UPDATE: Former child actors are responding with outrage to comments made by Megyn Kelly regarding victims of sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. On her podcast, Kelly appeared to question whether Epstein was a pedophile, prompting a wave of backlash as actors from the 1970s and 1980s share their own experiences.
Melissa Gilbert, best known for her role in “Little House on the Prairie,” posted a poignant photo of herself at the age of 15 on social media, aligning with the trending hashtag #iWasFifteen. “After seeing many women’s posts with the hashtags #iwasfifteen, #imfifteen, and #iwasachild, I decided to google search myself at that age,” Gilbert wrote. “And now, at this age, I am actually nauseated.”
In her post, Gilbert expressed her disbelief at how society perceived young girls then compared to today. “The girl on vacation in Hawaii with her family is the same girl who was expected to ‘fall in love’ and kiss a man several years older than she was,” she stated, referencing her character’s relationship on the show. With a sense of urgency, she emphasized, “I WAS A CHILD.”
Gilbert also reflected on her fortune in having supportive figures around her during that formative time. “Thank God my mom and co-star Michael Landon were there to make sure I was safe. Can you imagine if I hadn’t had them?” Her words resonate deeply as they highlight the vulnerability of young actors in the entertainment industry.
Christina Ricci, who portrayed Wednesday Addams in the iconic “Addams Family” films, joined the conversation, stating on social media, “This woman is a danger to children.” Her strong condemnation underscores the sentiment that Kelly’s comments could potentially endanger young people.
Valerie Bertinelli, who starred in “One Day At a Time,” also weighed in, sharing a photo of herself at 15 and insisting, “I’m FIFTEEN. I’M A CHILD.” Bertinelli’s emphatic statement, “It doesn’t matter that I got a job. Maybe we should flood the Internet with pictures of all of us at 15?” calls for collective action and awareness regarding the treatment of minors in the industry.
This developing story has ignited a heated debate about the responsibility of public figures in discussing sensitive topics like child exploitation. The reactions from these former child stars illustrate a broader concern over the safety and agency of young performers.
As this discourse continues to unfold, audiences are encouraged to reflect on the implications of such statements and consider the ongoing fight against child exploitation. The powerful voices of Gilbert, Ricci, and Bertinelli serve as a reminder that vigilance and advocacy are crucial in protecting the most vulnerable in society.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops and more voices join the conversation.
