Why Child Stars are Set Up To Fail | Dear Hollywood Episode 1
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ย. 2024
- In the kickoff episode of Dear Hollywood, Alyson introduces the toddler-to-train wreck pipeline, a century old system involving child entertainers who enter the industry with pluck and promise, only to repeat similarly tragic downward spirals. Alyson discloses insights from a confidential meeting with multiple generations of former child actors, and provides the contextual framework through which we can investigate the events and elements contributing to their demise.
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About Alyson Stoner:
Alyson Stoner is a multi-hyphenate known for their on-screen acting work in franchises such as Step Up and Camp Rock to dancing with the likes of Missy Elliot and Eminem and now their original digital content across all her platforms. Alyson is also the founder of Movement Genius, a digital wellness platform that provides live and on-demand classes to help you improve your mental, emotional and physical well-being.
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This goes beyond Hollywood. Child stars have a lot in common with children of abuse. You speaking up will allow even more healing to begin. Thank you for being brave🙏👏👏
This was so well structured. While I’m disappointed that the production company switched on you, I’m grateful you continue to use your platform to advocate and inform. Very much looking forward to this series. Thank you for your work.
Onward we go! Thanks for being here!
@@TheRealAlysonStonerHey, Alyson. #ZaireHaylock here. I love your new podcast as a new first-time fan.
@@TheRealAlysonStonernice podcast!!!!!
3:21 into this video and I wanted to stop and give my “theory” before I watch further.
I think the “train wreck” is the outcome of a recipe that includes all of the ingredients or factors that you listed. Some have more impact and power, a few may not be included at all but on the whole it’s a recipe for disfunction either way.
Childhood has varied drastically through history and still does. Let’s take western society for this example. Up until the 1800-1900s childhood was short. Around 12-15 years of age the child was expected to take on adult responsibilities. As the life expectancy became longer, so did childhood. Fast forward to today and we see children are overly protected and coddled for a longer time and are struggling with becoming adults. In summary, childhood is a necessity for a healthy adulthood but too much of a childhood can result in the same outcome as too little of one.
Either way, childhood should not take place on a public stage among adults who profit from it.
Looking forward to following your Dear Hollywood series. Thank you for bringing the reality of glamour to our attention. ❤
Wich is ot you are either disappointed or it's well structured and you don't need to be grateful thos has nothing to do with you
A therapist once told me that I was always very mature for my age and with out skipping a beat I accidentally said "thanks its the trauma" which lead to a discussion on my feelings on people being told that they're mature for their age. I told her that in my experience when you say something like that you're almost always complimenting the results of someone's trauma, that a majority of kids and teens aren't just mature beyond their years for no reason. She ended up thanking me and telling me that I brought a very good point to her attention
You are so right. I always was supermature for my age and I never even thought I had trauma but the past year I realized my parents were both emotionally incredibly immature and I mediated between them since very young age. On top of that my dad pushed me to take care of my mom and sister if something happened to him or called me the strongest shoulders etc and expected too much of someone who should have been a child.
Sounds like a decent therapist. 🙂
For those making comments about my old therapist not being great because of one comment they made that's very judgemental. They helped me through a lot of stuff and was generally great.
They made one comment that typically not a whole lot of people think is a problematic comment and picked up on my discomfort masked with humor and broke down my feelings on it with me and apologized, promising to learn from it.
Therapists are humans too, even with training they mess up sometimes. The important thing that makes a good therapist and human is being willing to learn from those mistakes.
This is so true. I was hit by a car when I was 14. I was mentally changed after that and I had an old soul before the accident but it was like a switch flipped. My whole mindset changed. People think I’m older than I am I’m only 19 but I hear it all the time I was born in the wrong generation.
Same. But I never associated it with trauma until this moment.
My older brother died when I was three. He was four.
Tailspin of trauma for the whole family added to minimal parenting skills.
Alyson, thank you.
I was scouted by Disney multiple times as a kid, at 4, 6, and 9. My parents said an emphatic NO each time. They didn't know the full realities of what went on in the industries, but they knew it wasn't good.
I was mad for a while, because I knew I would have been good at. Now I'm so thankful that they knew better. I would have been good at it because I'm a people pleaser. Can you imagine how that would have gone for me?
Every view on these videos is saving kids from this life. This is a truly valuable work you've undertaken.
Idk. Not EVERY child actor has fell off the deep end. There are still plenty whose lives are in tact like KeKe Palmer, Raven Symone and the Oslen Twins! You are not automatically doomed being a child actor and I think a lot has to do with the parents since child actors are dependent on them. Its the parents faults for not protecting their children.
Well said!
@@pieahgee8180 The point isn't to compare which child actors "fell off the deep end" and who didn't. And you also have no idea what goes on behind closed doors, child actors that are still "in tact" now may have gone through tremendous trauma and fought battles we're not privy to. The whole point of this podcast is to analyze how the industry has impacted the lives of child actors, both physically and mentally, and how it's shaped and dictated the majority of entire life experiences, particularly in such important, developmental phases of their lives.
@@pieahgee8180did u even watch this video? she literally addresses ur exact thought process towards the beginning.
@pieahgee8180 LOL the Olsen Twins? One of them was confirmed with ED and pretty sure they both had substance control issues. :(
You are far better off not having to answer to a production company. We have been waiting for a child star to to tackle this critical topic for decades….you could be filming on your iPhone in the public library and everyone will still tune in. I am surprised and thrilled to see the level of thought and research you have incorporated into your talking points. Excellent work, I will be back for the next one!
