Bella Thorne, a former Disney Channel star, has spoken out about the harsh realities of growing up in the entertainment industry. Thorne began working in entertainment as a child, appearing as a model before taking on television roles in shows including HBO’s “Big Love.” Her major breakthrough arrived in 2010 when she was cast as CeCe Jones opposite Zendaya’s Rocky Blue in Disney Channel’s “Shake It Up.”

Child Star Expectations

Thorne explained during an appearance on “Call Her Daddy” that she was expected to be a kid on screen and an adult off camera. “You’re … spending all of your hours a day on set with adults, you know, that is – it’s like such a different, the brain’s like how do I–” Thorne said. “And I’m expected to be this child, but I’m also working like hours like an adult and being in adult conversations,” she added.

Thorne also spoke candidly about being compared to her fellow Disney Channel stars, including Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, and Demi Lovato. She recalled feeling a dramatic shift when she turned 18, saying “I was like, ‘I’m free.'”

Mental Health and Career

Thorne has been working to prioritize her mental health, a shift that became especially important after “Color Your Hurt” left her feeling emotionally drained. The now 28-year-old actress revealed she finally gave herself “some space to breathe” along with grace. Thorne has also made a bigger push behind the camera, signing on to write, direct, and star in “Spring Breakers 2” in August 2026.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.