Child Stars: Broken Family Dynamics | Dear Hollywood Episode 9

Hollywood notoriously rips apart families and relationships, so who would let their child get into such a wild industry? Many parents don’t realize the breadth and depth of responsibilities that befall them, including protecting their child’s image, managing their finances, understanding contracts and labor laws, and ensuring their child has an adequate education. Alyson explains how even the most loving and well-intentioned parents can unknowingly drive their family towards a cliff’s edge.
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About Alyson Stoner:
Alyson Stoner is a multi-hyphenate known for their on-screen acting work in franchises such as Step Up and Camp Rock to dancing with the likes of Missy Elliot and Eminem and now their original digital content across all her platforms. Alyson is also the founder of Movement Genius, a digital wellness platform that provides live and on-demand classes to help you improve your mental, emotional and physical well-being.

[@steph3438]

your openness is so appreciated. i auditioned for many disney channel roles as a child and felt like such a failure for never making it far in the casting process. but it seems that the universe was protecting me from things i was too innocent to understand. i’m sorry that you have had to carry so much trauma but i hope that this series can provide a form of healing for you 🫶🏽 side note, you (your on screen persona) were totally my first crush 😂

[@cambriadenim]

same here re: auditioning for disney channel! also horrifying to note how much overlap of traumatic events correlated to community theater

[@ScornedScallopes]

You dodged a shotgun blast of misery

[@robin1016]

Yeah, I think it's much better to pursue as an adult as you have more roles and you'll actually have a childhood. You'll also experience life which is important in acting as you pull from life to give life to the roles you play.

[@cambriadenim]

@@ScornedScallopes sort of! a lot of these traumas exist in the community theater space. i was abused and adultified by adults, developed eating disorders with the encouragement of adults, with the looming threat of "never making it" if u dont obey

[@kuromi_pink77]

I feel the same way. I wanted to be an actress growing up and felt regretful that my parents never took it seriously or helped me pursue it as a kid but now I am so grateful they supported my love for acting the way they did, by letting me participate in theater extra curriculars which were way more fun, age appropriate, and sustainable.

[@christianjohnson2918]

This podcast deserve a Peabody award! It’s revolutionary for a childhood icon who literally was a child to talk about the actual dangers of being a child actor, and to do so while being both professional and educational! I hope this series never ends 😎 also, I hope your recovery is still going strong 💪

[@shayaeido8405]

Agreed!

[@nixpanton6125]

I remember being on set and it was Oct. 31st and the kids there had just found out that they weren't going to be used until later that night. I witnessed the horrible cries of children realizing they were going to miss trick or treating that they were so excited for and had costumes picked out for and were now going to miss out on not only the candy, but the fun times and memories they would have shared with their friends and family. Moments like this can be so important to a child and it just makes you wonder if its neccesary? Did the parents need the money that bad? Or could production have schedule their days differently to respect the fact that Halloween is celebrated by many children, therefore don't hire kids that day? This memory has always stayed with me, so I thought I would share. I love this series by the way, thank you.

[@oooh19]

They should have a Halloween party for the children on set then or at least give them candy 🍬

[@jamesruark9335]

I do not sense bitterness coming from you, Alyson, which is one reason why I enjoy your podcast. There is no bombast, rancor or self-pity coming through. It is straightforward and concise, which adds to its appeal. I'm learning a lot, and I have a much better idea of how to pray for those who are involved in that industry. Thank you.

[@sararobles8655]

THIS! Is like she is sharing things she has learned in a really nice and respectful way 😊

[@lubeeluonline]

Here in the UK children are looked after by a licensed chaperone on set or backstage (I am one). Licensed chaperones are trained in protecting children in entertainment and safeguarding, plus are checked for criminal history. Our job is to protect and advocate for the child. We can deny directors if the child needs rest or to eat or a bathroom break, we can stop a child from being present for any age-inappropriate scenes like intimacy or bad language.

[@TheRealAlysonStoner]

Wow!! This is my first time hearing this!!

[@lubeeluonline]

@@TheRealAlysonStoner We have the National Network for Children in Entertainment & Employment (NNCEE) and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) who have worked together to create amazing training materials & guidelines for chaperones. I’m extremely grateful that the UK has such strict measures to protect children who work in entertainment. Obviously it isn’t infallible and adjustments can always be made, but it’s a pretty good system as it stands.

