Audrey Hepburn: 20 Years Ago Today...

Whenever I try to talk about a celebrity or person that is an inspiration to me, I am never able to find the right words. This time is no different, when it comes to Audrey Hepburn, I tend to ramble on and don't sound nearly anywhere as eloquent as others who have spoken about her. However, I will try my best to do her justice.

What can I truly say about Audrey Hepburn that hasn't been said in a much more beautiful way than I can ever say it? Well, since every person talks about someone differently, I will try my best to convey those thoughts to you all. From the moment I saw Roman Holiday back in 2007 I have been under Audrey's spell.   I knew a little bit about who she was before I saw her movies, and I even got a calendar of her for my room (I think when I learned about her it made me want to actually see her films) anyway, I went and rented 5 of her movies, the ones that are considered her "best" by most people: Roman Holiday, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Sabrina, My Fair Lady and Funny Face. Roman Holiday was the first one I watched. At that time I was still a pretty new fan to classic movies, but I thought she was the cutest thing and seeing her it made me want to know more about who she was. Shortly after that, like the next summer I saw her star on the Walk of Fame and just wanted to see more of her films and learn more about her. She quickly became my favorite actress. I loved that I had found someone who was so genuine and didn't become part of all the hell that Hollywood can tend to be.

She was a mother first and foremost and that is something that is truly admirable. I wish that you saw more of her when you went into stores and things, but I have started to so that's good. It just always irritated me that Marilyn was always what you saw in the way of Classic Hollywood merchandise, not Audrey. I had to search for Audrey related stuff. Anyway, I truly don't think that she was overrated (even though many say she was) and that she wasn't the greatest actress in the world. Okay, fine that's your opinion, but i've watched a lot of classic movies and I think she truly has the ability to bring out every emotion that she may be feeling; it's all in her eyes, they express so much. She makes it look easy, she had that ability to make you laugh one minute and be crying your eyes out the next. You wanted to be her friend, no matter what character she was playing, she made you believe it. I would say she was more underrated in some aspects than overrated. Her acting is so subtle and at the same time, it's also very sincere. I mean when she is singing "Moon River" in Breakfast at Tiffany's, in that moment it's not Holly, it's Audrey singing that song and I truly understand why it meant so much to her that the song stay in the movie. It's one of my favorite scenes in the whole film, for that very reason.

For those that claim to be "fans" having only seen Breakfast at Tiffany's or owning merchandise like a shirt or bag with her on it because you though it was cute, she wasn't only Holly Golighty and she isn't only known for her fashion. She was a true, genuine humanitarian and she ultimately cared about everyone, especially children. I think this quote sums her up perfectly:

"She believed in love. She believed love could heal, fix, mend, and make everything fine and good in the end… and it did. She left us with peace and serenity, and her passage was almost devoid of any pain.” - Sean Hepburn Ferrer 

Everyone that knew her, either fell in love with her (her leading men) or became great friends. She just had that personality and that presence, she was so graceful and quiet, but had the best sense of humor and was someone that you would want to know. 

She truly is an inspiration to me. Definitely someone that I aspire to be like and that more women should aspire to be like. She has changed my life in more ways than one. I don't think I would be as big a fan of classic movies or at least I don't think I would have gotten as into them when I did if it wasn't for discovering her movies. 

So as I think about her today i'll remember her truly kind and loving spirit and celebrate her life for the person that she was. RIP my dear Audrey. See I still ended up rambling. Oh well, I hope that I conveyed how I feel about her. :) I will leave you all with the words of someone who knew Audrey very well. 

“I think that there are few people in one’s life that you never really feel that they’re gone. I have to remind myself that she isn’t around.” - Blake Edwards