In her directorial debut, pop star Demi Lovato takes a deep dive into the complex world of childhood fame with her new documentary Child Star. The film, which premiered on Hulu on Tuesday, features in-depth interviews with six former child stars—Drew Barrymore, Christina Ricci, Kenan Thompson, JoJo Siwa, Alyson Stoner, and Raven-Symoné—who open up about the emotional toll of growing up in the spotlight.
A Glimpse into the Price of Early Fame
In Child Star, Lovato, who first rose to fame as a child actor herself, explores a pivotal question: “Is the price of fame worth losing your childhood?” Through candid conversations, she captures the highs and lows these stars faced in their formative years, reflecting on how their early success shaped their lives as adults.
This film arrives amid growing criticism of the child entertainment industry. Following the release of Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, which exposed toxic environments on Dan Schneider’s Nickelodeon productions, calls have increased for greater protections for young entertainers. Child Star adds to this dialogue, offering an “intimate look” at the unique pressures child actors endure.
Lovato’s Personal Journey and Apology to Fellow Actors
While Child Star is her first project as a director, Lovato is no stranger to documentaries, having previously shared her struggles with addiction, mental health, and fame. In this film, she steps both behind and in front of the camera, recounting her experience rising to stardom as a Disney Channel favorite. She recalls her punishing work schedule that led to burnout, detailing how she filmed Camp Rock, recorded albums, toured, and shot multiple Disney projects, all with little to no breaks.
Lovato also reflects on her emotional struggles, noting how she equated her success with her self-worth and constantly sought external validation. In a poignant moment, she apologizes to co-stars Alyson Stoner and Raven-Symoné for past tensions during their Disney days, acknowledging that she was “difficult” to work with at times due to the immense pressure she was under. Both actors responded with empathy, recognizing the stress Lovato faced.
Kenan Thompson: “Child Fame Is Not a Normal Existence”
Kenan Thompson, a longtime Saturday Night Live star, looks back on his Nickelodeon days, where he appeared in hits like All That and Kenan & Kel. Thompson shares that growing up famous can be an isolating experience, not just for the actor but for their family as well. He stresses the importance of having a mentor to help navigate such an unusual lifestyle and recalls the shock of learning a financial adviser had stolen his earnings—an all-too-common issue for young stars.
Christina Ricci on the Isolation of Childhood Fame
Christina Ricci, known for roles in The Addams Family and Casper, described acting as an escape from her dysfunctional home life. Despite this, she found the experience isolating, noting that she couldn’t relate to other children because of her career. Ricci also spoke about the lack of agency child actors often feel, explaining that her decisions were largely shaped by the adults around her. She candidly revealed turning to drugs and alcohol as a teenager to cope with the loss of control over her own life.
Drew Barrymore’s Struggle with Boundaries
Drew Barrymore, whose acting career began when she was just 11 months old, reflected on her struggle to set boundaries as a young star. Barrymore, who comes from a famous family of actors, shared that her time on E.T.: The Extraterrestrial was life-changing, particularly because director Steven Spielberg provided the parental guidance she lacked in her personal life. “He was the first person I felt embarrassed in front of,” she said, recalling how his boundaries helped her realize what a parent-child relationship should feel like.
Alyson Stoner: The Impact of Media on Self-Esteem
Alyson Stoner, who became famous for her role in Missy Elliott’s “Work It” video and later starred in Disney Channel hits like Camp Rock, opened up about the negative impact fame had on her self-esteem. Stoner recalls seeing her images edited and airbrushed in teen magazines, which left her feeling insecure about her appearance. This led to an eating disorder while promoting Camp Rock in Europe. Stoner has since become an outspoken advocate, hosting a podcast called Dear Hollywood that addresses the developmental impacts of childhood fame.
Raven-Symoné: Supporting Her Family from a Young Age
Raven-Symoné began acting as a toddler, starring on The Cosby Show at just three years old. She revealed how early on she understood the financial pressures of being the family breadwinner. She also touched on the emotional complexity of performing for parental approval, a dynamic many child actors face.
JoJo Siwa: A Shift in Treatment After Coming Out
JoJo Siwa, who gained popularity on Dance Moms and later became a Nickelodeon star, shared how coming out as part of the LGBTQ community changed how she was treated by the network. Siwa expressed that after revealing her sexuality, the way Nickelodeon communicated and collaborated with her shifted significantly, though the network denied any intentional exclusion.
Child Star sheds light on the nuanced and often overlooked challenges faced by young celebrities. Through honest discussions, Lovato and her fellow former child actors offer a call to action, emphasizing the need for more safeguards and emotional support for children in the entertainment industry.
Watch the video: Demi Lovato – You’ll Be OK, Kid (From the Original Documentary “Child Star”)
Stream “You’ll Be OK, Kid” Out Now: https://DemiLovato.lnk.to/YoullBeOkKid
Connect with Demi: YouTube: / therealdemilovato Instagram: / ddlovato
Available on Hulu Now: https://www.hulu.com/movie/child-star-33cd6fa1-97f4-442a-a1df-4f6406a38a13
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