Personal life
Dakota Fanning was born in Conyers, Georgia, the daughter of Joy (née Arrington), who played tennis professionally, and Steve Fanning, who played minor league baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals and now works as an electronics salesman in Los Angeles. Her maternal grandfather was former American football player, Rick Arrington, and her aunt is former ESPN reporter Jill Arrington. Dakota is the older sister of Elle Fanning, also an actress.
Her father had wanted to name her "Dakota" and her mother wanted to name her "Hannah".
Fanning is of half German descent and her last name is of Irish origin. Fanning and her family are members of the Southern Baptist Convention. Fanning attends Campbell Hall School in North Hollywood, California and is on the varsity spirit cheerleading squad.
Acting career
Early years
Fanning began acting at the age of five after appearing on a Tide commercial. Her first significant acting job was a guest-starring role in the NBC prime-time drama, ER, which remains one of her favorite roles ("I played a car accident victim who has leukemia. I got to wear a neck brace and nose tubes for the two days I worked.")
Fanning subsequently had several guest roles on established television series, including CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The Practice, Spin City. She also portrayed the title characters of Ally McBeal and The Ellen Show as young girls. In 2001, Fanning was chosen to star opposite Sean Penn in the movie I Am Sam, the story of a mentally challenged man who fights for the custody of his daughter (played by Fanning).
Her role in the film made Fanning the youngest person ever to be nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award, being seven years of age at the time. She also won the Best Young Actor/Actress award from the Broadcast Film Critics Association for her performance.
2002–2003
In 2002, director Steven Spielberg cast Fanning in the lead child role of Allison "Allie" Clarke/Keys in the science fiction miniseries Taken. By this time, she had received positive notices by several film critics, including Tom Shales of The Washington Post, who wrote that Fanning "has the perfect sort of otherworldly look about her, an enchanting young actress called upon ... to carry a great weight."
In the same year, Fanning appeared in three films; as a kidnap victim who proves to be more than her abductors bargained for in Trapped; as the young version of Reese Witherspoon's character in Sweet Home Alabama, and as Katie in the movie Hansel and Gretel.
Fanning was featured even more prominently in two films released in 2003; playing the uptight child to an immature nanny played by Brittany Murphy in Uptown Girls, and as Sally in The Cat in the Hat.
Fanning did voice-over work for four animated projects during this period; as Satsuki in Disney's English language release of My Neighbor Totoro, as a little girl in the Fox series Family Guy, and as young Wonder Woman in an episode of Cartoon Network's Justice League.
2004–2005
In 2004, Fanning appeared in Man on Fire as Pita, a nine-year-old who wins over the heart of a retired mercenary (Denzel Washington) hired to protect her from kidnappers. Roger Ebert wrote that Fanning "is a pro at only 10 years old, and creates a heart-winning character."
Hide and Seek, was her first release in 2005, opposite Robert De Niro. The film was generally panned, and critic Chuck Wilson called it "a fascinating meeting of equals — if the child star [Fanning] challenged the master [De Niro] to a game of stare-down, the legend might very well blink first." Fanning voiced Lilo (succeeding Daveigh Chase) in the direct-to-video film Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch. She also had a small part in the Rodrigo Garcia film Nine Lives (released in October 2005), in which she shared an unbroken nine-minute scene with actress Glenn Close, who had her own praise for Fanning: "She's definitely an old soul. She's one of those gifted people that come along every now and then." Fanning also recorded voice work for Coraline during this time.
Fanning completed filming on Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (opposite Kurt Russell) in late October 2004. Russell declared he was astonished by his co-star's performance in the film. Russell, 54, who plays her father in the movie, says, "I guarantee you, (Dakota) is the best actress I will work with in my entire career." Kris Kristofferson, who plays her character's grandfather in the movie, said that she's like Bette Davis reincarnated.
While promoting her role in Dreamer, Fanning became a registered member of Girl Scouts of the USA at a special ceremony, which was followed by a screening of the film for members of the Girl Scouts of the San Fernando Valley Council. She is not a member of a troop, but rather registered as a "Juliette", GSUSA's title for independently registered girls.
She then went directly to the set of War of the Worlds, starring alongside Tom Cruise. Released in reverse order (War in June 2005 and Dreamer in the following October), both films were critical successes. War director Steven Spielberg praised "how quickly she understands the situation in a sequence, how quickly she sizes it up, measures it up and how she would really react in a real situation."
