Jennette McCurdy: How Hollywood Controls The Child Actor

[@DonnaIRL]

Sorry for the yelling! Had some issues with the mic while shooting 😩

[@JoshEssex]

lol, I was wondering if you were experimenting with your presenter voice

[@scorpiss9]

lol. did u just admit u were abusing the mic?

[@ittirutak1058]

Your yelling was a terrible experience throughout the video and my day is ruined... I expect perfection next video and now I'll express my opinions elsewhere....

[@calholli]

Don't do that pulsing distortion noise that you did in the intro.. it's terrible and I almost turned off the video.

[@calholli]

Why did you change your name? The old name was better.

[@mirrojas]

I just watched an older interview of Daniel Radcliffe & Conan Obrian talk about this. Daniel was explaining how he wished he had a great, over the top explanation as to why he stayed so grounded but it really was just having good parents while also having set workers who actually treated him like family. He said his parent never forced him & always asked if he still wanted to do Harry Potter after each movie.

[@Willowy13]

Daniel was drinking alcohol around 13 years old.

[@johnlastname8752]

@@Willowy13 that's pretty standard for European kids though. Source: I am a former European kid, and current European adult.

[@prepperjonpnw6482]

He didn’t turn out as a normal kid would turn out. He’s seriously weird and its no wonder since he grew up being Harry Potter more than being himself. Add to that everywhere he went everyone referred to him as Harry Potter. Watch any interview with him and listen to how he describes his roles and his day to day life. It’s all sad really just sad. I think the worst is parents who act as if all the money is theirs and not their child’s money. I understand keeping a certain amount of the money but not all of it. Britney’s family is the perfect example of parents who get control of the finances and keep it that way for decades.

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

@@prepperjonpnw6482 Yeah i'm pretty sure it won't take too long till the ghost of the past and his childhood will soon become what he wants to shake off the most because it just won't go away. I think Haley Joel Osment has it way better because he really was not typecast so his adult acting life today is a lot more relaxed. And i am VERY happy for him because of that. Sure, his role in the Sixth sense and the line "i see dead people" is basically a classic but it's just ONE movie. And not a series of movies or a role he played over years. He always did something different.

[@iloveyourunclebob]

@@johnlastname8752 "the drinking age is when you can see over the bar" right? Lol

[@DylanSunkel]

The lack of self-awareness on paparazzi when they ask "are you okay?" while flashing someone with a camera constantly... The faux empathy is infuriating.

[@pauleckert4321]

If me or you did the things they did and how they can chase a celebrity down the street and block it would get arrested. Yet they get to and cuase accidents and usually nonthing happens to them. Makes ya wonder.

[@kellyweingart3692]

click click click click *smashes camera*

[@Willowy13]

I hate Paparazzis since Lady Di's death. I don't consume gossip. Don't care about celebrities lives and what not. I know most of them hate us peasants, but by the end of the day they are people and should have their privacy. My hate increased even more after their persecution of Britney Spears. That woman couldn't go anywhere without flashes in her face.

[@candy-ninja]

I think more celebrities should steal the paparazzi's cameras

[@kittysuperlove]

They dont care they are hoping for a reaction

[@pagansbasin6657]

It’s so sad to realize that the child actors I idolized as a kid were actually suffering in complete silence

[@ladisneyprincesse]

Same here and I would think staying in school for so long was suffering!

[@maverickbull1909]

Literally everyone on earth is suffering wtf are you talking about

[@BERNYtheBERNY]

@@maverickbull1909 what on earth are you talking about, I for one am actually having a pretty good time right now

[@memphisskallywag7683]

Wow you finally got that huh? You prolly think c nine teen is not man made to huh?

[@Haysti2000]

@@BERNYtheBERNY lmao what an iconic comment. Me too bestie, doing pretty good

[@mizzapril2009]

Hearing Jeannette talk about her agent saying she wasn’t beautiful but homely really hit home for me. I once overheard my mum talking to my aunt telling her that I wasn’t pretty but at least I have a nice body. I was 13 at the time and to this day it still affects my self esteem. I never confronted her about it and I know if I did she would deny it

[@Godsbelovedkid]

I’m sorry :( never let anyone define if you’re beautiful or not. I know that was hard to hear. You’re beautiful :) beauty standards have changed every time, I mean people used to pluck the hair out so they could have a bigger forehead! Because that was the beauty standard at the time-So it really shows that beauty standards are literally crazy weird. Everybody is beautiful it’s just society picking and choosing, what I’m trying to get at here is you’re beautiful. It doesn’t matter if you fit the beauty standard or not… you’re exceptionally beautiful you don’t have to look perfect

[@NiteDriv3r]

PUT A BAG ON DAT FACE

[@kieranstark7213]

ANYONE WHO SAYS THAT JENNETTE MCCURDY IS NOT ATTRACTIVE AND THAT NO ONE WANTED TO WORK WITH HER (AND EVEN COMPARING HER BEAUTY STANDARDS NEGAFIVELY TO THAT OF SAM FROM ICARLY/SAM & CAT EVEN THOUGH SAM PUCKETT WAS A MONSTER ADND WAS PLAYED BY JENNETTE) SHOULD PUT THEMSELVES DOWN AND LOOK AT THEMSELVES IN THE MIRROR AND PUT BAGS ON THEIR FACES!!!!!!! SHE IS ONE THE MOST OVERHATED PEOPLE IN THE REAL WORLD BECAUSE PEOPLE COULDN’T STAND TO SEE HER BOYCOTT EVILODEON!!!!!!!!!!

[@donkeyzeroa2392]

@@kieranstark7213 I personally think shes pretty hot

[@a-listercrowley2737]

@@donkeyzeroa2392 bro, I saw her first! 😆

[@missrissa37]

A child should NEVER be the main source of income for a family. How twisted are these people. If they want to pay the bills from acting so bad, they should take it on themselves, not push it on their literal child. Sickening

[@elle7153]

I remember Mila Kunis talking about how her family economically struggled when she got the role in The 70s Show and still her parents didn't use a dime of her money. It all went to be saved for her. I couldn't understand why they wouldn't but probably they were working on this strict principle. It is commendable honestly.

[@snoozyq9576]

@@elle7153 aw that's really great to hear. Bella Thorne mentioned the same issue of having the pressure to be the main earner. I feel bad for her too.

[@kaemincha]

If it isn't child exploitation, I don't know what is

[@Lucailey]

Yeah, a lot of child stars are the bread winners for the whole family. It's sad!

[@mandarins_9194]

Now people start whole CHANNELS AND LIFESTYLES simply based around documenting their children from birth to current. Making their children do things over and over, never giving them privacy, and a lot of them taking the money and blowing it. The internet made it worse.

[@EayuProuxm]

Shout outs to Jeanette McCurdy's therapist for encouraging her to prioritize her health

[@FaiaHalo]

THANK YOU! You're so right!

[@Ntwister]

we know we live in a fucked up world when this needs to be mentioned...

[@alllittlethingzz]

Hate how Dan made her character always eat when she had a eating disorder!

[@cheesecakelasagna]

@@alllittlethingzz correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't her eating disorder a result of that? I mean, there's also a possibility that she could have told them about her disorder and them not listening.

[@midnight-user12]

When I'm depressed at since middle school... Parents: *get over it.*

[@hiide0us123]

She managed to keep enough of herself to get out of this whole system, and honestly i'm super happy for her!

[@gavvy8434]

Amen she deserves what’s best for her I’m excited to see what she does do in the near future though.

[@Sleepymazda999]

She’s still in the system

[@hiide0us123]

@@Sleepymazda999 Certainly not in Dan Shneider's Spectacular Feetfest she isn't

[@caiargagnon]

It reminds me of the meme that came out of Mitchell Musso getting arrested, miley cyrus is dancing on a pole, and Emily Osment is like "oh God! Am I next?" I am so glad not all children are losing themselves at a young age but it's too many😓

[@eddypuentes6155]

This is one of the reasons why I can't stand Hollywood. The other one is Harvey Weinstein. Those are just two of the reasons why I can't stand Hollywood.

[@konstakesti]

I find it so interesting how someone like Anna Paquin is still doing so well. Then I saw an interview where she said her parents refused to move to Hollywood and she was only allowed to do acting as a hobby. She was allowed to audition for roles if she did her chores at home, got good grades etc. And if acting ever would become overwhelming for her her parents wouldn't let her do it. I don't want to say that parents are the biggest problem when it comes to the problems child actors go through as adults BUT having normal everyday parents who set boundaries and think about the child instead of the paycheck will affect them massively in a healthy, positive way.

[@Willowy13]

Parents make or break these kids. In modern day, McCauley is the one that comes to mind. His family stole his money. I bet Britney's family is doing the same. Elijah Wood, Mr Frodo, said his mother was on set for everuthing. There was no where production would take him that she was not in it. She was a hawk.

