The Studio Girls is set at the Hollywood Studio Club, a real boarding house for actresses from the 20th Century. What drew you to this setting and historical period?
I first discovered the Hollywood Studio Club when I was researching my previous book, The One and Only Dolly Jamieson.
The club originated in the early 1900s and housed young women who arrived in Hollywood seeking work in the movie industry. A house full of potential stars – all pursuing the same dream – seemed like the perfect setting for a drama-filled novel!
I was drawn to the fifties in particular because it was such a period of change both in the movie industry and in society. And, to be honest, I just really love 1950s fashion!
Were there any real-life figures who inspired your characters Julia, Peggy, Vivienne and Sadie?
The four women are very much their own people but I did draw inspiration from some well-known stars, including Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, Kim Novak, Doris Day and Barbara Eden. Several of these woman lived at the Studio Club at some point.
What was your writing and research process like?
The research for this book was so much fun! I loved immersing myself in the fashion, films and music of the day.
I was lucky enough to be able to visit Hollywood to research the book. I visited many of the locations mentioned in the story, including the building where the Studio Club was housed, the famous Musso and Frank restaurant, and the Max Factor building. I actually stayed at the iconic Roosevelt Hotel, which is featured in the book. I also visited a working movie studio so I could see a sound stage up close.
My writing process was a little different for this book. The story has two timelines – 1950s and 1999. I wrote the 1950s timeline first – while the research was fresh in my mind – and then worked on the 1999 timeline.
Did you come across any surprising facts or stories through your research that you had to leave out of The Studio Girls?
I was quite shocked at some of the things the so-called “studio fixers” covered up. Crimes – sometimes violent ones – committed by male stars were swept under the carpet. Some female actors were forced to have abortions. In one case, a big name star, Loretta Young, secretly gave birth to a daughter who she gave up. Nineteen months later she reclaimed the child and adopted her, so the public wouldn’t know she’d given birth outside of wedlock. The child, whose biological father was Clark Gable, grew up believing she was adopted and did not find out the truth about her birth until she was twenty-three.
Do you have a favourite film from the Golden Age of Hollywood?
If I can only choose one, it has to be Father of the Bride starring Spencer Tracey and Elizabeth Taylor. I’m a huge Elizabeth Taylor fan!
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