Rating: 4.5/5 stars

At a young age, we are usually asked what we want to be when we grow up. A popular thought that crosses the mind is an actor or something to do with fame and fortune. But what does being famous mean? Especially as a child?

Demi Lovato (“Camp Rock”) explores these questions in the Hulu documentary “Child Star” by pulling from their own experience with Disney Channel, as well as others who grew up in the industry. This includes, but is not limited to, Christina Ricci (“Wednesday”), Drew Barrymore (“Smile 2”) and Kenan Thompson (“Saturday Night Live”).

Lovato interviews their fellow actors in a tasteful manner, never peppering them with questions that may influence the surfacing of past traumatic events. They also make sure to get their point straight across: Being a child in the acting industry has a different impact for everyone, but a common theme underlying it all is the stress that comes with being in the limelight.

Though we might already have a small understanding of what comes with being famous, “Child Star” shows the harsh reality. An impact on mental health and a disconnect from people at a similar age as yourself are just a couple examples mentioned in the documentary.

Besides the content itself, the movie has a welcoming aesthetic. Between opening with interviews with children to engaging in discussion at a coffee shop, Lovato does their best to invite viewers into understanding the world of acting. They balance the impactful subject matter with a warm atmosphere in a way that does not seem out of place, mellowing the harshness without getting rid of the message’s importance 

However, there are some instances where the documentary lacks, leaving the audience with more questions. Even just an extra thirty minutes would have provided a bit more clarity and a chance to go more in-depth. 

There are also some points in the film that can start to feel a tad redundant and boring. This may have audience members fleeing to use the bathroom or whip out their phones to pass the time. Lovato relies on a lot of the downsides to the industry, so much so that it might actually deter people from wanting to pursue a career. Though this was their reality, that is not the case for a couple actors, such as Barrymore who felt loved and supported while on set as a kid. 

However, this is not to say that viewers should completely overlook the darkness of the acting world. They simply need to understand that a sort of balance is needed to go forward.

In hindsight, “Child Star” effectively shows what it is like to grow up as a child actor. Anyone interested in being an actor (even if you are past being a kid) should watch this documentary. Even if you are not planning on becoming famous, it can be enjoyed from any standpoint. That being said, the rating is TV-MA, so it is not intended for a younger audience.

Image by Demi Lovato  from Youtube