A former Disney star shares her experience.
͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ [Healthline]( [Wellness Wire]( In a Nutshell
Hollywood culture has always intrigued me. As an avid follower of many celebs as a kid, I find myself wondering where theyâre at now. And as someone whoâs passionate about mental health, Iâm hoping theyâre all OK.
On that note, Iâm super excited to introduce todayâs Q&A guest to speak about her decades spent in the Hollywood spotlight ââ 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
Disneyâs âEven Stevensâ and âKim Possibleâ actor [Christy Carlson Romano]( isnât afraid to talk about her time in the spotlight. She even has a podcast called âVulnerableâ 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: Youâve talked extensively about âtoxic Hollywood culture,â 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 everyoneâs 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 isnât 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.
Iâm really happy that I made a change, and itâs really great here in Austin. My well-being is great because of my proximity to Hollywood as a whole. Iâd lived there in my 20s and experienced a different side of the industry after Disney. And now that Iâm in Austin, I can really focus on being a parent and what that looks like for me.
[Dwyane Wade] 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 didnât 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 donât 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. Iâm an advocate for letting kids have a normal childhood and that being just as meaningful and important as having a famous one.
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ð§ [16 healthy salty snacks.]( All salty bites may be delicious, but theyâre not created equal in terms of healthiness. Thanks for reading! What are your thoughts on Hollywood and the effects of being in the spotlight? Let us know at wellnesswire@healthline.com. (Please note that we may use your name and response in an upcoming edition!) Did you enjoy this interview? Until next time,
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