The untimely death of actress Hayden Panettiere has renewed conversations about the lack of protections offered to child stars in the film and TV industry.
Several celebrities have spoken out regarding the protection of child actors, including Rose McGowan, Anna Paquin and Melissa Gilbert, who are all calling for tighter regulations.
McGowan and Paquin shared tributes to Panettiere, the Heroes, Nashville and Scream star who died at age 36 on 16 August, with each commenting on the “profoundly sad” treatment of child actors.
“Rest in Power Hayden Panettiere. Don’t put kids in show business,” McGowan – who appeared in the Scream franchise, wrote on social media. “None of this is normal. May her spirit be free of those who orchestrated.”
Paquin, who won an Oscar at the age of 11 for her performance in The Piano and, coincidentally, also appeared in the Scream films, echoed that sentiment, writing: “It’s not a coincidence that so many former, specifically pre-sexualized female, child ‘stars’ have profoundly sad lives and untimely ends,” she wrote on Instagram. “We were not as protected by the ‘systems’ that look great on paper, as we are supposed to be.”
