Alyson Stoner Helped Demi Lovato in Tough Times

Demi Lovato recently opened up about a difficult moment she experienced with former co-star Alyson Stoner in the new Hulu documentary Child Star, which she co-directed alongside Nicola Marsh. In the documentary, Lovato, who identifies with she/they pronouns, recounted an incident during the filming of Camp Rock when Stoner followed her into the bathroom after sensing something was wrong. Lovato revealed that she was dealing with purging issues and felt grateful for Stoner's compassionate response during that tough time.

Both Lovato and Stoner have publicly discussed their struggles with eating disorders, stemming from the pressures of child stardom. Lovato expressed appreciation for Stoner's understanding in a moment when she could have easily felt shame. Stoner echoed this feeling, acknowledging that their outward struggles were just one layer of their deeper experiences.

Child Star is part of a wave of documentaries that reveal the darker side of child acting. Lovato has been sharing her personal journey since her first documentary, Demi Lovato: Stay Strong, in 2012, followed by Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated (2017) and Demi Lovato: Dancing With the Devil (2021). In Child Star, she brings together a notable lineup of former child actors, including Drew Barrymore, Kenan Thompson, Christina Ricci, Jojo Siwa, and Raven-Symoné, to share their insights and experiences.

During their time on Camp Rock, Lovato and Stoner grew close, but by 2010, their relationship had changed significantly. Stoner noted that the bond they once shared had weakened, describing the working environment as "walking on eggshells." Their participation in Child Star required them to mend their relationship after nearly 15 years apart.

In the documentary, Lovato sincerely apologized to Stoner, expressing regret for any discomfort she may have caused in the past. The two shared an emotional exchange, reflecting on the self-esteem challenges they both faced during their childhoods in the spotlight. Stoner recounted a particularly dark time during a Camp Rock press event, where she felt immense pressure about her looks.

Lovato acknowledged the privilege of her situation but admitted she felt overwhelmed as a teenager. The documentary aims to highlight that the cast of former child stars is not just a testament to the difficulties of early fame but also showcases their resilience and ability to thrive. Child Star is currently available for streaming on Hulu.