Also, I know your hands are full with this topic, but thousands of kids are actively being exploited and abused online for billions of dollars. Another vlog mom just got arrested when one of her kids escaped with bone-deep wounds from restraints begging a neighbor for food and water. If you could work their plight (along with reality tv kids like the Gosselins) into your channel somewhere down line, it might help to inspire enough public outrage to finally create some laws to protect these kids. They don’t even have the protections of child actors, and their parents are even more incentivized through millions in sponsorships each year, and no costs.
~A comment for interaction~
I remember watching Sonny with a Chance, Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place, Camp Rock, and basically any other show on Disney Channel as a teen. I had wanted to be like you, I even was dreaming of the day that I would get to be one of the shows. Now as a young adult, I know that aside from the privileges and money, it is one of the worst things that can happen to a child. Thank you for coming forward with this, and finally making a podcast about it. We need to get educated about this topic. Especially at these times where something as "family vloggers" exist.
Exploitation of children should be stopped. Thank you again, Alyson.
This is so insightful. Thanks for sharing your experience and how it shapes your perspective of social media and what’s happening today. There’s a lot to unpack, and we’ll be touching on that in future episodes! Glad to have you here.
omg like when people constantly comment on how well Miranda Crosgrove is doing! we have no clue what she’s done or what has been done to her. we have no idea what her life is actually like and to make assumptions whether good or bad is disgusting and irresponsible.
i’m loving this and thank you for speaking so openly about all of this
How is she soooo good at explaining. So eloquent! Every important point not left behind. So amazing. She must be a trained stoic not fuming in anger after the “new legal team” trying to take advantage. So crazy!
But we are for her! So I think it is even more powerful this way!
I try to give myself time to process and express things personally before recording, so I can focus on presenting the information in a grounded way. Otherwise, sometimes people will dismiss or judge what we say even *more* if it comes across too emotional (“dramatic”), or they’ll take a clip out of context. :/ But it’s certainly all deeply sincere. ❤ And I’m so eager to share more every week. thanks for listening!
I can’t wait for you share more. This is brilliant ❤
I think she has the rare combination of a high IQ AND high EQ, coupled with the ability to see things from a “bird’s eye” view without negating the human aspect of these experiences.
Reminder that Alyson's pronouns are they/them!
@@fifirodriguez52 just a reminder to you sweetie not everyone buys into that nonsense of they them
I am only 10 minutes in and I am already so impressed how well rounded she is in her approach. She is really taking a lot of different viewpoints into consideration and seems to be so level headed and not blaming or pointing fingers in a dramatic fashion. And she promises a solution. I am so stoked to see where this goes. You have my attention.
***they
Alyson goes by them/they.
Pls don't misgender them ❤
She is so well-spoken and thoughtful. I love her voice. It’s soothing and perfect for podcasting.
@@xdani_thethinkingnekoholy fuck yall are weird.
I am never shocked when young stars spiral out of control. It is an insane amount of pressure on a young mind and too many are expected to be the breadwinners at home when they aren't even adults. I am so glad you're shedding more light to it, hopefully it can be the cornerstone for change
Alyson - as a child actor myself who worked from the age of 5-17 years old, you have no idea how much this series means to me. Hearing you talk about things you (and I) experienced in the lense of your incredible wisdom, has been more therapeutic and healing than any therapy I have attended. Just THANK YOU and keep shedding light on an industry only us survivors can speak on. Sending you tons of love and support.
I’m a mental health professional who grew up with the Disney channel. I’ve thought a lot about this subject over the years, as I continued my education and as more people spoke out. I hope this conversation continues and leads to real change.
It’ll be interesting to see what it stirs as more episodes release! Would love to hear your perspective coming from the field.
Something that makes this all the worse is realizing the sheer scope of how many of us as kids grew up watching other children act thinking it must've been the greatest job ever. Finally finding out how bad it really is and then feeling sick to our stomachs at the joy we were feeling while those we watched were suffering horrendously.
I don’t think it’s fair to feel bad about your child self enjoying these child stars and their shows, you were a child yourself with likely issues and trauma forming in your life. I think that realization is important though, but the guilt shouldn’t be put on yourself as a child, instead directed in what actions you’ll take today to prevent this from happening to children you know or parents who want their children to be stars.
Why would you feel guilty or bad about enjoying it? That’s kind of making it about yourself.
@@Als_Attic989It’s a totally natural reaction Feeling like you helped hurt people is painful. Folks grew up watching these kids who were their age, coming to care about them, looking up to them, maybe even wanting to be their friend. Learning they were suffering all that time is frightening.
Now, I don’t think the feelings of past audience members should be the central focus of the conversation (we obviously need to focus on the experiences of the child actors), but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with saying it out loud either. Feelings are confusing and complicated and it helps to talk about it. Plus, experiencing these feelings and discussing them can help motivate future action.
Legit
And still happening. You don’t hear anyone talking about it or firing the known pedophiles.
Hi Alyson, former child star here. Love your research. effort, work, clear and empathetic viewpoint on the subject. I’m also very passionate about this. Tried petitioning SAG multiple times about mental health services, policy changes, and putting structures in place to protect child actors to no avail thus far. I think as we gather momentum we can make effective change.
As child stars grow up and become the mainstream you’d think things would change but it seems that many are just brainwashed into repeating the same patterns. It doesn’t seem to be anyone’s priority.
I don’t know if I’m exaggerating the problem but inappropriate stuff seems to be universal. Most of the child stars who came out “ok” are likely just covering for a ton of bullshit. In denial or don’t want to talk about it in public?
