"For a time, I kind of struggled and fought for these roles I just desperately desired."

It can be challenging to make the transition from a child actor to a serious adult actor. Many say it is difficult for a child star to move from a role that has been viewed as a success by the public and producers.

These former child actors often struggle to make the transition into more mature projects, and are typecast in roles that they played as children. It's not always easy for stars to grow up in the spotlight. But many have done it, even with some bumps along the road.

These child stars share their experiences of growing up on the stage.

1. Zendaya

Zendaya says that having a "very specific vision" for her future career was important when she officially ended her time at Disney Channel. Zendaya chose to wait for the right role to come along, rather than rushing into it.

"When I was not in a position to say no, I would agree to everything. But, when it didn't feel right, it always came back to haunt. I have also learned how to deal with this...by not allowing myself to stress or worry about what the next step is or will be. The right thing will come, and it will happen at the perfect time. "Until then, focus on you and don't worry about how it appears to others," she told Vogue Australia.

2. Hilary Duff

Hilary Duff says that she struggled to shed the "Lizzie McGuire persona" when she was in her 20s. As she attended castings, producers complimented her acting abilities but did not want to hire because of her teenage stardom.

"I certainly went through a lot of frustrations, wondering why I couldn't get a chance to be someone else. There are only a few people who can play characters and be hired to perform roles that are completely different. Before I became a mother, between the ages of 21 and 25, there was a great deal of frustration. When I got to the producer callbacks, they would say, "She's great and she gave us best reading, but she is Hilary Duff ...'"," she told Cosmopolitan.

3. Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez felt stuck in her Disney Channel roles for most of her teenage years. She says that when she wanted to play more mature characters, it was difficult to get people to take her seriously.

"I'm glad I finally got through it, but the frustration was intense. I felt like a joke, you know?" She told The Hollywood Reporter.

4. Brenda Song

Brenda Song was featured in numerous Disney Channel shows and movies as a child. The half-Hmong, half-Thai actress, who is half-Thai and half-Hmong, says that the Disney Channel was "ahead of its time" in terms of "colorblind cast" and allowed her the opportunity to represent Asian children on television. Brenda was told that she wasn't Asian-enough for Asian roles when she began to play roles outside of the teen TV. She was not even allowed to audition for "Crazy Rich Asian" despite many people claiming that her "Suite Life's" London Tipton is the original.

In a few words, they said that my appearance was not Asian enough. It broke my heart. I said: "This character is in late to mid-20s and an Asian American. I can't audition for it?" You've let me audition for Caucasian roles all my career, but not this one? You're going blame me for working my entire life? "I was like 'Where am I?'" Brenda told Teen Vogue.

5. Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer started her career as a child and says that she fell into the pattern of "being people-pleaser". Her emotions were often "the last things that people cared about." Keke has said that as she's advanced her career in Hollywood she's had to battle the pressure of being a people pleaser.

"I have fought against that for most of my adulthood, but I am still a new adult. It's my goal to be able to understand myself and not worry that others don't. Keke told InStyle's podcast "Ladies First with Laura Brown" that sometimes it's easier to do things because she doesn't need to please anyone but herself.

6. Vanessa Hudgens

Vanessa Hudgens was ready to move on to more mature roles after she finished filming the third film in "High School Musical". She says she was forced to fight for roles that would advance her career for a while, as casting directors still saw Gabriella Montez from "HSM".

"For a time, I struggled and fought for these roles I so desperately wanted. The transition was difficult, but life is always hard. I am proud to say that I have succeeded! It's an entirely new chapter!" Untitled Magazine quoted her.

7. Victoria Justice

Victoria Justice, a former child star of "Victorious", "Zoey 101", and "Annie" admits, "Transitioning from being a child to becoming an adult can be a difficult thing." She says that although it is a difficult experience, the fact her fans always have her back has made the transition easier for her.

"I started watching Nickelodeon when I was 12, and now I'm 21, so I feel that many of the people I watched on 'Victorious,' 'Zoey 101,' and other shows have grown up with me." "I feel like people are ready to see my in a part like this [in MTV’s ‘Eye Candy’], and I am definitely ready to take a lead like this," Victoria told E! News in 2015.

8. Laura Marano

Laura Marano struggled after "Austin & Ally' ended to find her place within the entertainment industry. Laura Marano, who was dropped by two labels before she started her own label, decided to forge her own path after being dropped twice.

I don't need to worry about the politics of labels and what people think of my career. It's amazing to be able to control and own my career the way I choose. Although it would be great to have all the resources of a major record label, it has been amazing to control my own music and release it when and how I choose. It's thrilling to be on this journey, where I am a bit out of my comfort zone but releasing music is exciting. "I'm both scared and happy," she told InStyle.

9. Josh Peck

Josh Peck, who starred in the Nickelodeon series "Drake & Josh", says he was typecast into characters similar to his Nick persona when the show ended. He also says that the money he earned in kids' television was not as much as people thought and gave him only "a year or so of runway" for his next job. Michael Cera or Miles Teller would often get the roles he was vying for, making it difficult to progress in his career.

"For many years, when I entered an audition room, and Miles was there, I would turn around and say, "Have fun, Miles." Josh told Insider, "You're going to kill it."

10. Jessica Marie Garcia

Jessica Marie Garcia was known as a teenager for her role in "Liv and Maddie", but she admits that it took her a long time to get away from this part and the other supporting roles she played as a young actor.

Jessica revealed on a panel at TheWrap that "Season 2, of 'On My Block,' is my [first] role as a] regular series...I was a guest for three years and called an expensive additional' which left me in ruins."

11. Devon Werkheiser

Devon Werkheiser, the star of the TV show "Ned’s Declassified Guide to school Survival", thought it would be simple to find work once the show was over. He was wrong. As he searched for more mature roles, Devon Werkheiser realized that he would have to improve his skills. He spent eight years devoted to an acting career, enrolling in classes. But he had no savings left and was forced to take a job at a 9-to-5.

I wanted to find the next big thing that would propel me to a higher level after "Ned's". Devon wrote: "I pushed myself and pushed my way through it from the age of 16 until around 24. But I honestly don't think I got there." "[Running low on savings] was an eye-opener for me. Around this time my parents divorced, so I was really smacked around by life for a bit. "I was unable to reach the next level in my career, and it wasn't easy to navigate through my personal life either."

Devon finally decided to stop trying so hard to escape his past, and instead went back to his roots. He channeled Ned to create a podcast on growing up.

12. Christina Ricci

Christina Ricci was a child star, but she knows it's hard to maintain the same level once you grow up. Christina Ricci says, looking back, that many child actors try to "top" their success and find it nearly impossible.

"I don't think you can ever experience the same level of fame again. As a child I thought that you ended up at the Oscars. She said, "You were always on television" on Larry King Now. "I did not have enough life experience to understand what I was going through. Intellectually, I understood it but emotionally, that's another thing. The rest of your lifetime is spent trying to surpass that. How do you top it?"

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Title: 12 Former Child Stars Who Got Real About Their Acting Careers As Adults
Sourced From: www.toofab.com/2023/05/28/former-child-stars-acting-careers-as-adults/
Published Date: Sun, 28 May 2023 14:04:41 +0000

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