Adrian Lyne's 1997 film adaptation of Lolita has become a cult classic over the years. The main character became an influential figure for both Tumblr and Instagram fashionistas, making Dominique Swain — who played Lolita — an icon to many.
Unfortunately, like many other 90s teen stars, Swain quickly faded out of the limelight after her breakout role. Here's what we know about her life these days.
How Old Was Dominique Swain In 'Lolita'?
Out of the 2500 actresses that auditioned for the title role of Lolita, Swain, a 14-year-old high schooler was cast alongside Jeremy Irons' Humbert Humbert — the English professor who seduces the nymphet, Dolores "Lolita" Haze (originally 12 years old but made 14 in the movie).
The actress — who'd previously starred in 1997's Face/Off starring John Travolta and Nicolas Cage — had sent her audition tape to New York where she was later flown in, all the way from her friend's house in Los Angeles while her parents were in Hawaii.
She's also a huge fan of the book. "I revere the novel, I've read it six times," she shared. "One thing I wrote to the director on my audition tape that I initially sent, is that Lolita didn't have a point of view, she was third person. I told him I know who she is, and I can give her a point of view. That's all I wrote, and that's what I felt." (per Velvet Coke)
Did 'Lolita' End Dominique Swain's Career?
After Lolita, Swain continued to appear in some movies in the late '90s and early 2000s, including Girl, Intern, The Smokers, Tart, Pumpkin, and New Best Friend. However, critics think that the 1997 drama limited the actress' career. Natalie Portman, who refused the role when it was offered to her, also feared that it would ruin her career.
"I wasn't willing to do that [Lolita]," explained the Black Swan star. "It wasn't the right thing for me to do at the time. I wasn't willing to put myself in a sexual role when I was 13 or 14, and I still wouldn't do it now. It's not necessary to do more of that."
According to IMDb, they used an adult body double for Swain's intimate scenes in the movie.
However, Swain didn't seem to mind those issues at all. In an interview with Hollywood Chicago, she said that Lyne "was like a second father" to her, so she felt comfortable doing the controversial film.
"I think your relationship overall with the director is very important," she said. "Some directors think it's not their job to influence the actors at all, and I think that's completely dumb. They hire you because they know what we can do, and when it’s a collaborative vision, it's always going to be better. I can give them what I have as an actor, but if you can figure out what I'm capable of, it does inspire confidence and risk-taking."
Where's 'Lolita' Star Dominique Swain Now?
Swain didn't retire from acting as most might assume. Though she'll always be associated with Lolita, she's actually starred in recent films like 4 Horsemen: Apocalypse, Meteor Moon, and Eminence Hill, and in the Lifetime TV movies: The Wrong Mr. Right, Obsessed with the Babysitter, and The Wrong Mommy.
As for her personal life, 42-year-old Swain currently keeps a low profile. But on her personal Instagram account, she often shares pictures of her traveling with her long-term partner, Jamie Harr. They also have a dedicated travel account, @welovejourneys. "We're going to travel all over the world and have many adventures and this will help us remember and share them!" read the bio of their joint page.
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