The Burnouts with Phoebe & Sophia Meet the Disney Child Star Who Exposed Hollywood and Took Back Their Power (ft. Alyson Stoner)
Aug 14, 2025
Alyson Stoner, a former Disney star and mental health advocate, shares her journey through the pressures of Hollywood. She opens up about battling an eating disorder and the quest for self-discovery. The discussion highlights the toxic environment of child stardom and the false promises of 'exposure.' Alyson reveals powerful tools for mental health management, emphasizing mindfulness and the importance of reclaiming personal agency. She reflects on finding purpose beyond fame and navigating the challenges of social media, while advocating for a healthier approach to success.
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Turning Point: Treatment Changed Everything
- Alyson Stoner stepped away from Hollywood after inpatient treatment for an eating disorder forced her to re-evaluate her life.
- Treatment shifted her view from being a product to seeing herself as a human worth protecting.
The Toddler-To-Train-Wreck Pipeline
- Stoner calls child performer pipelines developmentally inappropriate and emotionally costly for kids pushed into adult roles.
- She links loss of play and permanent digital footprints to identity harm for young performers.
Early Jobs Shaped Self Image
- Alyson describes early jobs like a Hallmark commercial and being cut from a Barbie ad for not looking like Barbie, which affected her self-image.
- By eight or nine she was in Missy Elliott's video and had to operate in public as a recognizable figure.