As a studio producer just emerging in my career this was invaluable for me to listen to. Thank you all for your art. I’m hopeful that I and my peers can make intentional change as we navigate this industry as the “next generation.” Because I’ll be damned if a project I ever contract for causes pain to children. I’ll quit before that. ❤
I don't understand why the unions and guilds aren't working on this, especially pressuring states to have proper child labor laws.
I remember reading once that “regulations are written in blood.”
Hopefully, your experiences will not be in vain, if you can effect meaningful change for later generations of child actors.
Good luck. 👍🏻
Do you know about child Star and advocate Paul Peterson with A Minor Consideration?
I’m an attorney and I’m a millennial. I grew up watching the child actors speaking their truth over the last few years. I want to learn more about how I can help, both from my perspective as a legal professional and as someone starting a family. Can’t wait for more episodes!
Question since you're an attorney. Is what that production company did legal? Changing their entire agreement on the last episode and then keeping all the content when she wouldn't say yes?
@@sarahgondosGreat question! It would be great if there was a way out of the restrictions they have placed on her!
I notice that a lot of actors now start/ own their production companies, so Im surprised Alyson isnt considered a producer herself. Id like to see the interviews
This is so awesome! I’m a researcher that studies the dark side of sport participation, and I can see the parallels between the sport and media environments (lack of bodily autonomy, lack of regulation and protections, long-term impacts of adverse experiences, adult-driven environments, etc.), along with the unique aspects of both. Thoroughly enjoy the thought, time, and effort put into this, and very excited to see where it goes!
Would love to see your research! The parallels are many!
What a cool research topic!!
@katie439 wow, what an incredible area of study. I watched your presentation on your channel and would love to see/read more! I grew up deeply embedded in equestrian sports, so much so that I was homeschooled to allow more time for riding, traveling, competing, and working for my trainers. I can unfortunately relate to many of the themes discussed in Alyson's video as well as yours. I appreciate both of you for bringing these topics into the public sphere in such an accessible, honest, empathetic, and educated way.
Just saw a great two part video called The exploitation in women’s figure skating from a TH-cam channel called Fran - many many parallels
@@annieothernamethanks for sharing!
I am here as a victim of CSA. Though my personal journey did not include stardom, I realize that child abuse impacts both the rich and the poor similarly. The body keeps the score for all of us.
The way people feel entitled to famous people’s time puts my stomach in a knot.
I agree with you
I’m a fan and a social scientist. I go through the world in a Black cis-woman’s body and am keenly aware of how I’m received by others for it. I’m here to learn more about your experience and I can’t help but to draw parallels across our experiences even though they’re so different. There’s always a through-line that connects these kinds of things. The manufactured social perceptions and subsequent treatment for them, good and bad. I’m taking mental notes of the similarities to further shape my understanding of the world. Thanks for sharing your story with us.
No, you are just looking at everything through the lens of race.
Nobody is "receiving you" in any covert way because of your race or sexual orientation. You've just been brainwashed to think of the colour of your skin 1st and foremost in any scenario. It's just simply not reality.
Thank you for sharing your vantage point and embodied experience. I’m deeply interested in understanding your experience of the world, as well, so please feel free to share! Social perceptions, constructs, culture.. these keep me up researching at night. Finding how this can translate to deep systems change… that’s the passion!
You are black WOMAN, period,get off the delusion
Boo hoo first world problems 😢
@VUDACRIS what a pleasant person you are. You must light up the lives of those around you!
Thank you so much for this series! Child stardom was the life I dreamed of and worked for from the ages of 8-18, and while I neverrrr came anywhere close to the "fame" I desperately sought, "The Industry" was still a damaging experience, physically AND psychologically, and it makes me feel both happy and sad to see the people I looked up to and who inspired me to follow that path, speak up about similar experiences to mine. It feels like we're all in it together. Now at 23, I'm an indie author and currently working on a thriller/mystery novel based on my experience and the experience of countless others who grew up under this regime, designed to be moldable and polite and good little props to the moneymen. I want to be as respectful as possible toward as many different perspectives as possible, and this is indelible, incredible support. I'll be looking for sensitivity betas soon to make sure my story is told with empathy and honesty without being TOO triggering/overwhelming for a traditional audience. I'm afraid it will make people uncomfortable to hear. But it's like you said, we all have a voice of our own. 💜
Feeling emotional reading your words. Thank you for sharing. I honor your experience while you were pursuing the industry in this way. Congratulations on all your growth and expansion since. Love and healing! xx
Years ago, before all of this really started coming to light, I used to tell people, "We should stop making fun of and calling these individuals crazy and start thinking about what they must have gone through to make them think/feel/act this way." This is so heartbreaking to see, and I pray it all comes to light.
I am a part of SAG and also public online. I’m concerned about how social media will affect our children. Thank you for sharing and I can’t wait for part 2.
I’m a trauma therapist specializing in eating disorders, recovery from childhood sexual abuse, and working with highly gifted/sensitive/neurodivergent kids to burnt out adults…this is so, SO important
I was a bit of a child star, so I really appreciate watching this. I really haven't untangled the full extent of what its done to me, having an acting agent of some kind since I was 6 years old - and it took till the pandemic to start to see not me as a problem or a failure, but to start to see I was set up to fail in a broken system that fills us with empty, nebulous dreams - where some are just able to get further in the Squid Game than others before their inevitable fall. Its next to impossible to succeed in the machine your whole life without being a sociopath or a robot.
As a filmmaker and a fan of yours who grew up dancing & hoping ot emulate your career I stand beside you. This is amazing work and just know you've already saved AT LEAST one child.
This is heartbreaking. Also, I am so sorry that company tried to scam you (because that’s what it is), but glad you kept going. Can’t wait for the next episodes!