After filming was completed on War of the Worlds, Fanning moved straight to another film, without a break: Charlotte's Web which she finished filming in May 2005, in Australia. Released on December 15, 2006, Web met generally warm critical acclaim. Producer Jordan Kerner said, "...when she was so caught up in War of the Worlds, we had to end up going on a search for other young actresses. They would have been nothing compared to her."
2006–2007
Over the summer of 2006, Fanning worked on the film Hounddog, described in press reports as a "dark story of abuse, violence and Elvis Presley adulation in the rural South." Fanning's parents have been criticized for allowing her to film a scene in which her character is raped. However, in response, Fanning said that "It's not really happening," to Reuters. "It's a movie, and it's called acting." Director Deborah Kampmeier addressed the controversy in the January 2007 edition of Premiere: "The assumption that [Dakota] was violated in order to give this performance denies her talent."
In 2006, at the age of 12, she was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, becoming the youngest member in the Academy's history. Her income for 2006 was $4 million, earning her the fourth place in Forbes Magazine's list of top-earning stars aged under 21.
In March and April 2007, she filmed Fragments - Winged Creatures, alongside Kate Beckinsale, Guy Pearce, Josh Hutcherson, and Academy Award winners Forest Whitaker and Jennifer Hudson. She plays Anne Hagen, a girl who witnesses her father's murder and who turns to religion in the aftermath.
In July 2007, Fanning filmed for three days a short film titled Cutlass, one of Glamour's "Reel Moments" based on readers' personal essays. Cutlass was directed by Kate Hudson.
From September to December 2007, Fanning filmed Push which centers on a group of young American expatriates with telekinetic and clairvoyant abilities who hide from a U.S. government agency in Hong Kong and band together to try to escape the control of the division. Fanning plays Cassie Holmes, a thirteen-year-old psychic.
2008–present
In January 2008, Fanning began filming the movie adaptation of The Secret Life of Bees, a novel by Sue Monk Kidd. Set in South Carolina in 1964, the story centers on Lily Owens (Fanning), who escapes her lonely life and troubled relationship with her father by running away with her caregiver and only friend (played by Jennifer Hudson) to a South Carolina town where they are taken in by an eccentric trio of beekeeping sisters (played by Queen Latifah, Sophie Okonedo and Alicia Keys). Her movies Coraline and Push were released on the same day, February 6, 2009.
Fanning played Jane in New Moon and will reprise the role in Eclipse, based on novels by Stephenie Meyer. New Moon was released on November 20, 2009, and Eclipse is set for release on the 30th June 2010.
She finished filming the movie The Runaways alongside Kristen Stewart, Stella Maeve, and Scout Taylor-Compton, where she plays Cherie Currie, the lead singer of the band.
Cherry Bomb
Dakota Fanning Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Old folks say, ?Ya poor little fool?
Down the street, I'm the girl next door
I'm the fox you've been waitin' for
Hello Daddy, hello Mom
I'm your ch-ch-cherry bomb
Hello world, I'm your wild girl
Stone age love and strange sounds too
Come on, baby, let me get into you
Bad nights causin' teenage blues
Get down now 'cause you got nothin' to lose
Hello Daddy, hello Mom
I'm your ch-ch-cherry bomb
Hello world, I'm your wild girl
Ch-ch-cherry bomb
Hey, street boy, what's your style?
Your dead end dreams don't make you smile
I'll give ya somethin' to live for
Have ya, grab ya 'til your sore
Hello Daddy, hello Mom
I'm your ch-ch-cherry bomb
Hello world, I'm your wild girl
Ch-ch-cherry bomb
Cherry bomb, cherry bomb
Cherry bomb, cherry bomb
Cherry bomb, cherry bomb
The song "Cherry Bomb" by Dakota Fanning is an energetic and rebellious anthem of teenage angst and rebellion. The lyrics describe a young girl who is frustrated with her mundane life and desires to break free from the expectations of her parents and society. She is not content to stay at home or school and wants to experience the freedom and excitement that the world has to offer. The older generation views her as a "poor little fool," but she sees herself as the "fox you've been waiting for."
