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Child Star opens with a group of young children answering questions about their dreams and what they think fame means. As the documentary progresses, Lovato engages with fellow former child stars like Drew Barrymore, JoJo Siwa, and Kenan Thompson, each sharing their personal experiences of growing up famous. The film explores the complicated relationship these stars have with fame, from the joy and privilege it brought to the darker aspects, including the mental, emotional, and physical toll it took on their lives. The documentary also delves into the history of child stardom in America, beginning with early stars like Shirley Temple and Jackie Coogan. Through archival footage and personal testimonials, the film reveals how child labor laws exempted child actors, leading to an unregulated industry that left many young performers vulnerable. Chris Columbus, the producer of Home Alone and Harry Potter, also appears in the film, offering insight into how child actors are selected and the pressures they face. Lovato uses her own journey—rising to fame as a young actor on Barney & Friends and Disney Channel’s Camp Rock—to anchor the narrative, showcasing how fame affected her personal life and mental health. Towards the end of the film, Lovato is seen in a studio writing and recording "You'll Be OK, Kid," a song she dedicates to those who have faced similar struggles. The documentary culminates in Lovato offering advice to aspiring young actors, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and mental health in an industry that often commodifies youth.
Child Star is a 2024 American documentary that shines a spotlight on the often-overlooked dark side of child stardom. Co-directed by singer and former child actor Demi Lovato, alongside cinematographer Nicola Marsh, the film takes an unflinching look at the mental, emotional, and physical tolls faced by young performers in the entertainment industry. Featuring conversations with iconic former child stars like Drew Barrymore, JoJo Siwa, Raven-Symoné, Christina Ricci, Kenan Thompson, and Alyson Stoner, Child Star explores the complexities of growing up in front of the camera.
As a former Disney Channel star herself, Lovato brings a deeply personal perspective to this raw, emotional documentary. Child Star is not just about the glitz and glam of fame—it’s a revealing portrait of the real struggles faced by young stars, both in the past and today.
Demi Lovato is no stranger to the pressures of being a child star. Rising to fame as a teenager on Barney & Friends and later on Disney’s Camp Rock, Lovato experienced firsthand how growing up in the limelight can be both a dream and a nightmare. In Child Star, she opens up about her own experiences with the media, the expectations placed on her by the entertainment industry, and the struggles with mental health and addiction that followed.
Lovato’s personal journey acts as the backbone of the film, but she doesn’t shy away from bringing in other voices. The documentary delves into the lives of other stars who grew up famous, including Drew Barrymore, Christina Ricci, Kenan Thompson, and JoJo Siwa, among others. Each of these former child actors shares their own deeply personal experiences—some uplifting, others deeply troubling.
The film opens with interviews of children today, asking them questions about fame and what it means to be in front of the camera. It’s an effective and haunting juxtaposition, setting the stage for the narratives that follow about how little control these young stars often had over their lives and careers.
At its core, Child Star is a story of survival—how these young performers navigated the weight of fame and came out the other side, albeit with scars. The film doesn't just focus on Demi Lovato's journey but also explores the stories of child stars across generations.
Drew Barrymore, for example, talks about growing up in the industry with the shadow of her family’s fame always looming over her. Known for her breakout role in E.T., Barrymore has long been open about her struggles with substance abuse as a teenager and how growing up in Hollywood almost consumed her. Kenan Thompson, a household name for his work on Kenan & Kel and Saturday Night Live, reflects on how he lost much of his childhood savings due to financial mismanagement by adults he trusted.
Alyson Stoner, best known for Camp Rock and the Step Up franchise, candidly discusses her battles with disordered eating and how the industry’s constant pressure to look perfect led her down a dangerous path. JoJo Siwa, a YouTube star and former Nickelodeon personality, adds a modern perspective, revealing the pressures of being constantly "on" for her millions of fans and the toll it took on her mental health.
The conversations with these stars are raw, emotional, and often heartbreaking. Lovato's directorial approach allows for these moments to feel like therapy sessions—spaces where the stars can reflect on their traumas and triumphs without judgment.
The film doesn’t just focus on recent decades of child stardom but digs deep into the history of young performers in Hollywood, exploring the roots of the issue dating back to silent film stars like Jackie Coogan and Shirley Temple. Child Star touches on the exploitation these early stars endured and how laws like the Coogan Law (which mandates a portion of a child actor’s earnings be set aside for when they become an adult) were implemented in response to the mistreatment of young actors.
This historical context is critical in understanding the systemic problems in the entertainment industry, many of which persist today. The film shows how child labor laws often failed to protect young performers, with many stars recalling long work hours, relentless pressure, and isolation from their peers. Chris Columbus, producer of Home Alone and the first two Harry Potter films, also contributes to the documentary, offering insight into the casting process and the difficult balancing act of managing child actors on set.
While much of the documentary focuses on traditional Hollywood, Lovato also dives into how fame has transformed with the rise of social media. Platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok have created a new generation of child stars—ones who are often thrust into the spotlight with little to no professional support. JoJo Siwa’s story is particularly telling, as she recalls how her coming out as queer led to calls from Nickelodeon retailers, asking her to reassure them that she wasn't going to "go crazy."
The pressures these modern stars face are, in some ways, even more intense than those of their predecessors. Constant connectivity means there’s no escape from public scrutiny, and the line between personal and professional life becomes increasingly blurred. Lovato emphasizes this shift, showing how the modern child star must also be a content creator, brand manager, and influencer—all before they even reach adulthood.
As Lovato’s directorial debut, Child Star is a compelling and emotional deep dive into an important, often-overlooked issue. Lovato’s own experiences lend a raw authenticity to the film, while the other stars’ stories broaden the scope to show that this is an industry-wide problem that transcends generations.
The film is not only a reflection on the past but also a call for change. By the end of Child Star, Lovato advocates for reform in how young performers are treated, including extending protections like the Coogan Law to modern content creators on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. It’s a powerful statement about how the industry needs to evolve to protect its youngest and most vulnerable members.
Child Star is not just a look at fame through Lovato's lens—it’s a broader conversation about the entertainment industry's responsibilities toward its youngest stars. It’s a film that encourages introspection, not just for those who grew up in the industry but for the viewers who consume the media that child stars create.
As the conversation around mental health continues to grow, Child Star stands as a powerful reminder that behind the bright lights of fame, there are often shadows.
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