The entertainment industry has long captivated the masses, with many harboring childhood dreams of stardom, inspired by the shows and performers that graced our TVs and radios. As a kid, I vaguely remember attending a handful (maybe three) cattle call auditions, a fleeting flirtation with a career path that never materialized. Unlike some child actors who expressed a strong aspiration for the spotlight, my family and I maintained a more relaxed attitude, open to opportunities if they arose but not actively pursuing the limelight. The stable family environment I thankfully grew up in and protective parents who actually responsibly parented, in the bigger picture, explains why I probably never continued onto the acting camps. Looking back, I am relieved my young self and siblings were not pushed into stardom, to be in those production environments now under scrutiny.
The internet and social media, for all their virtues and vices, has given individuals the ability to reveal the stark realities of their experiences. Janette McCurdy’s book “I’m Glad My Mom Died” serves as a poignant example. Even though I started reading it and found it eyeopening—rating it highly and I do still recommend it—I ultimately decided not to finish due to its heartbreaking portrayal of Janette’s childhood. The avoidable suffering inflicted by the adults in her life, who should have protected her, is a painful truth. Janette’s narrative reflects the experiences of numerous child stars, and with the documentary series Quiet on Set, additional voices are empowered to shed light on a story that should never have occurred but needs to be told.
The widespread disgust towards these revelations and the hope for further exposing are sentiments shared by many. Unfortunately, throughout Hollywood’s history, power dynamics have fueled the exploitation of the innocent and vulnerable. From Weinstein to Schneider to Diddy and countless other powerful figures who have exploited their influence, especially towards youth, it is so important to continue uncovering the truth so proper action can be taken and a final stop to this abuse can happen.