When you you talking about bottle autonomy that really hit me. Because as an autistic person. We are basically made to feel like our content is not important at a very young age. Meaning people seem to think that they should be able to hug us in touch and come in our bedrooms whenever they feel like and if we get upset about it, we are deemed unfriendly or difficult. And anyone who is autistic I’ll tell you just how I’m comfortable that things can be for us. But no one tells you that you have a voice, and that you can say no if you want to. So I can’t imagine how horrible that would be if you couldn’t even leave your house without that happening and if it was strangers that were constantly coming up to you. Also, when I was young, I took acting classes end went to a Theatre camp and stuff like that, and it was one of the only places I did not get treated differently because of my disability. So it became my safe haven and still is. I bring that up because when I watched Disney Channel and stuff I got as a kid I always assumed that what those kids were doing was just like theater camp or acting class or music class except they were getting paid and it was being shown to the world. I really do feel like there needs to be stricter a child labor laws but also we need to start treating child stars as children first and star is second. And paparazzi should not be allowed to take pictures of them without permission or chase them. In fact, they should not even do that to adults.
As someone with a master’s degree in child development, I really enjoyed this! Thank you and looking forward to hearing more episodes.
Hearing you speak on this is a big sigh of relief. Growing up I remember my little sister & I were wanting to become kid actors and started with a modeling agency and did auditions and never getting a callback and always hurt that I wouldn’t get to be like the kids on tv. Now hearing this. I am sorry to each and everyone of you. I hope you continue to heal & grow beautifully. ❤️
As someone who grew up with you, like literally growing up, this video has allowed me to go back and think about how desperately I wanted to be where you were. I never went anywhere with it, because at 11 years old when I went to a casting agency I was told I didn’t have the right body shape or size, had too much acne and that braces didn’t “sell well.” Your eloquent delivery of your experiences supported with sound evidence, psychology and research not only gives the younger version of myself a small hug and affirmation that it wasn’t me- it was the people who only viewed children as dollar signs that were determining my worth as a person, but it also ignites a fire within me that wants to support change however I can. Continue to to be the change Alyson. We’re right here with you.
Alyson this is incredible. What you are doing is so important, it's not just exposing, it's giving everyone a voice and discussing how we can change things for the better. ❤ I am so sorry that you got screwed out of using all of your original footage and your hard work, but I am so proud of you for advocating for yourself and your project. It's easy to throw all of Hollywood away as a villain, but it is the moving cogs and gears UNDER the surface that must be explored.
I’m only halfway into the first episode and can already say you are one of the most well-spoken, articulate, empathetic, and intelligent people I’ve ever listened to. You’re so impressive, Alyson. Can’t wait to listen to the rest!
Examining the neurodivergence of artists in the industry as there is a prevalence there. The masks formed, the advantage people take of them, the social cues and danger signs missed almost by design.
This was so well done. Im a big advocate against child influencers and family vlogging, and a lot of people try to throw out “it’s the same as child actors” to justify it. This is so helpful to bring more context to that discussion. If there are so many issues with children working in the entertainment industry, where there ARE some regulations and kids are playing make believe characters, then what hope is there for kids in vlogging channels who are forced to play THEMSELVES as a character day in and day out with no protection?
I love the qualitative analysis methods you use in this episode-- identifying themes across experiences-- and the use of Piaget's model to draw a reference guide. I would love to see a paper on this if it hasn't already been studied in this manner. Beautifully done!!!
My theory has been the lack of laws protecting children, the lack of moral standards across the boards of adults to protect children, the lack of respect for children to be heard when they advocate for themselves, second class little ones who should be seen and not heard until they say action.
Thank you for starting this conversation. I grew up constantly going to auditions every weekend and self tapes throughout the week but never “made it to Hollywood” by the time I became 23 I realized the dream of being an actor as a career was not going to happen. Then I started to listen to the child actors I so wanted to be growing up. I just didn’t know what I wanted anymore and I didn’t know what my future was like. Mind you I also had a mom who was a successful model with the top agencies and saw her on shows, so my childhood was auditions for her and watching her on tv as well. So at 23 not knowing who I wanted to be and who I really was. I have great memories of being on set of shows and movies that make me love the job but knowing what “big actors” go through and the push to stay on top as well as the lack of privacy. I also still have my mom tell me “watch what you do people watch us”. It’s just this weird reality of understanding what child stars are talking about without fully going through it. When I was 3 I had an audition for a commercial infront of 20 plus people. I said “stop staring at me” to this day I am not allowed to live it down because I was perfect for the camera and just doing the script like I was suppose to AT THE AGE OF THREE.
I grew up in California in an environment where everyone heavily idolized stardom and frequently thought that to be there dream. What your explaining so beautifully has always been how ive felt about the industry. Im very proud of you for eloquently representing your peers in a way that educates the consumer. Youre shining a light on so much darkness 💛 and setting forth a chain reaction that will directly impact many lives, go you!
That’s such a shame that the original deal for this didn’t work out, but I have so much respect for you for walking away. I hope that the delay in timing of the release of this allows for more people to be open and receptive to your work. Keep up the great work, and thank you for speaking up. ❤
The sad reality is that all of this truth you have just spoken will turn into nothing. There are people who will comment on here how brave you are, how much they care, and will do nothing to support you or make a change. This age of social media is riddled with fake empathy and support.
