29 July 2009,
WWD.com - The show must go on. And according to the executive producers of the highly anticipated CW series, “The Beautiful Life,” it will, despite star Mischa Barton’s recent well-publicized hospitalization. “We are happy to report that Mischa Barton is doing well and excited to start work, as we all are,” Mike Kelley and Karey Burke wrote in an e-mail to WWD on Monday. “Production for ‘The Beautiful Life’ will begin on Friday, July 31.” The e-mail also noted Barton is expected on set on Aug. 3.

Real-life intrigue aside, the show’s other stars were plenty enthusiastic at a shoot for WWD that took place the day after the Barton news broke. “I don’t know what’s going on. I hope she’s OK,” Sara Paxton offered before turning to the topic at hand, her own role in the show, and the day’s shoot, which included a sequin, animal-print Elise Overland cocktail dress and studded Cesare Paciotti booties. “I love myself in this!” she squealed while looking in the mirror. “I’m so cool! I love myself!” The edgy look was a departure for the pretty blonde, 21, who describes her everyday uniform as “grunge-meets-grandma equestrian,” but then again, she was expecting to undergo a major fashion transformation for “The Beautiful Life.”The show chronicles a group of models as they rise and fall in the international fashion arena and, much like in the real world, outrageous drama will be as much a part of the story lines as fabulous duds.

It’s the creation of Ashton Kutcher and Kelley of “Swingtown” and “The O.C.” fame, and inspired by the real-life modeling experiences of Kutcher and model-turned-writer Adam Giaudrone. “It’s about the struggle,” said Kelley. “These aren’t privileged people who have money or are trying to win a contest on a reality show. These [characters] are kids who don’t have a lot of opportunities outside of their looks, and they are trying to parlay whatever success they have into an actual future.” - Source.