[@konstakesti]

​@@Willowy13 Exactly!!

[@BL-hw4mn]

@@Willowy13 Chris Columbus, who directed Home Alone and the first 2 HP movies, prohibited any kids with stage parents from getting roles in HP because Macauley’s dad had been such a pain in the ass during Home Alone

[@Willowy13]

@@BL-hw4mn That is why Daniel was drinking at 13.

[@estrellagarciazamora8721]

So... Poverty is the real problem then.

[@amyspeers8012]

My son was in a documentary when he was 8. Both the director and producer came to us at the showing and said he was a wonderful to work with and handed us the name of an agent, saying they were expecting our call. My husband and I went home, had a long conversation and then decided to give our son a childhood. He went on to study acting and singing and is now an opera singer and manger of a local theater company. We’ve talked about it and he’s grateful for his childhood.

[@marynehra502]

I think it's child abuse which unfortunately the parent's of these child actor's push them into,not many grow up to be stable adults

[@spmoran4703]

You did the right thing ,I admire you. And as a Classical singer myself. I wish your son well.

[@angelicpretty777]

so happy for your son! i hope he goes far in that industry.

[@charlie_3370]

I remember watching a Madonna interview in the mid-to-late-90s where the interviewer asked her what the key to her consistent success and longevity of her career was. Madonna said something along the lines that she had a normal childhood and that nothing happened to her until she was 25 or 26, that she had plenty of time to live a normal life and experience ups and downs outside of the public eye. She added that it’s very rare to see someone so young rise to superstardom and stay there due to that lack of proper development.

[@dollseyk7198]

@ᴄᴏᴜʀᴛɴᴇʏ ᴡʜɪᴛᴍᴏʀᴇ so basically fame wasn’t made for young people ? I would say fame wasn’t made for everyone. I think there’s people who can just handle better the pressure than others . But fame sounds like a nightmare in reality

[@dollseyk7198]

Not really see doja cat wanting to quit she’s like 26 is not about that .

[@merricat3025]

@@dollseyk7198 yeah Fame does sound like a nightmare. I think there's some people that could probably handle it. I for one would hate it especially if you had Fame without money can you imagine all the bad that would be

[@animalcrossing799]

People: terrorize, dehumanize, and demean celebrities Also people: why are they having a mental break down lol such weirdos

[@BarackLesnar]

They must be crazy. Conservatorship time

[@anar8343]

If that doesn't sound hypocritical i don't know what does

[@TheJacklikesvideos]

@@anar8343 every straw argument from a single vague entity "people."

[@jayinthekut8389]

@@TheJacklikesvideos yeah it’s not really a straw argument and it’s not a single vague entity because we already know exactly who the people are in this situation. You honestly have to be very uninformed when it comes to mentally ill child actors and the adults they work worth, in order to to their description was “vague” lmao. The fact that they described the people’s actions towards celebrity’s/actors as “terrorize, dehumanize, and demeaning” should give you enough context clues to know exactly who they are referencing lol. And if you can’t do that, then it’s time for you to just stop thinking you’re smart and correcting people in this subject.

[@ramonamilawaterfall3361]

@Fairy a lot of times I saw them having a mental breakdown I would be wondering if anything happened to them like were they mistreated in any way or abused or did they struggle with mental health or eating disorders, etc. There was a lot of celebrities that were abused in the industry and it’s just so sad and tragic what a lot of them went through. I hope they all heal and get better, I’m proud of Jeanette McCurdy for being strong and persevering through what happened!

[@beingzombievstheworld]

I remember lucas (fred) said in his recent podcast said that the child stars who derail are mainly the ones under immense pressure and become sole bread winners of their families. Like mile bobby brown's family moved from uk and started depending on her earning only. So let your kids persue acting only if they want to, and don't depend on their earnings entirely.

[@maheenm.k1015]

That reminds me of how bella thorne's entire family depended on her career as a little kid to support them. I think I read somewhere her Relief at signing a contract with disney and that bringing financial security for her 4-7 siblings (I forgot) And I remember thinking, what kind of mom has 4-7 very small kids so quickly and puts them all in showbiz because shd can't support them? That's why bella has been in acting much younger than Zendaya, because it wasn't a choice for her.

[@Starburst514]

Shia LaBeouf's family too, they were living in motel rooms and his Dad constantly put pressure on him to "save" them

[@ron4202]

Would it be wise to just not hire child actors that would be the sole providers? I feel like there's so many problems, I'm dying here because I can't solve it and it's hurting me that children will continue to suffer like this

[@beingzombievstheworld]

@@ron4202 parents spend a lot of time and efforts in a child actor's career like driving them to auditions, staying with them for the shoot, etc so chauffering them becomes their full time job.

[@ron4202]

@@beingzombievstheworld So it's a never ending cycle of just terribleness. :(

[@whitestrake2760]

There's a reason we don't allow companies to hire children. It's inherently exploitative. Why we make this one exception for the film industry is beyond me. I get that movies need kids in them, but there has to be a better way than what Hollywood does.

[@Delta_Aves]

Having more child therapists on set or a support system would be a good start, to keep the kids grounded and not stunt their growth.

[@purelysmetalnightcore]

I unapologetically believe we should ban everyone under 18 from being in all media, online included. I don't care how restrictive it is, I just don't trust the system.

[@dennisjr77]

Hollywood is literally a cancer on our society!

[@michelleheidler983]

I never understood why child labor laws don't seem apply to child actors.

[@beluga2342]

@@purelysmetalnightcore no

[@monkiram]

I remember reading an article many years ago about Rollo Weeks's mother (British child actor from The Little Vampire) and it was talking about how strict she was with Rollo's schedule and making sure he didn't work too many hours and things like that. The article made her sound like some unreasonable controlling Karen or something, but now that I think about it in light of everything these former child actors have said, it sounds like she was really doing the best thing for her son.

[@Hoffinator]

If only these other child actors had parents like that

[@fantom5894]

What the hell is a Karen? Kids use that a lot.

[@monkiram]

@@fantom5894 It's the term people use for a stereotypical middle-aged entitled woman who makes a public fuss about things that she erroneously believes she is entitled to

[@_Moe]

@John Man yikes. Please practice your reading comprehension skills. They said THE ARTICLE made it sound like the mother was in the wrong. Heaven forbid someone falls for propaganda. Heaven forbid someone acknowledges their ignorance and learns and grows. We should all be born with the innate critical thinking skills and moral compass that you have.

[@mollyhansen1490]

It's no secret that the iCarly writers were especially cruel to Jennette when writing Sam's backstory, always mirroring her mother being abusive towards her, and making one of her main traits binge eating, while she was suffering from an eating disorder. As I was watching this, I realized another storyline to Sam which seemed only to serve the purpose of bullying Jennette. The episode where it's revealed that Sam was forced into beauty pageants as a child and actively hated them and seemed to have trauma from them clearly mirrors her mother forcing her to continue acting. They were so cruel to Jennette, and used her character on iCarly to torment her.

[@sovereignbrehon]

And these digs are ever woven into everything that happens to these people, until they lose their minds. Celebrities are in captivity, period.

[@Beattherapist2deathinsexdreams]

I think both of you guys hit the nail on the head. Have you seen the video of Katy perry getting slimed? I think she was obviously hurt and it may have been purposely.

[@Hajo87-tz7hz]

Role model of a black company

[@paula817]

Wow. I didn’t even put that together. They sure did make her shove food in her mouth a whole lot. I absolutely adore Jennette McCurdy and wish her nothing but healing and happiness.

[@DreFromMaine8472]

I really feel bad for Jeanette. I have legit sympathy for her and her situation. Her mother was a terrible person to her. And having to eat so much on the set of the original iCarly while having a real life eating disorder must have been Hell for her. I totally understand why she quit acting and refused to do the reboot series. I don't blame her at all!

[@summerrose8110]

I'm surprised Miranda Cosgrove was on board with the reboot. Why? Why Miranda? iCarly is disgusting, so is Victorious and Drake and Josh, Zoey101 and many more.

[@adlilzafri2322]

@Caleb Mayfield Because of Dan Schneider I think. Though to be fair to Miranda, Dan's not involved with the reboot

[@polly09871]

@@summerrose8110 Phil Lewis ( Mr Mosby) directed most of the icarly reboot.

[@lynxdeception]

@@summerrose8110 It’s Miranda’s most popular show. Her music career was going nowhere. Maybe this will be a start to all of the actors involved to launch into other greater ventures. I think it was said they have a part in the creative role this time as well. Think, it was this or Drake & Josh, and idk if you’ve heard about Drake Bell lately but he’s DOWN BAD in the worst way.

