How swiftly the sprightly charm of youth can give way to the heavy burden that fame and fortune carries, a reality all-too-familiar to many child actors. While their stories often play out on the screens with a glamorous sheen, off-screen, their tales are sometimes steeped in hardship and struggle. Most notably, these difficulties are exacerbated for young Black actors who often need to grapple with the challenges of making a mark in an industry rife with its own complexities. A number of such veterans have candidly shared the realities of their early days in Hollywood.
Yara Shahidi, an acclaimed artist known for her roles in Black-ish and Grown-ish, was a beacon of talent boasting an impressive catalog of performances since a tender age. Contrary to the image that often accompanies child actors, Yara’s journey has been free from scandal or public controversy. Yet, hers is a narrative of a young Black girl battling the attendant struggles that come with growing up under the glaring Hollywood spotlight.
Tyler James Williams, another prodigy who grew to fame at a young age, has masterfully steered clear of personal controversies throughout his career. Reaching adolescence amidst the public’s incessant prying eyes, his journey wasn’t a stroll in the park. His big break occurred with the sitcom Everybody Hates Chris when he was only 13 years old, and dealing with the complexities of adolescence in parallel with the advent of the internet was by no means an easy feat.
Meagan Good, whose talent has painted the silver screen with iconic performances in Doogie Howser, M.D., Eve’s Bayou, and Friday, had an abundant career since childhood. However, her transition to adult roles was not seamless. Despite entering her early 20s, she often found herself tied to characters significantly younger than her, often on the threshold of adulthood.
The Mowry sisters, Tia & Tamera, had a firm hold on the audience through the ’90s and the 2000s. Yet, their experience as young Black talent navigating predominantly white spaces in Hollywood significantly differed from their counterparts. Tia Mowry has been vocal about the discriminatory practices, subtle biases, and unequal pay that she and her sister confronted during their early acting days.
Almost synonymous with her starring role in That’s So Raven, Raven-Symoné had grown up under the public gaze. Alongside the thrill of pursuing her passion, she also faced enormous pressure and experienced trauma in her personal life. Among many shocking revelations, she noted the extreme steps she took for undergoing breast reduction and liposuction surgeries at the tender age of 15.
Keke Palmer’s early moments of fame were tinged by the discomforting critiques she heard from adults. She elaborated on the adversity she faced where individuals demeaned her parents due to her higher earnings, despite her young age.
Jaleel White, resoundingly remembered for his iconic portrayal as Steve Urkel, managed to stay free from the usual difficulties confronted by many child actors. A significant aspect of this was his mother’s rigorous protection, ensuring a firm partition between his personal life and his professional commitments.
Moving beyond her initial child actor phase, Zendaya further established herself in critically-acclaimed platforms such as HBO’s Euphoria and the MCU’s Spider-Man series. In a candid discussion with Vogue, Zendaya divulged the pressures tied to her early career in Hollywood – from delivering stellar performances to becoming the primary earner in her family.
Michael B. Jordan, despite boasting an exhaustive portfolio from his teenage years, never saw himself as a child actor. Perceiving his early stints in The Sopranos and The Wire as pathways to his later success, he has maintained a holistic career outlook.
Skai Jackson has been an integral part of the industry from her early days. Interestingly, she confessed about not having in-depth discussions about being a child actor with her peers. The dawn of the internet era and its implications also significantly influenced her acting journey.
Kenan Thompson, one of Nickelodeon’s most familiar faces owing to his work in All That and Kenan & Kel, did not shy away from discussing the hardships he faced during his time with the network. His experiences were not without their fair share of defeats and setbacks.
Caleb McLaughlin, popularly known for his role in Stranger Things, had his share of discomfort amidst the show’s rising popularity. Having joined the series at only 14, he faced intense prejudice and racism from fans, both online and offline.
Brandy Norwood’s journey through the entertainment industry has been a story of constant triumphs. At 15, she started with a classic debut album and further flourished in both music and acting arenas. Despite her trajectory resembling a fairy tale, the pressures she encountered while transitioning into her adulthood were colossal and overwhelming.