‘Honeymoon Phase Of My Career:’ Demi Lovato Opens Up About Being Child Star In New Documentary; Other Actors Chime In

As a devoted fan of Demi Lovato and her extraordinary journey, I am thrilled to my very core about her directorial debut in “Child Stars”. Having grown up watching her blossom from a child prodigy on Barney & Friends to a powerhouse singer and actress, it’s heartening to see her delve deeper into the world that molded her.


Demi Lovato steps into directing for the first time in a documentary called “Child Stars,” focusing on individuals who gained stardom at a young age. Joining forces with actress-singer Demi and other child stars such as Drew Berrymore (and numerous others), they will embark on this joint project together.

The artist involved in various Disney productions chose to discuss their forthcoming collaboration with The Hollywood Reporter. Demi Lovato, aspiring to carve out a niche similar to Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez, finally landed her roles after being repeatedly overlooked for the characters for numerous years.

She expressed to the media, “I felt incredibly grateful, and it was a mix of amazement and thrill.” Furthermore, she stated, “It was like the early stages of a new relationship in my career, just before things really took off at an unstoppable pace.”

The singer’s journey in showbiz started with Barney & Friends, followed by a role in the initial Camp Rock movie in 2008. That same year, she debuted her solo career with an album, and since then, she has released a total of eight albums. In her documentary Simply Complicated, she admitted that she experimented with cocaine for the first time when she was only 17 years old.

2018 saw her releasing another track called “Sober,” detailing her slip-up following a period of abstinence, and during the same year, there were reports of her being hospitalized due to an apparent drug overdose. However, in 2021, she disclosed that she had completely given up both drugs and alcohol.

Over the past few years, numerous actors who began their careers as child stars have chosen to publicly address the distressing experiences they suffered during filming. The documentary “Quiet on Set: The Hidden Truth of Kids’ TV” sparked widespread discussion online, focusing on producer Dan Scheidner and the accusations against him, which encompassed instances of abuse.

The cast included Drake Bell, Alexia Nikolas, and others. Later on, the accused filed a lawsuit against the show’s network for defamation, labeling it as a “smear campaign,” according to Forbes.

As a former child actor who experienced the highs and lows of fame at a tender age, I can wholeheartedly appreciate the approach taken by this documentary. Unlike ID’s venture which often seems to single out individuals or companies, this production presents an enlightening journey through the history of child stardom without casting blame or judgment. From Shirley Temple to TikTok, it is crucial for us to understand the complexities and implications that come with being a child star, and I believe this documentary will do just that. Kudos to producer Michael D. Ratner for shedding light on such an important and often misunderstood aspect of the entertainment industry.

The documentary will stream on Hulu on September 17, 2024.

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2024-08-15 11:22