Los Angeles: Actor Noah Schnapp, who gained global fame for his role as Will Byers in Netflix’s sci-fi hit Stranger Things, has said therapy should be made mandatory for child actors.
The 21-year-old actor rose to prominence at just 11 with the first season of Stranger Things in 2016. In a recent interview, Schnapp revealed that as a “happy-go-lucky kid,” he initially believed he didn’t need therapy. Having since undergone therapy himself, he now stresses the importance of support for children working in the entertainment industry.
“It’s hard to grow up in the public eye. You don’t know yourself, you haven’t figured anything out, and now you’re expected to know everything and have all the answers,” Schnapp told USA Today.
He added, “I was constantly saying the wrong things or being embarrassed by not taking certain things seriously that I should’ve, and then that lives on forever. People grow and learn, and to do that publicly is not easy.”
Stranger Things is set to air its series finale on December 31 after a five-season run. Reflecting on the pressures of Hollywood, Schnapp said, “Through the years, it becomes like, ‘No, this is an abnormal life and you need some type of support system outside of your parents.’”
He further noted, “Growing up, I never understood why people were depressed or turned to drugs or had eating disorders. As you get older, you understand how the pressures of Hollywood can create that... I always tell my parents, ‘I could never live in LA. I think I would get lost.’”
Schnapp’s candid insights highlight the emotional challenges faced by young actors navigating fame at an early age and the importance of professional guidance to help them cope.
With PTI inputs