Well-adjusted, normal Dakota Fanning is the antithesis of Ali Lohan

Whenever I see pictures or read something about 15-year-old child actress Dakota Fanning, I always think to myself this girl is the same age as Ali Lohan'. It really puts everything in perspective, I think. One is a bright, accomplished young woman who balances a full and active high school education (complete with cheerleading and homecoming princess-hood) with a kick-ass film career. The other is content to be home-schooled' at The Girls' School of Cracked-Out Messes. With that in mind, I thoroughly enjoyed Dakota's Teen Vogue December cover interview - she comes across as intelligent but not arrogant, professional but still a kid. Here are some of the highlights:

Dakota, on her reason for taking the role of Jane in New Moon:
'I read all four Twilight books in one week. It's such a phenomenon, and I wanted to be able to say that I was a part of it.'

On her co-star Kristen Stewart:
'We became really close, like we'd known each other for our whole lives. We talk all the time.'

Kristen Stewart on Dakota:
'Dakota is one of the most consistently moving actors I have ever worked with. I'm always better with her.'

On playing a mean girl for the first time:
'I've never been such an evil character, and because I do know Kristen so well, being mean to her was really weird. It's like, Sorry, dude!'

On her transition into an adult actress:
'I'm going to get older, and I want to act for the rest of my life'it's what I love'so I have to move forward with my career. The choices that I make might not always please everyone, but I have to do what I feel is appropriate and right for the time.'

On wanting to attend high school:
'I really wanted a home base, because I feel like no matter how old people are, they remember homecoming. They remember their senior prom. And I really wanted that.'

On her teen rebellion:
'I get my rebellion out through my movies. I'm boring in that way. I enjoy having a normal life.'

[From Teen Vogue]

I have my fingers crossed that she stays this well-adjusted. Hell, at this point, in the grand scope of child actors who break down later in life, I consider professional bag-ladies Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen to be successful, you know? But obviously, I have higher hopes for Dakota. Perhaps the Jodie Foster model would be best for her. It seems to have worked out for Kristen Stewart. Oh, and that's another reason why I like Kristen Stewart - I find her friendship with Dakota to be incredibly sweet. It could come across as patronizing, for an older actress who made the successful transition from child actress to adult to take Dakota under her wing. But Kristen makes it seem very natural, and like she's coming from a place of genuine friendship.

Here's Dakota in Teen Vogue. Photos thanks to Oh No They Didn't.