Child Star
The tragic death of Liam Payne has cast a stark spotlight on the hidden tolls of early fame, revealing how young stars often face intense pressures, isolation, and addiction. Payne’s story echoes that of countless child celebrities, whose rapid rise to stardom leaves them vulnerable to the darker sides of the industry—a reality Demi Lovato confronts head-on in her new documentary Child Star.
Regardless of the specific circumstances surrounding the loss of the beloved One Direction singer, it’s undeniable that Payne’s story—marked by struggles with alcohol and drug addiction—fits a pattern all too familiar among young stars who achieved global fame at a very young age. In reflecting on the intense pressures he underwent, he once remarked, “You either end up a crazy child star who dies young, or you decide to actually start living.”
The intense pressures and isolation that come with early stardom often lead these young talents to seek relief in unhealthy ways. Payne’s journey echoes that of many other child stars, whose rapid rise to success left them vulnerable to the darker side of the industry.
One Direction's Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Liam Payne attend the 'Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1' world premiere on Nov. 11, 2010 in London, England. Gareth Cattermole. Courtesy of Getty Images. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Justin Bieber, one of the most iconic child stars, has openly discussed the difficulties of growing up in the public eye, sharing his own experiences with mental health. In an interview, Bieber reflected on how fame at such a young age led to a skewed sense of reality, explaining that the constant attention and pressure warped his understanding of relationships, self-worth, and stability. Bieber admitted that without a strong support system, he struggled to manage the intense scrutiny and expectations placed upon him, often leading him down a destructive path.
Child actress Shirley Temple holding an FBC microphone. Undated photograph, ca. 1933-36. Courtesy of Getty Images. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Beyond the “Baby” pop star, countless other child stars have faced similar struggles. Shirley Temple, for instance, was America’s sweetheart during the Great Depression, yet her later life showed the emotional challenges of transitioning from child icon to adult. Macaulay Culkin, from the Home Alone films, has spoken openly about the lasting psychological effects of fame and how it impacted his family dynamics and personal life. Perhaps one of the most poignant examples is Michael Jackson, who, despite his incredible success as an adult, struggled to distance himself from the childhood image he created as the young lead singer of the Jackson 5. Jackson’s life was marked by a deep sense of loss over the childhood he never experienced, a sentiment that reverberated through his public struggles with identity, appearance, and personal fulfilment.
While child stars have captivated audiences for generations, there has been little examination of what it truly means for young children to carry the burden of celebrity. It was only in recent years, particularly following the rise and eventual psychological struggles of several Disney Channel stars in the 2000s, that serious conversations began about the lasting impact of child fame.
Disney and Nickelodeon have been powerful talent machines, propelling child prodigies into stardom and, too often, into the spotlight for reasons beyond their talent. Miley Cyrus, who became a household name with Hannah Montana, later made headlines for her drastic shift in image, sparking debates on the pressures of shedding a “child star” persona. Jennette McCurdy, known for her role on Nickelodeon’s iCarly, later revealed in her memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died, the deeply painful realities she faced, including struggles with eating disorders and controlling pressures from the industry and even her own family. Lindsay Lohan was similarly caught in cycles of media scrutiny and scandal that overshadowed her career as she dealt with addiction and mental health struggles.
Demi Lovato’s journey is perhaps one of the most public and raw accounts of the challenges child stars face. After multiple stints in rehab for eating disorders, depression, and addiction, Lovato had a near-fatal overdose in 2018, a pivotal event that pushed her to openly share her story in all its painful details. Now, Lovato has taken on a new role as both creator and interviewer in a documentary designed to give a voice to others like her. By stepping into the role of producer and storyteller, she seeks to shed light on the often-hidden realities of early fame, hoping to serve as a channel for fellow child stars who endured similar struggles.
