The Dark Side of Fame

As stories of horrific experiences of 2000s-era child stars come out, it’s important to learn how to be empowered in entertainment.

15 mins read

Fame, doin’ it for the fame

‘Cause we wanna live the life of the rich and famous

– Lady Gaga, “The Fame” (2008)

There has been increased awareness about the wellbeing of youth in the public eye since the #MeToo Movement gained traction in 2017. In the last few years, some of our favorite Disney Channel and Nickelodeon child stars have shared the truth of their experiences on camera.

We’ve listened to podcasts such as Alyson Stoner’s Dear Hollywood and Christy Carlson Romano’s Vulnerable. We’ve read books such as Jennette McCurdy’s I’m Glad My Mom Died. Actors like Daniella Monet, Demi Lovato, Dylan and Cole Sprouse, Frankie Muniz, Keke Palmer, Miley Cyrus, Millie Bobby Brown, Selena Gomez, and more have spoken out. Their stories share many of the same threads: being exploited rather than being protected, being sexualized in roles meant for children, and the increased likelihood of mental health issues and substance abuse.

With Investigation Discovery’s new 5-episode docuseries Quiet On Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, available on HBO Max and Prime Video, an entirely new wealth of stories have shed light on the dangers of fame when you’re under the age of 18.

It’s optimistic to think these stories are a thing of the past, or that they don’t affect today’s influencers the same way because they work independently. However, most entertainers have to – and want to – diversify their sources of income, especially after the pandemic and union strikes in 2023. Just look at Addison Rae, Charli D’Amelio, D.C. Young Fly, Druski, and That Girl Lay Lay, all influencers who’ve parlayed online popularity into roles in film and TV.

A 2023 report from Morning Consult, which surveyed 2,200+ adults born 1997-2012, found that 57% of Gen Z wanted to become influencers as a career. That number is in line with the business intelligence company’s 2019 market research, when TikTok first exploded in popularity as a social media platform. The allure of fame is undeniable.

According to CNBC, “The No. 1 thing driving Gen Z’s interest in influencing as a career is the ability to make money, followed closely by being able to work flexibly and doing fun work.”

“The desire might be Gen-Z’s modern take on the classic dream of becoming a rock star,” Dr. Monasterio, a psychiatric nurse practitioner from Mindpath College Health, Isla Vista said in a Parents article. “The glamour is undeniable, but just as not every aspiring musician reaches Taylor’s global status, not every influencer becomes an overnight sensation.” Further citing the realities of cyberbullying and social comparison, Dr. Monastrio went on to say, “The pressure to maintain a public image, handle criticism, and meet audience expectations can take a toll on one’s well-being. Just as music artists may face the psychological challenges of the spotlight, influencers should be proactive in prioritizing their mental health.”

So, how do we safely pursue careers as actors and/or influencers? What if, deep down, we still want to live the life of the rich and famous?

Here at Kidizenship: Watch Us Rise, we aim to empower youth to not only utilize different forms of media as a tool for community and societal awareness, but to make informed decisions that have a positive impact on their futures. If you’re still interested in being a star, check out our tips below for how you can empower yourself as a child or teen in today’s entertainment industry, with the support of a trusted parent or guardian.

1. KNOW YOUR ROLE

Actors, influencers, and reality television stars are not the same thing, nor are they treated with the same legal protections in the entertainment industry. During the SAG-AFTRA strike last year, reality TV star Bethenny Frankel called attention to the differences that come with unscripted TV personalities portraying themselves rather than performing a scripted role.

The distinction is important, because once we sign contracts and show up to do the work, we need to fully understand the power dynamics at play.

Child labor laws for young performers, which vary by state, only apply to minors who appear in film, TV, and commercials. However, they do not protect minors working in reality TV or paid social media content. This means that the policies in place for limited work hours, educational support, healthcare, and financial compensation don’t apply, leaving young people vulnerable to potentially unfair terms and unsafe conditions.

Concerns gained media attention with the late 2000s criticism of Toddlers & Tiaras, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, and Jon & Kate Plus 8, in which minors had their entire lives on display in ways that the general public considered highly inappropriate.

In September 2023, Illinois 16-year-old Shreya Nallamothu wrote a letter to State Senator Dave Koehler about protecting the earnings of child and teen influencers for when they turn 18. Her efforts and testimony led to a bill becoming a law in the state.

2. MANAGE YOUR FINANCES

Fame doesn’t always equal fortune. One of the biggest misconceptions is that just because everyone knows someone’s name, they must be sitting on a pot of gold. Furthermore, we’re led to believe that celebrities buy or own everything they’re photographed with, when the truth is that cars, clothes, and other products are comped or rented for endorsement partnerships. Social comparison can lead people to overspending to keep up with the Joneses – or Kardashians, in this generation – when they can’t afford it.