[@comedienne_historian]

@@lynxdeception omg that zoom court call- he looked like the greasy groomer he is 🤮

[@fewerpuppet6423]

Seeing how Britney was treated, literally makes me want to cry. It’s so messed up that people even thought it was ok to cross the lines the public did. She was a child and people are asking about her virginity and her breasts on talk shows. It’s just so messed up and makes me feel so uncomfortable. I cant even imagine what child hood stars, little girls, and women have been through.

[@sheluvssmokedupeyes1]

I was a young adult around the time Britney had a breakdown most regular normal people were actually alluding to the fact that people stocking her and taking pictures of her was OK because that’s what she asked for for being famous the nerve of some people

[@Mindful.Movement.01]

Yea it fucks me up every time. I grew up on her music and I cried when I saw all the shit she went and been through and I celebrated when I found out she was set free from her jackass father and that damn conservatorship . What I really loved and noticed to was that Britney surprisingly had the whole world behind her supporting her yet her own family was her adversary. Tell me how the entire hell that works. I love Britney

[@Bella.Parabellum]

And boys, too

[@cranberryrosebud]

How people always say "they chose that life", or "that's the price of fame" infuriates me, because 1: just because your dream is to sing, act, model, etc. doesn't mean you're signing up for being hounded by paparazzi, being controlled/abused by people you're supposed to trust, such as your team, label or even your own family, or feeling alone (and maybe even depressed) because no one's interested in knowing the real you - the price for having a passion and set of skills you want to share with the world should never be that high; we need art, and if the people providing that to us are constantly being abused, that means society is dependent on an extremely toxic cycle. And 2 (and here's where my blood starts boiling): if the celebrity started their path young, a lot of the time, no, it was quite literally NOT their choice - or at least their "choice" was extremely influenced by those around them. People love to laugh at the crazy "good girls gone bad" or the "guy from TV" being on the news for bad behaviour - the thing is, it's so easy for us to say, it's so easy being someone who wasn't controlled at a young age or convinced to never leave the spotlight, it's so easy to have had a normal childhood and point and laugh at those who haven't, claiming we "never saw it coming" when yet another child star grown up goes off the rails. We didn't see it coming? We're the *reason* it keeps happening. Sure, a lot of things these celebrities do are illegal for good reason and sometimes, in terms of actions alone, I agree that they were in the wrong (of course, in some cases, their actions only affected themselves, and therefore, I'd argue they need help, not to be ridiculed) - but clutching your pearls or laughing every time this happens is part of the problem. If you're sick of people "whining" about their fame, either try being famous and see how glamorous it really is, or stop acting surprised when people who have been controlled all their lives cross a line when they get older. This is a long reply, but I'm so tired of people being dismissive when that's the exact attitude that's keeping all this going. In short, parents, the industry and the public all share the blame here.

[@bluebird2256]

@@cranberryrosebud it’s also the government that is apart of Hollywood too. They are the reason why Hollywood is corrupt and abuses , brainwashes celebrities. But u are right the government, Hollywood want us to be brainwashed and watch tv and listen to artists music to keep us worshiping them when we should be worshiping god instead. It’s satans work. That’s how things are and I didn’t realize this until last year during when Covid started. I had nightmares about it. I stopped watching tv all together. It’s still hard to stop listening to music but I’m slowly purging the music I once listened to. But it’s going to be a slow journey for me to drop music or to listen to god music or classical music. But u are right about what u had said though.

[@ito2789]

Every child deserves parents, not every adult deserve children.

[@DonnaIRL]

Very true

[@macewbee]

Very true

[@ito2789]

@M1ddleBroth3r as long as there exist incompetent parents, this will neve go away.

[@mayhemmayhem9282]

@M1ddleBroth3r 😂😂😂😂

[@Blessed_by_Yeshua]

Jennette, there’s a whole beautiful world for you to explore. My mother never had a childhood. It impacted her tremendously. She ended up having very dysfunctional relationships. She’s now, at 83, learning who she may have been if she’d have had any choice in the matter. You’re still young. You do you. And be kind to that person in the mirror.

[@user-vs6qi]

I’m going to pretend u say that to me as well.

[@Fiona2254]

Our son's best friend became interested in acting. His parents took him to an audition. They were told he was, almost 100%, going to get the part he auditioned for. They flew back home, packed, put the house on sale and moved the whole family to California. Who drops everything because someone may get a TV show part? Two weeks later they were told he wasn't getting the part. They stayed because they pretty much burned the bridge when they moved. He got a couple of parts in TV commercials but he was never more than a faceless stunt double for another actor. Such a sad story, why put that much pressure on a middle schooler.

[@danielhicks4826]

Because he had a pathetically weak immoral Godless cowardly father, and by extension an also greedy bad mother.

[@cienfu_egos]

Sht parents.

[@orangegreen3769]

That part where britney is saying “please go away” like, she’s even asking nicely this poor girl 🥺💔 Bitch she’s fucking CRYING on the sidewalk like give her some goddam space 😤 its so sad to see what they’ve done to her, she’s such a sweet person

[@browneyedgirl2548]

Seeing those clips of old interviews, involving Britney, made my blood boil! Who allows middle aged men, to ask a young girl, about her breasts?! Where were her parents? I hope she can heal, she deserves it.

[@raycipher]

@@browneyedgirl2548 her fathers a controlling asshole who cares more about the money she makes for him than his own daughter. That answers your parents question, it’s really sad

[@niklasmolen4753]

@@browneyedgirl2548 It was really disgusting when he asked her about it.

[@browneyedgirl2548]

@@niklasmolen4753 The adults, asking a child, about their virginity and private parts, should be ashamed! I had no idea at the time, how much pressure, Britney was under.

[@Kal-El207]

@@browneyedgirl2548 Her parents were too busy enjoying the money they were getting for allowing their daughter to be exploited.

[@Starburst514]

I've grown to really hate how some people look at young adult/adult actors who started as kids, and say "they're doing alright, they didn't fall off the deep end like most child actors" Like the sentiment is "they're okay" but it's usually said almost like the ones who did fall had a choice in it. Like no they didn't "end up alright" they survived what Hollywood and the industry does to kids. I am so happy Jeanette is healthy and okay, and survived it all. She's so strong

[@anar8343]

I only pray she's getting the help she needs to deal with her trauma

[@sheluvssmokedupeyes1]

I exactly know how you know how you feel and I I share your same sentiment I mean look at Brooke shields she turned out OK but look at her mom her mom she was actually put in a playboy magazine at 10 years old the guy who owned the pictures sold them to Playboi for money and when they tried to get a court case to get those pictures taken out of Playboi they were denied nobody wants to talk about what happened to Brooke shields at 10 years old

[@strikers22X]

This is why I think kids should not have a social media presence. Social media success is still relatively new and some adults don't even know how to adequately handle this kind of attention. The internet can be hostile and imagine if a kid says something that the internet mob deems incorrect or offensive; the amount of hostility would be deeply damaging to someone that age. That's not a healthy portrayal of reality but the kid would more than likely think it's normal.

[@innitbruv-lascocomics9910]

@@aliwright1016 What?

[@solo6396]

@@aliwright1016 you just twisted the entire statement to say that white males are the problem. That mindset is definitely a problem.

[@CrustyUgg]

Yup. But I don’t just think kids shouldn’t be social media famous.. I don’t think parents should allow their kids to have access to the internet. It’s deeply disturbing how many parents give their young children an all access pass to the internet with zero parental controls. The internet is raising your children and that’s pathetic and scary.

[@maki3918]

I’ve been on the internet ever since I was 9 and if I could stop my old self from doing this I would. Even today I try to avoid apps like Reddit,tiktok etc

[@paintbrush3554]

@@CrustyUgg I think children should have limited access depending on age and maturity. But I think children need to be technically knowledgeable and educated on the internet to thrive in a world where it's obviously important. I think it's also important for older children (teens) to learn new ideas n not be stuck in the limitations of their family's teaching. People shouldn't let the internet raise their children(just like how people used to do so with the tv) but the answer isn't banning access to significant technology of our world until adulthood, leading to them just maladjusting in adulthood to the technology due to lack of experience and familiarity. (Btw, my parents had little control over what I looked at on the internet from ages 13+ and I navigated fine and I got to learn so many topics, make n connect w friends, n get into so many hobbies. I had some bad experiences but I didn't get my life ruined by it. If u raise your kids to know common sense, morals ect off line itll translates to how they operate online. )

[@MidlifeCrisisJoe]

One child actor no one ever mentions is Christian Bale. He was a major child actor since Empire of the Sun in the 80's all the way through the 90's in film, and he's said in interviews that he did it to make money for his parents and family. But no one questions how Bale adapted because I'm pretty sure everyone just assumes he's a full-on psychopath.

[@Werelight]

Which is a shame because that’s just a bunch of fake rumors

[@JR-me7yk]

Maybe he should play the role of a psychopath in an American setting in a movie that's popular with lonely/loser virgin men who think they're "sigma" and are in their early 20s

[@biomutant1468]

Most known actors are former child actors, but many of them suffer in silence forever.

