‘The Actual Bling Ring: Hollywood Heist’ warns of hazard of movie star – The Brown Each day Herald

In 2009, 4 youngsters from Calabasas, California, made headlines for efficiently robbing the houses of celebrities like Paris Hilton, Audrina Patridge and Orlando Bloom. The group, identified right this moment because the Bling Ring, is the topic of a brand new Netflix mini-documentary collection detailing their crimes and the toxicity of the infinite pursuit of fame.

That includes two of the unique members of the Bling Ring, Alexis Neiers and Nick Prugo, the docuseries reveals a special approach on a narrative initially made well-known by tabloids and the 2013 movie starring Emma Watson ’14. Within the three 50-minute episodes, Neiers and Prugo take viewers by way of their expertise of turning into notorious criminals. 

Prugo describes him and his finest good friend Rachel Lee’s obsession with standing, movie star and materials issues, which drove them to casually verify if automobiles have been unlocked and break into Paris Hilton’s home to swipe her garments. 

Neiers, whose involvement within the crimes of the Bling Ring is extra ambiguous, additionally cites a starvation for fame as driving her entanglement with the thefts. Earlier than collaborating in robbing Orlando Bloom, Prugo gave her his “leftovers” from a earlier heist, which Neiers and her household declare she assumed have been from Prugo’s work as a stylist. Prugo disagrees, saying Neiers knew that the garments he was giving her have been stolen. 

A lot of Neiers’s and Prugo’s accounts contradict one another. Usually, the tales change from one member of Neier’s household to the following. What stays constant because the interviewees inform their tales is everybody’s desperation for fame and turning into “someone.” 

Prugo, who felt insecure about his socioeconomic background and sexuality rising up, explains that he turned extra assured with each new luxurious he stole. He says he felt proud whereas driving into faculty in a stolen Porsche and much more glad sauntering round Hollywood — and posing for images — carrying Orlando Bloom’s sun shades.

Neiers, who wished to achieve success within the leisure trade earlier than assembly Prugo, manifests her imminent fame by way of a day by day morning chant together with her household. Finally, E! Leisure provides her a actuality TV present, which finally follows her into her trial. Neiers’s obsession with movie star, nevertheless, turns into her downfall when she turns into hooked on medication and groups up with Prugo to fund her habit. 

A prevalent theme all through the collection is the hazards of movie star. On a number of events, interviewees distinguish between celebrities and stars. Celebrities, they clarify, are well-known for being well-known, citing the Kardashians and Hiltons as well-liked examples. Stars, nevertheless, are well-known as a result of they’re proficient. From Marilyn Monroe to Woman Gaga, stars have a top quality that finally results in their fame. 

The documentary’s foremost warning is that movie star for the sake of movie star results in darkish penalties: seventeen-year-olds stealing rings and Rolexes. It results in a younger lady permitting a movie crew to broadcast her as she awaits her trial. It results in audiences unconsciously applauding such actions as a result of they too are obsessive about movie star and can watch something associated to it. 

At one level whereas watching “The Actual Bling Ring: Hollywood Heist,” you notice that you’re the issue. You might be unable to look away as Prugo and Neiers describe the within of Bloom’s home or the opulence of Hilton’s equipment. You notice that they obtained the celebrity they so desperately wished and that you’re partially to thank for that. And that turns into terrifying.