Demi Lovato’s documentary, Child Star, sheds light on the challenges of growing up famous.
This film marks Lovato’s directorial debut and features powerful stories from fellow child stars. Kenan Thompson, Drew Barrymore, Christina Ricci, Raven-Symoné, Alyson Stoner, and JoJo Siwa share their experiences navigating fame as kids. Let’s explore the biggest revelations from the documentary, now streaming on Hulu.
First, Lovato reveals a shocking moment from their childhood.
They describe receiving a “suicide petition” signed by classmates. “The popular girls wrote, ‘Demi’s a whore’ in the bathroom stalls,” Lovato explains. This bullying deeply affected them. Lovato remembers feeling overwhelmed at lunch, knowing peers had signed a petition urging them to end their life. “That hurt so much,” they say. Yet, this pain fueled their ambition. “I wanted to escape Texas and become famous,” Lovato shares.
Transitioning to the filming of Camp Rock, Lovato recalls the excitement of their early Disney days. “We called it Disney High,” they say. The cast dated and faced typical teenage drama while filming. Despite the later challenges, the experience felt magical at first. Lovato reflects, “We were thrown into the Disney machine together.”
Alyson Stoner offers a poignant memory.
During Camp Rock, both she and Lovato struggled with eating disorders. Stoner recalls Lovato approaching her in the bathroom, sensing something was wrong. Lovato expresses gratitude for Stoner’s support. “You didn’t shame me; you were understanding,” they say. This moment highlighted their mutual struggles beyond the surface.
Raven-Symoné shares her early understanding of money and fame.
Starting at 16 months, she learned that acting was a job. “By age three, I knew how much I was making,” she notes. Her family’s dynamics added complexity, as they referred to their situation as a “family business.” Securing the role of Olivia on The Cosby Show was monumental for her. “It was the dream of many Black people,” Symoné states, reflecting on its cultural significance.
Kenan Thompson reveals his struggles with financial mismanagement.
He describes being scammed out of his Nickelodeon earnings by a con artist posing as a tax accountant. “My mom thought he was trustworthy,” Thompson explains. This revelation hit him hard when he tried to buy his first home. “I was devastated when the check didn’t arrive,” he shares. This experience starkly illustrated the perils of child stardom.
Demi Lovato opens up about feeling conflicted during their rise to fame. “I remember fans chasing my tour bus, and I cried,” Lovato recalls. They struggled with the disconnect between their success and personal unhappiness. “Why am I so unhappy?” they wondered. This inner turmoil made them feel guilty, as they recognized many would trade places with them in a heartbeat.
Moreover, Lovato, Raven-Symoné, and Stoner discuss feelings of disassociation. Stoner reflects on her experiences.
“I treated dancing like work from the start,” she admits. This mindset often led to not remembering significant moments later. Symoné echoes this, saying her memories of The Cosby Show fade daily. Lovato also admits, “I didn’t remember you guest-starring on my show.” This disconnect highlights the emotional toll of their experiences.
JoJo Siwa’s story takes a different turn.
At the height of her Nickelodeon fame, she felt trapped by an “umbrella deal.” When she decided to come out publicly, she faced backlash. “I had to reassure retailers I wasn’t ‘crazy’,” Siwa recalls. The network’s response changed her dynamic with them. “Everything shifted after I came out,” she states.
In response to Siwa’s claims, Nickelodeon stated, “We are unaware of the incident JoJo references.” They emphasized their continued support for her.
In conclusion, Child Star offers a candid look at the struggles child actors face. Lovato and others expose the harsh realities of fame, including bullying, mental health struggles, and industry pressures. This documentary serves as a crucial reminder of the darker sides of childhood stardom, revealing the need for greater support and understanding in the entertainment industry.