[@iamafish7]

@@JR-me7yk Do you like Huey Lewis & The News?

[@JR-me7yk]

@@iamafish7 who tf is Huey Lewis? Also I don't really watch the news

[@yangosakurai7505]

When I was younger I was 100% guilty of "how can anyone making so much money possibly be unhappy" type thinking. When you start to understand all the things these kids go through to live up to what a company/industry expects from them it's no wonder they break down.

[@user-gu9yq5sj7c]

But then there's some people hating rich people or if people buy things for themselves too. Also, not everyone cares about wealth. Can't buy good and true family, friends, or kindness. There's a limit to how much you can change to your appearance or disability. Hana Kimura was bullied to kill herself. Cheslie Kryst killed herself cause she thought she wasn't contributing to the world enough. Also, just cause someone is rich or a celeb doesn't mean they can't feel guilty or not enough. Jonathan Brandis killed himself cause he started having difficulty getting acting jobs, his dream. 16 yr old Kalia Posey from Toddlers and Tiaras killed herself. Judy Garland cut herself and tried to kill herself 3 times. He mom forced her to perform as a kid too much. She was drugged to make her work more. Sloan has a video on how three men tried to kill Kendall Jenner. She was so scared she moved. She asked people to stop doxxing celebs for safety. Some people think they're entitled to stalk and doxx celebs and not give them basic decency. Sloan has a video on when Brooke Shields was 10 she did a nud3 photoshop with her crotch showing. At 12, she played a prostitute in a movie. At 15, she was made to do a nud3 s3x scene. No wealth can cover p3do and it's trauma.

[@valencia4253]

I use to envy Child stars because of the "rich, happy, pseudo-paradise live that was sold and projected to us. Only to realize they had issues as well, just more money than me. Willow talking about her peak stardom being the peak in her mental health decline was very eye opening. It made me stfu and stop thinking I know any of these people personally, no matter how many J-14 and TigerBeat articles I read or little interview clips I watched. I only knew what was projected towards me as a customer.

[@maxscene7]

same. i personally have intrusive thought about celebrities, specifically billie eilish-- cause we're the same age just a month apart and shes at where she is right now and im nowhere-- and then i see myself becoming resentful and dismissive of their problems. then they talk abour not having childhoods and not having a peace of mind because everyone has an opinion about whatever you do and say, and then i realize that i have both of the things that they dont and yeah. also, i unfortunately tried to do some soul searching by looking up her name on reddit and it was the most disgusting experience i have ever had :') people are just fucked up man

[@alicequeenofmadness9995]

@@maxscene7 Reddit is cesspool, the things people says about other people one there is just so horrific!

[@maxscene7]

@@alicequeenofmadness9995 i agree wholeheartedly

[@htsunmiku]

@@maxscene7 also remember with people like Billie it can be easier for them to have access to what they need to make music and get noticed. (Both parents working in the industry already. Her brother who's very musically skilled etc etc) Actually a lot of artist who get the "came up from nothing stories" aren't entirely true. Like there were stories of ed Sheeran being homeless etc. When that isn't exactly true. And of course. Like you said- there's the "grass is greener" thing. Of course her life must be great, but there are issues (she kinda does mention it in her recent album)

[@90sbaby1]

Ok smarty pants, you never closed your quotation marks.

[@rhonnichan]

The cast speaking out respecting Jeanette's decision to not return for the reboot and saying thet support her really made me tear up a bit I love iCarly, i love all the characters and as much as Sam was my fav, Im so happy for Jeanette deciding to place her mental health first

[@angietoonz6605]

totally different from the Full House cast who shaded the Olsen Twins when they didnt want to be on Fuller House. I'm glad Miranda, Jerry and Nathan are kind to her.

[@DuskPShermanWallaby123]

@@angietoonz6605 Maybe it's because the show was what made their career? Maybe they felt upset that they weren't willing to come back at least once, like maybe they felt that the girls thought they were too good for them idk.

[@terra_the_nightingale135]

@@DuskPShermanWallaby123 but didn’t iCarly also build Jeanette up?

[@Mindful.Movement.01]

I think because they too knew what time it was and I’d even go as far as to say they may have suffered from the same abuse but maybe got accustomed to it or afraid to speak up

[@liv241]

Her podcast is my favorite thing she’s ever done. It’s so raw, honest and vulnerable. And it allows the space for all kinds of important conversations and stories to be heard. Her and her guests bring so much wisdom to it and it has taught me so much about life over the past year or so

[@CaptainSoftboy501]

What's the name of the podcast?? >v>>

[@evdiaz5698]

@@CaptainSoftboy501 It's called: Empty Inside

[@loud_hailer6240]

Alison Stoner has been a groundbreaker when it comes to explaining how screwed up the entire system is. Her videos show the personal growth she has gone through, its truly inspiring.

[@izzylandyt]

Oh no!!! Alyson too?!? 😭😭😭

[@loud_hailer6240]

@@izzylandyt Her video called The Toddler-to-Trainwreck Industrial Complex is incredible because it spells out what it is that keeps happening to young artists for decades! A must watch on this subject. Its not about her personal gory details but about the general practice.

[@kristinewatson3702]

Child actors have been discussing these issues literally since Shirley Temple started speaking up about the abuse she suffered. I think it's about damn time things change. Mad props to Jennette for continuing to shed light on abuses and speak up for change.

[@LezbeOswald]

isn't it fucky how (legally) a child cannot work at like a store or a mcdonalds or whatever until they're 14-16 but it's totally ok for parents to make their literal infant "act" and become famous and earn the parents millions of dollars before the child can even say "mama." maybe that shouldn't be allowed.

[@mysticmongrel1289]

With how realistic we can make dolls and shit, 100% agree

[@missxspencer1538]

Fucky, indeed

[@princesssprinklesthecat4192]

Is your argument that no children should be in any tv or movies?

[@mindlessjamila]

Youre so right

[@PastelWorldDolls]

Honestly children shouldn't be acting at all. Entertainment is not worth more than the safety and well-being of children.

[@abeltesfaye_]

And this is why Macaulay Culkin quit acting for a very long time only to do some of his fave projects like Party Monster. I genuinely feel for Lindsay. Her mom did drugs with her, that already promised a horrible life to her

[@heezypeasy8611]

I was super stoked to see Macaulay in the new season of AHS

[@tehelea]

@@heezypeasy8611 fr??

[@abeltesfaye_]

@@heezypeasy8611 me too, he was great! He just had a daughter with longe-term girlfriend, Brenda Song. They named her Dakota, after Macaulay's sister who prematurely died from being hit by a car 💔

[@heezypeasy8611]

@@tehelea yes!

[@heezypeasy8611]

@@abeltesfaye_ I love that!

[@NeighborhoodBasketCase]

It bothers me when people bring up Hillary Duff’s lack of a public breakdown like she’s above all other child actors. She’s lucky she had the support system she did, she isn’t inherently better than anyone else

[@Aster_Risk]

I'm sure she doesn't like the insinuation that she's inherently better, either.

[@zero_foxpants]

So, in other words, it doesn't bother you when people bring up the Sprouse Twins', Raven Symone's or Zac Efron's lack of a public breakdown, because you actually think they *are* better than anyone else? 🤔 Sorry, it's just weird to me that you're zeroing in on Hilary Duff here. Especially since the fact that all these people lacked a public breakdown was just that.. a fact. There was no judgement involved in stating that fact, that was all you.

[@NeighborhoodBasketCase]

@@zero_foxpants what made you come to that conclusion? No, I’m just using her as an example because when I’ve talked about the subject of child stars with people in my life multiple people have brought up Hillary Duff on their own fruition. You could really insert any other child actor, like Selena Gomez or any of them. Either way point still stands that these “sane” actors aren’t better than other actors who have had struggled in the public’s eye I bring it up because it seems like people in my life have used someone’s lack of a public breakdown to justify the mistreatment of child actors. Like, “oh it can’t be so bad because some actors turned out fine”

[@tywilliam3225]

Hillary Duff is a rich humble girl when she was a superstar in her teen years. There are a lot of celebrities in Hollywood said Hillary Duff is the most down to earth person they ever Mets. Especially when she put a bratty billionaire son on blast for disturbing her penthouse buildings with his loud party. Go to Hillary Duff fighting with her wealthy neighbor on KZbin. Hillary Duff is awesome!

[@Kerm88]

It also helps when the kids actually want to be actors. Jennette Mccurdy sounds like she never enjoyed acting at all.

[@moviedetective303]

It's so heartbreaking to me that someone who is supposed to protect their child does the complete opposite and in the process willingly strips their kid from having any sort of agency in their life. Absolutely heartbreaking.