Mismanagement of funds is one of the surefire ways to curtail your success as a star. Unfortunately, not only can you mishandle your money, but so can those responsible for you. The lives and careers of Shirley Temple, Macaulay Culkin, Brooke Shields, and Dylan and Cole Sprouse were all negatively affected by this. History of this kind led to the development of the Coogan Law and blocked trust accounts.

The Coogan Law is named for 1920s child actor Jackie Coogan, who discovered upon his 21st birthday that all of his film earnings were gone. “Coogan eventually sued his mother and former manager for his earnings. As a result, in 1939, the Coogan Law was put into effect,” explains SAG-AFTRA. “In January 1, 2000, changes in California law affirmed that earnings by minors in the entertainment industry are the property of the minor, not their parents. Since a minor cannot legally control their own money, California Law governs their earnings and creates a fiduciary relationship between the parent and the child. This change in California law also requires that 15% of all minors’ earnings must be set aside in a blocked trust account commonly known as a Coogan Account.”

Now the kicker is, not all banks offer Coogan Accounts and not all states require them. “Sometimes explaining that you are opening up a blocked trust account for your minor child will clear up confusion,” SAG-AFTRA continues to explain. “In most instances, you will have to supply proof of a trust account prior to receiving a work permit. 15% of the minor’s gross wages are required to be withheld by the employer and deposited into the Coogan account within 15 days of employment. The parent must supply the Coogan account number to the employer.”

3. CONTINUE YOUR EDUCATION

Yes, stars are still in school! While children and teens may take on working full-time in entertainment, they usually transfer to a homeschool system or have their education supported by the presence of a studio teacher.

As stated on the IATSE 884 union website, “The studio teacher, in addition to teaching, has a responsibility for caring and attending to the health, safety and morals of minors under sixteen years of age for whom they have been provided by the employer, while such minors are actively engaged or employed in any activity pertaining to the entertainment industry and subject to these regulations.”

This not only helps celebrities maintain a sense of normalcy in their lives, but also to retain the option to attend college later if they so choose. Many former child stars decided to go to college while still taking acting jobs, and several Gen Z celebrities are enrolled as we speak. Pursuing higher education not only broadens celebrities’ career options, but provides more experiences to draw on when creating future art and content.

4. VALUE YOUR PRIVACY

The proliferation of social media has coincided with an increased sense of entitlement to other people’s personal lives, especially those of celebrities. Know that you do not owe people anything more than the content you produce. You don’t owe people photos, statements, or any more of yourself than you’re comfortable sharing.

Riverdale’s Lili Reinhart and Stranger Things’s Finn Wolfhard called out fans for harassing them and their fellow castmates, both in person and online.

Even Hollywood parents have gone to bat to protect their children’s privacy from the likes of paparazzi. In 2013, Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill into law that made it a misdemeanor to take harassing photos or videos of celebrities’ kids in California. The bill was supported by actresses Halle Berry and Jennifer Garner’s testimonies in court.

Remember, you can always change your account settings to limit or turn off comments, filter certain words, and restrict or block users. Protecting your peace is important!

5. IDENTIFY YOUR ALLIES

It takes a village. We all need a strong foundation and support system to make it through life and our chosen career paths. This is why it’s important to identify people in your life who you can depend on to keep you grounded and protected.

Ideally, this is a trusted parent or legal guardian. If you want to get a parent involved in supporting your career, have them read the tips above and research industry resources.

They should definitely check out this link: SAG-AFTRA – Young Performers 

Beyond your immediate protectors, always find out who is officially responsible for establishing and maintaining a healthy work environment, as well as who to report any misconduct that violates that or your sense of safety. On set, it can be the assistant director, human resources representative, or studio teacher – but most importantly, it’s whoever you trust to speak up on your behalf and hold other adults accountable.

With more children, teens, and parents empowered with the truth and tools to navigate the entertainment industry, we hope to see a positive and lasting change that builds toward a healthier and happier future for everyone on screen.

Interested in learning more about the realities of child stars and influencers? Check these out:

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Cierra Lockett

Cierra Lockett is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and Loyola Marymount University with an MFA in Writing & Producing for Television. Raised in Memphis, she currently works in Los Angeles as a Production Coordinator in the MTV Entertainment Group at ViacomCBS, where she supports TV movies and series from prep to premiere. She loves culture, food, and trivia and board games. (She/her)

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