As one of the most critically-acclaimed child stars in the history of filmmaking, Dakota Fanning spent the majority of her young lifetime dominating the big screen, scooping up awards and earning praise. But, where has the young star disappeared to in her 20s— and what are her next moves?

Dakota Fanning: The Ultimate Child Star

Dakota Fanning is a seasoned child star with dozens of film credits to show for it. The actress was only six when her career kicked off and she was launched into the spotlight through films like I Am Sam, Uptown Girls, and Charlotte’s Web. But, what has the now 24-year-old actress been up to lately?

Stepping To The Side: Her Sister’s Rise

Her sister, Elle, may be one of the reasons behind her step back from film and television. Dakota grew up onscreen, but she wasn’t the only member of her family working in film. While Dakota hasn’t been on the acting scene much lately, her sister has stepped center stage. Elle has starred in films such as Maleficent, Super 8, and We Bought A Zoo. Yet, Dakota is proud of her sister— and her own career is thriving behind the scenes.

NYU Gallatin: Focusing On Her Studies

Another potential cause for Daktota’s lesser involvement in the movie industry is something that almost everyone can relate to: she is focusing on her education. She is currently working on studies surrounding females in film at New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study. The passion of her work is, as anyone could expect, time-consuming. But, education isn’t all that’s keeping her out of the spotlight— she has had some control over the radio silence.

Keeping It Casual: Staying Out Of The Tabloids

While many celebrities get caught up in the world of paparazzi (whether they’re relevant in their industry at the time or not), Dakota has been aware of keeping much of her personal life—including and especially her relationships—out of the public eye. She views her acting career separately from her private existence. This means that Dakota’s downtime has gone under the radar. But, she’s not done in the film industry yet!

Looking To Film: An Open-Ended Future

Thankfully for fans, Dakota is still working in the industry in various, smaller roles in television and film. Moreover, she’s just as talented as she was when she was a child! She currently plays a feisty, quick-witted character on TNT’s The Alienist, and she’s looking with interest to her future in film— but it’s clear Dakota is continuing to savor the slower pace of the present!