[@vabunajonsville4251]

when 10 year old amanda bynes ran on stage and immediately broke into a dance it made my heart hurt. i cant imagine how stressed she was forced to be all the time. u have to be “on” 24/7

[@Angeldust3005]

I feel the exact same way. So exploitative. Ugh her entire story just rips my heart in two

[@spencerwilmore13579]

I met her at a concert in Nashville when I was in 7th grade, and Jennette is seriously one of the sweetest and kindest strangers i’ve met. It was a minute or 2 long interaction and I still remember how lovely and bubbly she was, and entirely herself. She deserves all the healing and peace this world has to give her💗 you covered her very well

[@theresa5797]

Zac Efron has had a few moments in his interviews and travel show that reveal how close he is to quitting acting and how much stress he felt as a child. Even though there isn’t negative press, that doesn’t mean he loves fame or can handle it more than the ones that crack publicly.

[@sheluvssmokedupeyes1]

I mean people forget Chris Evans was a child star they forget Leonarda Caprio was a child star Leo is doing fine but Chris Evans always wondering when he’s going to quit Hollywood if he’s ever going to be in another movie after captain America

[@cheesecakelasagna]

@@sheluvssmokedupeyes1 Define Leo doing "fine". Dude's evidently has some hangups, he just don't do interviews about it.

[@emersonlogan3251]

There was actually some very quiet press back in the day about how he entered rehab for some hardcore addictions/partying lifestyle to cope with Hollywood.

[@desmondhardison4840]

Did Zac Efron go to rehab for drugs

[@SashaFights]

Man.... McCurdy's relationship with her mom is just so sad.

[@EbonFang_92]

She even did a one woman show called "I'm Glad My Mom Died"

[@SashaFights]

@@EbonFang_92 yup.... um yup that says all pretty much.

[@kshillingford4921]

That's actually quite common among hollywood "talent"; Estrangement from parents/family and/or extreme family dysfunction. I WONDER WHY.

[@cipherquest3024]

A part of me if her real life mom loosely influenced her TV(Jane Lynch) mom Edit: I take that back, her iCarly mom is 1000x better

[@vitazissel3671]

Britney begging the paparazzi to "please go away" breaks my heart. She sounds so small

[@AwokenEntertainment]

Wow, it's crazy seeing how many of these people I loved watching growing up have gone through so much

[@user-mg1cc3wr5o]

Even the intro is giving me chills. The pain caused by Hollywood is sickening and it hurts my heart.

[@jamilgotcher5456]

I think your statement is exaggerated as there are children that go through way more abuse than what Jennette has been through. I mean regular kids get bullied to the point of suicide or they are sexually abused and violated every day. So there's a downside to being a child actor but getting chills about her experience is a bit exaggerated.

[@ellerose5997]

@@jamilgotcher5456 it's not a pissing contest.

[@user-mg1cc3wr5o]

@@jamilgotcher5456 1. You don't get to dictate how I feel about something. You have no right to an opinion on my feelings. 2. The fact that you're minimising someone's experience with child abuse, because "there are children that go through way more abuse" is disgusting. You should never minimise someone's experience, that's why people decide to shut up and not seek help, which results in becoming an addict as a coping mechanism or committing suicide.

[@elgenialbap]

Yeah, is disgusting when someone tries to dismiss someone pain because "there's people with worse problems than you." This people are the biggest part of the problem about people not talking about mental issues.

[@justinwatson1510]

It’s more than just Hollywood, it’s capitalism. We are needlessly stuck in a system where getting rich can relieve a lot of anxieties, and jobs are paying less every year (relative to cost of living) and we are losing benefits left and right so the corporations can pay out more returns to shareholders. All of our good jobs that don’t require a college education have been sent to Asia and south of the border, while the cost of college has been jacked up so high that getting an education turns most children of poor people into indentured servants. We have the technology and resources to provide a comfortable life to every human on earth, and the only reason we still have extreme poverty and income inequality is because corporations have bought most of the governments in western countries.

[@saifhaq4998]

Her "hey dan schnider" vine gives me chills

[@YouLikeToast]

Your comment reminded me of the pink guy song

[@KanadeLapis]

she was joking on that one, stop with the overdramatic crap

[@chikasu10]

True

[@maheenm.k1015]

"Look what you've done to me Dan Schneider...."

[@shireenrazak7160]

@@KanadeLapis he's a creepy dude.

[@FirstLast-po8oz]

"My mother was my identity" That is basically the roll of like a 5-7 year old, everything about this screams delayed development. A child is meant to think that of a parent at that stage but it's wrong so much later in life.

[@6iX61RL]

agreed

[@roseannevandijk2095]

I didn’t know that this age range was associated with that kind of thinking but it makes so much sense. It’s when the world is just opening up to you and so you are testing new identities. Of course the first identity you will try is your closest care giver.

[@coruptedboy4614]

It's called enmeshment

[@AaronBellVA]

This isn't the first time this kind of thing has happened. I look at the things that Corey Feldman went through as a child actor. He tried to expose Hollywood for it and yet he was blacklisted for trying to expose their child rings

[@ShootingStars618]

I always weep when listening to Jennette’s podcast and deep trauma. Especially about her eating disorder that came because of her mother & life while on Icarly. It is so difficult being alone. So many people that cannot understand your situation.

[@CallMeMicahT]

She also has an excellent life now, because of her past work and is able to do the work of people’s dreams. It’s incredibly difficult suffering alone, now with her podcast, she has a million people with her

[@witchplease9695]

This is sadly the route I see Millie Bobby Brown. Her family relies on her career

[@brandi5126]

I also worry about her because of how blatantly the media has sexualized her. She still isn’t even 18 yet.

[@games_on_phone89]

i agree

[@vvitchuntt2983]

@@brillcommunication fr that needs to be talked about more

[@purplebubblegum4055]

I thought her dad still works?

[@sheluvssmokedupeyes1]

Brooke shields was the same way her mother actually Brooke shields is kind of descended from royalty but you know her mother cut ties with her father by way of NDA so pho that’s the reason was she wanted to make her daughter a star even almost to the point where she had her child pose for playboy 10 years

[@betsybabf748]

What is strange is people are shocked when someone doesn't want to return to a job a decade later. Many people decide they don't like a career and leave it, and would not return to any offer. To be surprised someone may feel that way about any job they tried as a child, who may feel differently and have different passions as an adult, is the strangest thing of all. People seem to only not comprehend that when an entertainment based career. If someone did well babysitting at 15, would it be surprising they may not want to nanny at 30, regardless of the job or offer? Let them live their lives and make their own life choices, like we all do.

[@mochaest1994]

My heart breaks for the abused child stars and it gives me chills to think this is still going on… in and out of Hollywood..The world needs Good Moms and Dads.

[@iheartjbgccb]

Exactly. The world would literally be a better place but these pro life people wouldn't even understand

[@JessicaTayB]

Growing up, my family had a small gospel group that traveled around from church to church to perform. Nobody knew that behind the scenes we were being emotionally abused by our father, the leader of the group. When I quit the band, he threatened to kick me out of our home. The straw that broke the camel’s back was that he threatened to not come to my wedding because I wanted my mom to walk me down and not him. He told me that he would be humiliated and disrespected. We haven’t talked since. Even though I don’t have an earthly father, I’ve relied on my Heavenly Father who my dad tried to use for fame. Fame is of the devil.

[@earlpipe9713]

Sorry to hear that. *hugs* to you

[@Egg-zactly]

Hope you doing well.

[@nikitaamien404]

I’m so sorry you had to go through this! I completely understand where you’re coming from. I couldn’t help but notice the similarities here between obstructions in childhood development in child actors and people with religiously abusive parents like mine. The way your sense of trust is damaged when the people who are meant to protect you will put you in harm’s way for personal gain (like threatening to put you on the streets if you don’t comply). The way your ability to make decisions is actively discouraged by them convincing you that you have inferior insight into the Bible than them and therefore need to constantly doubt yourself and go along with whatever they say. The way you’re not allowed to develop a sense of identity and role in society because your entire image of yourself must be measured against their approval because otherwise you’re not living like a Christian and are going to hell. There’s so much more I could go into but honestly it gets overwhelming and difficult to remember everything. I am a Christian, but it’s so screwed up how people will use children’s faith to manipulate and control them. I understand why people are driven in the opposite direction by garbage like this.

