Rose McGowan spoke out against child stardom following the death of fellow “Scream” actress Hayden Panettiere at 36. The 52-year-old star cautioned parents, stressing, “None of this is normal.” McGowan and Panettiere both appeared in the Scream franchise and began their careers as child actors. Panettiere made her acting debut as a baby, while McGowan first appeared on screen in the 1992 comedy Encino Man.
Rose McGowan criticized child stardom while mourning fellow “Scream” actress Hayden Panettiere
The Charmed actress shared the message in an Instagram post on August 21, writing, “Rest in Power. Don’t put kids in show business. None of this is normal. May her spirit be free of those who orchestrated.” McGowan’s comments came as Panettiere’s death prompted a broader conversation about the experiences of former child actors.
McGowan isn’t alone in raising concerns about child stardom following Panettiere’s death. Christy Carlson Romano also opened up about the emotional toll and challenges that can come with growing up famous.
The 42-year-old, who rose to fame as Ren Stevens on Disney’s Even Stevens in 2000, wrote for Elle on August 18. She stated, “Kid actors have something major in common: rejection. We’re rejected from auditions more times before we’re 10 than most people accrue in 10 lifetimes. Those of us who make it are given the adoration of saints—and then, if we don’t climb to A-list fast enough, we’re torn down as if we’ve committed some unspeakable mortal sin. All before our frontal lobes have fully formed.”
She also highlighted the link between childhood fame and addiction. She warned that the entertainment industry can leave young performers with lasting emotional wounds. Romano explained, “Early fame is like CTE. Not as a diagnosis. As a way of thinking about repeated impact.”
Panettiere was found unresponsive at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 16. She was in cardiac arrest when emergency responders arrived. The cause of death remains under investigation. The actress openly discussed her struggles with alcohol use and opioid addiction. She recalled in a 2022 People interview that the drugs made her feel “peppy” during interviews. She said, “I had no idea that this was not an appropriate thing, or what door that would open for me when it came to my addiction.”
Her parents, Skip Panettiere and Lesley Vogel, survive her. Her mother, Lesley, formerly managed her career. She also has a daughter, Kaya Klitschko. Panettiere welcomed Kaya in 2014 with her former fiancé, heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko.
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