Christy Carlson Romano is opening up about a chapter of her life that fans never saw. In her new memoir“Once Upon a Trainwreck: The Rise and Fall of a Child Star,”out October 6, the former Disney Channel star says her wholesome image hid cocaine use, bulimia, and months of nonstop partying in Los Angeles. She writes that she first tried cocaine at a Halloween party at Paris Hilton’s home, and that she became bulimic to“feel something,”dropping to a size 00.
Romano says she spent six months partying all night and sleeping all day before realizing the lifestyle was going to kill her. She ultimately chose to leave that world behind, a decision she now describes as a turning point. In addition to the memoir, she recently made headlines for claiming her ex-boyfriend and“Cadet Kelly”co-star Shawn Ashmore ghosted her because she“wasn’t famous enough.”
Her story adds to ongoing conversations about what young fame costs child stars, how eating disorders hide in plain sight, and the double standards women face in Hollywood dating. Whether you grew up watching her or not, it is a candid look at the price of the spotlight.
What’s one story from a former child star that changed how you see Hollywood? Sound off in the comments.
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.