Actress Alyson Stoner has opened up about the “harrowing” experiences she had to face as a child star.

In a personal essay written for PEOPLE, the 27-year-old disclosed how she had to act out scenes of rape and kidnapping during auditions at the tender age of 6.

She described one audition where she had to perform a kidnapping and rape scene, “ending in the fetal position under a chair with my body frozen in fear.”

The audition took place in a sterile white room where a stranger stood apathetically behind a camcorder on a tripod.

Stoner talked about the impact of her childhood on her present-day life.

“As someone whose professional career initially spiked at 11 years old and whose face is now the cover of clickbait articles titled ’10 Shocking Ways These Child Stars Died,’ it’s been a harrowing 80 years,” she wrote.

She added that her mother was not equipped to deal with the stress and trauma of the audition process.

Stoner went on to reveal that she was “obligated to complete multiple overlapping projects” when she was just 12 years old.

She described how zero productions took responsibility for her well-being, and she was left to manage her health and work schedule alone.

As a result, she developed severe eating disorders, adrenal fatigue, and had to undergo mandatory bed rest.

“The onset of puberty has turned my waist and bust into the main objects of attention and inspection,” she said.

At 17, Stoner decided to seek treatment for her mental and physical health.

She said the stress and trauma were overwhelming and led her to admit herself to rehab against the guidance of her team.

Stoner’s team continued to send her auditions while she was on bed rest, highlighting the lack of concern for her well-being.

Despite the challenges, Stoner decided to use her experience to create Movement Genius, a company that aims to help young people improve their mental and emotional well-being.

She concluded her essay by saying, “For the folks who click on ‘Where Are They Now’ articles, I am here. We are here. This is your first time reading my story, but it is our millionth time asking you to listen.”

Stoner’s story highlights the harsh realities of the entertainment industry for child actors.

According to a report by the Los Angeles Times in 2019, child actors are at risk of being exploited, abused, and neglected.

The report revealed that child actors are often subject to long hours of work, little time for rest and play, and inadequate education.

The Child Labor Coalition reports that child actors are not protected by federal labor laws, and their working conditions are often left up to individual states.

The Coalition advocates for better protection of child actors and the enforcement of federal child labor laws.

Stoner’s story has sparked conversations around child labor laws and the treatment of child actors in the entertainment industry.

The importance of mental and emotional well-being for child actors cannot be overstated, and it is essential that their rights and well-being are protected.