‘It Felt Cruelly Ironic’: Matilda Child Star Pens Tribute To Michelle Trachtenberg And Gets Candid About The Buffy Star Being Bullied In School

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I can’t help but feel the impact when celebrities I admired pass away, especially those who were a part of my childhood. For instance, the death of Michelle Trachtenberg, a beloved ‘Buffy’ cast member, continues to resonate among her fans. Details about her life are gradually emerging, and Mara Wilson, her co-star from ‘Matilda,’ has recently shared insights into their friendship and how Michelle faced bullying because of her fame as a child.

Over the past few weeks, an outpouring of heartfelt tributes have been shared for Trachtenberg, whose impact on countless lives was profound through her work in shows like “Harriet The Spy”, “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” (available with a Hulu subscription) and “Gossip Girl”. Mara Wilson, a former child actress, wrote a touching tribute to her late friend for Vulture, sharing the struggles she faced as a famous youngster. She reminisced about a time when Trachtenberg bravely discussed being bullied, offering solace with her words:

She explained tearfully, “They refer to me as Harriet the Slut, Harriet the Bitch, Harriet the Bitchy Spy, and even worse things. It’s constant.” I had never witnessed Michelle shed tears before. She was always impeccably composed and self-assured. Upon reflection, I understood why she was perceived as ‘rude.’ They were rude to her first, then when she defended herself, they labeled her a bitch.

Adolescence, which encompasses middle school and high school, is a challenging period for many, but it’s hard to fathom the added scrutiny that a child actor might face. Children can be unkind, and it appears that Trachtenberg’s fame made her an even bigger target for bullying. According to Wilson’s account, she was labeled as “difficult” or a “bitch” when she asserted herself.

In her article, Wilson elaborated that it’s particularly heartbreaking when child actors are bullied by their peers, a situation she described as “unexpectedly tragic.

As a passionate admirer, I must say it wasn’t merely the fact that she was being bullied; it was an overwhelming challenge for her to find a way out of their disdain. Being a child actor is all about creating joy and satisfaction for everyone around you. It was heart-wrenchingly ironic to be so detested when our primary purpose was to win people’s affection.

It’s plausible that her decision to cease acting was influenced, at least in part, by the behaviors she encountered as a child star, which may have played a role in Mara Wilson’s eventual departure from the industry. However, it should be noted that she did make a cameo appearance on Broad City in an episode that drew inspiration from Mrs. Doubtfire.

Following the heartfelt tributes from the cast of “Gossip Girl”, details about the health struggles of the deceased actress emerged publicly. Despite no evidence of foul play in her untimely death at 39 years old, it doesn’t diminish the profound sadness her passing has caused. The late actress was cherished, with fellow child stars such as Wilson among those who held her dear.

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2025-03-19 16:08