Anna Paquin has spoken out about the dangers of child stardom days after the death of fellow actress Hayden Panettiere.
The Canadian-New Zealand actress and former child star addressed the issue in an Instagram post on August 21, just days after Panettiere died at the age of 36 at her residence in South Carolina.
Paquin, who won an Oscar at just 11 for her role in The Piano in 1993, criticized the systems meant to protect young actors, arguing that many former female child stars have struggled later in life.
“It’s not a coincidence that so many former, specifically pre-sexualized female, child ‘stars’ have profoundly sad lives and untimely ends,” the X-Men actress wrote.
“We were not as protected by the ‘systems’ that look great on paper as we are supposed to be,” she added.
Paquin also remembered other former child stars, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer actress Michelle Trachtenberg, who died at 39 last year, and Donnie Darko star Daveigh Chase, who died in June at 35.
“RIP [Hayden], [Michelle], [Daveigh] and too many others,” she wrote.
The Almost Famous actress also used her message to reach out to young performers currently working in the entertainment industry.
“It’s a strange small club we belong to and you are worthy of support no matter how our industry made us feel. Literally DM me,” Paquin said.
“I believe you and I will stand by your side. You aren’t alone. Let’s have each other’s backs. It might make public disclosure less terrifying,” she continued.
