Demi Lovato has spoken out about the traumatic experiences she endured throughout her early acting career, saying that her quest of success came at a high personal cost.
In a new trailer for Hulu’s upcoming documentary, Child celebrity, Lovato, who is making her directorial debut alongside Nicola Marsh, discusses the mental and physical health dangers she faced from “popular girls” while navigating Hollywood as a child celebrity.
Lovato, 32, who uses both they/them and she/her pronouns, describes a traumatic childhood episode in the trailer, which was released on Thursday. “The popular girls signed a suicide petition saying that I should kill myself,” she claimed, alluding to an incident that occurred after her debut on The Masked Singer last year. This statement sheds light on the intense pressure and bullying she experienced as a young actor.
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The former Disney Channel star started her career early, appearing on Barney & Friends from 2002 until 2004. Her popularity on the children’s show led to appearances in several Disney Channel shows and films, pushing her to fame. However, celebrity come with a dark side that included emotional and psychological issues.
Lovato is joined in the Child Star documentary by other former child stars, such as Raven-Symoné, Christina Ricci, and Drew Barrymore, who discuss the unique challenges of growing up in the spotlight. The video depicts how these young actors frequently struggled to obtain advice and assistance in a business that expects perfection from its newest talent.
“When we first got on the phone, you were like, ‘I was on your show,'” Lovato tells Symoné in the trailer, adding: “I don’t even remember something that I was on.” This candid conversation reveals the disorienting nature of child stardom, where constant exposure and a packed schedule can blur memories and experiences.
Lovato also discusses her struggles with substance misuse, which escalated along with her celebrity. “There has never been a manual for how to navigate this industry at such a young age,” she emphasises, referring to the lack of assistance that many young performers experience.
Reflecting on her journey, Lovato says, “I wouldn’t end up where I am had I not made all the choices leading up to this point. But it came at a price.” But it came with a price.” She discusses the difficult decisions she had to make and the emotional toll her job had on her mental health.
In a 2013 interview with Cosmopolitan, Lovato had previously opened up about her struggles with suicidal thoughts from an early age. “Even before ‘Barney,’ I was suicidal. I was 7. With ‘Barney,’ I guess subliminally, I did have a relationship with this figure that was saving my life in a way,” she confessed, adding another layer to her complex childhood experience.
Child Star will launch on Hulu on September 17, promising an honest and candid look at the lives of people who grew up in front of the camera, including Lovato’s personal struggles and accomplishments.
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