These Are The Worst, Creepiest Child Star Interviews Ever

We often think of child stars as having it all – money at an incredibly young age, a career all set up before they can even drive, and people waiting on them hand and foot. It’s easy to assume their lives are charmed, simple, and totally void of pain.

But as we’ve begun to hear more and more former child stars speak up about the reality of gaining worldwide fame well before growing up, it’s become clear that simplicity and ease aren’t necessarily included in the child star package.

Instead, former child stars like Jennette McCurdy and Alyson Stoner have come forward, letting the world know that childhood stardom isn’t all fun and games, and the sexualization of young Hollywood stars is increasingly coming to light.

Natalie Portman has spoken out about avoiding love scenes due to being “worried about the way [she] was perceived.” She’s also spoken up about her local radio show having started a countdown to her 18th birthday. Mara Wilson’s op-ed for The New York Times detailed being “ashamed” of finding pictures of herself, at age 12, on foot fetish sites or being photoshopped into child pornography. 

But the sexualization of these young stars doesn’t stop there. If these tales aren’t haunting enough, read on to find some of the creepiest child star interviews and moments out there.

Britney Spears

Britney Spears is no stranger to being oversexualized and mistreated – after releasing “Baby One More Time” at just 16, her status as a sex symbol was solidified. This led to countless interviews in which she was questioned about her personal life, virginity, clothing, and possibly the creepiest – her breasts, in an interview she did at just 17. 

Her interviewer creepily opened the subject: “There’s one topic we didn’t discuss that everyone was talking about…your breasts. You seem to get furious when a talk-show host comes up with this subject. In general, what do you think about breast implants?” Spears uncomfortably laughed before stating that while she didn’t have breast implants, she believes people are allowed to do whatever they want.

Also at 17 years old, Spears’ cover of Rolling Stone was released, featuring Spears in tiny pajamas and a black bra on full display, quite the “sexy” cover for an underaged teen. Spears later said, “The images were really cool, but I didn’t know what the hell I was doing…to be totally honest with you, at the time I was 16, so I really didn’t.”