There are many paths to stardom in Hollywood. Just ask Francesca Eastwood, the 19-year-old daughter of legendary filmmaker Clint Eastwood.

The fledgling model catapulted into the limelight this week, sparking a tsunami of controversy after she and photographer beau Tyler Shields released some disturbing images from a recent photo shoot.

Those questionable pictures featured a $100K red crocodile Birkin bag from luxury retailer Hermes being slashed by a chainsaw and burned to a crisp.

Eastwood's stab at "art" has since sparked public outrage, especially from fashionistas who revere these hand-crafted Hermes handbags as works of art.

The move has also garnered attacks and death threats via Twitter and Facebook, where Eastwood was slammed for wasting $100,000 in today's troubled economy.

"Apparently Francesca is shocked by the amount of hatred she's been receiving," said eTalk co-host Tanya Kim on Tuesday on CTV's News Channel.

Eastwood's step-mother, Dina Ruiz, is also said to be "shocked" that the young woman even owned a $100,000 Birkin bag.

But the real disbelief lays with onlookers around the world, who have lashed out at Eastwood and Shields for their handiwork.

"Some things you can't repeat," said Kim as she read portions of biting tweets on CTV's News Channel, such as one that made this point: "wasted money when families can't eat."

That waste was also highlighted in another tweet Kim read aloud: "Some of us actually have to work and live check 2 check."

Eastwood's definition of "art" also elicited scathing digs on Twitter.

"So she gutted and burnt and alligator Birkin as an ART Form???" tweeted @malaychic.

"Clint Eastwood's Daughter has Too Much Time/Money on her Hands. Shocker," tweeted @entertainmentIE.

Eastwood has reportedly defended her actions by saying that people don't understand art.

"That's all she's saying, but she's being a little bit flippant," said Kim.

Even so, this controversy has garnered publicity that money cannot buy for Eastwood and Shields.

In the past, Shields has taken provocative pictures of Lindsay Lohan, 25, and Mischa Barton, 26.

He snapped Lohan against a blood-splattered wall, sprawled out on a floor like a murder victim in sexy lingerie, stockings and stilettos.

Shields photographed Barton doing some edgy dance moves with a man in a tuxedo sporting the head of a panda bear.

His images of "Glee" star Heather Morris also pushed the envelope. The actress was shot with a bruised eye. The images made light of the abusive treatment of women, according to some critics.

Unlike Shields, Eastwood has had little to boast about in her career until now.