Wikipedia

Child Star (film)

Child Star is a 2024 American documentary film directed by American singer Demi Lovato and American cinematographer Nicola Marsh. The film centers on the subject of the tribulations of experiencing child stardom, fame, and working in the entertainment industry at a young age. It stars Lovato, Drew Barrymore, JoJo Siwa, Raven-Symoné, Christina Ricci, Kenan Thompson, and Alyson Stoner. The film was promoted by the release of the single "You'll Be OK, Kid", performed by Lovato.

Child Star
Directed by
Produced by
  • Kfir Goldberg
  • Michael D. Ratner
  • Scott Ratner
  • Miranda Sherman
  • Demi Lovato
Starring
Edited by
  • Ron Eigen
  • Yaniv Elani
Music by
Production
companies
Distributed byHulu
Release date
  • September 17, 2024 (2024-09-17)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The centerpiece of the documentary focuses on Lovato's start as an actor and singer of the Camp Rock franchise, as well as her prior work as a child actor on Barney & Friends.

Production

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The production of Child Star, the American singer and actor Demi Lovato's directorial debut, was announced in March 2023.[1][2] In an interview with magazine Billboard in December 2023, Demi Lovato expressed her excitement for the project, and stated: "I'm having some deep and meaningful conversations with people that obviously were child stars previously".[3] On July 31, 2024, The Hollywood Reporter revealed the release date of the documentary, September 17, and the former child actors that would be appearing, including Drew Barrymore, Kenan Thompson, Christina Ricci, Raven-Symoné, JoJo Siwa and Lovato's Camp Rock co-star Alyson Stoner.[4][5] In a press statement about the film, Lovato said: "There is no better film or topic for my directorial debut than this story, which is close to home".[5] It was produced by OBB Media' Michael D. Ratner, Scott Ratner, Miranda Sherman, Kfir Goldberg, and Lovato.[4][5] It was executive produced by Marsh, Scooter Braun, Scott Manson, Jen McDaniels, and James Shin, while Glenn Stickley served as a co-executive producer.[4][5] The film is comprised primarily of intimate conversations between Lovato and her fellow child star subjects.[6] In addition, director Chris Columbus (filmmaker), who made Home Alone and the first two Harry Potter (film series) movies, participated in the film.[7]

Cast

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Synopsis

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Child Star opens with a group of anonymous children who answer questions regarding their aspirations, the meaning of fame, and how being on camera makes them feel.[8] The film delves into the historical background and economic importance of child stardom in the United States, dating back to silent film actor Jackie Coogan and Shirley Temple.[9] The film interweaves this historical context with personal discussions between Lovato with other former child performers Drew Barrymore, JoJo Siwa, Raven-Symoné, Christina Ricci, Alyson Stoner and Kenan Thompson, regarding their personal journeys and experiences with fame as children.[9] Chris Columbus (filmmaker), who produced Home Alone and the first two Harry Potter (film series) movies, shares details about his casting search for the child stars of his films and the impact that fame has on the lives of young actors.[10] Fragments of the interviews are all intertwined together, jumping from one interview subject to another without break. The film also explores a new generation of child stars, ones who are of the digital age on social media, and current advocacy work and upcoming legislation to protect these stars financially.

Incorporated throughout the film, Lovato also shares her own life experiences as a former child actor on Barney & Friends and as a singer and actor on Disney Channel. The film features Lovato's conversations with family, including sister Madison De La Garza, whom starred as an actor on Desperate Housewives. Towards the end of the film, Lovato meets with aspiring child actors who ask Lovato personal questions, such as whether fame is worth it, and Lovato shares advice on prioritizing connections with loved ones and her attempt to live without regrets. The film ends with sessions of Lovato in the studio writing and recording "You'll Be OK, Kid".

Promotion

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The official trailer for the documentary film was released on September 5, 2024.[11] In promotion of Child Star, Lovato released the single "You'll Be OK, Kid" on September 13, 2024, through Island Records.[12] The song was written and recorded exclusively for the film.[13] Lovato interviewed with Good Morning America on September 18, 2024, saying her motivation underlying the film is to explore "why people get into the industry at such a young age" and "how it affects us", as well as the sharing the history of child stars "dating back to Shirley Temple and Jackie Coogan".[14] Lovato also shared dissociation was a common thread between all the child stars, as there were "chunks of time and memories and projects that we don't remember working on, which was really fascinating to me".[15]

References

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  1. ^ Stone, Megan (March 17, 2023). "Demi Lovato to make directorial debut with documentary on child stardom". ABC News. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  2. ^ Campione, Katie (March 16, 2023). "Demi Lovato Making Directorial Debut With 'Child Star' Documentary at Hulu". Deadline.com. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  3. ^ Denis, Kyle (December 7, 2023). "Demi Lovato Talks Holiday Special, Upcoming 'Child Star' Documentary & New Music in 2024". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Rose, Lacey (July 31, 2024). "Demi Lovato Lines Up Drew Barrymore, JoJo Siwa, More for 'Child Star' Doc (Exclusive)". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d Aniftos, Rania (July 31, 2024). "Demi Lovato Recruits JoJo Siwa, Raven-Symoné & More for 'Child Star' Documentary". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  6. ^ Stefansky, Emma (September 17, 2024). "Demi Lovato Reveals the Horrors of Being a 'Child Star'". The Daily Beast. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  7. ^ Stefansky, Emma (September 17, 2024). "Demi Lovato Reveals the Horrors of Being a 'Child Star'". The Daily Beast. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  8. ^ Horton, Adrian (September 20, 2024). "Demi Lovato's starry documentary Child Star offers hard truths". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Horton, Adrian (September 20, 2024). "Demi Lovato's starry documentary Child Star offers hard truths". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  10. ^ Sharf, Zack (September 18, 2024). "'Harry Potter' Director Says Kids Casting Search Was Shaped by Macaulay Culkin's 'Home Alone' Stardom and Troubled Family Life: The Parents Are Just as 'Important'". Variety. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  11. ^ Evans, Olivia (September 5, 2024). "Demi Lovato Shares Childhood Peers Signed a "Suicide Petition" in Trailer for Child Star". E! Online. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  12. ^ Wilkes, Emma (September 14, 2024). "Listen to Demi Lovato's reflective new single, 'You'll Be OK, Kid'". NME. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  13. ^ Zemler, Emily (September 13, 2024). "Demi Lovato Reassures Her Past Self on Single 'You'll Be OK, Kid'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  14. ^ America, Good Morning. "Demi Lovato talks about experiencing 'dissociation' to cope with fame as a child star". Good Morning America. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  15. ^ America, Good Morning. "Demi Lovato talks about experiencing 'dissociation' to cope with fame as a child star". Good Morning America. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
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