Drake Bell, Giovonnie Samuels, and Bryan Hearne shared their experiences as child stars on a TV set, highlighting the need for better support systems in Hollywood for young actors. At a panel event in Los Angeles, they discussed the importance of having people on set dedicated to caring for the emotional well-being of children, rather than solely relying on parents who may be new to the industry.
Hearne emphasized the role of these caretakers, saying, "I don’t think it’s on the parents. I think that it’s important that there are people on set...who are tasked to give care and caretake to the emotions of the children on set. That’s the most important thing. The parents can only do so much." Samuels added that there should be a liaison between production and parents, suggesting programs like Looking Ahead, which helps keep young actors safe.
Bell noted the inexperience of both parents and kids in show business, explaining, "Some of these were our first jobs. Some of these were our parents’ first time on a set, and they’re just learning along with us." He emphasized the need for experienced individuals on set who can recognize when a child is uncomfortable and intervene appropriately.
Hearne also addressed his relationship with his mother, clarifying that their relationship has been on-and-off but currently feels permanent and positive. In the docuseries Quiet on Set, Bell opened up about surviving sexual abuse as a teenager, while Samuels and Hearne discussed experiencing racism on the set of All That.
The docuseries also shed light on allegations of racism, sexism, sexual harassment, and verbal abuse on sets overseen by producer Dan Schneider, who left Nickelodeon in 2018. Schneider responded to the series in a video, acknowledging his past behaviors and expressing regret.
A bonus fifth episode of the series featured new interviews with Bell, Samuels, Hearne, and others, including former All That costar Shane Lyons, who shared a bizarre encounter he had with a dialogue coach. The series has attracted over 16 million viewers, making it the most-watched unscripted series since the launch of Max/discovery+.
Login