As a concerned observer of the Hollywood scene, I find it both heartbreaking and infuriating to see how the industry that once nurtured and celebrated child stars has become a breeding ground for abuse and exploitation. The stories of Corey Feldman and Alex Winter are particularly troubling, as they highlight the devastating impact that the entertainment world can have on vulnerable young individuals.
Child stardom comes with its own set of challenges, as noted by Dr. Sanam Hafeez, a neuropsychologist and director of Comprehend the Mind. She explained to Looper that the continuous pressure to excel can cause chronic stress, anxiety disorders, and depression, which have a substantial effect on a child’s mental health. Moreover, the obsession with external validation and fame may alter personal values and priorities, shaping future choices and life contentment. Additionally, relationships with family members and friends might suffer due to parents’ managerial roles that often blend home life and career, while the demanding nature of acting makes socializing more challenging.
Given the circumstances, it’s not surprising that numerous young actors have faced significant challenges coping with the perils of early fame in the entertainment industry. As a result, child protection laws are being broadened throughout Hollywood, as reported by Camron Dowlatshahi, an attorney specializing in entertainment and employment law at Mills, Sadat, Dowlat LLP. Dowlatshahi mentioned that legislators nationwide prioritize child safety, with a particular focus on the film industry. SAG-AFTRA has taken steps to regulate working conditions by setting limits on work hours, providing hotlines for reporting issues, and conducting background checks on individuals working with minors. Although these measures are positive developments, unfortunately, they arrive too late for many child actors who have already faced challenges in Hollywood. Numerous former child stars have publicly criticized the industry’s treatment of young talent.
Brooke Shields
As a gaming enthusiast reminiscing on the past, I can’t forget Brooke Shields – not just for her TV appearances since the ’90s, but also for her groundbreaking roles in movies during my childhood. You might recognize her from that memorable guest spot on “Friends,” yet she was more than that. Early in her career, she made waves as a child actor, tackling characters that were, let’s say, ahead of their time in terms of sexuality – like the ones she played in “Pretty Baby,” “The Blue Lagoon,” and “Endless Love.”
In her own words (as reported by Daily Mail), Shields stated, “I found myself at the heart of an objectification of young women, but my strong mother and supportive community protected me from harmful influences.” She believes that Hollywood, being a system that thrives on exploiting its newcomers, was responsible for creating such statistics. However, she remains committed to transforming the industry to make it more welcoming and empowering for women beyond their 40s. At the event, she emphasized, “We’re not just anti-wrinkle solutions; we need to alter the narrative to celebrate the beauty of this age.”
Mara Wilson
Following her remarkable success in the ’90s playing child roles in films like “Matilda,” “A Simple Wish,” “Miracle on 34th Street,” and “Mrs. Doubtfire,” Mara Wilson shifted from screen acting, occasionally engaging in stage work instead. Like many former child stars, she transitioned into regular adult professions. In the 2010s, she transformed into a writer and commentator, gaining attention for her candid piece published on Cracked in 2013 titled “7 Reasons Child Stars Go Crazy (An Insider’s Perspective),” which offered an intimate look at the challenges of child stardom.
As stated by Wilson, while she voluntarily began acting at the age of 5, not all child actors share this fortunate experience, as some are pushed into it by their parents and end up becoming the main source of income for their families. Moreover, Wilson cautioned that celebrity children are often exposed to potential dangers from predators and inappropriate sexualization beyond the reach of their parents’ protection. Wilson encouraged aspiring young actors to carefully consider their true desires and to rely on their own ability to adapt their careers. Her advice was to ensure that the choice is truly theirs, to leave when it ceases to be enjoyable, and to pursue education alongside their acting career.
Todd Bridges
In the ’70s and ’80s, Todd Bridges rose to fame playing Willis Jackson on “Diff’rent Strokes.” In an interview on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in 2010, he disclosed a tragic truth: at age 11, he was sexually abused by his own publicist. A few years later, he appeared on CNN to back a California bill that required background checks for certain film and TV roles, particularly those providing close access to child actors. Advocating for this legislation, Bridges emphasized that the abuse he endured was enabled by the entertainment industry.
As a passionate advocate for children’s safety, I believe it’s crucial to spread awareness that our industry must prioritize the wellbeing of young talents. Unfortunately, some parents’ eagerness for their kids to succeed in show business can lead them to make unwise decisions, such as sending their children with unknown individuals. This is a risky move that should be avoided at all costs.
