Entering the workforce at a young age will automatically create opportunity for exploitation and create a realm of being taken advantage of. Often child stars speak about their times in the industry with horror. Very few speak about positive experiences and light-hearted memories, exemplifying how difficult it can be behind the scenes.
This is especially true when looking at how many stars avoid speaking about their childhoods altogether, and if spoken about, a running theme of being objectified emerges. Keke Palmer began her acting journey at just 10 years old with her debut in “Barbershop 2: Back in Business” which was released in 2004. From there her career took off and is still flourishing to this day.
Palmer is a prime example of children who endured the tribulations of being a childhood actor and still succeeded in the long run. Palmer is well-known as being a charismatic person who often makes people laugh with her outgoing personality and humor. So much of what has happened behind the scenes has not come to light, but the little that has showcases how even the most charismatic individuals also get taken advantage of.
Although she does not make it her mission to solely speak on this topic, Palmer openly discusses the emotional toll and trauma caused by entering the industry at such a young age. She often refers to feeling like an object or product rather than an individual. She does not go into how she recovered and found her footing but she exemplifies her strength by putting herself into the industry on her own terms.
Palmer works towards shifting her narrative, speaking about how you are in control of your own narrative. That the traumas of our past do not have to define your future. Many child stars do not adopt this point of view because their trauma is so strong and creates habits that are hard to break.
Keke Palmer is a great example of a child star who relied only on herself to push past the obstacles embedded in order to succeed. Her success is one so widely known but mostly due to her own accord. Many child stars do not prevail in the way that Palmer did. Not many have the will to persevere in a world where they are treated like products. It is important to note that more exposure to ideals and mindsets like these have the possibility to assist current child actors out of the fixed control that the industry brings.
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