[@jealousssss]

I couldn't help but think about the Spears family while listening to you talk about family dynamics. It's even more sad knowing there's a formula to this mess, and it wasn't just a one-off situation. These videos are really eye opening.

[@rosamariabest6069]

I thought of the Jackson's, Lohan's, and the Culkin's as well.

[@Lettheflamesbeginx3]

Olsen and Duff families as well, yes, 1000 % the Spears family

[@camicunha210]

I'm from Brazil and right now we're going through something I think you'd might be interested in reading about. One of our most famous child actresses is called Larissa Manoela, she's 22 and has been working since the age of four. Her parents were both really controlling over her financial life (even after she turned 18, which is the legal age here) and, when she found out she was only gaining 2% of all the money that came from her work because 98% was going to her parents, she decided to take a bit more control over that part of her life, which led to her parents cutting all ties with her (because they werent gaining any money anymore). After the news broke, she even went on national television to talk about that. You can search about it later if you want to - I don't know if there are any news about it written in English but I suppose you can use some sort of online translator to understand everything

[@TheRealAlysonStoner]

thank you for sharing. I will look into this further!

[@password6525]

I literally begged my family for my whole childhood to let me into entertainment. Art, creating, singing...it's all in my bones. Now that I am older though I feel so grateful that I wasn't in the industry as a child. I would have been chewed up and spit out. You are SO strong. Thank you for sharing these stories and your truths. We need to start protecting children in MANY ways. You're helping that by bringing this all to light. Sending love your way🩵

[@butternutpickle234]

As someone who was in the performing industry full-time for over 6 years, I can say that EVERYTHING you have described is so accurate and attention needs to be brought to it. I'm happy you are! I had to get out of the industry because I was literally losing myself. I would have breakdowns every single day, I became suicidal. I was never good enough for myself. Now that I am out of the industry, my mind constantly calls me a 'failure' and a 'quitter' and it's something I still deal with all the time. I'm so much happier now that I'm free of the industry's chains, but I still carry around that feeling of being not good enough and that I failed. I started my own mental health organization called Flip of a Coin to help do my part in the mental health community as well! Keep it up, Aly!!

[@jorddanadelossantos7246]

Thanks for sharing this! If you have a link to your organization, could you please share? I'm quite interested in Flip of a Coin 😊

[@danicamargarit6832]

I never thought I would say this, but I'm thankful I got so sick as a child, so I didn't get my "chance" to be an actor. I was being pushed in that direction from all sides and I've always considered it a missed opportunity. Now, after watching this series, I'm glad.

[@bananababy605]

I am also wondering about children born into the spotlight. With social media today, there are more KZbin famous people that are also showing their families. Then you also have things like The Kardashians. While things are a little different because you dont have the entire casting process, the fame and media still separate the kids from their peers without having a true idea of why they are different.

[@HaleyMary]

Yes,especially in this day of youtube, twitter, instagram. The media does separate actor's and musician's kids from the regular kids even if the kids don't pursue an acting or musical career. I can't imagine the pressure of them growing up around actors, musicians, etc who are successful and the pressure for the kids to be just as successful in an entertainment field.

[@ProfMcGonaGil]

This series is changing the way I see so many things. One facet i especially appreciate is that I feel, having experienced your story, I will be a better and safer parent. Thank you for what you are doing!

[@TheRealAlysonStoner]

this means the world to hear!

[@ciaolife]

This series is so fascinating. Thanks for educating us all!

[@hopelessly.hopeful]

I love this series so much. Extremely informative and eye opening. One of my all time fave movies is "Home Alone" and now I feel so guilty for poor Macaulay Culkin 😔

[@zoeollie202]

One thing i really appreciate about this series is that for parents that wanted to be child stars who don't know and wanted to give their kid a try, it can give them pause before putting their children into this situation.