I always pictured childhood stars to be super rich, but I saw one of your videos on Facebook about your car and how it's dying and you've had it for so long and how you've even lived out of your car and that threw me off. I checked out your TH-cam, I saw the video where you got your first house and how you've couch hopped. It blew my mind that someone I grew up watching on TV could struggle, and I wondered how many others also struggle. I thought of the writers strike going on right now and how Hollywood is so incredibly toxic and I want to be educated and see if I can help in any way. No child or adult deserves to be put through such horrific things just to produce content. A show isn't worth watching if it's been made while creating trauma for the cast members. Money is not worth the 100+ years of trauma. I've heard some horror stories from other childhood actors, I never realized just how deep it went affecting all of Hollywood and not isolated incidents. It breaks my heart to know the shows that brought me joy had a lot of hidden pain, and my heart goes out to every single one of you because you didn't deserve any of it. I'm so sorry
I came here after Quiet on Set after someone recommended it. This is SO GOOD. Thank you for making this.
Considering how permeating Hollywood and entertainment has become in our society, I was definitely intrigued by what goes on behind the curtains. But I never thought I’d be so captivated by this introduction. I love that you’re bringing psychology into this and that you’re bringing us into the conversation bc so often we everyday folks forget that even if we do nothing, we’re still part of the system.
Ep. 1 Reaction: Thank you, Alyson, for taking the time to not only share transparently with us, but brave the possible backlash, naysayers, and even “haters.” It is apparent you’ve done your research on psychology, your peers’ experiences, the hollywood system, and have done your own soul searching. I’m excited for Ep. 2, and hope to continue to heal myself from my own challenges with mental health. As a 27 year old, I am so proud of my generation for speaking up!
Your passion brings me to tears. I've been waiting for this podcast for so long! And now we know why! I'm so glad you didn't take that bad deal, good on you! We will be here every step of the way to help create a better world for our children, and all the families watching at home. Audiences need to be accountable just as much as the industry. Respect, love, empathize.
I'm not usually one to comment, but as a millennial parent to a young toddler who has serious concerns about the harmful impacts social media has on children, this video hit home. I was glued to the screen! This is such an important topic and I wish more people could watch this and dig deep about their own choices. My parents were far from perfect, but one thing they deserve all the praise in the world for, is the way they protected my privacy and respected me as a human being growing up. My children deserve to be their true selves and to have agency over their own minds and bodies.
Thanks for talking about this, I've learned a lot.
Sadly, this society is passed the point if no return. Mental illness is rampant and children have been exploited. It is not possible to make balanced people in a society that is deeply skewed and perverted. Women and children are always the casualties of war. Whether it be physical, spiritual or cultural.
Hahaha when you said "if you want to keep being ignorant, stop listening", I seriously wanted to stop, because I'm scared to learn about this. But it's vital to do so, at least for me. As an adult who is possibly going to get into acting, these are issues that I really need to know about.
Thank you, Alyson. Seeing you use your influence for something like this is amazing. Big hugs.
Wow Al… just sitting here watching this and thinking how proud of you I’m feeling. We haven’t seen each other in a while but I think of all of you girls often. I’m so glad to see that you’re spotlighting this conversation. This may be a tough thing for people to hear but you’re the perfect person to dive into the topic. What happened to you is awful …you are now guaranteeing that it was not in vain! Keep talking… big changes are coming! ❤
I know you focus on actors but one thing I would suggest is researching child labor in vlogging and TH-cam videos. It needs to be exposed more and how parents take advantage of the image and privacy of their kids
So glad this is happening!! I can’t express how excited I am to listen to everyone’s stories. Thank you Alyson for doing this. Hollywood needs it!
I think this is such an important thing to talk about especially in today's day and age. This is still going on in Hollywood and even worse when you see so many social media families who are now putting their children in the spotlight, their traumas, ups and downs, etc all for clicks and likes. And those children have absolutely no protections as it's viewed more like posting up a home video, rather than the child labor their own parents are pushing onto them. Thank you for bearing yourself to the world and sharing your story. We need to see you as more than 'that cute kid that was in that thing once' and realize child stars aren't our puppets but real people like all of us.
Thank you for not allowing yourself to be just another number. Thank you for using your intelligence and eloquence to try to start to change the damage to young performers. I am intrigued to learn what knowledge was gained from such a frank and raw collaboration of diverse entertainers, how they would change the system if they had the power to do so. And way to stand on your laurels, even if it meant starting anew and doing this series on your own!
One thing I've noticed over my 55 years on earth is that child actors are often denied the normal stages of growth and social interactions.
They are then called brats when they have a meltdown in their teens, when it's the adults around them who are responsible for them being able to have outlets outside of acting.
Alyson, thank you so much for talking about this. I have completely distanced myself from the fame fascination around Hollywood and have a massive repulsion for it after looking into it for a few years thanks to a few here on TH-cam. It goes very deep and it is very, very, VERY disturbing. I am so proud of you for going public despite HW being an enormous, faceless, sickening and dangerous monster with more power that we can fathom. I hope you stay safe. If there's any assholes from HW viewing this video and trying to figure out how to silence her before she starts unraveling your trillion dollar industry, it's too late, we already know. You can not hide everything forever, and so many of us know what is going on. It's just a matter of time before media is forced to no longer cover your asses and turn on you as the public does. Sending so much love to you Alyson, carry on and stay safe 💖
I have a YT channel and I am only doing it for the fun and not for the fame. Fame is overrated
When I was 6 I wanted to start acting. I got recognized by an agent at 7 and went to acting classes until 9. Never knew that my mom was not pushing for an agent and she was not pushing for auditions for me… I now realize, she didn’t want me to be apart of the evil. I appreciate her now for it.
