The Hypersexualization of Child Stars

Child actor sexualization has been a recurring issue for a long time. Many famous child actors such as Brooke Shields, Natalie Portman, and Millie Bobby Brown have been sexualized in the media. This constant repetition has made it seem normal to society to sexualize young girls both in media and in their subconscious thoughts. Objectification theory, as described by Fredrickson and Roberts, states that daily exposure to sexualizing practices can lead to negative psychological outcomes. This is because society treats individuals on and off-screen, which reflects in the way individuals treat themselves. For example, if young girls watch television shows where girls are scrutinized for their appearances, they will likely view their own bodies the same way. Additionally, teenagers are often cast to play younger characters, setting unattainable feminine ideals for young girls who may sacrifice their health to achieve them. TV shows like 'Victorious', 'ICarly', 'Teenwolf', and 'Austin and Ally' often cast actors who are much older to play high schoolers, such as Ally from 'Austin and Ally' playing a 15-year-old when she was actually 18. Child actor Jannette McCurdy, who played the character Sam in 'ICarly' and 'Sam and Cat', wrote about her experience growing up in the industry in her book 'I'm Glad My Mom Died'. In the book, she reflects on the years of disordered eating she had to endure in order to stay small and look young enough to book teen roles on TV, despite being in her 20s. McCurdy is a powerful example of how these idealistic standards of 'the child' heavily impact the audience and the actresses who are forced to fit into the mold. 

Ariana Greenblatt, aged 16

Many significant child actors that we know of today have grown up within the entertainment industry and have voiced out about their experience of being sexualized as young actors and actresses in their career. Many young actresses have expressed the unfortunate reality they had to deal with in order to do their job seriously. Former Disney star and all-time camp rock favourite Alyson Stoner talked about the sexual harassment and other forms of mistreatment she experiences as a child actor. “The onset of puberty has turned my waist and bust into the main objects of attention and inspection. This will also categorize my career trajectory,” she continues. “I’ve learned that it is safer to dissociate in order to survive what my mind and body are subjected to daily. I’ll be numb for another five years, but all you will see is the ever-highly-functioning, Smiling Girl #437.” Child actors have expressed discomfort with the way their careers have been sexualized. In a personal essay published in 2021 for Harper’s Bazaar U.K, The O.C star Misca Barton discusses the long-term effects of being sexualized as a teenager that takes a toll on her mental health. She goes on to say “The truth is that sexuality has always been a component of my career. Even from a young age, I was sexualized” 

Furthermore, one of Hollywood's most recognized child actors, Drew Barrymore shared that while she experienced sexual harassment as a child star, she felt like she couldn't speak up about it because the situations were so confusing for her at the time. “I didn’t feel like I could speak to it because I experienced so many things that were so inappropriate at such a young age that I was so confused about what I was accountable for, what did I put myself into, where was I, was I a part of things. We were children," she said.

“The onset of puberty has turned my waist and bust into the main objects of attention and inspection. This will also categorize my career trajectory,”

Alyson Stoner

Girls Vs Boys

While there has been a shift in Western media towards the increased sexualisation of young boys it still pales in comparison to the longstanding phenomenon of objectifying young girls. With Hollywood's deep immersion into the Lolita complex. In 1932 Shirley Temple was portrayed as an exotic dancer at the age of 3. Demonstrating how young girls' innocence has long been exploited and commercialized with little girls becoming sex symbols. 

Unlike men such as George Clooney and Brad Pitt who became “silver foxes” with age. Female stars are deemed “washed up” and “past their best before date”. Male stars reach their peak earnings at 34 whereas males peak at 51. Hollywood is run by white, older men who fetishize young girls. Mulvey writes “In reality the fantasy world of the screen is subject to the law which produces it”. On-screen, we witness older men retaining lead roles, showcasing their enduring value in an industry where ageism runs rampant. This perpetuates a cycle where those in positions of power, often older white men themselves, avoid being labeled as "past their best before date," while women are viewed as disposable commodities catering to the male gaze until they are replaced by younger talent.

This limited window of sexuality for women leads to the hypersexualisation of young girls. As there is only a limited time for women to be seen as desirable. While there are examples of young male stars such as Finn Wolfhard getting sexualised this is nothing in comparison to the plethora of young female actors. At the ripe age of 13 Milly Bobby Brown was pictured in a magazine which read “Why TV Is Sexier Than Ever”. 

On popular shows such as Victorious and Drake and Josh young female actors are pictured in tight-fitting tank tops and short skirts while their male counterparts are dressed in loose t-shirts and button-ups. These shows are also rife with sexual innuendos primarily targeting female cast members in Victorious star Daniella Monet recounts having to eat a pickle while applying lip gloss. Hollywood has homogenized young girls acting out directors such as Dan Schinder and Harvey Weinstein's perverted fantasies. These sexual themes are so normalized and ingrained in children's Television that their prevalence only becomes evident when pointed out to viewers.

This hypersexualization of young female celebrities contributes to the objectification of girls by boys and fosters self-objectification among girls themselves. Although self-objectification can occur in both genders, research indicates that women tend to experience it to a significantly higher degree, influenced by the prevailing cultural discourse ingrained in them from an early age.