The side effects of fame

A former Disney star shares her experience.

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In a Nutshell Hollywood culture has always intrigued me. As an avid follower of many celebs as a kid, I find myself wondering where they're at now. And as someone who's passionate about mental health, I'm hoping they're all OK. On that note, I'm super excited to introduce today's Q&A guest to speak about her decades spent in the Hollywood spotlight –– former Disney star and current podcast queen Christy Carlson Romano. After that, be on the lookout for some other must-reads: • Kindle Paperwhite • Are bananas good to eat for UTIs? • 16 healthiest saltiest snacks Be well, Morgan Mandriota Newsletter Editor, Healthline

Written by Morgan Mandriota September 1, 2023 • 5 min read

Disney's "Even Stevens" and "Kim Possible" actor Christy Carlson Romano isn't afraid to talk about her time in the spotlight. She even has a podcast called "Vulnerable" where she interviews fellow stars about their experiences, too. Below, she shares how the limelight has affected her physical and mental health over the years. *This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Q: You've talked extensively about "toxic Hollywood culture," especially working as a child actor for multiple hit Disney shows. Can you share more about your experience as a child actor and navigating the aftermath of it? A: I've been very vocal about my coming-of-age experience, which is not everyone's experience. Some are on the spectrum of positive and negative and all the things in between. I'm very happy that our society is talking about mental health. In a very accepting way, I have used my platforms to unpack different aspects of what it means to be a high performing child, which isn't just relegated to actors and actresses that are minors. I think this is a mentality that Americans have when they look at how competitive kids need to be at an early age to succeed in life. I think a lot of people can relate to this. Q: Was there a particular reason that motivated you to move from LA to Texas? A: What inspired me to move there was that there were fires in California in 2021, and 2020 had been a long, grueling year of being stuck inside. And, like everybody, I wanted to get more space and find a new community. Not that my community in Orange County, where I lived at the time, was a problem. It was just that I was kind of curious about the world outside of my house. I'm really happy that I made a change, and it's really great here in Austin. My well-being is great because of my proximity to Hollywood as a whole. I'd lived there in my 20s and experienced a different side of the industry after Disney. And now that I'm in Austin, I can really focus on being a parent and what that looks like for me. Q: How do you stay on top of your health while parenting and living your own life on top of an already busy career? A: Well, namely, I definitely try to stick to having more structure in my life. When I was growing up, I didn't have a ton of structure just on the basis of being a young performer. I do try certain things that set me up for success, like hydrate and take vitamins and whatnot. Q: What do you wish more people knew about the reality about being famous at a young age? A: I think people have a firm understanding of what fame can do to other people, but I also don't know if they realize that it can really alter your options later in life. Most stage parents are very well-meaning when they start off. They just see that their kid is talented, and they want them to do their best. But sometimes, doing their best means not being famous. I'm an advocate for letting kids have a normal childhood and that being just as meaningful and important as having a famous one. Scroll down to the end of this email to rate this interview!

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health stories you need What we're reading next 🍌 Bananas for UTIs. You've probably heard about cranberry juice. But what about bananas? 👶🏻 A no BS guide to birth control. Birth control can be a lot more than pregnancy prevention. This handy guide can help protect your — and your partner's — health. 🧬 New genes linked to breast cancer. Researchers recently identified several new genes that may be connected to risk of developing the condition. 🧂 16 healthy salty snacks. All salty bites may be delicious, but they're not created equal in terms of healthiness.

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