I've been following your story since we were both kids. I also turned thirty this year. I'm always impressed when i see you now, your Passion and fervor are an inspiration to me. As a homeschooled ex cult member, I'm going back to school to study the intersection of philosophy and psychology and why we don't use both more when setting up American education and child development systems. There are so many brackets of children who are simply left behind.
Thank you for working and continuing to fight for those who can't protect themselves ❤
Wonderful documentary Alyson! The research you've done is astounding.I worked with you on Camp Rock (I wrote it and played the Camp Counselor) and there a ton of weirdness on the set. The parents were terrifying. While the kids were working all the parents/manager were on the phones upstairs negotiating for each kids next job. I freaked me out because it didn't look like the actual kid performer was involved in the choices. And the set wan't even safe. Once we were in the van on the very windy road going to the set in the woods, and a local guy had been hired to drive the bus. He kept turning around to look and talk to all the kids and it was so unsafe, the road was too dangerous. I to stop talking to us and watch the road. When we got to the set I told the First AD that I would never go in a van with that driver again and he should fire him. They didn't fire him, they just gave him another job on the set. But it was so upsetting because he could have killed or injured the kids. But there was no consciousness of protecting the actors.But truly, most sets are like that.
Alyson, you are so well spoken and can explain things so well to where they are easy to understand. I’m so glad you are doing this. #HopingForChange ❤️
I’ve been seriously reeling and processing a lot with my career choices and how it’s all built on both positive and negative attempts to fixing trauma from being a child performer. So many of us have HUGE issues with boundaries and a lot of us weren’t treated as “human” in a lot of scenarios. I complained that it felt like I never got a REAL connection with my REAL family and how that’s affected my entire life and led me in the exact same places as you and many others. I have SO much to say about this but all I have to say in the comments is thanks for this series ❤
so brilliant, and so awful that the first iteration of this podcast succumbed to the same exploitative organizational strategies that it sought to expose, damn… I can tell this is going to teach me so much, and I can’t wait!
i grew up watching you on disney and always liked you! so glad i found this podcast/channel.
there’s this stereotype that child stars always end up doing drugs, in rehabilitation facilities, all mentally ill and all i see is people (especially other celebrities) making fun of child stars instead of being compassionate to them. i’m sure very few of them make it out alive, which is heartbreaking. how many more artists that were child stars will have to come out with their terrifying stories until someone with enough power make a real change? how is this still allowed today? anyways. can’t wait to watch the next episodes! ❤
You know as someone that has experienced trauma, all those stories of celebrities falling into the dark abyss and showing it with drug abuse, psychosis, etc I always wonder what led them to that point. I myself have mental health issues and I would hate to be in such huge spotlight when having such dark experiences and for the whole world to judge. I never once thought that being a celebrity must be easy and have a luxury life. I always imagined it as something difficult. I honestly click on this podcast to understand the reality that you guys experience. I can just imagine what you guys go through but to know the truth is different. I’m all about understanding those experiences. Psychology is something I’ve always been drawn to, and understand the behaviors of people. I’m here to understand you as a person not the celebrity and the face on the spotlight.
*alyson is the perfect example of a well-rounded, intellectual and empathetic individual. such a light everyone needs*
Why Leos are the best 🥰
Alyson, you are using your voice to change the world. You are incredible, and the ways you are calling us into the conversation-we’re here for it. Thank you.
I think all of this also ties up with kid reality tv stars. And family vloggers and how little they protect the kids and their privacy. Many kids out of these types of entertainment are also speaking out. Hopefully child labor laws are also working for them as well. And that they’re taken more seriously and get the help they need.
Alyson, you are an amazing storyteller and this is an important story to tell. I’m very impressed by how well done this is.
first thing i noticed abt this video was that i actually had to turn OFF my closed captioning bc the video was already beautifully subtitled
Hi Alyson. I felt really encouraged to contribute after listening to this first episode. I feel like I will be able to find a bit of relevance in my own life listening to this as it unfolds. Although I was definitely no child star, I was considered a musical prodigy from a young age and ended up confined in an insane idea of stardom in the “viral musical sensation” sense through my father’s ambition, which ultimately altered my relationship with him for the worst. Luckily I’m still involved in music as an educator/research student and my experience never truly diminished my passion. I’m really looking forward to the ideas you will present moving forward, and getting to know you more in the process.
Alyson, here's my story, just in case you're interested. For the 1st 35 years of my life, I lived in a small TN town and was miserable. Then I got a job in Nashville working for TNN (The Nashville Network). I worked as a writer, graphic artist and puppeteer. I spent 5 years in Nashville and during this time worked as a background puppeteer on 'Muppets From Space.' After 5 years, TNN was bought by Viacom, who fired everyone, moved the network to NY and turned it into The Spike Channel. I couldn't find work, so I ended up right back in the small TN town. I'm 64 years old, and still trying to cope with losing everything.
I was a tot myself went Brittany Spears “went off the rails.” I barely knew who she was but still has this profound sense of wrongness when she was blamed for going through a hard time. The same thing happened with Miley’s “can’t be tamed” phase when adults acted like she was permanently ruined and was a bad role model rather than a human being. As an extremely lonely child, I watched Cheaper by the Dozen and Zack and Cody and felt like those characters were my friends. I wanted act on Disney channel myself, so this concept is something I have always struggled with. I think that’s the exact reason I am terrified watching families pimp out their children, going as far as putting them in revealing outfits or staging relationships with teens years older than their own children who they’re supposed to protect. Something needs to change and soon
your content’s made me realise how detrimental the entertainment industry’s always been, and it’s been a breath of fresh air to see someone FINALLY confront and challenge these industries and people behind them that profit off of the suffering and pain of those considered to be “more fortunate and privileged” enough to have everything at their disposal, and yet still seek other more harmful means of coping or even self medicating that result in an untimely demise. Having bodily autonomy and rights is a major problem in the industry as someone that’s just starting out and continues to grow into who they’ve always been. And, as a viewer of your content, I can gladly say that I can’t wait for the next chapter. Thank you for all that you do.
