New Documentary Explores The Dark Side of Young Stardom: Demi Lovato, Drew Barrymore, and Other Former Child Stars Share Their Experiences
In an upcoming documentary on Hulu called Child Star, former child stars Demi Lovato, Drew Barrymore, Christina Ricci, Raven-Symoné, and others shed light on the challenges of early fame, addiction, exploitation, and more. The official trailer, lasting two minutes, was released on September 5.
The documentary follows Lovato as she connects with other former child stars like Drew Barrymore, Christina Ricci, Kenan Thompson, Raven-Symone, JoJo Siwa, and Alyson Stoner. They discuss their careers, share their experiences, and talk about their struggles with issues like addiction, anxiety, and the limitations of early success.
She expresses her apprehension about children making millions of dollars and stresses the need for protective measures. Lovato reflects on the pressures and the drive to excel at a young age, revealing that she entered the industry at age seven.
The official description of the trailer states: “Child Star explores the highs and lows of growing up in the spotlight through the perspective of some of the world’s most famous former child stars. The film marks Demi Lovato’s directorial debut with Nicola Marsh as co-director.”
Child Star, co-directed by Nicola Marsh and Lovato, aims to narrate the experiences of child stars growing up under public scrutiny and dealing with their highs and lows. Watch the trailer below:
The documentary is produced by OBB Media, helmed by D. Ratner, who also appeared in Demi Lovato: Dancing With The Devil, alongside Scott Ratner, Miranda Sherman, Kfir Goldberg, and Lovato. It is set for release on Hulu on September 17.
The film features interviews with actresses Drew Barrymore and Christina Ricci, discussing challenging topics in entertainment such as exploitation, substance abuse, and mental health complexities. Lovato shares some of her childhood performer experiences, including a distressing bullying incident and a disturbing ‘suicide petition’ episode from her childhood.
The film calls for stricter regulations for child actors, highlighting the consequences of prolonged fame starting at a young age. Demi Lovato’s struggles with drugs, substance abuse, and her near-fatal overdose underscore the dark side of the entertainment industry for children.
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