[@willnill7946]

Maybe he was just trying to make a living, most kids are forced to pay their way in poor households, not sit around smoking weed all day

[@JessicaTayB]

@@nikitaamien404 100%

[@PinkkDroid]

Sam was my favorite character because of her confidence and fearlessness, and now I admire Jennette more for those qualities. I'm glad she was able to pursue her true dreams and speak up about the industry

[@AM-jf6vr]

It would also be interesting to see it from an Olsen twin scenario because they where put into the industry since babies and the producers have openly stated that they wouldn’t let the parents be on the set because it would upset the twins not to be with them which would obviously upset their developmental process. I also believe there is such thing as separation anxiety from separating from their cast-mates or sometimes maybe even the characters they portray (when it comes to long lasting tv shows) because its everything they knew since early on in their life, so much so, that it sort of becomes a part of their personality, and they are not only losing complete touch with that part of themselves but they literally go from going to the same place everyday and seeing the same people each day to most likely never going to the same set again and seeing their cast-mates provably once every year or less; that must be extremely hard to cope considering their age and the attachment they must have formed during their developmental process.

[@LezbeOswald]

yeah i believe the Olsen twins have said something to the effect of "no one should be put through this we had a miserable childhood." the Olsen twins are also an interesting case not just bc they were famous literally since they were infants, but they had such a massive brand since they were like four/five/six. people would pay to go on cruises with them, they had fan clubs, they had merchandise, and none of this was even predicated around their characters-it was predicated around *_them_* the child actors. honestly even though they didn't end up in jail or with major drug problems (that i know of), theirs is a particular case that makes me so uneasy because of the way the world was obsessed with them.

[@lj2265]

@@LezbeOswald I would argue Ashley and Mary-Kate were still characters much in the same way as pop-stars like Britney are sold as characters, just with their own names attached to the character. One of the corrections I'd make to this video is when she said some celebrities like Oprah are famous and just themselves, but in the same way as I consider that Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen sold to us to be characters I consider Oprah to be one as well. Just a character named after and based on herself. The Oprah that gave away free cars on her talk show and goes on her network talking about spirituality is not the same Oprah who had to deal with the legal problems when the car giveaway went wrong, or who was friends with Harvey Weinstein despite his rapist status being an open secret. We get a sanitized character named Oprah.

[@LezbeOswald]

@@lj2265 oh absolutely. celebrities always put out a version of themselves that is never 100% authentic to their real self (influencers/content creators included). Mary-Kate and Ashley were definitely playing versions of themselves for the public eye, and the fact that they had to do it literally their entire lives is also what's super fucked. like when Jeanette talks about not really knowing who she really was once she got out of acting and recovery is probably what the Olsen twins went through but perhaps to a greater extent since they didn't even have, like, normal toddler years.

[@ayadkhalil]

You're one of the few creators I actively search to check new videos of. Thank you for putting so much effort into researching and putting together these unexplored issues. Much love and appreciation to your work, Donna!

[@DIM_Tech]

Same! 🙂

[@felsonduem7100]

Notifications and bell ON¡!,!

[@jodecithagoer7088]

Well don’t because she doesn’t do her research

[@TheKatarinaGiselle]

@@jodecithagoer7088 what makes you say that?

[@TRex9068]

@@jodecithagoer7088 Bro why are you even here if you don't like this creator? You're helping her video go viral by commenting and giving it engagement.

[@eeelizabethh95]

"Enough of spending my life being what others want me to be. I am done" I felt that. Psychology degree and MFT masters student here. I love how you spoke about Erickson developmental stages and connecting it to child hood stars. Your content is well thought out !! Wow *liked* *sub*

[@melissak8419]

This is like narcissistic control on an astronomic level for these child stars. I have been wondering for years how child stars can be allowed to work, but regular jobs require a work permit at 15 or 16, and the online presence they are required to promote their acting roles, is another avenue for possible abuse.

[@dougdimmadome331]

I'm really happy for Orlando brown he's actually got clean and got his life together.

[@DonnaIRL]

That's good to hear!

[@dill_pickle_85]

Jennette's podcast is honestly amazing. The audio quality could be improved, but the depth and intensity of topics make it such an interesting listen. Sam was my favorite character in iCarly and seeing more of her as a person feels enlightening. I also love the intro song. I wish there was a full version of it.

[@Akursedtime]

I remember being in high school and there was a Korean agency stationed at the school and one of them came up to me to offer to become a trainee. And my Korean friend told him no and pulled me away. She told me that she did so because she heard of how they treat trainees and Chinese ones. I was fourteen and looking back. I'm grateful to her because the life of an idol looks so detrimental. And a year later I had a mental breakdown. So my friend saved me from a life of abuses. And I was able to get therapy and retain a normal life.

[@yanstein8464]

the korean idol industry is its own can of worms really

[@Introvertsan]

I honestly think they may be far worst than the American entertainment industry with the small stories floating around on the internet they just guard their secrets a bit better. Where the American industry does the same but more westerners are prone to talk a bit more so we hear more in comparison

[@GotoMaki4Micah]

@@Introvertsan they make them sign nda's and they train/promote on 4-5 hours of sleep every day. train for 5+ years that they have to pay for even if the don't debut and most never debut. it's designed to look glamours but they are broke. they make money from being brand ambassadors for high end fashion like gucci. they can't drive, date, go anywhere unless they are sent by management, forced to live together, the get food literally taken out of their hand to make them stay skinny.

[@sithlordhibiscus9936]

I saw a documentary recently on the K-pop idol industry and it was heartbreaking to see how they were overworked, insulted and pressured to be thin, yet could be dismissed in a second if they failed to sell albums or said they were sick and needed to rest. I guess the girls probably had it a bit harder than the boys, but I'd have to say it was awful for both, from my POV, just in different ways.

[@XxLilxMissxStargrlxX]

Oh man. I love the idea of looking at child-stars through Erikson's stages of development. We need social workers or some kind of mental health advocate for these child actors.

[@sweateryoshi4026]

As someone who also struggled with an eating disorder, I can 100% relate to Jennettes recovery journey. I also had a feeling like I couldn't control anything but at leat I was "in control of my health". I am so proud of everyone who has gone through recovery or is still going through it. You can do it. There is light at the end of the tunnel

[@emilynelson9174]

Keep up the fight!

[@CaptainChapin]

Being an actor or actress is a job that requires a lot of Mental strength that can be a lot for a child to go through

[@Delta_Aves]

And many people think it’s just standing in front of the camera, saying a few lines, and going home.

[@InitialPC]

bullshit, being a hollywood bigshot gets you millions of dollars to do close to nothing the only reason it sucks for kids is because of how theyre treated by everyone

[@InitialPC]

@@Delta_Aves it literally is, that is literally what acting is getting in front of a camera and saying lines

[@maureenkeller100]

@InitialPC um no it's not. It's actually a lot of work and very hard mental work. Like this video said, if you are just yourself on set, you're not selling anything. You have to be a certain brand and you have to sell it. You have to look a certain way, which is why Jennette had an eating disorder. It's even abusive towards adults. Sometimes even traumatizing. It's hard in the industry for adults, but for kids, it's 100x harder. You don't get to have a life for the money you make because many portions of that money goes to people who work on you, i.e. acting coach, stylists, designers, attorneys, medical, managers, and your family if you're a minor and are the main income for your household. And you are constantly divulged in working on top of keeping auditions constantly to remain relevant, and to stay relevant, you have to constantly also work on your portfolio (headshots, bodyshots, past and current auditions and work, constantly keeping your body measures updated for dress designers so you can have a proper fitting) and all the times of rehearsals, fittings, camera rolling.. If you mess up on set, you have to pay out of pocket for another take as well. It's a LOT of work. It's not all money and paradise like you think it is.

[@InitialPC]

@@maureenkeller100 When it comes to children I absolutely feel bad for them, the vast majority of the time if not 100% of the time it is something that is forced on them. But if you choose to get into this world knowing how rough it may be, then you bring it on yourself.

[@TetraTime]

Cant wait to hear from Ryans Toy Review in 2040 about how much he hated making those videos :(

[@ThatAnnoyingBird]

Oh I can't wait for that!

[@leahhart3585]

My friends little girl was at a birthday and he was there she said none of the kids were playing with him because they were star struck 🤩 by him and he seemed intimidated by actual kids. She said it was sad.

[@TetraTime]

@@leahhart3585 oh my heart hurts for him

[@leahhart3585]

@@TetraTime mine too

[@gypsywoman9140]

@@leahhart3585 My mom's friend used to babysit this Daniel kid, I forget what the show was called, something along the lines of Daniel Does Stuff. He was eventually replaced by an asian girl named Emily. (This may help jog the memory of some Canadians who grew up seeing him on Treehouse or YTV, whatever channel it was.) Anyways, young Daniel's parents had very strict rules for him: he could not play sports, he could not play-wrestle, basically no real physical activity, no being a kid, as he might possibly get hurt or bruised and this would not do for his television career. Ryan's parents probably have similar rules and have likely instilled in him this fear of playing with other children; he might get hurt or bruised and they can't have that on camera. (Seriously. If anyone saw these kids onscreen with bruises or injuries, the internet would worry.) I haven't heard anything about Daniel since Emily took over his Does Stuff show. I imagine he chose to not continue acting, seeing as he wasn't allowed to be a kid while on television. I doubt Ryan has a choice. He's the family cash cow raking in millions. I see his merchandise in stores and feel so sad for the boy. That kid doesn't even know he's under intense pressure; this is all he knows and its normal to him. I feel even more sad for him being birthday party entertainment yet intimidated by his adoring fans. That ain't right. Poor little boy needs a hug, cake, and a normal childhood where his biggest concern is not mixing up his b's and d's when practicing his printing or whatever. Idk how old this kid is. He looks 5 to me, but its hard to tell when they're always making him pose with his mouth wide open. I see about as much of his face as his dentist does.

