Alyson Stoner Reveals Financial Ruin After Two Decades In Hollywood

Alyson Stoner spent nearly two decades in the entertainment industry before discovering their bank account was empty. The former Disney child star, who began performing at age 3, had danced alongside Missy Elliott and starred in films like “Cheaper by the Dozen” and “Camp Rock.” Expecting to find more than a million dollars saved from years of work, Stoner instead saw zero dollars. That revelation became a pivotal story in their memoir, Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything.

A Career’s Earnings Disappear

Speaking to Fox News Digital, Stoner explained that even with frugal habits, loopholes in the industry allow for a child’s earnings to be mishandled. They were in their early twenties when they made the discovery. With help from their older sister, Stoner reviewed years of records and learned their business team had mismanaged funds, spending on lavish gifts, while their mother, a career bookkeeper, took regular salaries and one-off payments. Maintaining a Hollywood career also came with substantial expenses, and there had been no conversations about saving or budgeting. Fifteen years of work had left Stoner with what they described as “a crumbling house of cards.”

They noted that auditioning alone can cost between $10,000 and $20,000 annually, and many artists lose money pursuing roles. Despite meeting with an entertainment lawyer, Stoner chose not to pursue legal action against their mother out of loyalty and compassion, especially given her struggles with alcohol.

The Price Of Growing Up In Hollywood

Stoner recalled being recruited into the industry at age 6 after attending a performance convention in New York. Coming from a Midwestern family with no industry ties, they had no aspirations to become a performer. Yet, agents, managers, and casting directors funneled them into a system that treated children as products. At that age, Stoner could not understand the long-term consequences of corporations owning their name and likeness, and their family was unprepared for the demands of 80-hour workweeks that disrupted normal childhood development.

Years in the spotlight brought dangers, including stalkers, kidnapping threats, grueling schedules, and constant scrutiny over appearance. Stoner developed an eating disorder while trying to meet the industry’s expectations. They prepared to audition for “Hunger Games” at 17 while attending a medical weight-loss camp, ultimately falling into “starvation mode” before binge eating. The role went to Jennifer Lawrence. By that time, their body was showing signs of strain, and they sought treatment after realizing the potential for fatal consequences.

Another challenge came from being cast in more provocative roles as they aged. Stoner described auditions where they were coached to be suggestive opposite adults, often without guardians present, creating opportunities for exploitation. They said they have heard many similar accounts from other young actors coerced into performing beyond what was originally agreed upon.

Advocacy And Life Beyond Acting

Today, Stoner runs Movement Genius, an online platform aimed at making mental health resources more accessible. They also work as a Disney voice actor and focus on advocating for the next generation of child performers. Stoner encourages parents to start with local community theater so children can have developmentally appropriate experiences, noting that the current industry is not equipped to provide them.

Stoner’s memoir, which also addresses broader cultural issues, offers readers an inside look at the realities of growing up on set. “Come for the childhood chaos. Stay for the cultural critique,” they said, reflecting on the lessons learned from both the hardships and opportunities of a life in entertainment.