Demi Lovato and Drew Barrymore, two icons who rose to fame as child stars, have long been outspoken about their struggles with addiction and the damaging experiences that came with growing up under the spotlight. In their new documentary Child Star, the duo dives deep into the harsh realities of their early years in Hollywood and the impact that fame, drugs, and alcohol had on their personal lives.

The documentary, which Lovato co-directed with Nicola Marsh, brings a fresh perspective on the dangerous world that child actors often find themselves thrust into. While Demi Lovato: Dancing With the Devil (2021) and other documentaries focused primarily on Lovato’s personal battles, Child Star expands the conversation, addressing the systemic issues that expose child actors to predatory environments.

Drew Barrymore and Demi Lovato.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty; Everett

The Painful Question: Who’s to Blame?

One of the central themes of the documentary revolves around the question of who to blame for the damaging experiences that many child stars face. For Lovato, this question isn’t easily answered. “It’s hard to say that you don’t blame other people when other people may have been giving you substances as a kid,” they reflect. Lovato asks Barrymore, “How old were you when you were first given something?” This question sets the stage for a deeply honest conversation about childhood exploitation and trauma.

Barrymore, whose own troubled childhood included her first acting job at just 11 months old, shares her painful experience of being introduced to substances at an alarmingly young age. “I used to get high with my mom’s friend at like 10,” she admits, looking back on her youth with a sense of disbelief. “I thought she was so cool, and she would give weed to me and her son.”

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Lovato responds with empathy, emphasizing the difficulty of not blaming others when you’re exposed to such unhealthy environments at such a young age. “It’s hard not to blame someone else when you’re ten years old,” they say, acknowledging the complex dynamics that shaped their childhood.

Demi Lovato on ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’.The Drew Barrymore Show/YouTube

Facing the Reality of Addiction

Both Lovato and Barrymore have been open about their struggles with addiction, and Child Star is no exception. Lovato, who became a household name with Disney’s Sonny with a Chance and Camp Rock, was thrust into the spotlight at a young age, and it didn’t take long before they turned to drugs and alcohol as a way to cope. “Finding drugs was easy,” Lovato says in the documentary. “That was the only way I knew how to escape.”

For Barrymore, addiction began early, with a history of alcohol dependency by the age of 13. “I was a walking cautionary tale,” she reflects, describing her childhood and teenage years as a chaotic journey that led to a long battle with substance abuse. Now sober, Barrymore speaks about the deep sense of responsibility she feels in her fight to stay clean. “Stopping drinking is one of the most honoring things I can do to the Barrymore name because we have all been such hedonists,” she says, referencing the struggles her family has faced with addiction.

The documentary also highlights the emotional toll that addiction takes on family dynamics. Barrymore shares how her father and grandfather’s alcohol-related deaths influenced her decision to fight for sobriety, adding a personal layer to her fight for recovery.

The Lasting Effects of Fame on Mental Health

The documentary also explores the long-term effects of childhood fame, especially in relation to mental health. Christina Ricci, another prominent child star, recalls her early exposure to drugs and alcohol after landing her first role in Mermaids at age 10. “I don’t remember feeling like there was any other way to be happy,” she says, explaining how substance abuse became her coping mechanism in the face of the pressures of fame.

Alyson Stoner, who grew up in the limelight, echoes similar sentiments, noting the alarming rate at which child stars suffer from mental health struggles. “There’s research that shows people who experience fame have an average lifespan that’s 14 years younger than non-famous people,” Stoner reveals, pointing to the damaging effects of early exposure to fame and its association with substance abuse and mental health issues.

“Why are we hooking a child to a drug that’s fundamentally altering their brain chemistry and future development?” she asks, a poignant question that underscores the inherent risks of thrusting children into the entertainment industry.

Shifting the Focus: Protecting the Well-Being of Child Actors

While Child Star acknowledges the harrowing experiences of these young performers, it also serves as a call to action. Lovato and Barrymore use their platform to highlight the need for more legal protections for child actors, something Lovato is actively advocating for through the Looking Ahead program, which aims to provide better care and regulation for child performers.

In the documentary, Lovato encourages young actors to prioritize their well-being over fame, reminding them that what truly matters is their happiness and health. “Obviously, you want to make a great film, TV show or commercial,” Lovato tells a group of young performers in the documentary. “But what matters is your well-being and the other things in your life, like family and friends. That’s what really matters.”

The message is clear: childhood fame should not come at the cost of a child’s mental or physical health. The documentary ends with a hopeful note, as Lovato and Barrymore share their commitment to breaking the cycle of abuse and addiction that has plagued so many child stars.

A Call for Change

Child Star doesn’t just highlight the darkness of growing up in the public eye—it shines a light on the possibility of change. It calls for greater accountability in the industry and advocates for the protection of young actors who are often at the mercy of powerful figures and systems. By sharing their own stories, Lovato, Barrymore, and other child stars hope to prevent future generations from experiencing the same struggles and to inspire a movement toward a healthier, more supportive environment for young performers.

As Lovato concludes in the documentary, “We’ve been through the fire, and we’re here to tell the story. Now, it’s up to the next generation to do better.”

For both Lovato and Barrymore, their journey from child stardom to adulthood has been marked by resilience, healing, and a newfound sense of purpose. Child Star isn’t just a recounting of their struggles—it’s a testament to their strength and a rallying cry for a more compassionate future for those who follow in their footsteps.