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

Talia LakritzMar 30, 2024, 00:25 IST

Drake Bell shares the dark side of child stardom in "Quiet On Set."Dominik Bindl/Getty Images

Child stars grow up in the public eye under intense pressure.
In "Quiet on Set," Drake Bell said a Nickelodeon dialogue coach sexually abused him.

The Investigation Discovery series "Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV" uncovers the toxic, destructive culture that child actors endured on the set of Nickelodeon TV shows.

Mistreatment of child stars is an industry-wide problem, as young actors across networks have shared their harrowing experiences behind the scenes and in the public eye.

Here are 20 former child actors who have opened up about the price of fame.

Drake Bell said he turned to "destructive behaviors" after a Nickelodeon dialogue coach sexually abused him when he was a teenager.

Drake Bell.Dominik Bindl/Getty Images

Jennette McCurdy, who starred on "iCarly," told The New York Times that "my whole childhood and adolescence were very exploited."

Jennette McCurdy.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Selena Gomez said she felt "violated" when paparazzi photographed her as a teen.

Selena Gomez.Kurt Krieger/Corbis via Getty Images

Former Disney Channel star Alyson Stoner spoke out about the systemic pitfalls and devastating effects of child stardom in a People op-ed.

Alyson Stoner.Gary Gershoff/Getty Images

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 was 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

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

Mara Wilson.Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Shorty Awards

Regina King was 14 when she started playing Brenda Jenkins in "227." She's said that living a public life at such a young age was "not an easy thing."

Regina King.AP

Kirsten Dunst spoke about seeking treatment for depression.

Kirsten Dunst.Stuart C. Wilson/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 Images

In a YouTube video, Christy Carlson Romano said she "made and lost millions of dollars" because, as a child actor, "you aren't told that the work is going to slow down."

Christy Carlson Romano in 2019.Paul Archuleta/Getty Images

In a YouTube video, Christy Carlson Romano said she "made and lost millions of dollars" because, as a child actor, "you aren't told that the work is going to slow down."

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

"School of Rock" star Rivkah Reyes said their role in the movie led to bullying and addiction.

Rivkah Reyes played Katie in "School of Rock."Paramount Pictures

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

Alisan Porter.Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

Amanda Bynes has also spoken out about struggling with substance abuse.

Amanda Bynes.Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

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

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

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

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

Drake Bell said he turned to "destructive behaviors" after a Nickelodeon dialogue coach sexually abused him when he was a teenager.

Jennette McCurdy, who starred on "iCarly," told The New York Times that "my whole childhood and adolescence were very exploited."

Selena Gomez said she felt "violated" when paparazzi photographed her as a teen.

Former Disney Channel star Alyson Stoner spoke out about the systemic pitfalls and devastating effects of child stardom in a People op-ed.

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 was like.

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

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

Regina King was 14 when she started playing Brenda Jenkins in "227." She's said that living a public life at such a young age was "not an easy thing."

Kirsten Dunst spoke about seeking treatment for depression.

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

In a YouTube video, Christy Carlson Romano said she "made and lost millions of dollars" because, as a child actor, "you aren't told that the work is going to slow down."

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

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

"School of Rock" star Rivkah Reyes said their role in the movie led to bullying and addiction.

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

Amanda Bynes has also spoken out about struggling with substance abuse.

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

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

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