[@gaelrynswiftbalde]

I wasnt internationally famous, but i was a high level competitive dancer and gymnast in my youth. One of those in the gym at 4am at age 8 before school. After school id be in the gym. I travelled internationally and even went to olympic level competition in two sports (gymnastics and ballroom). I got to try out but didn't qualify. There are so many of these dynamics at play in high level sports (especially gymnastics) and some of us did get famous. But like most child performers, we missed schooling. We were extreme people pleasers. I was the mix when Larry Nassar was at USA Gymnastics. Most of us had really inappropriate contact with adults normalized. It wasn't until i started listening to you, and developed a career in my adulthood as a writer that i began to contextualize it. Thank you SO SO much.

[@pme8370]

I have seen and read a lot of interviews and books about children in show business. I feel like all the other times people are often bitter or very quiet, putting all blame on other people. It’s always another parent that’s the stage parent, another kid who is egocentric, another person with the stage parent problems, never them. I like how Alyson helps everyone to take responsibility for their roles in the creation of this industry, good, bad or indifferent.

[@sydnigrauberger5984]

You mentioned how the child's look, etc, were viable and that made me think of how personality traits (or perhaps the traits someone famously performed as a standout character) would ALSO become viable so that, as kids mature, or a performer just wants to take on a new challenge and maybe "play against type", they either can't get hired for that work or they are legally restricted from doing that type of work. And this is all happening during the important years of personal development and identity formation. It truly makes you understand why so many (not to over stereotype) "successful" former child performers turn to manners of escapism in late adolescence and early adulthood. Unless they are very lucky to break through the very thick and heavy steel chains to be accepted by the industry and the public to either portray or BE, a person against the type/expectations that were branded on them, such individuals are very much trapped in a reality that they couldn't possibly have envisioned or understood this could be their reality 10 years (or 30) later than when they just thought it would be fun or cool to make people happy watching you smear yourself with peanut butter in a Peter Pan commercial (how my oldest brother got his SAG card when he was like 5). Thank you for helping me see the struggles of such talented individuals in a way I hadn't fully considered or understood before this video (and this comes from an almost PhD in Psychology who worked 10 years with "troubled" kids). Sadly, I must admit that, after I came from such a poor and rough childhood, I looked at the lives of child "stars" as fun and adventurous and often "easy" as their popularity and paycheck provided freedom from basic worries like food, electricity, hot water or heat, etc, as some children lived through. Yes, I knew parents who were addicts, abusive, parents going through a divorce, or sibling envy, and pressures to stay/look a certain way for a part all could cause major psychological and/or behavioral issues for them, immediately or later in life, but I must admit that I sort of automatically thought such individuals "had it easy" when it came to 16 and older as their notoriety, finances, and past successes would seem to naturally open many proverbial doors that many of us would either never dream were possible for them and/or they would "kill" for opportunities such as those at any moment in their lives, let alone already at age 20. I'm sure I'm rambling, but my brain is truly spinning with revelations of my own assumptions, when I literally know better, and my newfound understanding of the plight all young performers must go through. Because, if we are honest, the fact that some youths never become a household name for any one particular role they portrayed could be just as restrictive or damaging to their psyche or identity formation as the performer who was a beloved character on a popular sitcom for 5 to 9 years of their childhood and they are forever pigeonholed thereafter to never be accepted to play any other type of character (or sometimes...*gasp*...never accepted to BE any other type of PERSON in society than what they famously once portrayed in childhood). ... ... *Mind blown*.

[@Superstitious33]

The emotional way you speak about things is so hypnotizing. Eating this series up!

[@astrinymris9953]

I'm now feeling icky about any piece of media I ever enjoyed that featured a child performer. 😬😬😬

[@Sayj14]

We are more informed now and can make better choices going forward :)

[@Sayj14]

Just watched all episodes so far. I’ve always been interested in the psychology behind acting wondering if it was harmful. I’m grateful to be sitting and listening to what you have learned so far. Ive enjoyed feeling calm, safe, and welcomed into a space for these things topics to be aired out and pondered. Thank you for sharing so far.

