Top 10 Shocking Reveals from Child Star

Child stars have existed since the Golden Age of Hollywood with a lot of the same issues persisting nearly a century later. There have also been several turning points in the history of child stardom, most notably cable’s introduction. While countless kids had worked in film and TV up to that point, they were usually relegated to smaller, supporting roles. Child star icons like Macaulay Culkin were a rarity. That all changed with networks like Nickelodeon and Disney Channel, which popularized shows featuring kid ensembles. While this created more opportunities for young talent, it also inevitably intensified the issues that child stars regularly face. Suddenly, generations of kids were growing up in the spotlight, falling into similar traps.

Numerous former child stars have had their lives cut short, from Golden Age actors like Judy Garland and Bobby Driscoll to more modern talent like Lee Thompson Young and Aaron Carter. This isn’t a coincidence. Be it due to self-inflicted harm, an accidental overdose, or years of trauma, these tragic endings are often rooted in fame. According to former Disney star Alyson Stoner, people who aren’t famous are likely to live longer than someone in the limelight. This statistic doesn’t just apply to people who became celebrities at a young age. That said, Stoner questioned why we would want to expose kids to fame, comparing it to a drug that alters how their minds and bodies develop.

Turning child stars into brands arguably goes all the way back to Jackie Coogan and especially Shirley Temple. With entire networks now dedicated to child actors, they’ve become enormous earners for conglomerates. Nickelodeon came to be Viacom’s most valuable component while “Hannah Montana” alone was a billion-dollar IP for Disney. JoJo Siwa’s face was plastered on a plethora of merchandise, from dolls to bath bombs. According to Siwa, Nickelodeon owned virtually everything other than her social media. While Siwa at least got to be herself on camera, Demi Lovato struggled to separate herself from her brand. When a person is treated like a commodity, they can be drained of their individuality. In addition to marketing celebrities to consumers, corporations sell the idea of being famous.

During the production of the first “Camp Rock” movie, Alyson Stoner noticed that Demi Lovato was “purging” in the bathroom. At first, Lovato panicked that her secret was out. Stoner was there to support Lovato, though, understanding what their co-star was going through. Both realized that they weren’t alone with many of their insecurities being universal to child stars. Although Stoner and Lovato had somebody to talk to, their eating disorders and other mental health issues continued. For Stoner, the “Camp Rock” press tour in Europe was especially difficult. Behind the smiles, Stoner was extremely self-conscious about their appearance. Like Lovato, Stoner is in a much better place today, helping to promote body positivity and advocating to protect child stars.

Entering the industry at a young age, Christina Ricci found more stability on set than at home. While Ricci described herself as a troubled kid, her father was the main source of chaos. Ricci revealed that her father tried and failed to run a cult. Performing offered an escape from her father’s physical violence and constant narcissism. Once Ricci started acting, her relationship with her mother improved. She also got to work with entertainers who looked out for her like Cher. Her experiences as a child star weren’t all positive. Ricci could feel isolated at school and eventually fell into substance use as a teenager. Despite these challenges, Ricci has matured into a successful adult actress and a well-adjusted person.

In addition to her talent, JoJo Siwa has become a superstar by being herself. There was one aspect of Siwa’s life that Nickelodeon wasn’t eager to promote, however. Siwa avoided giving a definitive answer when asked about her sexuality. After singing “Born This Way” on TikTok, though, Siwa essentially came out as LGBTQ+ to the public. While Siwa’s social media feed flooded with support, Nickelodeon was concerned with how retailers would respond, asking the star to assure them that she wasn’t “going crazy.” Siwa acted professionally, but everything immediately changed. Most notably, Siwa wasn’t invited to that year’s Kids Choice Awards. Although Nickelodeon claimed this was an “honest mistake,” Siwa felt “blackballed.” Raven-Symoné faced similar obstacles as she hid her true self for years.

Kenan Thompson was among the most recognizable Nickelodeon stars throughout the 90s, appearing in shows like “All That” and movies like “Good Burger.” By the end of his tenure, you’d think he would’ve been on steady financial ground. Thompson and his mother thought so. That was until they learned their accountant was a con artist, stealing almost all of the money Thompson made. In a separate interview, Thompson mentioned that he lost $1.5 million to the crooked accountant. By the time this came to light, Thompson was getting ready to leave Nickelodeon and purchase a house. While Thompson found success beyond Nick, this incident still gets under his skin. Such deceit isn’t uncommon, as Alyson Stoner was also ripped off by people they trusted.

Descending from Hollywood royalty, Drew Barrymore has been acting since she was 11 months old. The actress barely knew her father, John Drew Barrymore, describing him as “dangerous”. Drew was raised by her mother Jaid, although she didn’t really understand what a family unit was like until landing a role in “E.T.” Barrymore grew close with director Steven Spielberg, her real-life godfather. While Spielberg would always have a positive influence on Barrymore, the same can’t be said about some of the other adults she grew up around. Speaking with Lovato, Barrymore revealed that her mother’s friend gave her substances before she was even a teenager. While Barrymore has taken responsibility for her mistakes, her role models were few and far between.

Lovato was surrounded by cruel classmates who signed a petition encouraging her to commit self-harm. When Lovato landed her first Disney gigs, she hoped these negative feelings would stay behind in Texas. Even after becoming a big star, Lovato still faced rejection and insecurities. She grew distant from family members like half-sister Madison De La Garza, who endured her own struggles. Having little time off, Lovato became sleep-deprived and consumed by substance use. Lovato’s memory was affected, even forgetting Raven-Symoné’s guest spot on “Sonny with a Chance.” As Lovato’s attitude worsened, people walked on eggshells around her. Lovato was pressured to enter treatment after punching backup dancer Alex Welch. By sharing her experiences, Lovato hopes to build a better future for young performers.

Jackie Coogan provided the basis for the California Child Actor’s Bill, helping to ensure young performers have some of their earnings set aside for when they come of age. This law doesn’t apply to the whole country, however. Florida, where Nickelodeon Studios was located, has no laws on par with the Coogan Act. The internet has also introduced a grey area. Some of the biggest social media stars are underage with parents managing their accounts. There are few if any protections guaranteeing child influencers will ever see any of the revenue their content generates. Representative Kristine Reeves has worked to pass House Bill 1627, which goes beyond securing finances. It’s just as much about giving young social media stars the right to walk away.

What was your biggest takeaway from “Child Star?” Let us know in the comments.