The Biggest Child Star Controversies In Movie History

It’s often said that child actors grow up to battle drug addiction, and for many, this stereotype sadly rings true. However, the story of red carpets leading to rehab is a simplification. While it’s true that many of these actors struggle with addiction, their lives are filled with far more complexities. These child stars have also dealt with overbearing parents, intrusive paparazzi, and even sexual abuse during their formative years.

Some former child actors report that acting in films was generally beneficial for them, yet they encountered severe opposition and criticism due to portraying controversial characters. For some, the role that propelled them to fame left lasting emotional scars. It often took several years for these individuals to regain control over their lives, and unfortunately, some never fully recovered. Consequently, it’s not surprising that many of these former child stars (who are now parents themselves) strongly oppose the idea of their children pursuing a career in Hollywood at such a young age. To illustrate this point, let’s delve into the most significant child star scandals throughout cinema history.

Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan began modeling at the age of three and made her first film debut at 12. Looking back, it might not have been beneficial for her emotional wellbeing. In an interview with Bustle, she said, “They teach you to always say ‘yes’, but that’s not really what life is about.” For instance, Lohan faced criticism when she publicly acknowledged dating a woman named Samantha Ronson. Later, she played down their relationship in an interview on The Howard Stern Show, claiming they were more like close friends.

Over time, Lohan’s struggle with addiction has been extensively covered by the media, a topic some believe was excessively emphasized due to the focus on her most sensational life incidents. This actress found herself arrested more than once on DUI charges and was admitted into rehab multiple times. The constant scrutiny eventually tarnished her Hollywood reputation, affecting her career negatively. The relentless media coverage became so intrusive that she decided to relocate to Dubai, a place where paparazzi are prohibited, in an attempt to avoid public attention.

As a devoted fan, I must admit that even when Lindsay Lohan stepped away from the limelight, she couldn’t escape the drama. In 2018, an incident unfolded where she tried to help what she believed was a homeless family. The actress generously offered to treat a mother and her children to a hotel stay, but they didn’t seem interested in her gesture. This led Lindsay to voice some unfounded accusations towards them.

Recently, Lindsay has been making a comeback, gracing our screens in numerous rom-coms and appearing more at ease in the public eye. In fact, she’s even found humor in her reputation, which I find quite refreshing!

Macaulay Culkin

Macaulay Culkin, famously known for his role in “Home Alone,” didn’t seem to have a typical childhood. The actor has accused his father, Kit Culkin, who was also an actor, of being abusive. Macaulay suggests that his father may have been envious of his son’s success and tried to maintain control over him in every possible way. He remembers asking his father if he could take a break from acting and just live like an ordinary kid, but his request was denied. When his parents divorced, Macaulay (who was 16) removed both their names from his trust fund so they couldn’t control his finances anymore. Hollywood personalities have expressed opinions on Macaulay’s family issues, with some defending Kit and others accusing him of exploiting his son.

As an adult, Macaulay Culkin has been a subject of debate, with incidents like his 2004 arrest for drug possession adding fuel to the fire. His friendship with Michael Jackson, who stood trial for child molestation charges, led him to testify in defense. Being a fellow child star and friend, he supported Jackson. However, Culkin’s venture into music with the band Pizza Underground, known for their pizza-themed parodies of classic rock songs, was met with significant disapproval. The band’s unpopularity culminated in Culkin and his bandmates being booed off stage. Now, it seems that the Hollywood industry has distanced itself from this once prominent child star.

Brooke Shields

Back when I was just 12 years old, starring in the movie “Pretty Baby” (1978), I found myself right smack in the middle of a whirlwind of controversy. This film, which depicted my character and Susan Sarandon’s in a New Orleans brothel, included scenes that showed me being auctioned off to clients and kissed by an adult man. Critics have labeled it as exploitative or even bordering on pornography, though some of these accusations were hurled by individuals who hadn’t actually seen the film. In fact, it was banned in certain parts of Canada! Needless to say, the sudden fame that came with this role left me swarmed by adoring fans. Unfortunately, my interviews were often filled with inappropriate and intrusive questions from journalists.

Regarding the much-discussed film “Pretty Baby,” Brooke Shields herself didn’t find it particularly significant. What she did value, however, was the attentiveness shown by her adult co-star Keith Carradine during the kissing scene. He made certain that she felt at ease and emphasized that this wouldn’t be counted as her first real-life kiss. Her mother shielded her from the majority of the negative publicity and taught her to ignore harmful comments.

Reflecting on it now, Shields expressed that shooting “Pretty Baby” gave her a sense of security. On the contrary, she found filming “Alice, Sweet Alice” in 1976 much more distressing because she had to wear prosthetic makeup that made her face appear as if it had been burned. This initial sight of herself in full makeup left her quite startled. However, while the experience of shooting “Pretty Baby” was a positive one for Shields, her newfound fame and status as a sex symbol following “Pretty Baby” proved to be much more harmful.

Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting

Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 production of “Romeo and Juliet” features a scene that would be considered inappropriate by today’s standards: it includes nudity involving two underage actors, Olivia Hussey (who was 15 at the time) and Leonard Whiting (also 16).

Following the demise of Zeffirelli, Hussey and Whiting initiated a lawsuit alleging that the director manipulated them, causing significant emotional distress. The suit asserts that the director deceived the adolescent actors to persuade them into filming an explicit scene, initially indicating they would be wearing skin-toned undergarments. However, he subsequently reneged on this promise and demanded the actors to disrobe, only leaving body paint as coverage. Furthermore, he asserted that the camera’s position would ensure viewers wouldn’t witness any nudity; however, Hussey’s breasts and Whiting’s buttocks were exposed in the final cut of the scene.

Supporters of Zeffirelli (including his son Pippo) argue that actresses Hussey and Whiting gained their fame mainly due to Zeffirelli; Pippo even suggested they spoke out against the nude scene only after enjoying successful careers for many years. However, Hussey, who passed away in 2024, countered this by stating that she and Whiting were paid a mere £1,500 ($2,200) for their roles in the movie (which grossed $38 million), and their acting careers didn’t flourish much after “Romeo and Juliet.” Hussey explained to Variety that the nude scene wasn’t something she consented to; she merely went along with it because she felt unable to refuse.

Corey Feldman

It’s possible that you remember Corey Feldman best from his roles as Mouth in “The Goonies” and Teddy in “Stand By Me.” However, there might be aspects of his life you’re not familiar with. After these iconic performances, Feldman disclosed that he was a survivor of sexual abuse during his teenage years. Years later, he publicly spoke out about this experience, as well as the story of his late friend and fellow child actor, Corey Haim – both of whom, according to Feldman, were victims of sexual abuse by powerful figures in Hollywood. As an adult, Feldman has been vocal about Hollywood’s insufficient protections for child stars. He has advocated for changing the statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to enable them to seek justice.

Similar to Macaulay Culkin, Feldman had a close friendship with Michael Jackson, and during times of sexual abuse allegations against the musician, Feldman made statements defending Jackson. This controversy potentially tarnished Feldman’s reputation as an advocate for other abuse victims. Later on, Feldman explained in an interview with HLN that he was not disputing the accusations but rather expressing shock at the news since Jackson had always been like a “big brother” figure to him and had never personally harmed him.

The actor known for his role in “The Goonies” announced that he can no longer support Jackson, expressing his thoughts to CNN. He stated, “Being a survivor myself and someone who has advocated for this issue for many years, I commend all victims for speaking out and I urge the ongoing conversation in society.

Dakota Fanning

For many years, Hollywood has been employing child actors in adult-oriented movie parts. Yet, when 12-year-old Dakota Fanning played a character who was raped in the film “Hounddog,” it stirred quite a bit of anger. Notably, the debate over the rape scene outshone the movie itself. The controversial scene only showed close-ups of Fanning’s face and she was dressed appropriately during filming, but that didn’t deter some critics from alleging that the filmmakers were taking advantage of children.

Paul Peterson, who supports child actors, strongly argued that a 12-year-old was too young to perform such a scene. Simultaneously, religious organizations circulated petitions to imprison Fanning’s mother and charge the filmmakers with child pornography charges. The director even faced death threats. Fanning found the allegations absurd: “This isn’t a movie about rape,” she said on Today. “The focus of the film isn’t that at all.” She emphasized that her character in “Hounddog” was not solely defined by the rape scene, stating, “It’s just a movie, and it’s called acting.” In an interview with The Telegraph, she expressed that she took on the role because she believed it could aid one rape survivor in dealing with their struggles in life.

In her statement, Fanning expressed the significance of increasing understanding about sexual assault. However, several viewers noted that young girls, similar to Fanning, were experiencing such traumatic events in reality. Hence, it could be argued that they are capable of discussing and even working on projects related to this subject, like Fanning did in her movie. Interestingly, some of the film’s harshest critics didn’t watch the movie at all.

Christina Ricci

Christina Ricci, famously recognized for portraying Wednesday in the 1991 movie “The Addams Family,” has been under public scrutiny since her youthful days. Similar to many child actors, Ricci has faced a significant amount of controversy. During her teenage years, she resorted to drugs and alcohol as a means to deal with stress, hinting at childhood mistreatment. She asserted that it was her household environment, rather than fame, that caused her distress, and that Hollywood provided a refuge from her domestic issues. Despite her challenging journey as a child star, she doesn’t wish the same path for her son: Ricci declared that she won’t allow him to embark on an acting career until he reaches adulthood.