[@ximeurrutia158]

Love this whole podcast, its so well written and easy to understand while still being deep and eye opener, thank you for talking about this ❤

[@chelseacuzzocrea6956]

WOW! Uh, so this episode left me with my heart racing and a knot in my stomach because of how deeply I myself relate to being commodified as a product, being called "just a cog, just a piece of data". I'm currently working with an adult acting coach/mentor who started in the business as a child (and yes, I just sent them this episode) because I'm curious to know their thoughts behind it. Where I live, if you enter the arts, there's an expectation that you'll "go pro as a career at some point" because that's where the path leads, and as someone with mild Cerebral Palsy who has (and is still experiencing) "workplace and professionalism training/being called a product" since toddlerhood I have a unique perspective, but there's a part of me that thought "real actors" could not HAVE relationships that weren't based on power dynamics and transactions-because of the nature of the work.

[@agtv_media]

If you think about it, the nature of this system commodifies everyone that's a worker

[@Pixaley]

Your voice is incredibly important to be heard. Thank you. Please never stop fighting to have a better world for the littles of tomorrow.

[@flamingmidas]

This is truly one of if not the most eye opening podcast I've ever watched/listened to and it both saddens and infuriates me to learn just how much being in the spotlight amplifies all the insecurities and lack of autonomy that comes with being a child.

[@britpoppansy]

Alyson, you have really done the world a service by creating this series. I know it must have been difficult as hell, too. I remember seeing you for the first time when I was 19 and you were a mere little 7 or 8 year old. What strikes me is that horrific abuse beyond comprehension had probably just happened to you. Incredibly horrible. I had no idea then, but I certainly have some idea now as I've done my research. I only hope that you are well and healing from the horrors that have been inflicted upon you. I pray you live a long and fruitful life. You deserve it. You are a sweet soul.💜

[@avaschoene8957]

‘Given they just learned how to spell their name and count to 20’ Wow that put it into perspective so well. Like these children don’t know at all what they’re doing and how it affects everything for them. That was a really good way of putting it

[@nicolebrown5987]

Wow....Now I can understand Shia's struggles....he was the breadwinner too... thanks for your vulnerability

[@avarice.karmageddon]

Alyson, what was your experience with set teachers that were enamored by fame that they failed as a teacher in making sure that you got the mandatory proper curriculum covered as well as good grades needed for college? Were you able to get the mandatory curriculum needed for college in another way such as getting a GED for college? Wow, this keeps showing how completely messed up on so many levels and in so many ways Hollywood is to everyone especially child stars. Hollywood studios, executives, producers, directors, casting directors, managers and etc... (people and companies that hold power) have so much control over the child entertainers lives that it's a controlling and abusive relationship for money, status and branding. I can see why so many child stars families often end up divorced, I always thought it was odd knowing so many teen stars parents divorced around the similar time period of 2007 to 2009 as a Millennial. Thank you so much for this wonderful, informative, thoughtful, and eloquent series. I look forward to your videos weekly to learn more about the behind-the-scenes experience of childhood stardom that majority of us normal people haven't ever experienced. Keep up the excellent work! ❤

[@marcelarosa8036]

You should research about a brazilian duo called Sandy & Junior. They are now 40yo but they were HUGE child stars and their dad is also very famous. They've always dealt with fame in a very particular way, respecting the kids, their boundaries, they went to school, graduated from college etc. I think you'd really like to learn more, in Brazil it has always been quite impressive the way they deal with the media

[@carolinasilva7026]

There's also Larissa Manoela, which is the polar opposite. And Maisa seems to have reasonable responsible parents, but you never know.

[@oooh19]

yea you never know how families truly are and also you cannot blame the parents on everything. at the end of the day people including kids make decisions@@carolinasilva7026

[@perolannes]

Personal testimony here! Both me and my husband are average looking adults, but were gorgeous kids, and did some random modeling back in the day, but it was not much fun for us and our parents allowed as to back down. Our baby girl is outlandish stunning (in my own biased opinion haha) and not a week goes by without someone telling us that we should try a modeling/acting career for her. We live in the state of Rio de Janeiro, which is sort of Brazilian California, the center of film and TV production, so it is relatively common for parents to try this path for their kid. For a moment, I considered it, thinking that maybe she could have some college fund out of it. Then your series showed up, your face was somewhat familiar, I had this interest in the theme… As you can imagine, after this information, it is now a hard pass for our family. So, if you are wondering, this body of work has had a huge practical impact on someone’s life. Thank you!

