When Brittany Murphy died, when Lindsay Lohan was imprisoned, when Britney Spears shaved her hair, the question was asked: what have we done to these children ? We all love rags to riches stories, but it seems like people love rags to riches almost as much as rags to riches – or say, fame to failure. What happens when a successful young artist becomes a has-been star? The high-profile problems of celebrities like Michael Jackson and Gary Coleman reinforce the truth that almost every child who has worked in the entertainment industry has struggled as an adult. While some may argue that several child stars have gone on to have stable and successful careers as adults, we argue here that many celebrities who were exposed to the spotlight from a young age are scarred for life by their early success and fame. tend to compensate for the childhood they were deprived of during their last years of life. There is a central notion that there seems to be a mysterious curse surrounding child stars. These young celebrities are often described as being “too young” or “marked for life” by success (WLVDialogue, 2009). According to Dr Jane O'Connor (2009), an expert on child stars at the School of Education at the University of Wolverhampton, child stars do not have the routine that most children usually enjoy. They often struggle to have a childhood due to the high demands of the show business lifestyle. This reinforces the idea that childhood is a private space for the development of a person's identity and personality. Childhood is a special time that comes only once and if you miss it, problematic repercussions can manifest on adult identity. Children are gathered from what they see and hear every day ... middle of paper ... children, and most of their time should be spent creating their own private space. During our childhood, we build the seeds of creativity that will ultimately determine our personality. And as adults, we always return to the wonders of our youth. Show business is very difficult for anyone, especially children. Children have no place in the entertainment industry. Young stars often complain of a stolen childhood, the pressure they face from a young age forcing them to mature quickly, and the risks of exposure to dirty show business while they are still children innocent and playful. Celebrities who were exposed to the spotlight from a young age are scarred for life by their early successes and tend to compensate for the childhood they were deprived of in their later years of life. “Fame is a fickle thing; It's just not worth wasting your life.”