Top 10 Child Stars Who Regret Being Famous

Alyson Stoner first gained notice appearing as a backup dancer in music videos for stars like Missy Elliott. Outside of dancing, Stoner also acted in films like “Camp Rock” and “Cheaper By the Dozen” and television shows such as “That’s So Raven.” A child star staple of the 2000s, the side effects of working as a youth put a toll on the performer. In her late twenties, Stoner wrote a disturbing op-ed piece for “People Magazine” detailing the stress and trauma she faced as a kid in Hollywood. In an effort to break the cycle, her article also called for better working conditions and more protection for today’s child actors.

Drew Barrymore’s childhood is a cautionary tale. Born into the famous Barrymoore clan, she was destined for the family business. Drew started acting as a baby, eventually starring in big films like “E.T.” Working in the industry led her into dangerous situations and she developed a “party girl” image and addiction. At just 12 years old, Drew had her first experience with rehab and at 13 spent over a year in an institution in order to get sober. As an adult, she’s been vocal about her past struggles, even admitting that she “regrets” not having a “normal” upbringing.

Raven-Symoné lit up the small screen as the adorable Olivia Kendall on “The Cosby Show.” Through the 90s, she worked constantly appearing on television and in films. These projects eventually led her to her breakout role on the Disney Channel series, “That’s So Raven.”
Starring as the lead on the show created a lot of pressure for her. Years later, “The Cheetah Girls” actress confessed that she developed body image issues while working on “Raven.” She also talked about how mentally taxing being a child star was which resulted in her “disassociating.”

Justin Bieber’s rise to fame can only be described as meteoric. From YouTube to Billboard’s Hot 100, it was almost as if he became the biggest pop star on the planet overnight. He was only in his early teens when he released his first album, “My World, which thrust him into the spotlight. Adored and idolized by his massive fanbase, the pressures of fame at a young age proved to be a challenge for the Grammy Award winner. In 2019, via a heartbreaking Instagram, Bieber revealed how deep and dark child stardom can be. He stated “There is an insane pressure and responsibility put on a child whose brain, emotions, frontal lobes (decision making) aren’t developed yet.”

She was everyone’s favorite undercover pop star, but beneath the surface, Miley Cyrus struggled to accept her onscreen persona, “Hannah Montana.” The former Disney Channel star became a household name while starring on the series as a teen. Although it afforded her fame and fortune, the experience was anything but glamorous. As an adult, Cyrus opened up to Marie Claire Magazine, confessing that playing the role caused her to experience body dysmorphia. Referring to herself as “fragile” during that period, the “Flowers” singer also revealed that she was forced to drink coffee so she could keep up the demanding filming schedule.

Arguably one of the most well known child stars of all time, Macaulay Culkin's relationship with fame is complex. He entered showbiz at four years old, and only a few years later in 1990, he became a household name thanks to his breakout role in the Christmas classic, “Home Alone.” As an adult, Culkin has stated that his rise to stardom was troubling due in large part to his father and former manager, Kit Culkin. The “Uncle Buck” actor has claimed Kit was abusive, mentally, physically and emotionally. This forced Macaulay to legally obtain sole access to his finances at just 16 in order to help his mother Patricia Brentrup pay for her divorce from Culkin.

Today, Demi Lovato is a chart topping singer but she’s not just limiting her powerhouse voice to singing. The former Disney Channel star has been open and frank about the plight of being a child actor on numerous occasions. In 2024, Lovato co-directed a documentary about young stardom called “Child Star,” where she reflects on that time stating that she was “in pain” and even referring to that period in her life as “traumatic.” In the doc, the “Camp Rock” alum is joined by fellow and former child stars like Drew Barrymore, Christina Ricci and Raven-Symoné in an effort to raise awareness and help break the cycle for future child actors.

While they were still infants, twins Cole and Dylan Sprouse began acting. From sharing roles in movies like “Big Daddy” to Cole working independently from his brother on “Friends,” the two were making waves in the industry. Eventually, they booked their own Disney television series
“The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.” Decades later, Cole was ready to give up on acting but eventually stuck with it after earning the role of Jughead on “Riverdale.” As his acting career grew as an adult, he has publicly reflected on his childhood, referring to fame as a kind of “trauma.” While he also said he would probably do it all again, Sprouse also does not mince his words when it comes to discussing the realities of child stardom.

As a staple of Nickelodeon for many year, Jennette McCurdy holds a special place in the hearts of millennials. The “iCarly” and “Sam & Cat” star had a knack for comedy and vocals that were ready to top the charts. However, behind the scenes, things were anything but perfect. In 2022, McCurdy wrote a book titled “I’m Glad My Mom Died,” which chronicled her complicated relationship with her late mother, who controlled her both personally and professionally. The harrowing story revealed troubling details about her experience as a child star, which eventually caused her to officially retire from acting in the late 2010s.

From their beginnings on “Full House” to owning a multi-million dollar company, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's rise to fame is unlike any other. The twin sisters catapulted straight into the history books thanks to their direct-to-video movies and their fashion and beauty lines. However, as the two grew older, they also grew distant from their acting careers, eventually kissing it goodbye in favor of dedicating their careers to fashion. It shouldn’t be a surprise considering the challenges of obtaining fame and fortune at a young age. In particular, Mary-Kate has expressed her regrets about it, stating that she would “never wish” her “upbringing on anyone.”

Which one of the child stars do you remember the most from your own childhood? Let us know in the comments.