Few documentaries and maybe couple coverages examined this topic, there are still aspects we have yet to grasp, and Demi Lovato’s objective examination excels between her emotional struggles and familiar others in this continuously eye-opening documentary that unveils a hidden broken layer to our childhood memories. As part of her curious examination, Lovato actually dug through couple historical cases that built the focus, although missed couple other degrees that actually attributed to the work environment’s restraints. (B+)
Rating: 1.5 out of 5 stars
I started watching this without knowing anything about it, but what I was after was clear: gossip and dirt. This documentary gives you none of that. If you're looking to peek into the 'child star' world and discover the abuses these kids go through, you'd better look somewhere else. At some point, I realized the one behind the documentary was Demi Lovato herself. Granted, I'm an old man so I'm not very into Lovato's world but I do know she is a messy star, and I like her for that. But it's clear this documentary is merely a way for her to deal with stuff she has gone through. The interviews with her peers are only a way to make amends with them for not treating them well in the past. When interviewing older stars though, she can't stop herself comparing her situation to theirs, but the exchanges are ultimately useless for anyone who is not Demi. I hope making this has helped her healing in some way. But it's not really a documentary anyone should watch if your intention is to gain more understanding of the industry.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
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.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Incredible, Wonderful and Empowering! Will help future child stars. Demi Lovato is so inspiring.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Increíble documental!
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Sensitive and honest, stars exposing the behind-the-scenes of growing up in front of the cameras in a realistic and unglamorous way.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
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.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Almost the Disney counterpart to quiet on set, it’s a sensitive portrait that will enter the stream of consciousness.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
A must see documentary! Really makes you reflect about the crazy pressure child stars are under and the normalcy of it all.