[@bakedbean116]

i get so bummed when these episodes end lol. I loooovvveeeee this series, thank you for sharing your experiences with us!!!

[@BiggMozilla]

I do t usually comment, but I just wanted to say I’ve watched the entire series from the beginning (a few weeks back) & each week I’m left with wanting to know MORE & be more educated. Thank you for your precise wording & descriptions. I also love that you go into detail about certain topics (but not everything). I love what you’re doing & I support you 🤗❤️❤️

[@itzjjunior]

Hi alyson just wanted to say another great episode man this series has changed me as a person and I been a huge fan of yours for so many years and your projects you been my favorite person in the whole world and I just love what you thank and keep up the good work👍

[@elizajensen]

12:22- big oof! love your honesty and vulnerability

[@megroy6396]

A LOT of this is stuff that has come up in Jill Duggar Dillard's interviews since her book came out. Even though I've always been somewhat skeptical of Christian-based homeschooling, the revelation that a lot of the kids didn't get beyond a 7th or 8th grade education because filming was seen as more important. And then, of course, poor reading comprehension or a lack of critical thinking makes it that much harder for them to understand contracts and financial management. Also, I could be wrong, but...isn't there more incentive for a teacher/tutor to lie about a student's actual performance? For example, giving them an A on a paper that really should've earned a C, or marking answers correct on a math test that were actually wrong? That way parents and producers don't know how bad things are and the kid isn't too distracted to perform by their poor grades?

[@esm1817]

I am really enjoying this series. Thank you for explaining things so well.

[@MsHermyGranger]

This is great content! I've been interested in this topic for years and your series is everything I ever wanted to hear 😍

[@TheCorporationLovesYou]

I feel like you and alexa nikolas are gonna change the industry. I'd love to see a colab. you both seem very invested in protecting kids growing up in the industry

[@kamsismith]

I didn’t comment in the last couple of episodes because I was interested in your perspective as a former child star. What I took away from it is that being a child star isn't all that it’s cracked up to be. Sure, there are successful former child stars, but those are few and far between. I read a book called Hayley Alridge is Still Here about a former child star in the vein of the Olsen twins in a conservatorship by her parents telling her twin daughters about her experiences as they didn't understand why they never saw her as much as they'd like.

[@mattb1568]

I am GLUED to this series! You’re amazing Alyson!!

[@kevinhowe6307]

I look forward to these every Friday! Thank you Alyson! Much love from TN!

[@elliemo10]

Alyson! This series is so poignant and powerful! ❤ I want to thank you for your sincerity, your rawness and for sharing such personal stories with us in order make a difference ❤ I truly believe that big change will come from the work you are doing and the work you are inspiring others to do ! I wanted to ask, since I know you’ve done voice acting as well as live-action acting… do you think that there is a difference between these two experiences for child actors in the industry? Do they share the same problems and power imbalances? I’m just curious because I’d imagine that voice acting involves less interaction with other actors, and crew and camera people etc

[@suzannegest7634]

Thank you so much for lowering the microphone! I can lip read now. This is truly a mind opening series.

[@Lex_brooke]

When I was growing up, my family wasn’t particularly well off so extra curricular activities were kind of out of the question for me. Yet, by the time my younger brother was at the age to do sports, take music lessons etc, my parents were in a better place to be able to make it happen. I was so resentful of the fact that he was given opportunities that I wasn’t, I can’t even imagine how it would feel to have that on a scale of a famous sibling

[@sarahvan1356]

This series is amazing and each episode is so well-constructed, thought out and insightful. Thank you for all the hard work and research you put into it!

[@lexyreads]

This series is so important and i’m learning so much from it every week. Thank you Alyson

[@BetterWithBob]

And the sad thing is that, this is the plot of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane, which came out in 1963! The eponymous Baby Jane is a vaudeville performer famous in the 1910s, with a horrible stage dad who spoiled her and seemed to make her act all about him, yelling at her sister when he got frustrated. Jane grew up to be an alcoholic who destroyed her film career and in her fifties still doesn't know how to function, while Blanche resented her sister and let that resentment destroy her. Writers and directors in the 60s knew this story, and not a lot has changed

[@jacenduhh]

you really were absolutely amazing. these episodes are perfectly worded and excite executed. great job, can’t wait for the next episode

[@Swimdeep]

This series you’ve produced is so well done-each episode is more disturbing than the last. 🤬

[@Amanda-fb4hu]

I started to watch your videos after the Larissa Manoela case here in Brazil, and guess what?? She was also emancipated when she was younger. You are being incredible on point.

