Fergie, singer for Black-Eyed Peas, says that being on the ’80s TV show Kids Incorporated almost ruined her life. “You’re taught not to have tantrums, to always people-please. That’s part of how I got into (drugs) later,” she says, referring to her period of addiction to ecstasy and crystal meth, which she has since kicked, now using hypnotherapy to help deal with cravings.
It would be remarkable if Fergie’s admission were shocking for its novelty, but in fact it’s all-too common. Hollywood has a habit of expecting too much from its younger stars, who are frequently forced to grow up too quickly to deal with the publicity and pressure of being in the spotlight. In the best cases, the period of adjustment is eased by the care and guidance of loving parents, but it’s frequently found that the parents are responsible for wanting this life for their children.
It’s a difficult line to walk between wanting to help your child succeed as an actor or musician and wanting to protect them from all the depredations that such careers typically expose them to. The key is to keep them grounded. Kids in general are attention-seekers and crave approval, and when there are tons of people giving them that approval, they can easily forget what’s important in their lives: family, friends, and health. As parents, it’s up to us to remind our children that not everyone has their best interests at heart. Too many people find kids an easy mark due to their sincerity and eagerness to please. If you are the parent of a kid who wants to get into show business, do yourself a favor and do some research on how the industry works, so you can be prepared for issues like contract negotiations, filming/recording durations, and other legal issues that will eventually come up. The best thing you can do for your future performer is to provide context and unconditional support.
