THAT CHICK LOOKS 30. SHE'S SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE 11TH GRADE?

A heavy drug and alchohol abuser would look older than they are

I just assumed she was playing a drugged out teenager

Pick up a 16 year old crack whore, they look 30

We were commenting the same thing. Having said that, there were several scenes where she *did* look plausible as a teenager. So maybe they just messed up her makeup in some scenes.

She looks and acts older than half the female cast. It's to the point of being distracting.

No.

I thought she did look 20s in the later scenes. It didn't bother me too much.

The reason is likely economics. In Kalifornski there are so many regulations, plus union requirements for under-18 actors, it could cost 'em double to hire someone younger in an important role. For instance, there are limits on hours per day and a requirement to have a "teacher" on set at all times. That's a high-paying job.

That's why, when toddlers or infants are needed, they often hire twins, so they can get decent hours of shooting with that character in the scene. That's harder to do with a teen role.