She was a bright-eyed child with a sparkle that could light up a room.
By the time she was six, she was already on television screens across America.
But behind the scenes, her life was filled with misery.
Homeschooled and isolated
Looking at childhood photos of this young actress, it’s hard to imagine that such a small, innocent-looking girl could carry so much weight.
The truth is, her early years were far from easy. She grew up under the shadow of a controlling parent and constant financial struggles, while a serious health issue in the family added even more pressure to an already fragile household.
Instead of simply being a kid, she quickly became the one carrying her family’s hopes — and sometimes, their burdens — on her young shoulders.
Born on June 26, 1992, in California, this famous woman grew up in Garden Grove in a modest household. Her family were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was homeschooled and isolated from peers.
Her mother, who developed compulsive hoarding habits following a cancer diagnosis, filled the house with clutter. The children often slept on Costco trifold gymnastics mats in the living room because their bedrooms were so packed that it was impossible to find or use the beds.
Her mother’s husband, whom she grew up believing was her biological father, worked two jobs to support the family. Later in life, after her mother’s passing, she discovered that he was not her biological father.
Her mother pushed her
It’s said that the future star first became interested in acting after watching Harrison Ford in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, shortly after her mother recovered from breast cancer.
It was her mother who pushed relentlessly for her daughter to become a Hollywood star. That pursuit twas largely driven by the belief that her daughter’s success could help bring money into the family.
”I think [my mother] wanted me to have a better life than she had,” she reflected.
She launched her acting career in 2000 at just eight years old, making her debut on the adult comedy sketch show Mad TV.
By the time she reached her teens, she had become the main financial support for her family.But fame and fortune came with a heavy price: relentless pressure, intense scrutiny, and a sense that nothing she did was ever enough.
Despite her cheerful on-screen persona, the child star struggled with anxiety, body image issues, and a deep sense of isolation. Simple milestones like a first period or a first kiss were complicated by the glare of the public eye.
And her mother’s grip was still tight, managing every aspect of her life.
Her mother was “a narcissist” who subjected her to emotional, mental, and physical abuse. She pressured her into acting from a young age and even encouraged disordered eating. Shockingly, she continued to insist on giving her daughter showers into her late teens, claiming she wasn’t washing properly.