[@Jgotmilk555]

Also, though, Natalie Portman wasn't apart of any corporate machines as a kid. She seemed to do more indie workish as a child actor. It seems like the more indie kids fair better than the kids that become products by the bigger entertainment companies that seem to have a tough time of it. Nothing but empathy for these kids for sure.

[@SaberToothPortilla]

Oh, 100%. The less large establishment connections, the less pressure. You gotta think that, with the larger entertainment companies, there's a lot more skin in the game, for both parties, so you can expect that more is going to be demanded. This isn't exactly a problem with your typical public school theatre kid, generally at least, and I'd imagine it's for the same reasons, just more drastic.

[@McSnezzly]

She's been affected too. The way she presents herself right now is all due to her being overly sexualized as a child.

[@rantersparadise]

@@McSnezzly Yeah I didn't buy her spiel either.

[@keyboardcockatoo4567]

@@McSnezzly what are you guys talking about? “believing her”? did she talk about her childhood on an interview? sorry for all the questions, but i’m curious, so an answer would be very appreciated (-:

[@squidthing]

@@keyboardcockatoo4567 I think they are referencing Natalie's statements on being stalked as a child and sent r*pe fantasy letters because of her role in The Professional. Hell, even today adult men make inappropriate/veiled comments about her in that film. Its like the way men treat Millie Bobbie Brown 🤮

[@karinakawaiivfx]

This makes me grateful for growing up as a normal kid.

[@VanettaMosetta]

This is one of the best documentaries I've ever seen! In addition to the subject matter, it gave good insight into parenting. It was entertaining, eye opening and just, overall, spot on. Thank you for posting this; loved it!

[@skylerd5052]

Working on a tv show for awhile, there was this one child actor and that was literally my only experience with an actor that young. her mom was always on set with her and they have to take 15 minute school breaks throughout the day. it was such a weird feeling interacting with her or her mom, the kid was this little robot that went out there, said her lines, then stood still. This isn't necessarily related to this, but to see how she acted just gave me terrible vibes. On a smaller budget film, there was a kid about the same age as her. He was more like a normal kid, which was refreshing to see. But still knowing this kid is around all these crude jokes and saying things for the script made me feel weird lol My girlfriend worked on a popular show with a couple kids on it, and said they were relatively normal. Just having fun in between takes, although those kids were significantly older. I dislike hollywood.

[@hezekiawhite8207]

Hollywood should be destroyed because it is destructive and satanic. The government is guilty of all kinds of acts, like allowing child abuse, rape, murders, remember it's all one big gang of freaks and there's nothing normal about it.

[@birdgirl2235]

@@hezekiawhite8207 remove the whole satanic thing and you hit it on the head. I assure you these people do not worship satan lol

[@RockyMountainResale]

As I'm watching listening to this, I'm looking through your library of past videos.. Most of which I've seen all of. It just made me realize how much work you obviously put into each video you put out. I wish KZbin rewarded your effort and work the same way they do Clickbait thumbnails/titles and Ad Friendly topics... but just wanted to let you know that your perseverance does not go unnoticed.

[@DonnaIRL]

I appreciate it 😊

[@DeckDogs4Life]

It's sad because KZbin is creating the next generation of kids and young adults that are abused/burnt out/etc because of "the algorithm". It's abusive and destructive, but in a different way so "it's okay" I wish high effort videos got more appreciation. They deserve it.

[@NOCLUEinvalid]

I think it’s also because people have different preferences in what they want to watch. It’s way easier to watch a short entertaining video than a long analysis video about a serious topic

[@Pawndaunt]

Anyone know why the notifications aren’t working for her channel? I only got to this video because I was curious when her next video would be.

[@chunkymonkey356]

Same. I remember when I first discovered her when she was PsychIRL and doing videos where she was in random outdoor spots. I love watching creator’s upward trajectory!

[@theboringkaren]

One of my biggest takeaways from this is that I failed a majority of those developmental stages. Besides that! Another terrific video, Donna. xx

[@DonnaIRL]

I don't trust anyone, so I for sure failed the first stage LMAO

[@bellamango6708]

same here :(

[@EUSA1776]

So sad that this happened to Jeanette as a kid. The developmental years are extremely important and the parent living vicariously through their child is a sure way to destroy your child’s ability to individualize and become who they are. It’s immensely selfish to sacrifice your child to fulfill your own insufficiencies, especially monetarily. I wish Jeanette nothing but the best, she seems much happier in the directing/writing role. Oh, and she *is* ethereally beautiful, just lovely.

[@dmas7749]

i'm an introvert so fame already sounds like a nightmare to me, but i think even the most extraverted will agree with me that everything put under a microscope can be super stressful Jenette, along with many other actors in the industry, needs some space, and i can only hope they get it.

[@EH012]

They gotta teach psychology like this. Erikson's stages really came to life with real-life examples. You're the best, Donna ❤

[@hannahlack1061]

I think Jojo Siwa has a stage mom. Jojo started doing beauty pageants when she was an infant, her hair isn't even naturally blonde, her mother has been dying her hair since she was maybe 3 years old or younger. Plus although Jojo might enjoy dancing, her parents had to have given permission for her to be on dance moms.

[@Mindful.Movement.01]

Yea I feel that way too. Her mom is living vicariously through her

[@TheJacklikesvideos]

There has to be a DSM entry for that.

[@justinlast2lastharder749]

That's not a Child Actor...that's an abused child.

[@luxtobeyou]

I do think though that she does genuinely love dancing. After she turned 18 she really let herself be herself, coming out and everything, and then she joined Dancing With The Stars, and she seems to really enjoy it (of course that's just from my perspective)

[@ThatPrettyGirlMeOT]

Her hair isn’t naturally blonde?!!

[@anthny2463]

Having money brings unique problems that lots of people can't handle, now imagine having money and its not even your own work bringing it in but rather your child's. "Go on little Timmy just 5 more hours of dancing and we get a new car, make mama proud. We'll get one bag of chips as a reward since it goes against your contractually obligated diet."

[@Blueeyesinthesky]

😬

[@TheIndigoLion]

I will never understand the people who say things like celebrities should get over the fact that they have no privacy. Like just because someone is famous some how means don't deserve basic human needs. I'd go crazy too if people bombarded me everywhere, if interviews asked me SUPER personal questions about my body, like wtf. He really asked her about her boobs! How old was she? That's disgusting! It's not acceptable no matter what her age is unless she was the one to bring it up.

[@lookouthill11]

This has barely scratched the surface of the reality of child actors in Hollywood. Keep digging people, you’ll find the truth and it’s heartbreaking.

[@strictlydull]

im really glad u made the delineation between “is this entirely on the parents or is the industry partially responsible?” because this situation has so much nuance and multiple sources of influence, and it’s really great you attack multiple sides of the problem.

[@snoozyq9576]

Hearing Allison Stoner talk about this is really interesting. She speaks very intelligently about the industry's role and how they kind of trick parents sometimes in to situations

[@Itsnotanymore-ku7dz]

EDIT: This video was an even bigger coincidence because last Saturday I called CPS on my mom, yesterday a social worker came to my house and I get horrible guilt towards my mom about it This was the best video I got on my subscription feed, this entire year

[@DonnaIRL]

Perfect timing

[@DonnaIRL]

@@Itsnotanymore-ku7dz thats weird i don't remember unhearting this.

[@angeliparraguirre7329]

When you edit a comment, if it was hearted, it gets unhearted. I do not know if this is an intentional mechanic but just something I noticed.

[@DonnaIRL]

@@angeliparraguirre7329 ah I see. It does look weird that I say “perfect timing” to OPs comment lol

[@Itsnotanymore-ku7dz]

@@crc9564 look, this comment wasn’t a joke okay, I related it to OP’s mentioning of the child-parent attachment that happens in development and the severe difficulty one faces in trying to hold the parent responsible if any mental abuse or neglect occurs

[@mr_selfdestruct]

When talking about child actors who've come to a sad end I always have to think about Corey Haim. The immense stress and disgusting situations that boy had been thrown in at a young age and the pressure his parents put on him is absolutely abhorrent and we *know* he's not the only one it happened to. Hollywood is a vile place for not only kids but adults too. I'm glad Jennette managed to get out, some sadly don't have that chance.

