Lessons from Hollywood

It’s an all-too-common story in the pages of the glossy magazines – famous actors working together as love interests on a movie and next thing you know, life imitates art.

Here’s just a few examples:

• Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt who met and fell in love on the set of Mr & Mrs Smith;
• Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens – High School Musical;
• the brief fling between Meg Ryan and Russell Crowe – Proof of Life;
• Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart – Twilight series;
• Paul Hogan and Linda Kozlowski – Crocodile Dundee (some trivia for you – Hoges & Linda were married the same day as Lawrence and I – 5 May 1990. I must confess that I’m surprised their marriage has last as long as it has – certainly not common in Hollywood circles!)

And this is just the tip of the iceberg!

Believe it or not, there are a couple of lessons that Hollywood can teach us about relationships:

• Rather than breeding contempt, familiarity seems to result in LOVE. Just think of the many Hollywood couples thrown together by their work … or even ordinary Australians. After all, Lawrence and I met when we worked in the same office back in 1987!
• The more time you spend with someone, the more you can grow to like, even love them. A word of caution: If you value your relationship, be wary of spending too much time or working too closely with a member of the opposite sex. Lawrence and I have a rule – no going out to lunch alone with somebody of the opposite sex. It may seem harsh to some, but we believe it helps us to avoid temptation. The only member of the opposite sex we should be having a lunch date with, is each other!
• If you “act” in love, don’t be surprised if you “fall” in love. Sadly, in Hollywood, this has led to the breakdown of many marriages. However I believe this tip can be used to create a long and happy marriage. When the romantic feelings fade, act lovingly and watch the spark re-ignite! You CAN “put on” a loving character. Actors work hard to “get into” character, and then find it hard to step out. Make it work in your favour!

Have you learnt any lessons from Hollywood? Can you think of any other famous Hollywood couples who fell into a relationship on screen, and off?

It’s Monday, so I’m joining up with Kirsty from My Home Truths for I MUST CONFESS, and Alicia at One Mother Hen for the OPEN SLATHER blog link ups