The chorus of the song is a defiant proclamation of her wildness and unpredictability. She introduces herself as the "ch-ch-cherry bomb" and declares that she is a "wild girl" that the world cannot tame. She sings about the primal and primitive aspects of love and desire, suggesting that she is not afraid to explore her sexuality and that it is something to be celebrated. She challenges the status quo and dares others to embrace their individuality and live life on their own terms.
Overall, the song "Cherry Bomb" is a powerful and inspirational anthem for young people who are struggling to find their place in the world. It encourages them to be bold, brave, and unapologetic in their pursuit of happiness and freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't stay at home, can't stay at school
I cannot stay at home or at school because I am full of energy and need to go out and explore.
Old folks say, 'Ya poor little fool'
The elders think I am foolish for being so restless.
Down the street, I'm the girl next door
I am a familiar face in the neighborhood and people know me well.
I'm the fox you've been waitin' for
I am the attractive girl you have been waiting to meet.
Hello Daddy, hello Mom
I'm your ch-ch-cherry bomb
I want to greet my parents and introduce myself as their energetic and lively daughter.
Hello world, I'm your wild girl
Ch-ch-cherry bomb
I want to announce myself to the whole world as a lively and vivacious girl.
Stone age love and strange sounds too
My love may seem primitive and unusual, but it is pure and true.
Come on, baby, let me get into you
I want to become intimate with you and be a part of your life.
Bad nights causin' teenage blues
I have had some tough and troubling nights which are typical of a teenager's emotional rollercoaster.
Get down now 'cause you got nothin' to lose
It is time to take action because there is nothing to lose.
Hey, street boy, what's your style?
I want to know about your unique style and way of living as a street boy.
Your dead end dreams don't make you smile
Your hopeless dreams and prospects do not bring any joy to your life.
I'll give ya somethin' to live for
Have ya, grab ya 'til your sore
I want to give you something to live for and hold onto you until you feel fulfilled and rejuvenated.
Cherry bomb, cherry bomb
Cherry bomb, cherry bomb
Cherry bomb, cherry bomb
I am a cherry bomb, an explosive force of energy and liveliness.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Joan Jett, Kim Fowley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@baotuancaothien5459
"Cherry Bomb"
Can't stay at home, can't stay at school
Old folks say, ya poor little fool
Down the street I'm the girl next door
I'm the fox you've been waiting for
Hello Daddy, hello Mom
I'm your ch ch ch ch ch cherry bomb
Hello world I'm your wild girl
I'm your ch ch ch ch ch cherry bomb
Stone age love and strange sounds too
Come on baby let me get to you
Bad nights cause'n teenage blues
Get down ladies you've got nothing to lose
Hello Daddy, hello Mom
I'm your ch ch ch ch ch cherry bomb
Hello world I'm your wild girl
I'm your ch ch ch ch ch cherry bomb
Hello Daddy, hello Mom
I'm your ch ch ch ch ch cherry bomb
Hello world I'm your wild girl
I'm your ch ch ch ch ch cherry bomb
Hey street boy, what's your style
Your dead end dreams don't make you smile
I'll give ya something to live for
Have ya, grab ya til you're sore
Hello Daddy, hello Mom
I'm your ch ch ch ch ch cherry bomb
Hello world, I'm your wild girl
I'm your ch ch ch ch ch cherry bomb
Cherry bomb
Cherry bomb
Cherry bomb
Cherry bomb
Cherry bomb
@atlasking6110
Fanning and Stewart both knocked it out of the park in this movie. They nailed Cherie and Joan Jett.
@andrewisotope8146
I cannot believe this is the same little girl who starred alongside Tom Cruise in War of the World's! She's blossomed!! Lol
@aliciagallagher5043
Kristen Stewart is actually a really good actress. People get confused with Twilight but that’s just how the character is, awkward. She killed this role.
@husher5142
snow white was awful, but she has her moments
@trainchugger53
No matter what Twilight says, I know Kristen Stewart can still act thanks to this
@AgnibhaBasumallick
Truer words have never been spoken.
@fortminor85
Joan Jett herself gave Kristen her seal of approval of playing her.
@johnnunyabizzness6452
Josh Lopez that is true, shes listed as a producer
@koccinellablu18
k-stew in the twilight saga has done a good job. it seems like she didn't only because bella and the saga in generally was written in that awful way
@AIIA94
Even before Twilight, her acting in Speak and Panic Room were pretty good even for her in a very young age