Mara Wilson: ‘Matilda’ Actress Explains Why Child Stars ‘Go Crazy’

From one child star to another — ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ cutie Mara Wilson is giving some tough love to stars like Amanda Bynes, who she suggests should get out of Hollywood fast!

Mara Wilson, who starred in Matilda, Mrs. Doubtfire and Miracle on 34th Street, wrote an article for the humor website Cracked and she says there are seven reasons why “not many child stars [like Amanda Bynes] make it out of Hollywood alive or sane.”

Mara Wilson: Child Stars Can ‘Go Crazy’ — Her Advice To Amanda Bynes

Mara goes really in-depth with her seven reasons why child stars can go insane, but here are a few reasons that stuck out the most for us.
Parents Are To Blame
“I chose to start acting when I was 5. It was my decision, and my parents tried their hardest to discourage me. When I insisted, they allowed me to act, but were always very protective of me. I saw many child actors who did not have that, and they were all miserable.”
The Love & Attention Is Like A Drug
“Combine the regular amount of free stuff celebrities get with all the presents people give kids just for being cute, and you’ve got a recipe for one spoiled-ass child.”
Mara says that her parents tried to make her life as normal as possible by keeping her in public school and making her still share a bedroom with her sister.
There’s Too Much Pressure To Be A Role Model
“Having to live up to your fan base is a little like having to deal with a million strict parents who don’t actually love you. As soon as you have the freedom, you act out … on a much larger scale,” she says.
Acting & Being A Celebrity — It’s All They Know
Mara gives some advice to Lindsay Lohan. She says, ”I’d encourage her to get the hell out of acting and into something soothing. Take up botany or something. [But] she’s been acting all her life, she has little education, and in her mind, there’s nothing else she could do.”
And her advice to future child stars:  ”Make sure it’s really your choice, get out of it when it stops being fun, and get an education.”
Read the full article at Cracked.com. It’s definitely worth the read