[@empressapache7413]

The saddest part of child acting period is when you realize you worked your whole childhood to be a character that doesn’t exist and never will. It’s a mind-fuk.

[@joshwinkley5891]

As someone who suffered a lot of physical, religious and emotional abuse at a young age, I really appreciate your videos. Helps my inner child heal. Took me a long time to accept that I had a traumatic childhood and to this day saying I had “bad parents” doesn’t feel right but due to me having an adult view and understanding of how other people and myself expect to be treated as adults and people in general, I know that neglectful, manipulative and physically abusive parents are objectively bad. It’s still hard to see them as bad people, and I’m still not sure if they are. Just not at all fit for child care. Thank you for making these videos.

[@rachelcatleyquinn9520]

Jennette deserves more credit than she's given She was treated terribly & has had so many mental issues but she's still here

[@devforfun5618]

im happy to know she didn't leave the show business, only acting, because she said something that i had already realized, being famous for a character means people are fans of the character not you, Sam was my favorite character, but i had no idea who jeanette is, that is something that doesn't happen with writers or directors for example, because they are putting their personality on the work, with her producing stuff she will get praised for her choices, she said she credited even her acting skills on her preparator, that might give huge impostor sindrome

[@zalseon4746]

Who the hell looks at a Homosapien in the mid to late adolescent phase of development and thinks "ya 900 calories is enough"

[@Kimmie6772]

Isn't the daily allowance like 2,000? Wtf...

[@zalseon4746]

@@Kimmie6772 for basic, average human maintenance, yes. I'm a big lad and 900 calories would've killed me in a couple of weeks. I would not be surprised if Jennette's growth was stunted because of those caloric limits.

[@MelanieGVF]

I asked my dietian if I could do that and she freaked.

[@semiprotita]

Donna yelling her way back to KZbin. Girl, welcome back.

[@rispatha]

The biggest thing I noticed over my lifetime and listening to celebs tell their stories is that WE the audience only sees them acting a part for a show and we identify the actors with the parts they play. When it comes to meeting them in person WE the audience expect them to act like they do on the shows we watch. When the actors do not act like we have seen on the shows in their personal lives we tear them apart piece by piece, photo by photo. We do not care to learn about their personal lives beyond the bad stuff they do. We do not give them a chance to have a private life because we want the character they portrayed to be there all the time. When a child actor comes "of age" and they rebel against the child portrayal of their characters we tend to be stunned by this 180 flip they throw at us and ridicule them even more. They are damned if they do and damned if they don't and WE the audience are a huge factor in that fact. We do not treat them as people in real life yet we expect them to be the characters they portrayed on a show. WE the audience contribute a lot to the mentality of actors of all ages by how we treat them when they are not in the limelight and forcing reactions from them with our constant bombardment of expectations from them outside of their characters they portray. I used to ask "How can people with so much fame and fortune be so miserable"? Then I watch all of these high profile celeb events and I got my answers because of what I not only saw and heard from the audience but the reporters as well. Maybe a lot more compassion from WE the audience should be expressed more than the desire to swoon over an actor doing their part in a play. Show the actors the humanity that we expect from others when we interact with them. Stop acting as if a handshake or brief contact with a celeb will rub off onto us making us as famous as they are by that interaction.

[@jmallett6081]

Shirley Temple is a classic example of a child star. When she was no longer a child, she was viewed as a not very remarkable teenager. To be a child working as the primary bread winner is a terrible thing. Shirley never spoke ill of her parents, unlike how I feel about them, she never viewed herself as a victim. It also affected me when Jennette stated that people know her as a character she plays, not herself, that her reality existed upon her eating disorder, which is a far cry from the pretend being she had played. I think she just wonders who she really is. The fame, the money, and the image don't mean much when you have lost your childhood. I just think every person deserves the life they really want, including Brittany, whose father is greedy and manipulating. My daughter was a beautiful child, and a waiter told me to put her out to become a model to pay for her college. I decided my child would not be a model nor an actress, she was just going to be my child, and growing up just being a child is good enough.

[@DeckDogs4Life]

43:55 I don't get how people can't just let her do her thing. Do I miss seeing her acting roles? Yes. Will I continue to miss seeing her acting roles? Sure but she is a human and gets to make decisions for herself and if she is happy, it's not like you can't just go back and watch her old stuff while supporting her decisions in the future. Tbh, I hope she does well with her goals and aspirations to direct and write.

[@DonnaIRL]

Amen to that

[@DavidGossettMusic]

Thank you for making this mini-documentary. When I started as a touring musician in my early 20's, I was touring for a girl who had started her music career in her teens. I saw a lot of the same issues with stage parents, weird conservatorships, stalker issues, etc. Being a "hired gun" gives you an interesting perspective into this world. You're on stage, you work with these people, but fans don't care who you are and you have some anonymity. I could go off stage, chill out somewhere in the crowd, hang out with family/friends and nobody bothered me, whereas she had to go do interviews, avoid stalkers, sign autographs, meet with people, etc. When you're young, you think that this is the life you want, but as you get older you realize all of the "normal" things that lifestyle forces you to give up.

[@neo-pronouns]

this just makes me think of a time when i went to a jennette mccurdy meetup around 2010. she was trying incredibly hard to keep up appearances, but i remember just being able to feel how unhappy and uncomfortable she was. i'm glad she's doing better now, but it destroys me to think of how many child actors aren't able to do what she's done.

[@virginiaw.betancourt2308]

This video made me cry .She’s so beautiful and hopefully her journey on loving herself can be complete .Loving oneself can be the hardest thing to do but it’s the right thing to do and one shouldn’t allow others to hinder one from doing so .

[@abigaelrarts2257]

As someone with a psychology background as well I have to say I love your videos, they're incredibly engaging and it's clear how much research you do for them. Really great channel, I always click :)

[@TankHardcheese]

It's concerning how so many people are willing to give "family vlogs" a pass even though, as we've seen as recently as a week or so ago with Jordan Cheyenne, they're just as exploitative of children.

[@teodorapetkovic]

On one hand, I'm sad people keep talking about Jennette McCurdy when she clearly doesn't want people to talk about her childhood and all she's been through, but on the other this is a serious issue that should definitely be talked about more. So thank you for this video!

[@cheepymcpeepy]

I feel this was done pretty respectfully (easy to say ig)

[@teodorapetkovic]

@@cheepymcpeepy yeah, it was all her own recollection of experiences after quitting, and I genuinely agree with all she said!

[@pcharl01]

Idk if she specifically had to be used for this issue as there are many child actors(both dead and alive) that could have been featured, but I guess how much talk was around Schneider the last 2(?) years it makes her the perfect feature for the subject matter.

[@alisonforsberg1982]

When I was younger I would hear ads on the radio for children to audition for Disney. I asked my mom if she would let me do something like that and she told me absolutely not. I remember her saying something about how it would ruin my life. Of course I didn't understand at the time but she fully understood that being a star was not for children. I mean, I suck at acting so I never would have been able to be a child actor, but I think failing an audition would have messed me up more than I am already

[@katie4335]

I'm sad that Janette is not going to be in Icarly anymore. She was my favorite actress. I totally respect her decision to quit her time on Nickelodeon.

[@mysticmongrel1289]

Agreed. Her life is more important

[@darrylcarter3691]

@@mysticmongrel1289 agreed. Same thing when Mary-Kate And Ashley Olsen didn’t want to take part of the Full house reboot.

[@juliannaranjo404]

F*ck ICarly... dont you get there was a predator producing it? Lol

[@Renofirefly30]

Idk who Janet's therapist is but they are an Angel. To Janet's own credit, she is very smart and gifted but her therapist brought Janet's true self to the stage so Janet's could truly shine. I'm so happy for her.

[@saqge]

I went 2 see her one woman show and i bawled my eyes out she cried on stage at the end after talking about how she still misses her mother and her story is so heartbreaking…

[@moxiemaxie3543]

It sad that we don't need a study on how child star's development is impacted by the Entertainment industry. Its all out in the open and everyone is compliant in many indirect ways. The parents, the viewers, the employees, and those sending hate towards a child or feeling entitled to what the celebrity's life

[@diamondl1326]

I think it also definitely helps to have parents who care for your well-being

[@deboramariaga]

I've passed the same with my mom. She abused me mental and pshycally. She manipulated me my whole life until now (25yo) and now i choose to keep distance from her and finally think i'm living my own life because i was being what she wanted that i be. I though i was crazy to think that my own mom was doing this to myself but now that i see that is more common than i think i realize everything i passed in her hands.

[@_daughterr]

i cannot stress enough how insanely detailed, well-thought, researched and perfected your videos are. my inner perfectionist is euphoric, and my morbid curiosity is fully satistied. thank you for not only telling a story after story, but also analyzing their most important aspects and sheding light on truly important topics right here