Drugs at their fingertips, intense pressure: Why child stars fall into addiction
Experts told the BBC the pressures of childhood stardom can put actors at an unusually higher risk of substance abuse issues.
Hayden Panettiere, a child star who rose to fame at the age of 16, tragically died at the age of 36. The cause of death has not yet been determined, but initial reports indicate it was due to cardiac arrest. Panettiere's death has sparked renewed discussions about the pressures faced by child actors, who often struggle with mental health and substance abuse issues.
Addiction experts emphasize that child actors, who are exposed to adult aspects of life during their formative years, face unique risk factors for addiction. Panettiere's memoir revealed her battles with addiction, postpartum depression, and the tragic loss of her 28-year-old brother. Her open discussion of these struggles has been seen as a courageous move, but critics argue that the constant public scrutiny she faced may have hindered her ability to address her mental health privately.
Written by urgent.news from BBC News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