Drew Barrymore
Draw Barrymore is recognized as a highly admired American actor from her generation. However, during her youth, she earned the reputation of being Hollywood’s leading teenage rebel. Known for her acting talent since early childhood, her life in the public eye took a tumultuous turn during adolescence. In her 2015 memoir “Wildflower,” she shared: “My fast-paced career starting at just 11 months old and its impact on my childhood caused me to mature too quickly.” (Source: The Guardian)
In her past experiences, Barrymore developed caution about exposing her children to the same level of public scrutiny she endured. During a 2024 interview with People, she advised her kids who showed interest in acting, social media, or singing: “Participate in school plays, theater camps, everything! But avoid being in the spotlight until you’re prepared.” Despite this concern, she emphasized that the film industry itself wasn’t inherently harmful: “It has granted me countless opportunities and I cherish my life because of it.”
Jennette McCurdy
Jennette McCurdy, known for her role in Nickelodeon’s “iCarly,” demonstrated her extraordinary acting talent and sharp comedic sense. However, after leaving acting in 2022, she proved herself to be a talented writer as well by publishing the highly praised memoir “I’m Glad My Mom Died.” This book provides an honest account of McCurdy’s challenges with child stardom, viewed through the prism of her complex relationship with her deceased mother.
McCurdy’s life took a different turn post “iCarly”. In her book, she shares the reasons behind this change. She confesses that she ventured into acting to realize her mother’s aspirations, but being a teen celebrity led her down a path of anxiety and eating disorders. Moreover, she found the work environment at Nickelodeon challenging, exhausting, frustrating, and ultimately harmful for her personal growth. According to McCurdy, she persevered through all these hardships because her mother believed it was the cost of achieving success.
After leaving Nickelodeon, it was reported that they offered her $300,000 in return for not speaking about her time at the network, which she declined. In an interview with The New York Times in 2022, McCurdy expressed that her childhood and teenage years were heavily exploited by the industry. She also mentioned avoiding watching any of the shows she starred in and that her decision to step away from acting stemmed from a need for personal autonomy. “I want my life to be mine,” McCurdy stated, emphasizing that she seeks independence from eating disorders, casting directors, agents, and even her own mother.
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus, who was once known for her role in Disney’s “Hannah Montana,” has grown into a beloved and versatile adult artist with exceptional talent. It’s easy to forget her teenage past given her current success, but she acknowledges that the pressures of stardom at such a young age were significant. In hindsight, Cyrus admitted to CBS Sunday Morning, “I think now that I’m older now, I realize that’s a lot to put on a child.”
As a longtime fan, it’s heartening to hear Miley Cyrus reflect on her past. She has admitted that the intense media scrutiny she faced during her rebellious phase left her feeling guilty and ashamed for years. In an interview with British Vogue, she shared, “Looking back now as an adult, I understand how harshly I was judged.”
It’s possible that Miley Cyrus may have left Hollywood temporarily rather than permanently. In an interview with W Magazine in 2024, she stated that she would only return to acting if the role was suitable and allowed her to convincingly portray a character, as people might find it difficult to separate her from the roles she has played before.
Alyson Stoner
In a piece published by People in 2021, Alyson Stoner (known for her roles in movies like “Cheaper by the Dozen,” “Step Up,” and “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody”) spoke about their observation of what they called the “toddler-to-trainwreck trajectory.” Stoner argues that the child star system is maintained by hiding the harmful events occurring off-screen, promoting idealized lifestyles, and then witnessing many young stars struggle and ultimately face hardships.
In his writing, Stoner criticized Hollywood for contributing to the emotional harm of young actors by portraying their mental struggles as isolated incidents. Drawing on personal experiences within the industry, he suggested that a lack of safety measures was evident, particularly in the care of young and vulnerable stars. These stars may form harmful psychological connections between the “repeatedly practiced powerlessness” demanded by some roles and the praise or criticism they receive for their performances.
Stoner also called out the lack of strong regulation regarding working hours for child actors, in addition to “the sexual harassment, stolen IP and money, paparazzi, psychological impact of the new influencer landscape, [and the] toxic power plays.” Throughout the article, they pushed for systemic change in Hollywood, including the hiring of on-set mental health professionals and courses for guardians and representatives.
Elijah Wood
As a die-hard fan looking back at the career of Elijah Wood, I can’t help but marvel at his journey before embodying Frodo Baggins in Peter Jackson’s legendary “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. In the ’90s, he was a child acting sensation, gracing screens in movies like “North,” “Avalon,” “The Good Son,” and even “Flipper.”
