UPDATE: Former child actors are urgently responding to controversial remarks made by Megyn Kelly regarding the victims of convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Kelly’s comments on her podcast questioning Epstein’s classification as a pedophile have sparked outrage, leading to a social media movement among actors who experienced similar exploitation in their youth.
In an emotional post, actress Melissa Gilbert, known for her role in “Little House on the Prairie,” shared a photo of herself at the age of 15 under the trending hashtag #iWasFifteen. Gilbert stated, “After seeing many women’s posts with the hashtags #iwasfifteen #imfifteen #iwasachild, I decided to google search myself at that age and see what came up. And this is some of what I found … and now, at this age, at this time, I am actually nauseated.”
Gilbert reflected on her past, highlighting the disparity between her youthful innocence and the expectations placed on her as an actress. “The girl on vacation in Hawaii with her family is the same girl who was expected to ‘fall in love with’ and kiss a man on film who was several years older than she was,” she continued. “I WAS A CHILD.”
The backlash intensified as other former child stars joined the conversation. Actress Christina Ricci, famous for her role as Wednesday in the “Addams Family” films, called Kelly a “danger to children” in her social media response.
Valerie Bertinelli, another prominent former child actress from “One Day At a Time,” also shared a similar sentiment, posting her own 15-year-old photo with the declaration, “I’m FIFTEEN. I’M A CHILD. It doesn’t matter that I got a job. It doesn’t matter what I was doing. I was a child.”
These poignant messages not only challenge Kelly’s statements but also highlight the broader issue of child exploitation in the entertainment industry. The hashtag #iWasFifteen has become a rallying cry, encouraging others to share their stories and photos from when they were minors.
This social media movement is gaining traction, with many urging public figures to approach discussions about child safety and exploitation with greater sensitivity. The emotional impact of these revelations underscores the importance of protecting children, regardless of their professional circumstances.
As this story develops, it is clear that the conversation surrounding child safety in the entertainment industry is far from over. Public figures and advocates are now calling for more awareness and stringent measures to protect young talent.
Expect to see continued responses from both sides as this issue unfolds. The urgency of the matter resonates deeply as more individuals share their experiences and challenge the narratives surrounding childhood exploitation.
