Alyson Stoner opens up on ‘harrowing’ experience as child star and ‘multi-layered abuse’

Former Disney Channel star Alyson Stoner has opened up about the difficulty of navigating the ‘toddler-to-trainwreck’ pipeline and the ‘harrowing’ experiences she went through. 

The actress, 27, opened up about the ‘peaks and valleys’ of finding fame at such a young age and why so many other stars end up going off the rails.

Speaking in a video op-ed for People, she explained: ‘As someone whose professional career initially spiked at 11 years old and whose face is now the cover of clickbait articles titled “10 Shocking Ways These Child Stars Died,” it’s been a harrowing 80 years. I’m only 27.

‘While traversing extreme peaks and valleys of global fame, hidden medical hospitalisations, artistic milestones, rapid adultification, and multi-layered abuse I wish on no one, I narrowly survived the toddler-to-trainwreck pipeline. 

‘In fact, nothing was designed for me to end up normal, stable, alive.’

Alyson, who had landed roles in movies such as Cheaper By The Dozen and Step Up as well as starring in the Disney Channel’s The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, 

She recalled being six-years-old and auditioning to play a victim of kidnap and rape and being ‘catatonic’ in the car ride to her next audition for a princess toy advert. 

The actress says she checked herself into rehab at 17 against the advice of her team who worried that she would ‘lose momentum’ in her career. 

Alyson adds: ‘ As someone who lived it and witnessed thousands endure alongside me, I can attest that what is missing from the pipeline narrative are clear action plans for intervention, long-term prevention, and accountability from studios, agencies, and guardians.

‘On behalf of the current children being abused right now, there is an opportunity for us to empower each other through honest conversation and collaborative action.’

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