A former child star—who rose to fame in early-2000s family films—is making waves with a deeply personal new memoir. In it, they share the psychological struggles and physical toll of childhood stardom: everything from eating disorders and anxiety to a long journey through inpatient treatment starting at age 17. Now in their early 30s, they’ve turned that pain into purpose.

Alongside releasing their book, they’ve launched a mental-health initiative aimed at protecting today’s young performers. This includes training tools and resources for industry insiders to safeguard the emotional well-being of child talent. Their resilience shines through: what began as a cautionary tale has become a powerful call for systemic change in entertainment.