The Child Star documentary - which can be watched on Hulu and Disney+ - is structured around Lovato’s relatively intimate conversations with six former child stars, providing an in-depth look at the realities of growing up in the limelight. These candid discussions alone make the documentary worth watching, as they offer fascinating behind-the-scenes insights into beloved shows and films that were formative for an entire generation. The film begins with a group of young children defining fame and imagining what it might be like to be famous. Their initial responses are predictable—fame would be great, they’d make lots of money, and millions of people would like them. Yet, they also reveal a surprising sense of caution, acknowledging that fame might not be all it’s made out to be. From this introduction, the documentary unfolds into a broader exploration of child exploitation in the entertainment industry. It examines the gruelling hours young actors are often expected to work, similar to adults, and highlights the pressure they face as primary breadwinners for their families.
Lovato engages in revealing conversations with Drew Barrymore and Christina Ricci, who discuss their experiences finding mentorship and parental figures among established Hollywood icons like Steven Spielberg and Cher. Ricci, whose father was the failed leader of a violent cult, describes her time on Hollywood sets as a “refuge for emotional safety.” She shares how she turned to drugs and alcohol during her adolescence. Barrymore, meanwhile, reveals that she referred to Spielberg as “dad” during the filming of E.T. and recounts being sent to a mental health facility by her mother, having obtained emancipation from her parents at just 14. She also reflects on a time when a family friend introduced her to marijuana at the age of 10. Kenan Thompson, on the other hand, shares a cautionary tale about how nearly all of his earnings from Nickelodeon were stolen by a dishonest accountant, shedding light on the financial vulnerabilities many young stars face.
Perhaps the most compelling segment of the documentary unfolds in the conversations with Disney co-stars Raven Symoné and Alyson Stoner, the latter of whom hosts a podcast titled All The Things with Alyson Stoner, where she explores the realities faced by child stars. Raven Symoné - who guested in Lovato’s show Sonny With A Chance - admits to Demi that she wasn’t the nicest person to work with, but she empathized with her as she noticed that something was going on. Demi, in return, explains that she doesn’t even remember working with Raven: "It was part of my disassociation that I don't even remember so much of my show that I was on. But I do remember how difficult I was to work with because I was in so much pain, and I was hurting."
Similarly, Alyson Stoner gently addresses her own experience, noting that the last few years of working with Demi on the set of Camp Rock were challenging, and it felt like walking on eggshells. During their conversation, they also shared an intimate memory as Lovato recalls she felt understood by Alyson as they both struggled with purging and eating disorders. Once again, Demi apologizes to her co-star and reflects on being overworked at the age of 15, and on the pressure of spending their life in front of a camera in such a delicate moment for a child’s growth.
Demi Lovato and Alyson Stoner on the set of a Disney Channel Photoshoot. Courtesy of Getty Images. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
The documentary also explores what it means to be a child star in today’s social media-driven world, highlighting how things have evolved over the past decade. To illustrate these changes, Lovato speaks with Jojo Siwa, a dancer, singer, and influencer who rose to fame on Dance Moms before signing a lucrative “umbrella deal” with Nickelodeon, which allowed the company control over nearly all her brand rights—except for her social media presence. However, this autonomy came at a price, as her relationship with social media quickly became all-consuming. Siwa reveals that at one point, she was posting hundreds of Snapchats daily to maintain her fanbase, a commitment that blurred the lines between her public persona and personal life. She also accidentally came out through a Snapchat post, creating tension with Nickelodeon itself.
Through the perspectives of child stars from different generations, Child Star offers meaningful insight into the behind-the-scenes lives of young celebrities. For Demi Lovato, who has long shared her story to raise awareness on mental health and addiction, this documentary serves as a platform to address an issue close to her heart while giving voice to her friends and colleagues. Despite the sensitive nature of its themes, Child Star is never overly self-pitying or manipulative; instead, it’s honest, direct, and even light-hearted at times, thanks to the humorous anecdotes shared in conversations. The documentary doesn’t seek to blame anyone specifically but aims to raise awareness of the lack of protections for young actors. Demi, a passionate advocate for this cause, recently signed California’s updated Coogan Law, supporting fair pay and safeguards for young influencers and performers.
While the Coogan Law is a step forward in ensuring fair pay and safeguards for young talents, there is still much to be done to protect child actors from exploitation and support their mental well-being. In this sense, Child Star serves as both a call to action and a reminder that true change will require continued advocacy and reform.