[@Jozigirl93]

I look forward to this every week!

[@iwilson6651]

Been looking forward to this …intense content but super well made and enlightening:-)

[@lovemagicalgirlanime]

I really appreciate that these videos exist and that they are so thoughtfully created. It's very illuminating to hear all this! If I may ask, though, could you maybe be just as thoughtful and careful about your subtitles? Sometimes they're segmented really oddly, leaving really really short subtitles or cutting apart the sentences in ways they shouldn't be. I know it's a detail to the production but it would mean a lot for people who actually use them to be able to read them comfortably.

[@colleenbalch328]

Thanks for educating and unpacking this... it's a lot.

[@wintermelon_3705]

i looks so forward to these posted on Fridays!! Thank you for your unending transparency and kick ass journalism!!

[@aquietplace9962]

You structured this conversation perfectly 🙌🏼

[@healinganhaitian1507]

Gosh, this breaks my heart. You're doing incredible work, thank you.

[@snuggtop]

Hi! This is the conversation we should be having. Your work is valuable. Thank you.

[@nutsinabutt7095]

Your videos are so great and eye-opening. And you articulate really heavy-handed topics very well. The work you do here is so important and valued, thank you for doing what you do.

[@missladypaigee]

soo in depth, aware, Articulate and brave.

[@evrenandtheivy2288]

I know it was a question from a few videos again- but I’m happy to never have media made with the labour of children ever again. I already avoid social media content with children! Something else I think the kids involved would be far better without is professional sports. The risk of severe injury, abuse, the stress!

[@SarahHeartzUnicorns]

Alison looks super strong 💪

[@cristobalc5425]

❤💯🗣💡🧠💪 Thank you for these Alyson.

[@carolinebee2227]

I really love this podcast, you seem to be such an intelligent person with a great insight and I hope life is getting better for you

[@angelaholmes8888]

Corey Feldman had emancipated himself from his parents when he was a teenager unfortunately it was too late because his parents spent all of his money on themselves and had no remorse for what they did to him just disgusting that a parent would steal from there own child

[@jmsl_910]

i admire your courage. i'm so glad you are revealing this info. 🤞i hope it's reaching the target audience

[@user-rq4rt3ti8l]

An amazing episode. Really insightful. Thanks.

[@PamelaEnglish-ew8nf]

I’m starting to think there should be no child actors ever again…. I know it’s extreme but seriously.

[@FoxofGold]

The whole industry just seems predetaory and broken

[@nathaliecarluccio7559]

Wow what an insight 😢😢 love it that you are honest about it ❤❤

[@despairnephilim]

Can’t wait for the next episode!

[@amandanoelle734]

This is amazing work you’re doing, thank you ♥️

[@Esterferreiradecastro]

I have nothing to do with the industry nor do I know anyone that is but still this series is incredibly fascinating to me to understand how fucked up the dynamic of stars we’ve loved were set to doom them from the start Its very sad and a lot more people should hear about it to do something

[@fbueller]

Aly- You look amazing in this video!

[@AB-qt6uw]

Awesome episode! So interesting

[@chillavarga22]

I am very much enjoying learning from Alyson but I did find it a little odd that, in this episode particularly, "child actors" were used in some of the clips.

[@TheDisell]

also the US hasn't signed on to the UNCRC. which speaks volumes to how America views children.

[@Bamgeutcutiepie]

great episode Alyson!

[@rojayreid908]

The Knowledge is crazy

[@spider-mantobeymaguirefanc9469]

you are the best dancer!!!!!

[@somebodythatiusetoknow2027]

I often think of the spear’s family while listening to this ep

[@gengarrules777]

yes there's lots of healthy examples like jess simps' father or Caitlin Jenner ❤

[@iregirafa]

Did you write this serie all alone? It's really good, I get so excited when there is a new release!

