I don’t think necessarily that there’s trouble looming around the corner for everyone involved in this industry,” she said. “I have a really wonderful family that’s very supportive.
“Luckily I never really struggled with any kind of, I don’t know, image problems or addictions,” she continued. “You know, I think it’s not just people in Hollywood … it’s kind of part of just growing up and growing up in the world that we live in today where everything is so available and so fast-paced. It’s hard I think for a lot of youths to avoid these pitfalls.
“Obviously the availability of whatever it may be, whether it’s drugs or alcohol or partying or whatever, is dangerous for people who are prone to addiction or that kind of lifestyle. I’m just fortunate enough to never have had that inclination. I guess I attribute that to my parents and friends and the way I was raised.”

With those comments, Ms. Johansson shows she also has another trait that’s uncommon for her age: humility. Some of those other tabloid starlets have had nice families as well, but Johansson seems to be making the wise choices that truly differentiate between those on a troubled road and those who’re above the fray.

And as the media tried to alluringly attach significance to her making three films with Allen (calling her his “muse”) she was equally as poised: “We both kind of think that term is so bizarre. You know, it’s not like I come bring him inspiration when he’s got writer’s block at three in the morning. We like to work together. It’s an easy working relationship and a really nice friendship, so it works out. But I don’t know if it goes much further than that.”
Here’s hoping that she continues on a positive path, and that the media pays attention to stories like this at least as much it does to the opposite.