Notably, Ricci made some bold statements in interviews during her teenage years. As reported by The Telegraph, at one point Ricci declared, “I’m not afraid of death.” Additionally, according to Rolling Stone, Ricci admitted to finding pleasure in the book “Les Enfants Terribles,” which features incest between siblings. When asked directly about her views on incest, she responded sarcastically, “Oh yes, it’s fantastic, completely natural, and everyone should engage in sexual activity with their siblings.

As a passionate fan, I’d rephrase it this way: During an interview with The Scotsman, Ricci admitted to some questionable actions in her past. She showed off burn marks on her arm from self-inflicted cigarette wounds, explaining they were attempts to impress her co-star. Looking back, she acknowledged these actions as youthful mistakes and posturing for attention. In her own words, “You make mistakes. You say things you shouldn’t. And you learn not to do it any more.

Mariel Hemingway

The 1979 film “Manhattan” by Woody Allen presents an unconventional and somewhat awkward relationship between the characters: a romance involving a 42-year-old man (Allen) and his 17-year-old student (Mariel Hemingway). Interestingly, during the filming of their kissing scene in a taxi, it was Hemingway’s very first kiss. At that time, she was just 16 years old.

Looking back, numerous critics have expressed discomfort about how the film portrays a relationship that seems to glorify what is considered inappropriate. Given the subsequent revelations that Woody Allen married a woman who was 35 years younger than him and faced allegations of sexually abusing his seven-year-old adoptive daughter, the characters from “Manhattan” now carry a much more troubling connotation.

Reflecting on past events, Hemingway admitted she felt Allen harbored affection for her, but dismissed it as usual. However, what truly unsettled her was Allen’s visit to Hemingway’s house following the release of “Manhattan” and his invitation to travel to Paris with him. As detailed in Hemingway’s memoir “Out Came the Sun,” she grew suspicious that Allen planned for them to share a bed during their trip to Paris. (Notably, her parents seemed untroubled by this.) Upon confronting Allen about these suspicions, he called off their Paris excursion. Remarkably, despite all this, Hemingway has continued to advocate for Woody Allen as an artist, which has only fueled the ongoing debate.

Drew Barrymore

After the release of “E.T.”, Drew Barrymore’s life became turbulent as stardom brought about a lack of boundaries. Her mother, Jaid, allowed the young actress to skip school and attend adult parties at a young age. This rapid rise to fame sparked a series of controversies. By the age of 14, Drew had already experimented with drugs, shoplifted her mother’s credit card, and attempted suicide. Desperate for help, Jaid admitted her daughter into a psychiatric hospital. At first, Drew disliked her stay in the institution. However, looking back, she acknowledged its importance. “Perhaps it was necessary,” she said to The Guardian, “because I emerged from there as a more respectful individual.

At 14 years old, Drew gained independence from her mother. Despite being accustomed to the glamorous lifestyle of a celebrity, she was ill-equipped for self-sufficiency. Having exhausted her earning potential as a child star, the actress found herself doing manual labor like washing dishes and cleaning bathrooms. At 19, she made the decision to pose nude for Playboy, an act she later came to regret. For a while, it seemed that Drew might follow in the footsteps of many former child stars, succumbing to addiction and notoriety. However, she managed to turn her life around and eventually emerged stronger.

Reflecting on the past, Drew harbors complex emotions towards her mom. In certain conversations, she asserted it was advantageous for her mother not to be present in her life anymore. Yet, more recently, Drew has reconnected with her mom and has found it within herself to pardon Jaid for some of her actions. Nevertheless, Drew implies there remain deep-seated hurts from her mother that she needs to work through and heal.

Judy Garland

The timeless charm of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ is undeniable, but its production took a heavy toll on Judy Garland. To keep up with the lengthy filming schedules, she was often given stimulants by MGM and sometimes even by her own mother. This led to periods where she worked for three straight days and slept only four hours. On top of that, studio executives frequently body-shamed her; Louis B. Mayer, the head of MGM, often referred to her as “my little hunchback.” The studio strictly controlled Garland’s diet, both on and off set. It is said that Mayer hired individuals to supervise Garland to ensure she followed the studio’s prescribed diet. Perhaps most distressingly, Garland was sexually harassed by Mayer and other men at the studio.

For the remainder of her life, Garland grappled with the consequences of her actions. Her encounter with amphetamines set the stage for an ongoing battle with addiction, which would shadow the actress until her demise. The press became fixated on her substance abuse issues, her four failed marriages, and her numerous suicide attempts, including a comment by John Lennon that was seen as insensitive regarding her past attempt. In the public’s perception, Garland could never measure up to the character that made her iconic; in what would be her last performance before passing away, the audience merely jeered at her. It’s heartbreaking to see how this once-beloved child star’s career fizzled out.

If you, someone you care about, or anyone else is facing challenges related to substance abuse, survivors of sexual assault, victims of child abuse, or experiencing hard times or emotional distress, please find assistance from these helpful resources:

1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
2. Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
3. Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)
4. Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
5. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN’s National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
Contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or contact their live chat services.
Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org

2025-03-02 20:31