[@TheRealAlysonStoner]

I did, thank you! And then have some folks I trust vet it for accuracy sake, since I have plenty of invisible spots. // so grateful you’re here!!

[@jonathantrauner3742]

I have Autism Alyson and that does not make me weak. Ali Stroker is one of my heroes who helped me get through my suffering after I was hit by a bus five months ago and I broke my collarbone. RIP Queen Elizabeth II Matthew Perry Rosalynn Carter and Judith Heumann

[@fire12731]

Parents are not well informed about show business at all. There is no way to figure it all out. There are so many factors at stake. I think most parents are well-intentioned. It’s sad when things go south

[@Jozigirl93]

This is me asking how you know that 🙃

[@Jeeshansameer2165]

Princess

[@classicalmusicjunkie]

Where's SAG-AFTRA with all of this? There should be a child division tracking hours and jobs. They should have a Child supervisor on every set with a child with no more than a 1-3 ratio.

[@elizabethhardwick8346]

That's not even possible. Yeah they'll check fake log books. My kids did work after hours even at Disneyland and there was a SAG rep there. The director needed the shot at 12am on a school day.

[@CM-yx4tl]

I support what you’re doing, but you’re leaving out some very valid information. SAG requires productions to follow the child labor laws in the filming state, the child’s resident state, or NY/CA child labor laws - whichever is the strictest. Also, the production IS very much fined and can be shut down if minor labor laws are broken. I’ve seen all of this happen. I support your cause, but please do not spread inaccurate information.

[@TheRealAlysonStoner]

Thanks for sharing this information! A few things: SAG is a topic that needs a full series to unpack, so a few sentences could never cover all the details. For now, the brief information provided comes from their official resources and demonstrates high-level parameters just to provide an entry point (not a conclusive look) into certain structures in place. Speaking to the penalization point, I could have gone into further detail, but some penalization truly does fall onto the parents (not production). And, while I’m so glad that sets can be fined and shut down, many sets are neither fined nor shut down, which is what we need to improve. Maybe we can do an episode down the road with a SAG rep. :)

[@yvettevandermolen2455]

I would love an episode about SAG. Having read the entire handbook, as well as some law journal articles, my understanding is that a union rep needs to be on hand to make sure the rules are being enforced. If the guardian isn't aware of the rules, they might as well not exist. People have to be aware of all the rules, make sure they're being enforced - and then have to do it all over again on the next production. Grown-ass adults in regular boring jobs can't assume that HR has their backs and that they'll be safe on the job. How can we assume that SAG having rules can be any better?

[@CM-yx4tl]

@@TheRealAlysonStoner it would definitely be insightful to have an episode with a SAG rep. I only point this out because, while I agree it’s not perfect, SAG does at least put effort into protecting their union members and will throw their weight around to do so. They are very involved with this process and will shut down shows that don’t meet their requirements. They also do indeed fine shows for these types of issues; I’ve seen it happen. There is still alot of improvement to be made overall. But at least SAG is doing something.

[@CM-yx4tl]

@@yvettevandermolen2455 that’s not really accurate. SAG reps are involved day to day with their projects and will immediately step in and shut things down when they even think something is off. I’m not SAG or talent, so I don’t have a stake in the argument, but I see this from my position.

[@yvettevandermolen2455]

Thank you for this insight. I only know about SAG's efforts from research I did in grad school. I'm actually very impressed by the scope of their handbook for work with young actors and I wish states would adopt it as a model. (Actually, I wish federal law protected young actors so we didn't need to do this state by state.) It's good to know that SAG actually stands by their own rules. I really appreciate Alyson's deep dive into the details. I'm so sick of people holding up the Coogan law as the gold standard. That law only covers a tiny piece of the protection puzzle and doesn't do enough.

[@juliagarrison1305]

This is a bit of a stretch but I enjoy listening to the Eyre Buds Podcast about Jane Eyre and something the hosts said about Mr. Rochester’s relationships with opera girls/possible sex workers and ballet dancers/ possible sex workers in the 19th century connects to you talking about child performers not getting a regular education. The hosts discussed how Mr. Rochester would want his opera girls to be able to talk about intellectual things with him while they likely received very little formal education, unlike him. In all likelihood they might have possessed basic literacy if that having spent their young years consumed by dancing and/or singing lessons. I’m a former English major not a historian.

