2 Former Child Stars That Got it Right

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the last month, the entire world has been buzzing about Miley Cyrus’ performance at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards. There are so many psychological subjects that we can touch on here, it literally has my head spinning. Maybe I'm getting old and slowly becoming uncool, because I was appalled by the entire spectacle. But we won’t go there!

Watching the damage unfold afterwards, many media outlets mentioned the other child stars that have grown up in the public eye and have had a difficult time adjusting to adulthood. I am sensitive to the fact that when a child or teenager becomes a celebrity they now have to go through all of the normal growing pains us normal people go through but in the public eye. Introduce the lovely world of Twitter, Instagram and all other social media outlets, being a young person in this day and age is probably more difficult now more than ever.

So let’s focus on a few former child stars that have gotten this whole, “transitioning into adulthood in the public eye” thing right.

Justin Timberlake

Who can forget the bleached blonde, youngest member of N’SYNC. Go a bit further back, and Justin actually first graced our TV screens as a member of one of my favorite shows the 90s, The Mickey Mouse Club. Justin has successfully transitioned from a childhood teenybopper to a multi-talented, musically respected star of today. JT oozes charisma and confidence and has kept negative rumors about him to a minimum. What’s his secret? He knows when to take a break! Oversaturation of any entertainer can cause the public to get sick and tired of you. The fact that Mr. Timberlake is TRULY talented helps too. He seems to have a respect for music and acting that some other artists take for granted. This shows in the quality of his work and no doubt is a key component of his success.

Janet Jackson

The youngest sibling to come from the iconic Jackson family. She’s had her share of trials and tribulations but Janet Jackson has had longevity in her career that definitely puts him in the icon category. She first graced our screens as a performer on the Jackson Family variety show in the 70s. Then as a teenager in the early 80s, she began her acting career appearing in legendary shows “Good Times” and “Different Strokes.” She then took her chances in the family business of music and the rest is history. Ms. Jackson’s secret: Knowing when to swift it up! Sometimes it’s as simple as changing your hair, clothes and even adding variety to your music. Janet’s ability to change her look with each album and project has helped her stay fresh each time she comes out.

Obviously these two have had their share of controversy, specifically during their performance in the Superbowl halftime performance in2004. However, they have been able to achieve success and bounce back from it in a positive manor. They’ve allowed their talent to speak for themselves. Another similarity that can’t be overlooked is the fact that they are both multi-talented.  The more talents you can master, the longer your career in Entertainment can be. This could be another reason why their careers have were able to continue into adulthood. I think growing with their audience is important too. Ms. Jackson and Mr. Timberlake, we salute you!