Honestly, until I had my own daughter (10 years ago) I didn't think about this stuff as much (though I DID always wonder, back in the day, how the poor Duggar and Gosselin kids would fare in the long term). But these days I find myself actively avoiding entertainment/social media that involves young kids, and I think that's mostly to do with the 'former' child stars and 'former' kid influencers coming forward to share their stories. I'm really glad you're doing this series and making sure to get into the nuances.
Yes, same with me.
Before I had children, I saw kids and related to them by remembering my own childhood and it was much more a first-person perspective. Kids think that they have a lot more agency and power than they really do.
After I had children, I saw my own children in other children, and everything got a lot more alarming and I felt horrified by so much more. If it's not okay for my children, it's not okay for other children either.
I don't like seeing children in movies or shows anymore, unless they aren't the main characters and aren't in any upsetting scenes. It's not okay to have kids in stories with monsters, murder, assault, etc. Even a lot of yelling can't be good for kids.
My aunt very much thinks that "you should get an agent for that kid" is a compliment, and is upset with one of her daughters for "wasting" her four kids' beauty and talent. A different granddaughter is in as many contests and shows as she can get into, and she's so proud of this child even though she's so busy she hardly has a real personality that I can see. It's all big smiles and good manners, but none of the authentic weirdness that kids usually have.
I think this message is more crucial than ever before.
With the access to fame being right in a child's hands, we need to put in place real support for children in that position.
I love how dedicated you are to this cause. So proud to see someone I grew up watching and wanting to be like mature into a strong, intelligent, and compassionate human being. I appreciate you doing your research and striving to enact change. I can't wait to hear your input and call to actions. Thank you for fighting for the children of the next generation like someone should have been for you.
I'm here as a person who studies child development from 0 to 5yo. Traumas, neglect in general, hungriness, etc (list goes on and on) affects their brain and body development ( since is an important age for brain and self development) and will affect them later in life as well. Early intervention from the guardians and adults around are extremely necessary. I say this as a child/teenager/yound adult who went through trauma as well that led me to disruptive relationships,drugs, alcoholism and almost death. I'm here to vouch for all of these children and for all of the adults who went through a rough situation in life that are currently struggling with life. ❤
I’m a big conspiracy theorist and I do a lot of research on different celebrities, I love what you’re doing, you’re letting people know that being famous isn’t as close as to joyful as people think it is. I’m sorry you had to go through all that trauma and pain, & suffering in silence. so happy that you are opening up for everyone to hear your testimony. been a fan since camp rock & phineas and ferb. looked up to you because you were a dancer.
i also remember you from step ip
"There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children." - Nelson Mandela
Happy birthday, Alyson! Thank you for treating us to another video, and for your insightful advice. I'm glad that you're in a better place emotionally now.
Hi Alyson! I dont know if you’ll ever see this, but thank you for all the hard work youve put into this, and Im so happy that you kept your integrity and worth by refusing such a bullshit deal. There is a podcast called “eating for free” by Joan summers and Mathew Lawson. They have it as “child star hell” where they break down the careers of a few child stars, but not in any way thats exploitative or true-crime. Joan and Matt both worked in media and a lot of it breaking down the process of blinds and manager/persona narratives celebrities, but especially child stars go through in the media. They had a pretty intense one about Justin Bieber and how his background as a working class kid who fed his family through his music has set a different set of narratives to Selena or Ariana. They’re wrapping up the Ariana one now, and its all done with a lot of empathy of how all these different factors play into different career trajectories and media narratives. I really do think you’d like the Justine Bieber one a lot, it made me realize how manufactured and out of control his own life has been since he was a child. They also always have guests on to talk about their area of expertise, let that be fashion or their work, if youre interested Im sure theyd love to havre you on to promote your own work.
I really feel for child stars. A lot of them didn't ask for this much recognition and it's scary. This isn't a coincidence that many children actors or performers 'acted out' I would too if I work in higly stressful environment without full ability to process my emotions and control my life. If someone cares deeply for something you can easily manipulate this person and obviousy it's much easier to do that with children. Glad you want to do something about it and help people. I'm interested to hear your story and others too. It's important. The fact that kids/ teenagers were being exploited for other kids like me to watch fun show makes me feel sick to my stomach. I probably know so little about this topic cause I grew up in non English speaking country and was able to fully understand articles etc at age 14 probably. Overall they should never be profit over people in any scenario.
Thank you for being so honest and true with your story. It makes me think a lot more about everything that was fed to me about child star growing up. I saw it as a dream, but now, I see it as a weird experiment / exploitation of kids that were too young to understand what happened to them. I am currently studying sexology (science and psychology related to sexuality) and I see a lot of links between your experience and my classes. It makes me want to dive more and more into this phenomenon to be able to better help children like you 💖 Sending love and support 💖
Here listening as a Violence Prevention Educator - thank you so much for doing all of this, it's so important.
