Akouto Von asked Taylor Jenkins Reid:

Just finished Evelyn Hugo I loved her so much! Who in Hollywood was the inspiration behind her character ?

Taylor Jenkins Reid There was no *one* Hollywood actress that Evelyn Hugo is based on. She has a little Liz Taylor, a little Rita Hayworth, a little Lana Turner, and little Brigitte Bardot. But she's mostly her own person.

I will say, though, that the premise for the book came to me when I was reading Ava Gardner: The Secret Conversations by Ava Gardner and Peter Evans. I was very drawn to the idea of a classic film star spilling secrets, just like Ava did.

So I made up a star of my own and went for it.

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Your book is about a movie star telling a rookie journalists the story of her life - and seven husbands... based on any real life inspiration? :D What kind of research did you do before and while writing the book?

Tammy asked Taylor Jenkins Reid:

The “casting couch” that was commonly used in old school Hollywood was kind of expected. In your book Evelyn marries her first husband and uses him to get to Hollywood. Did you want Evelyn to be the one “using” Hollywood on her own terms versus being used?

Rosanne asked Taylor Jenkins Reid:

I couldn't put your book down - it's the first one I've read of yours and definitely won't be the last. I thought Evelyn had some great wisdom to share and definitely things to think about. Did you outline in advance the character development of her different husbands and the intersections of relationships?

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Taylor Jenkins Reid

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Just finished Evelyn Hugo I loved her so much! Who in Hollywood was the inspiration behind her character ?

More Answered Questions

Your book is about a movie star telling a rookie journalists the story of her life - and seven husbands... based on any real life inspiration? :D What kind of research did you do before and while writing the book?

The “casting couch” that was commonly used in old school Hollywood was kind of expected. In your book Evelyn marries her first husband and uses him to get to Hollywood. Did you want Evelyn to be the one “using” Hollywood on her own terms versus being used?

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