The Hulu documentary is set to premiere on Sept. 17
Demi Lovato believes that there should be “protections” for kids in the spotlight.
On Thursday, Sept. 5, the trailer for Child Star, the documentary marking the actor/musician’s (who uses she/they pronouns) directorial debut was released.
The teaser features footage of Lovato, Drew Barrymore, JoJo Siwa, Kenan Thompson, Raven Symone, Christina Ricci and Alyson Stoner from past and present, as they reflect being thrust into the spotlight at a young age.
“Everyone wanted to make it in the industry at a young age,” said Lovato, 32, in the trailer.
In the clip, the subjects reflect on their experience with substances, financial troubles and dating their costars, while also considering the challenges facing a new generation of kids who are using social media for fame.
“It just scares me to hear that these kids are making tens of millions of dollars. There have to be protections put in place,” said the “Cool for the Summer” singer in the teaser.
The trailer comes full circle at the end back to Lovato’s story.
“I wouldn’t end up where I am had I not made all the choices leading up to this point, but it came at a price,” Lovato said in the voiceover.
Lovato recently opened up about Child Star in a cover story interview with The Hollywood Reporter and explained why she’ll keep her future daughter away from the entertainment industry until she’s an adult.
When asked how they’d react to her child asking to become a performer, Lovato told the publication, “I’d say, ‘Let’s study music theory and prepare you for the day you turn 18, because it’s not happening before that.”
She added: “Not because I don’t believe in you or love you or want you to be happy, but because I want you to have a childhood, the childhood that I didn’t have.'”
The “Heart Attack” performer said they’d want them to have a “backup plan” — “something I wish I’d done because sometimes I think it’s time for me to move on, but I’m in this weird position in my career because I still rely on music for my income.”
Child Star is directed by Lovato and Nicola Marsh and is produced by Demi Lovato and Michael D. Ratner, Scott Ratner, Miranda Sherman, and Kfir Goldberg for OBB Pictures.