Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Beverly Hills Rite of Passage

We have to admit that MTV's latest reality series "My Super Sweet 16"has us entranced. Each episode features some upper middle class teen organizing his or her dream sweet sixteen party. The extravagance is mind blowing. It's like "Lifestyle of the Junior Rich and Famous."Our favorite episode so far features Ava, a Beverly Hills teen who shops, growls and pouts just like Alicia Silverstone in "Clueless." Ava lives with her mother in a condo in one of those high-rise buildings lining Wilshire Blvd, just west of the Los Angeles Country Club.
Ava is beyond spoiled; yet she's charming despite herself. She insists on going to Paris to shop for a party dress yet is too dumb to realize that all the stores are closed for summer vacations in August when she arrives. When her mother takes her to a swanky yet non-branded boutique that's still open, Ava pouts "I don't want a dress from Ziki. No one can tell where my dress is from."
It gets better.
Ava decides on an Arabian Night Sweet 16 and the family rents a ballroom at the Four Seasons Beverly Hills. Ava wants to make a grand entrance at her party so they hire some muscular Loyola Marymount University boys to carry her into the ballroom on a divan.
She insists on going car shopping though she's not yet 16 and still lacks a drivers license. "Everyone else has a car without a license," she whines to her daddy. She settles on a huge Range Rover, even though it isn't close to her favorite color, pink.
After disobeying her parents one too many times, they inform her at her birthday dinner at Dolce that she will not receive a car after all. The punk starts wailing, "You've ruined my special day!"
Finally, it's time for the party. Ava makes her entrance in one dress and then hurries to change into another party dress; she's had both dresses custom made.
Her parents surprise her with her own Range Rover after all. The princess is very pleased.
We hope that MTV commissions another season of Rich Girls and sets it in Beverly Hills starring Ava.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.