Lohan family branching out

WestWords March 5, 2008
Lohan family branching out
By Liz Hodgson
Lindsay Lohan is set to replace troubled pop star Britney Spears as
the host for a Scandinavian Style Mansion fashion gala in Los Angeles
next week.
The move is the latest sign that after a year marred by two
drink-driving arrests, three spells in rehab and two flop films, Lohan
is getting her life and career on track.
And her mother and younger sister are also branching out, shooting a
reality television show which will start to air this summer.
Lohan, 21, who dropped out of two films last year amid her personal
woes, is about to start shooting a comedy, Ye Old Times, with Jack
Black, and is also making an album.
"I'm recording right now with Motown and being in a studio again has
been really great," she said. "It's a dance, hip-hop and R&B album.
It's all coming together."
The Scandinavian Style function is on the cards because organiser
Claus Hjelmbak (Hjelmbak) announced Britney was standing down when she
was first taken to hospital in January.
"As a friend, my primary concern is for Britney's well-being and
giving her the love and support she needs," he said at the time.
Lohan, who is on the cover of Paper magazine, says she has but the
past behind her and is concentrating on work.
"My life was distracted by certain things and that got in the way of
work," she told People magazine. "But now I'm back on track and
figuring out what's next."
Designer Jeremy Scott, who took the cover shot, said he tried to do
something a bit different.
"Lindsay and I have been talking about doing a shoot together for
some time and we hadn't had the chance," he said.
"Everyone always shoots her in a very generic way. So we took her and
put her on a set and let her act. She's an actress, for God sakes, and
sometimes people forget that."
Meanwhile her mother, Dina, and 14-year-old sister Ali have started
shooting Living Lohan, which focuses on Ali's attempt to follow in her
big sister's footsteps, with the help of her manager mother.
A new shoot is due to start in New York on March 17, then they will
fly to Las Vegas, where Ali will be shot recording songs at the Palms
Casino for a solo album.
"The Lohans are one of the most intriguing families in the
entertainment industry today," said Lisa Berger of the E! cable
television network which will air the show.
"This is a family that knows how to roll with the punches and come
out on top. Dina is an incredibly hard-working, passionate mom that I
think our viewers will find both relatable and highly entertaining."
The show, largely shot at the family's Long Island home will also
feature Dina's sons, Michael, 20, a student, and 11-year-old Cody, but
they will not be seeking fame and fortune n the same way as their
sister.
A statement from E! said: "Viewers will go inside the lohans' Long
Island home for the first time to follow Dina as she works doing
double duty as mom and manager to help Ali try to follow in her big
sister's famous footsteps.
"Dina is determined to help each of her four kids fulfill their
dreams and refuses to live in fear of what others may think, despite
being under the paparazzi microscope."
Last month Ali told Teen Vogue she is desperate for her day in the
spotlight, saying: "I want it so bad. So bad you don't even know."

Dina's Galway-born ex-husband Michael is right behind her ambitions.
"This show could show Ali's ability and talents, and spring forward
to launch her career he told Us magazine. "Ali's got a lot of talent.
She's a gorgeous girl and can sing. She's animated and full of life."