Alyson Stoner, the former child star known for her roles in Disney’s “Camp Rock,” and mesmerizing Derek Hough choreographed dance numbers, is opening up about her experience. Now, she is using her story to warn young people about the dangers of seeking stardom. At 31, Stoner has undergone a remarkable evolution from her years as a celebrated child actress and dancer. Today, she is a powerful mental health advocate, illuminating the struggles entertainers, particularly young performers, have allegedly faced in the entertainment industry.
Former child prodigy Stoner is a dancer, actress, and choreographer who began her career at the age of six. She is perhaps best known for her role in Missy Elliott’s classic music video “Work It.” She had a leading role in the family comedy “Cheaper by the Dozen.” Despite her achievements, Stoner highlights the emotional toll that growing up in the public eye can take on young individuals.
I had just turned 9 its like childhood was done,” Stoner recalled in a recent Emo Night Brooklyn Zoom interview. She shared that her childhood experience was deeply affected by the pressures of fame. “By the time I was 9, I was no longer in school,” she added, indicating how her career choices led to isolation from her peers. Stoner was under colossal pressure to stay financially afloat, sharing, “I could no longer relate to my classmates. Financially, I was taking on pressures, not necessarily to provide for my entire family but to make sure that this industry machine and my career kept going.”
Stoner’s struggles intensified as she grew older. At 17, she voluntarily admitted herself into a mental health center when she realized she had an eating disorder. “I was losing weight, and honestly, had my health not started deteriorating, I don’t know if I ever would have unpacked all of these issues,” she admitted. Her experiences have driven her passion to become a change agent within the industry.
In her forthcoming memoir titled “Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything,” set to be released by St. Martin’s Press on August 12, Stoner shares her journey and calls for industry-wide reforms. She highlights the lack of child protections for child actors and influencers, specifically the financial rights of child influencers and consent issues. “I want to see legislation protecting young kids’ finances, their right to revoke consent upon turning 18,” she stated, reflecting her desire for systemic change.
As it stands, Stoner is working harder than ever to ensure today’s young artists aren’t exposed to the same dangerous environment. “So, this isn’t just about supporting the young artists themselves, it’s about redesigning the environment around them,” she explained. Her advocacy extends to ensuring more thorough safety measures online to keep minors safe in our ever evolving digital landscape.
Stoner’s story is yet another reminder of the harsh, often cruel world that child stars live in. It calls attention to the alarming lack of accountability for these rampant abuses in Hollywood. As she continues to share her insights and experiences through her memoir and advocacy work, many are hopeful that changes will come to protect future generations of young talent.
