“In Hollywood, a starlet is the name for any woman under thirty who is not actively employed in a brothel”

Simplified Meaning:

In Hollywood, the term 'starlet' often refers to young, aspiring actresses who are trying to make it big in the film industry. The quote suggests that Hollywood tends to value women mainly for their youth and looks, rather than their talent or experience. It's a way of saying that young women are often seen as more marketable or desirable in the film industry, and this can sometimes overshadow their actual skills as actresses. For example, think about a young woman who just moved to Los Angeles with dreams of becoming a famous actress. Despite her talent and hard work, she might find that landing roles depends more on her appearance and age rather than her acting ability. This can be frustrating and discouraging because it reduces her worth to just "looking good" rather than being recognized for her real talent. To navigate this, someone in this situation might focus on building a strong body of work with independent projects or theater, where the emphasis is more on skill. This could help them gain recognition for their talent and lead to better opportunities. Essentially, the advice here is to be aware of this superficial mentality but not let it define your worth or deter your efforts. Focus on what you can control—your hard work and developing your craft.