20 Dark Secrets Revealed by Child Stars

These child stars paid a price for their fame. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re examining sad and horrific personal secrets about famous child stars. Our countdown of dark secrets revealed by child stars includes people like Daniel Radcliffe, Selena Gomez, Judy Garland, Miley Cyrus, and more! Which of these stories surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments.

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[WatchMojo]

Which of these stories surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments.

[DmarcusBaus]

I think I understand how Jennette McCurdy was able to play Sam Puckett so well. Her hatred towards her mom was the energy she needed to play Sam and her role as Sam was her best way to vent.

[HorrorandScience]

Dan Schneider makes me shudder. One man ruined not only childhoods, but Nickelodeon.

[Emy]

Hollywood really sucks, but society also falls for their standards of what is thin, fat, or just right.

[Jeremiah_Rivers]

Everyone Dan Schneider victimized deserves to tell their stories, especially Jennette McCurdy, Drake Bell, etc.

[FOWLKON]

Dan Schneider brought us all here, with all of the nonsense he carried out with Nickelodeon.

[phantomrequim]

Quiet On Set brought me here. Child stars do not deserve to be exploited by the disgusting adults around them but it unfortunately happens. Hollywood is just not worth it.

[chelseacanales]

No child, no matter what gender, race, etc…should not have to suffer in Hollywood.

[anahigomez]

They gave up their childhood to make the childhood of others

[mayflower]

There needs to be more child labor laws and child protection laws in this Hollywood industry

[TheCommenterDragon]

It goes without saying that these former child actors didn't deserve to go through the traumatic experiences that they endured as kids.

And as adults they're all trying like hell to live their lives in spite of their past traumas while at the same time making sure that no one else ever goes through what they did again.

[ProfessorTakatoPalm]

I find it really hard to not understand Jennette McCurdy. After reading her book I can understand why she doesn’t see her self returning to acting. There was no safe place for her to be. Onset was a nightmare because of Dan Schneider and things were any easier back at home with her mom. However, what makes me the most upset was the show Sam and Cat. I don’t think I can ever get past the fact that Nickelodeon wouldn’t let Jeanette McCurdy have one day off and she had to turn down things that could help her career, but for Ariana Grande they had no problem with it whatsoever and attempted to work around it. For crying out loud there’s an entire episode where cat is stuck in a box

[eastendthug]

Dan "hold her tighter, she's a fighter" Schneider should be in jail for life. But of course he's out free.

[jasonbean]

The tale of the two Coreys breaks my heart.

[Alejandrodemontana]

Seeing Aaron Carter wearing a vash the stampede shirt with matching hair really hammers home that he is just a kid.

[dionshare]

Drew Barrymore seems like such a legitimately sweet woman. She definitely went through a lot herself.

[ericgjovaag]

If you get a chance to read his blog or his book, "Still Just a Geek", you'll know that Wil Wheaton should also be on this list. His parents exploited him, his career, and his fame, and then gaslighted him when he tried to stand up to them.

[GrantKanigan]

We don’t let kids work in almost any other industry, maybe it’s time Hollywood follows suit.

[frankieseward]

Drake Bell really had it rough. It nearly caused him to be registered as a sex offender if the victim hadn't testified in his favor

[Hectorferjr]

These dark secrets are the reason why I recommend people should talk to a career resource specialist to help them sign with the right talent agency.