Bella Thorne Reflects on Childhood Stardom and Mental Health
Bella Thorne’s childhood in Hollywood came with significant challenges. As a young star, she faced the expectation to perform on screen as a child and behave like an adult behind the scenes. Thorne started her entertainment career early, first as a model, then moving to television with roles such as in HBO’s “Big Love.” Her rise to fame came in 2010 when she starred as CeCe Jones in Disney Channel’s “Shake It Up,” alongside Zendaya.
During an appearance on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, Thorne discussed how working with adults on set impacted her. She reflected on the pressure to handle adult responsibilities, noting, “I’m expected to be this child, but I’m also working like hours like an adult and being in adult conversations.” She described the difficulties of being held to adult standards for mistakes at a young age.
Growing up in the public eye proved difficult. Thorne admitted, “People can see how I’ve managed it publicly… I don’t know that I ever handled it or balanced it out correctly.” She acknowledged a lack of mental clarity during her formative years. Recently, she worked to change this situation, prioritizing mental health and self-care.
A significant turning point occurred when Thorne turned 18, granting her a sense of freedom from constant oversight. “I was like, ‘I’m free,'” she recalled, highlighting the newfound independence and autonomy.
Thorne also compared her experiences to other Disney stars like Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, and Demi Lovato. She noted the constant comparison to her peers began at age 12. Questions about whether she would follow a similar path to other Disney stars puzzled and stressed her at such a young age.
Having moved beyond her Disney persona, Thorne has pursued a diverse array of roles in film and television. She has also ventured into directing and writing, with plans to further expand her career. In August 2026, she’s slated to write, direct, and star in “Spring Breakers 2,” following the debut of her feature film “Color Your Hurt.”