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Child Star

2024 1h 37m Documentary TRAILER for List
Tomatometer 6 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Examining how some of the most well-known former child stars, such as Lovato, deconstruct the highs and lows of growing up in the spotlight and how their ascension to fame, riches, and power affects their futures.
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Child Star

Critics Reviews

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Kylie Bolter Chicago Reader Directed by Demi Lovato and Nicola Marsh, the documentary is unlike others that study similar themes. At the forefront of the film is someone who experienced the phenomenon and therefore can empathetically navigate the conversations. Sep 30, 2024 Full Review Ruth Maramis FlixChatter Film Blog Demi Lovato directed a pretty damning film for companies like Disney that profit off kids, turning them into brands to market products. Rated: 4/5 Oct 2, 2024 Full Review Christopher Campbell Nonfics It's not that compelling unless you’re interested in Lovato and how she relates to her fellow former youth performers. Sep 22, 2024 Full Review John Serba Decider Others have addressed the topic better, but with not as much personal investment as Lovato. Sep 18, 2024 Full Review Susan Granger SSG Syndicate Cautionary, cathartic documentary... Rated: 6/10 Sep 18, 2024 Full Review Jennifer Green Common Sense Media It's fascinating to hear on-the-set and behind-the-scenes insights from actors, parents, and directors, and to consider the implications of kids being branded and monetized. Sep 18, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Julio C It gives us a look on how is growing up in front of the public eye and the consequences of pursuing a career at such young age. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/26/24 Full Review Amanda O Incredible, Wonderful and Empowering! Will help future child stars. Demi Lovato is so inspiring. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/26/24 Full Review Audience Member Increíble documental! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/25/24 Full Review Juliane M Sensitive and honest, stars exposing the behind-the-scenes of growing up in front of the cameras in a realistic and unglamorous way. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/24/24 Full Review Audience Member Hulu and former Disney Channel star and artist Demi Lovato present her directorial debut with this hard edged documentary Demi has already been in two documentaries covering her rise to fame as a child to her teenage years and the baggage that came with it such as constantly working, having no downtime, struggling with bullying, eating disorders and trying to break away from drug addiction that almost lead to her overdosing but now this one soley focuses on many other former child stars from Disney Channel and Nickelodeon to shed more light in the difficulties of growing up and barely surviving the business Many child stars have it easy going from innocent network television and films but sadly many more of them don’t come out of the industry unscathed therefore having to suffer abuse physically, financially, as well as emotional and psychological These days she’s not comfortable anymore being on camera being it brings up so much negativity of her body image Demi sits down to listen and interviews many recognizable faces from the 90s to early 2000s stars such as Alyson Stoner, Raven Simone, Jojo Siwa, Kenan Thompson, Christina Ricci, and Drew Barrymore Each of them describe the highs but also the lows of dealing with the amount of pressure expected from acting and being famous to being exposed to drugs, alcohol, sexual abuse, defending their sexual orientation, even thoughts of suicide and neglect There’s absolutely no manual to prepare kids for the many blockades ahead when you’re a celebrity and made to live up to this perfect image unaware of what actually goes on behind the curtains A chain of disassociation exists for child stars, at times the parents dreams bleed into the child’s and you become so immeshed, it’s hard to be a parent of a child star considering you have to give up your career monitor the kids and wonder how you’re going to make money, is the price of fame worth your childhood?, you never realize getting paid it runs out or facing a lot of no’s when it comes to auditions, self esteem and self confidence issues can arise because of photoshoots and image software, turning yourself into a commodity makes way for gaining more or losing, fame doesn’t always equal happiness, there’s only so much disrespect for life you can have before you can start respecting it again Any of these shows make way for money next to merchandising next to keeping things kid friendly as possible even ignoring more grown up things child stars start experiencing more adult stuff Because of social media too everything is caught on camera on YouTube TikTok and Snapchat so everyone has something to say This documentary is way more insightful and open about the phases of child stardom along with the negative aspects Now there is a bill in place set to protect minors and compensate them in the acting business particularly social media Hopefully future generations can avoid the same pitfalls celebrities like Demi had to face and fight for a long time to rise above Now she is reprogramming herself for the foreseeable future as future child stars can as well A brilliant and important documentary for all Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/23/24 Full Review Angelica A Although this doesn't present any groundbreaking information, it was interesting to hear the stories of several child stars of varied ages. Love the overall message. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/22/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Child Star

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Movie Info

Synopsis Examining how some of the most well-known former child stars, such as Lovato, deconstruct the highs and lows of growing up in the spotlight and how their ascension to fame, riches, and power affects their futures.
Director
Demi Lovato, Nicola Marsh
Producer
Michael D. Ratner, Scott Ratner, Miranda Sherman, Kfir Goldberg, Demi Lovato
Distributor
Hulu
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 17, 2024
Runtime
1h 37m
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