14 former child stars who have opened up about the price of fame

Talia LakritzJan 28, 2021, 00:53 IST

Miley Cyrus, Daniel Radcliffe, and Mara Wilson.Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Shorty Awards, Theo Wargo/ Staff/Getty Images

Child stars grow up in the public eye under intense pressure.
Disney stars like Raven Symone, Cole Sprouse, and Miley Cyrus have struggled to forge their own identities.
Aaron Carter and Macaulay Culkin have opened up about turning to drugs to deal with fame.

It's not easy growing up in the spotlight.

When young actors become famous early on in life, it can be difficult to maintain a sense of normalcy, and any missteps are on display for the world to see.

Here are 14 child stars who have shared their struggles with fame.

Cole Sprouse told Variety that working on a Disney Channel sitcom for nine years was an "insular environment" that risked making him forget what real life is like.

Cole Sprouse. Jim Spellman/WireImage

Raven Symone has opened up about body shaming she experienced as a child star, and how it led to "mental issues."

Raven Symone. Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images

Daniel Radcliffe struggled with drinking as the "Harry Potter" movie franchise came to a close.

Daniel Radcliffe. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Macaulay Culkin spoke about his past drug usage in an Esquire cover story.

Macaulay Culkin. Kimberly White/Getty Images for Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center

Alisan Porter spoke about overcoming addiction after her early fame in "Curly Sue."

Alisan Porter. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

Amanda Bynes has spoken out about struggling with substance abuse.

Amanda Bynes. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Mara Wilson has written about being objectified and sexualized as a child star.

Mara Wilson. Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Shorty Awards

After starring in classic movies such as "The Parent Trap" and "Mean Girls," Lindsay Lohan had a tumultuous few years.

Lindsay Lohan. KGC-03/STAR MAX/IPx

Kirsten Dunst spoke about seeking treatment for depression.

Kirsten Dunst. Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images

Miley Cyrus got her start on Disney Channel's "Hannah Montana," and subsequently shed her squeaky-clean image.

Miley Cyrus. Theo Wargo / Staff/Getty Images

Regina King was 14 when she started playing Brenda Jenkins in the television show "227," and said that living a public life at such a young age was "not an easy thing."

Regina King. AP

In an interview on the Oprah Winfrey Network, former teen heartthrob Aaron Carter revealed that he self-medicated with drugs and alcohol to treat his depression.

Aaron Carter. Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

Hillary Duff said that she "struggled a little bit" with food when she was a teenager.

Hilary Duff. Aaron Poole/E! Entertainment/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Natalie Portman said that being sexualized in her early roles made her feel unsafe and afraid of exploring her own sexuality.

Natalie Portman. Getty

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