Demi Lovato is returning to the Disney orbit.
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The former child star is making her directorial debut with a buzzy documentary for Hulu, which is owned by the company that famously launched Lovato’s career. Fittingly, Child Star , as the film has been titled, examines the high highs and low lows of growing up in that spotlight. But rather than have it focus solely on Lovato’s past, which has been the subject of other docs, this one will incorporate her intimate and, at times, heart-breaking conversations with other former child stars, including Drew Barrymore, Kenan Thompson, Christina Ricci, Raven-Symoné, JoJo Siwa and Lovato’s Camp Rock co-star Alyson Stoner. The film, which runs a little over 90 minutes, is set to premiere Sept. 17.
“I’m so proud to make my directorial debut with this documentary that sheds light on the complexities of child stardom, a topic that is very close to my heart,” Lovato said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter . “I want to thank our cast for being so vulnerable with their stories and our contributors for sharing their knowledge to help push the conversation forward. I hope viewers will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and pressures faced by young people in the industry so we can achieve our goal of creating a safer and more supportive environment for future generations young talents in entertainment, social media and beyond.”
Nicola Marsh, who serves as Lovato’s co-director on the project, brought a different skillset, having helmed prior docs including Netflix’s Stay on Board: The Leo Baker Story. As for this subject matter’s appeal, she noted: “It was a real peek of what it was like to handle meteoric fame in childhood and all the pressures that come along with that. It looks so fun and glamorous on the outside but actually it’s really challenging to be forming your identity as a kid while also commodifying yourself.”
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Child Star is produced by OBB Media founder and CEO Michael D. Ratner, who directed and produced Lovato’s last doc, 2021’s Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil , along with Scott Ratner, Miranda Sherman, Kfir Goldberg and Lovato. It’s executive produced by Marsh, SB’s Scooter Braun, Scott Manson, Jen McDaniels and James Shin. Finally, Glenn Stickley serves as a co-executive producer on the project, which was first announced in early 2023. At that time, Lovato and team had yet to reveal who might sit for the doc. Ultimately, they lined up an impressive mix of subjects, which span multiple generations and projects. There are also activists, representatives and journalists who serve as talking heads.
“We’re so grateful to Hulu for giving this project a platform, and to all the child stars who participated in this project and helped us pull back the curtain of this world. Without their vulnerability and trust we wouldn’t have been able to tell this story,” added Ratner, whose other credits include his 2024 The Kid Laroi doc Kids Are Growing Up and the Justin Bieber docuseries Seasons . “We’re fortunate that OBB and Demi have had a long-standing partnership, and we’re exceptionally proud to be the producers behind her directorial debut. Demi and Nicola Marsh co-directed an incredible film that shines a light on an important issue, and our hope is that this film will positively affect the next generation of kids working in this evolving media landscape.”
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