Child Star Documentary: Demi Lovato Exposes Hollywood's Shocking Truths

What Shocking Revelations Does Demi Lovato’s New Documentary Offer?

Demi Lovato’s latest Hulu documentary “child star” features some very shocking truths about the entertainment industry, including the hollywood machine - a system that takes children and young actors and sometimes throws them into dangerous and often traumatic experiences.

With interviews featuring former Child Stars like Christina Ricci, Kenan Thompson and even Drew Barrymore - viewers will quickly realize those experiences can create a sense of isolation - as young actors are often seen as commodities. This was something that demi lovato was looking to explore as she aimed to create this production and deliver this important message about the need for change and, possibly, new protections.

How Did the Introduction of Cable TV Change Things for Child Actors?

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As child star's are becoming a key part of the entertainment industry. It has a lot to do with how those entertainment companies continue to create new platforms to showcase child celebrities. One of the most prominent developments that helped push this evolution of children taking on major roles came with the rise of cable tv.

Cable TV introduced new outlets such as Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel, two outlets that quickly became a launchpad for child stars as it became a more effective way to bring a new wave of entertainment. As the entertainment industry expanded - so did its use of child actors to gain a strong presence in entertainment. The impact of those television shows for children, helped to propel the careers of many well-known actors, such as Kenan Thompson from "Kenan & Kel" - which aired on Nickelodeon.

Why Was The Shirley Temple Act Created?

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The Shirley Temple Act - is considered an example of a legal act that would overturn child labor laws to ensure child stars, many of them underage, could have a career in the entertainment industry. Although this act allowed these children the ability to work in those productions - it didn’t do much to ensure their financial wellbeing.

This came at a time where child actors (some who have appeared in major films or have become the stars of television shows), would have a large proportion of their earnings controlled by their parents. That control led to many actors like Jackie Coogan to file lawsuits to gain more control - and ultimately this served as a major step to introduce laws like The Coogan Law. It aims to ensure those actors receive more rights when it comes to the fair labor standards act. These are often a combination of rules - specifically, in California, where the "Coogan Account" must be set up as part of a child actor’s financial arrangements - in an effort to protect their funds and also provide greater accountability.

How Can Social Media Impact Child Celebrities?

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With the advent of social media, many young actors have found a new way to build a presence in the entertainment world. Social media allows young performers a space to build a fan base as it expands their careers to new horizons. Some have taken on new ventures - many who have been a part of a Disney Channel or nickelodeon production.

Social media is also becoming an influential factor for younger actors as it becomes a critical part of building a strong brand. With that come some of those more problematic aspects of social media: A loss of privacy and the relentless attention that can often lead to a sense of oversharing and often a difficult time with a sense of self-worth as it comes from constant social engagement, as well as the dangers of a more toxic content creator industry. There's also been concern with a growing focus on the exploitation of child celebrities by social media platforms as a way to increase those followings, engagements and to ensure that these children are often overworked to create an image that serves as an attractive commodity - all for the profit of the platforms.

What are the Effects of Growing Up in Hollywood as a Child?

It often can be a glamorous, but in many cases a very challenging and toxic reality for those who are child stars - especially with those growing up in hollywood. This often leads to a very intense path toward growing up and facing the complexities of being thrust into a system where they are being treated as commodities - often seeking validation by those that surround them in Hollywood.

Some examples highlight just how the entertainment industry can impact children and especially how they will have to deal with those expectations, those intense pressures that come with the spotlight. These have to make some extremely difficult choices - many of which can contribute to substance abuse and struggles with mental health. It has often been noted that those who are former child stars, often find it difficult to navigate their adulthood and those expectations for them - as they will need to constantly deal with what their career has given them, in turn. In the case of Demi Lovato (who had to deal with a difficult transition as she came into adulthood) it became an important reason for her to make the documentary "Child Star" in an effort to deliver the message that the entertainment world should consider changing, for the sake of those that are on that journey as child actors .

Why Did Former Child Stars Often Disassociate Themselves From Their Childhoods?

With those young actors having to face difficult choices and struggles within Hollywood (and especially those who are in a series that airs on Disney Channel, nickelodeon, or on a cable tv network). This can often make them grow up rapidly - forcing them into adulthood where their child-like wonder, innocent perspective and enjoyment often goes away - leaving many feeling as if they've been taken advantage of or possibly exploited - all while having little control over the direction of their careers.

In Demi Lovato’s new documentary "Child Star", it highlights some key reasons why. This often serves as a contributing factor as to why former child stars struggle with a sense of disassociation - as it helps to bring their childhood into a greater context. In many ways, these stories are incredibly personal and offer insight as to how child stars often cope with the stress, as it could involve dealing with the teen magazines (who will constantly look at ways to change an image - as in the case of Alyson Stoner) that is not an honest, authentic reflection of their actual life - and even how they struggle to deal with what it means to become an adult, having made their transition in a very different world.