Judy Garland dazzled the world as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, radiating innocence and hope. But behind the camera, she was a child trapped by Hollywood’s studio system—controlled, overworked, medicated, and exploited. Sleep, food, and energy were manipulated; perfection was demanded, and mistakes punished.
Her voice and talent were given freely, but protection, care, and a normal childhood were denied. Addiction, breakdowns, and public scrutiny followed—consequences of years of exploitation, not weakness. Yet she kept performing, loved fiercely, and fought to be present for her children, even as trauma and exhaustion shaped her life.
Judy’s brilliance came at a terrible cost. Remembering her means honoring her talent and acknowledging the system that engineered her suffering. She was more than Dorothy—she was a survivor, a warning, and a legacy of resilience that refuses to be ignored.