Alyson Stoner Speaks Out on Surviving the 'Toddler-to-Trainwreck Industrial Complex'

[peppaminy]

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TW: sexual violence mention, abuse, and eating disorder
Actress, Singer, and Professional Dancer Alyson Stoner is well-known for starring in Missy Elliott music videos and various Disney Channel shows. She uses her own experiences growing up in the entertainment industry to speak out on how Hollywood needs to be held accountable and protect

Comments

[talklikelions]

I like her. She shouldn’t have to disclaim that it isn’t about pointing fingers or whining. Child stars go through so much and the argument that bc they have money and privilege they should be happy is tired and boring. Have people learned nothing from Britney and Demi recently?

Idk what the solution is but children should not be doing those jobs, at least not without major reform and protections.

[rhenna_navi]

It's so weird seeing her older when I remember her on Disney shows and shit.

[sadteenager]

ugh I love her! "Dragon" remains a bop and her twitter + youtube is such a source of joy.

[ginainabottle]

I fucking hate stage parents so much. When I'm casting kids, I make a point to NEVER pick the ones with stage parents, no matter how good the kid is. I developed a pretty good eye for it too, since they usually think they don't come across desperate, but all it takes is a few seemingly harmless questions to make them drop the façade.

It's a sad irony that casting kids is equal parts fun and depressing.

[unintentionalty]

My SO is a commercial director and absolutely hates casting kids but sometimes has to, and has had multiple experiences with stage parents immediately trying to pitch all their other kids for other projects. Like, all four of your kids love acting?? Really?? It's so upsetting.

[ginainabottle]

That's so common, the way some parents create opportunities to pimp their kids. I get why your SO doesn't like casting kids but personally I have a lot of fun. Auditioning kids is hilarious and they're not tryhard and annoying like adults lol The worst part is definitely the parents (and the occasional bratty kid) but overall I find it a really fun experience. I'll never forget a kid telling me I didn't look old enough to be an adult (that was 15 years ago) lol

[unintentionalty]

I think he actually likes working with the kids, and they can be really fun and funny, but it's so hard to make sure everything's ethical. And I know he's kicked people off set before for being rude to a kid. It's just a lot of extra work and anxiety.

[greenfairy_87]

I remember watching the doc An Open Secret and of course the parents who are wary of predators and insist on chaperoning their child for industry meetings and parties are labeled as "stage parents"