Hello my name is Lindsey

Party girl Lindsey Lohan is in the news again but not for her jet set ways or emaciated frame. Her mother spilled the beans on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show that Lil’ L is attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Momma Dina nonchalantly mentioned that her famous daughter sought help but was quick to add that this was the first time she attended meetings. Okay. Whatever.

Lindsey’s most recent revelation is the latest in a series that made me ponder her existence and relevance. Despite her vapid exterior and bad girl ways, a lot can be learned from her. Here’s what I’ve learned from Lindsey Lohan:

All Play and No Work Makes Lindsey a Dull Girl

I learned this lesson early on in college and it has proven to be handy when I entered the workforce. Lindsey’s behavior reinforced this simple rule. Finish your work and there’s always time to party and you’ll feel better about partying because you’ve gotten all your work done. God, that’s about as mid-western as it comes. She’s paid a ridiculous sum of money to act in movies. The least she could do was take a shower, pop a tic-tac, slap on some sunglasses and make her call time. She’s 20 not 15. She’s a young woman with responsibilities. Responsibilities based on being a professional and making it to the set and being on time. The public’s curiosity in her won’t last forever. Somewhere along the line, talent will have to make an appearance. Remember Kristy McNichol.

Use Spell Check

That’s what it’s there for. If you’re not an English professor, use spell check. Lindsey made herself look like an illiterate boob by writing an incoherent letter honoring the late director Robert Altman. What should have been an endearing letter about a mentor turned into a cautionary tale of child actors not receiving a proper education. Then her PR person tried to spin it by saying grammar doesn’t matter because the letter came from the heart. Her reps called it unconventional grammar. By unconventional they must mean illiterate.

There is No Such Thing as Off the Record

This is rule number one for me when I do media training. Don’t bring it up if you don’t want it in print. Don’t say “off the record” that you like to do drugs or have an eating disorder. It will come up again and be thrown in your face especially if the reporter is astute and bright. Reporters can pick up on subtle cues and incorporate that into an article. Wise up. An article has more selling power if it has a little juice. Don’t volunteer the juice and then try to deny it. It doesn’t work and it makes you look like a liar or defensive. Silence is often the best policy.

Choose Your Friends Wisely

Image is everything in Hollywood. If you hang out with a crowd that loves the jet set party life, don’t be surprised when people dub you a party girl. It’s all in the company you keep. If you get drunk at the company Christmas party and sleep with Stan and Bill in purchasing, you may be called a slut. It is what it is. You can’t be outraged or baffled when you get a reputation as a party girl when you hang out with the most notorious party girl of 2006. The jig is up. You’re a party girl. Embrace it.

Have you learned anything from the Mean Girl?