As a devoted fan, it was widely perceived that his remarks about his mother shielding him during childhood were rooted in personal experience. However, he swiftly addressed this assumption by revealing on X (which was commonly known as Twitter back then) that his outrage stemmed from a moving documentary he had watched. He penned, “Let me make it crystal clear: The sensitive topic of child abuse demands open discussions and thorough investigations. But to set the record straight, I don’t have any personal experience or direct observations on this matter. So, I can only express my views based on articles I’ve read and films I’ve seen.”
Raven-Symoné
As the psychic character Raven Baxter on “That’s So Raven,” Raven-Symoné rose to become one of Disney Channel’s most prominent stars. Since the show ended, she has openly discussed the challenges faced by a Disney teen celebrity. In an interview with Yahoo! Entertainment in 2020, Raven-Symoné, who identifies as a lesbian, revealed that at age 15, a higher-up in the industry labeled her as a “liability.” She explained that she was advised to conceal aspects of her personal life and pressured to remain within a confined space to avoid causing trouble, ensuring that others could continue profiting from her.
Originally a child actor, Raven-Symoné later expressed her experience in Hollywood as a cycle of breakdown and buildup, stating that the industry often drains performers emotionally before abandoning them without support. Reflecting on her past, she acknowledged that therapy revealed the emotional toll the industry took on her during her youth. However, she noted a positive change in the entertainment world today, where more doors are being opened to various subcultures, including those based on size, sexuality, and gender identity – a sense of acceptance she yearned for as a child.
Frankie Muniz
In the 2000s, being a child often meant enjoying movies featuring Frankie Muniz. This actor gained global fame with roles in films such as “My Dog Skip,” “Big Fat Liar,” “Agent Cody Banks,” and its sequel. He also made his mark on television history by portraying the lead character on the popular sitcom “Malcolm in the Middle” for seven seasons. Later, Muniz took a break from acting to pursue auto racing; now, he races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
In a conversation with Pedestrian TV on TikTok through The Hollywood Reporter in 2024, Muniz shared his reservations about the film industry. He expressed that he wouldn’t want his child to pursue a career within it, despite having had a completely positive experience himself. He explained that he has witnessed many of his friends and acquaintances endure extremely negative experiences, leading him to view the industry as somewhat unpleasant overall. He also mentioned that while he was never bothered by rejection, there is an overwhelming amount of it in the business.
Corey Feldman
Corey Feldman, a well-known child actor from the 1980s film industry, starred in popular movies such as “The Goonies,” “Stand by Me” (widely regarded as an outstanding adaptation of a Stephen King tale), “Gremlins,” and “The Lost Boys.” More recently, he has gained attention for publicly discussing the alleged sexual abuse he experienced in Hollywood, often alongside his long-time friend and frequent co-star Corey Haim, who passed away in 2010. In 2020, Feldman told The Guardian that the biggest issue in Hollywood is pedophilia, a claim he further elaborated on in his documentary “My Truth: The Story of the 2 Coreys.”
In the movie world, I’ve spoken out against some individuals who I believe are among Hollywood’s abusers, including Marty Weiss, Jon Grissom, and Alphy Hoffman. Additionally, Haim confided in me that Charlie Sheen had sexually abused him during our film “Lucas.” However, Sheen refuted these claims, calling them “disturbing, absurd” in a statement to Entertainment Weekly.
Alex Winter
As a passionate gamer speaking out, I once shared the stage with Broadway back when I was just a kid. Then, I found myself in the spotlight in movies like “The Lost Boys” and “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.” In an interview with BBC 5 back in 2018, I bravely opened up about a dark secret – I was molested at age 13 while working on a theater production. Despite seeing positive changes in Hollywood, I believe the industry still needs to take responsibility. The courage sparked by movements like #MeToo has given me the strength to share my story and demand change.
In his current role as a film director, Winter was responsible for the 2020 documentary “Showbiz Kids,” which delved into the lives of child actors in Hollywood and the industry’s darker aspects. Reflecting on the project in 2020, he shared with The Guardian that if similar experiences had occurred to him back then, he would have immediately sought help from a stage manager or someone else. However, it wasn’t until his 40s that he finally found the courage to express his feelings about those events.
Winter shared that he suffered severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of his past abuse, which left him feeling fragmented – a situation often faced by child stars. He explained, “By your mid-20s, it’s like you’re holding together those different parts of yourself with tape. That’s when you see young adults overdosing or struggling with mental health issues.” It was then that Winter decided to mostly retreat from acting and dedicate himself to recovery.
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2024-08-07 14:30