So excited to support this, Alyson - been watching you for a LONG time with Disney, etc - THIS is my favorite version of you. Never stop what you’re doing. Don’t let anyone make you or this mission feel small. I can’t wait to see where this goes & support it to my best ability ❤ keep on healing bby 🎉
I dont know why I was surprised a production company decided to exploit you when you created and produced a series about celebrity exploitation. I'm sorry you had to go through that, but I'm glad you stood up for yourself. Thanks for opening our eyes to the dark side to the child entertainment industry
I’m here for your story, I grew up a fan and as an adult have struggled with some of the previous issues you and other child stars have mentioned. I find that connection fascinating and I am still a fan of your creative work 👏🏾
WE ALL NEEDED THIS FROM YOU. YOU ARE SO WELL SPOKEN, SINCERELY - THANK YOU
I am obsessed with this podcast! I knew in my soul Hollywood was just. Evil. And you have to really watch yourself…
What you said about people feeling entitlement to celebrities. It made me think of when we see people going viral for shitting on people. Like literally saying “I was a server at so and so, I met so and so and they were awful”… Like why is that okay?
Mm that’s an interesting thought about people commenting on meeting others. Thanks for sharing! Excited to share more.
I pushed back on some comments people made like that where the celebrity/actor was just normal and not bending over backwards to be entertaining and available to the observer. Like, who the f are you and why doesn’t this person get to eat dinner in peace without catering to everyone in the bar? It’s one thing if someone does something horrible but you don’t get to label some as “awful” because they didn’t smile at you and seem approachable.
To answer your question as to why I clicked this, and why I have interest in this topic: I've been following you for a while. I remembered you from my childhood, and when you popped up on my timeline talking about these issues, I became interested in the topic and the points you brought up. Looking up to you and other child stars as a kid shaped how I viewed the industry. I was envious of the lifestyle you all seemed to live and the stardom. As an adult with a better perspective, I'm horrified by what practices you (and others) have shone a light on. Thanks for continuing to talk about this even when it is hard. This is important! Thank you, Alyson.
I feel like every child actor on set should have an advocate from a third party company with them at all times. And the advocate should be trained in a mental health field and they should be mandatory reporters.
You are so perfect for podcasting, so well written and delivered!
Thank you for continuing your work on explaining the rougher parts of childhood stardom. As someone who grew up in the late 90's- early 2000's. I would watch all the Disney and Nickelodeon shows wishing I could have a chance to be on any of my favorite shows like so many of us do. Growing up in small towns across the US we think if only it looks so glamorized. Going to events being in Ad's for back to school, Having a clothing line with your name attached. My parents always told me I had to wait till I was Older to pursue this dream. Well i grew up and my parents showed me how narcissistic they truly were. I would have been eaten alive in this Industry as a child. I'm a very giving my heart to all type of person always finding the good. So thank you for sharing these stories in a weird way it heals all those childhood what if's.
Good for you for walking away and not allowing the continued abuse. Everything happens the way it’s meant to and this is already amazing! Looking forward to the new interviews and seeing what you create without the restrictions of that production company ❤
I was always drawn to you when I saw you on TV. I'm starting to realize because one you're another trauma kid around the same age but 2 had to be because you would end up being a vocal voice and advocate for children and for change. You and every other strong person I hope you keep pulling back the curtains. I hope that all this mounts together to completely overhaul the industry. The art of cinema and music is so essential to life. But yes it's become so very corrupt and until recent years nothing was ever talked about. Keep talking about it. All the love and support. I've been watching the unfolding of the truth in the entertainment industries as someone who they themselves at 10 years old had to testify against their offender to save countless people from a true monster.
This is important work. ALL children matter. It starts with doing better for the children of the world and that's essential to changing the world to the better.
Thank you for all of this hard work, Alyson. Talking about being taken advantage in the industry and then getting taken advantage of by the production company must be...the cherry on top. Glad you are doing this on your own, I will support this no matter what! :)
I think the correct phrasing would be: “employers are exempt from following federal labor laws for child entertainment labor.” The children aren’t exempt, it’s the employees who don’t have to follow these crucial rules.
Mm thank you for that rephrasing!
@@TheRealAlysonStoner thank you, not meaning to correct you in any way. I just believe the law is written in a way to be unfair to the victim, in any cases.
I think there’s also something to be said about treating children as objects vs. subjects. When the people around you treat you like a walking-talking object instead of a feeling-thinking lil human being, you don’t come to know yourself as a feeling-thinking big human being.
Hi Alison, thank you for this podcast. Im so looking forward to the next episode. I gotta say this episode has made me realise how much I take my normal life for granted. Im not famous and im super happy im not. When I was 12 y/o my parents adopted my two younger brothers (1 year old twins) Im from a small town in Ireland and two newly adopted babies was exciting news that spread around my small hometown quickly. So for a few years I got a minuscule glimpse into what its like to live the life of someone with extra attention on them, people you don't know staring at you, people going out of their way and into yours to talk to you, asking questions about you, and the occasional unwanted photograph. And in saying all this, the majority of the attention wasn't on me but on my two new family additions who thankfully were too young to understand. This experience lasted a few years and although it pales in comparison to the experience Hollywood celebrities, it gave me a very small taste of a similar life experience. It didn't take long before I became frustrated, my personality totally changed and I became generally a very angry kid who eventually dreaded the thought of going outside at all. So thats my experience and the teeny tiny way I can relate, or at least empathise. P.S i'm a 1993 baby and am turning 30 in a matter of weeks, a fact I am very much struggling to accept. Finally, Happy Birthday!! 💜
13:57 thank you for stating how the group that helped with contributing to this series was actually diverse on purpose. As a student in IST (information science and technology) I am learning a lot of how data can easily be manipulated to fit properly in the narrative. I don’t see enough people talking about their data in a clear language if that makes sense. In other words I mean that they don’t structure their sentences that is understandable easily. Some people think they need to use extra words that are rarely used to describe how they got their data.
I hope more and more people start watching this! Great start to the series and I can't wait to hear more!