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Fame.

Such a controversial topic, yet something so simple.

You're either born to be in the spotlight, or you weren't. Some crawl, scratch, and climb their way to the top for their brief 'moment' of fame, while those who were truly meant for it are the ones who stay there.

Months, years, even decades later you could be remembered for the impact, and the legacy you leave behind. Your name could still sell out stadiums or theaters in a matter of minutes. Someday you may have a song written about you or a movie made, that's how you know you made it.

But then there are those who want to be famous without that baggage to weigh them down. Some would rather perform their craft and leave, never to be seen again. These are the rarities that are few and far in between.

Hollywood, love, fame, it ruins a person. Drains their innocence, never to give anything in return. There's those who were exposed to this kind of evil at an age all too young, not prepared for the sexual ambiances and addicted adventures that come along the way. There are those that were sheltered from the horrors of Hollywood and end up taking that for granted.

Then there's those who grew up in the environment too young and too fast, never taking any of it for granted at all, only be taken advantage of and rung out to dry...

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Cherry was born 1949, raised in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles, California. She grew up down the street from Daisy Jones, her childhood best friend. Although both girls grew up in the same neighborhood with the same dream, they lived different lives. Cherry's mother died in giving birth to her. Her father was nothing but a faint memory, having passed away when she was merely four.

Daisy on the other hand grew up with both parents, though it was as if they were gone as well, ignoring and neglecting the young girl, pretty much forgetting they had a daughter all together.

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Margaret Blair (biographer, author of Cherry: The Forbidden Fruit): Cherry was an enigma. No one really knew girl behind the name 'Cherry.' Her name became an echo down Hollywood boulevard, fans desperate for new record, the industry foaming at the mouth for a new story, and those close to her... well that list is few and far in between.

You were lucky if you got to live in the same time or era as Cherry, you were a damn miracle if you truly got to know her.

Cherry was the only person ever there for Daisy Jones, and vise versa. Those girls were separated due to the walk of life, but they always found their way back to one another. Cherry was raised by her grandmother, Marjorie, who took both girls in like they were her own. While that didn't close the hole in Daisy's heart from the absence of parental love, it did mend it, and she is forever grateful.

Daisy and Cherry released their single titled 'Marjorie' in 1981 in honor of her, and it immediately became a hit. This song is track five on their split album 'Dazed Cherries' which was released in 1982.

Cherry's life was interrupted when her uncle, all too soon, came to rain on their parade of girlhood— and ripped her from the world she had known. He threw her directly into the music industry, like throwing a pup in with a pack of wolves, being that he was a producer.

Interviewer: Wait is that-

Cherry (singer, Cherry Six): Shhh, darling, no spoilers.

Her uncle was everything she despised about the world, Hollywood, music, the industry.

Everything.

No fourteen year old should have had to go through the immense amount of labor that Cherry did.

Cherry: I wanted to be a star. I knew I would be. I knew I was born for stardom. But, stars burn bright, and sometimes they burn out.

No fourteen year old should ever have to face the horrors that Cherry did.

Cherry: I remember being at the studio with my uncle from sunrise til almost eleven p.m. every night. Grandmother was furious, of course, calling my uncle multiple times a day warning him 'no child should ever have to live that way.' [laughs] Oh, Majorie was a force to be reckoned with until her last breath.

But my uncle was determined to make sure he squeezed every ounce of work he had out of me. How else could he make his comeback?

When I wasn't locked away in a dark studio, I was being dragged from every bar to club on the Sunset Strip. Whoever would allow me to play that night, we stayed there.

That's where I was reunited with Daisy.

Daisy Jones (singer): I could walk down to the Strip from my house. I was about thirteen or fourteen, sick of being stuck in the house, just looking for something to do. I wasn't old enough to get into any bars or clubs but I went anyway.

When I saw her up on that stage for the first time since she had moved, which I did not understand why, I knew that's where I wanted to be. She looked older, cooler, free.

Cherry: We ran around together each night after my performance. Taking any fruity drinks we were offered, hitting any cigarette that was shoved our way. We were just young girls living large and living life, loving it together.

Well, that was until my first record was sold, and I was whisked away to my first tour at the age of seventeen. And it was hell.

You see, my uncle didn't actually let me sing anything I wanted to sing. He took my most prized possession, my voice, and used it at his disposal.

He turned my raw, powerful voice into this prissy, pop garbage. But it sold.

Oh, did it sell.

And each night his friends would be there to congratulate me after my show. [Tight-lipped smile]

Interviewer: What do you mean by that?

Cherry: Oh, you know. [waves hand] They would pat me on the back, let their hands travel too far down. They'd want me to do a spin so they could eye my outfit, and try to slip it up or off. They'd all take turns passing me around all night, from one of their arms or laps to the next. It was disgusting, something no seventeen year old girl should have had to face each night on her first tour.

And that was only the beginning...

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𝟶ʙᴜᴛᴛᴇʀʙɪsᴄᴜɪᴛ𝟽 sᴘᴇᴀᴋs!

Hello, hello lovely readers!! I hope everyone is still in their DJATS Era like I ammmm <3333

Happy 1 year anniversary to the show! I cannot believe it's already been a year, whatttt....

What're y'all's thoughts on Cherry so farrrr?? Don't worry, you're going to get SO much more of her as the book continues, and you will love and hate her!! ;)

Also, just wanted to make note of this: This is going to be following show, but I came up with this book idea when I read the book, which I read before the show came out, so I have book knowledge and will be using parts of the book like I did in this chapter! It's just easier for me to write with a show/movie, but oh don't worryyy bc the book WILL be used!!

With that being said, happy djats day and I hope y'all are ready for everything I have in store for this book!! Until next time, mwauh! Also, don't be afraid to comment your questions, thoughts, and reactions, it's very motivating!!