[@ximenapena4705]

all I get from ur show is that people should not enter Hollywood before being aged 18

[@tracy8359]

Did my phone skip ahead? Allison bright up that in set schooling doesn't take care of the prerequisites for college and looked to camera, "Ask me how I know." Then didn't elaborate. I'm sorry, and interested to know.

[@oldasyouromens]

Nope - your phone did not skip ahead. There may have been a cut there, but I am sure this will be explored in future episodes.

[@tracy8359]

I hope so.

[@samuelgalea7679]

“They’re not old enough to consent control of their finances” but they’re old enough to “choose” to be medically messed with and hormonally messed with ffs

[@Zzz2x]

Alyson, have you thought of making a petition to get attention out to the world? Forgive me for how i type/speak. What comes to mind is I always heard about this group one million moms, or something like that. They would always get things written about them making petitions largely disagreed with. So I’m wondering if all these small pockets of people like yourself, alexa nicholas, jeanette mccurdy, get a KZbinr involved because I think youtube has a ton of kids suffering right now due to monetizing children; so one who is exposing that would be good. And I am definitely forgetting some of the others who have spoken out.. but get a good diverse group who understand these issues, the ones that are deeply affecting children who no one is speaking for currently as well.. they’re all being exploited by the same systems, often for similar groups of people, and obviously other kids entertainment. If you guys promote it, maybe other big celebs can too, and tons of people can sign it! What we really need is things done on a national level but anything starting would help. I believe in not monetizing content with minors on any platform. And if youtube doesn’t background check, they should if it is content made for children. Again tho all platforms Edit: p!nk!! She is one that has called our piper rockelle and there’s a current lawsuit about the kids working conditions. Please look it up! I have so much more I wish I could get this information to you.. i really think many, many people would come together to get this out there. We could find people who are in fandoms, or have them too, to ask them to sign it. And the platforms would have to answer for something. I think that it could be even bigger than this if lawyers could get involved. There’s court cases that have tried to go to the Supreme Court (forgive me if I’m saying this all wrong) about their platforms not protecting minors. It’s out of control. But we can start with something! Or you guys can! Please! I want to live to see this change

[@oldasyouromens]

In between episodes, i did some very basic research, often gathered by fans at the time, and calculated basic production schedules - which project when and only that - for several teen stars. First of all, holy fucking shit. No time for an education, friends, sleep, eating, or routine medical care, when 11.5 months of the year, you are on set working long days and Fraturdays at 16. It would have been impossible as an actor for me to do my 3 month followups for medications I need to live, for example. Already at work in labs, kid me would be prone to severe rages and dissociation just from the amount of pain I was in and how tired I was after 6 hours of work, much less 8 or 12. The unraveling is in the lack of access to basic structures of society modern children need to live safe lives - school, routines at home like regular mealtimes, community rec, healthy work hours at appropriate ages, appropriate interaction with authority figures. How does working with 2 weeks vacation a year as a teen affect this? Second, the amount of information I had access to from publicly available and editable websites was horrific. My only audience was my mom, as an example of how messed up this child labor is and why she should listen to this podcast, but there are other people in the world that should not have access to this type of location information. And that causes a lot of pain for so many, myself included as a consumer, listener, and recovering medical CSA survivor. I thank you deeply for this podcast and i appreciate your candor.

[@TheRealAlysonStoner]

WOW THIS IS IMPRESSIVE THANKS FOR CHECKING THIS OUT!

[@oldasyouromens]

@@TheRealAlysonStoner I was so afraid you would be freaked out and remove my comment, so I'm glad you appreciate it!

[@imtime22]

With ai and deepfake tech being public idk if I would be comfortable with this

[@mego581]

I think more weight needs to be put on the parents, you could have a great life in the entertainment industry if your parents go about it in the right way…

[@jpaulstudios5152]

Alyson had you ever been kidnapped and tied up before

[@queenofdaydreams3825]

Bro....

[@mikanmandarin]

Ever since watching this series i can’t help but wonder about the situation of whatever kids I see on tv lol 🥲