Former child actors are voicing their concerns regarding comments made by journalist Megyn Kelly about the victims of notorious sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. During a recent episode of her podcast, Kelly appeared to question whether Epstein could be classified as a pedophile, prompting backlash from those who experienced the challenges of growing up in the public eye.
In response to Kelly’s remarks, actress Melissa Gilbert took to social media to share a personal reflection. Posting a photo of herself at the age of 15, she joined the #iWasFifteen hashtag trend, which encourages individuals to share images from their youth in solidarity with Epstein’s victims. “After seeing many women’s posts with the hashtags #iWasFifteen #imfifteen #iwasachild, I decided to google search myself at that age and see what came up,” Gilbert wrote. “And now, at this age, at this time, I am actually nauseated.”
Gilbert pointed to her role on the iconic television series Little House on the Prairie, where her character was portrayed as falling in love with a man significantly older than herself. “The girl on vacation in Hawaii with her family is the same girl who was expected to ‘fall in love with’ and kiss a man on film who was several years older than she was,” she noted. “Through the lens of today, this is shocking. I have no words other than to say, ‘I WAS A CHILD.’”
The actress emphasized the importance of having protective figures during her formative years, stating, “Thank God my mom and (co-star) Michael Landon and so many others were there to make sure I was safe. Can you imagine if I hadn’t had them all? I am so fortunate. Many other young women aren’t.” Gilbert concluded her message with a direct appeal to Kelly, urging her to be more mindful of her words.
Another prominent voice in the debate was actress Christina Ricci, known for her role as Wednesday Addams in the Addams Family films. Ricci responded to Kelly’s comments on social media, stating, “This woman is a danger to children,” highlighting her alarm at the implications of Kelly’s statements.
Actress Valerie Bertinelli, who gained fame as a child star in One Day At a Time, also reacted by sharing a photo of herself at 15. In her post, she reiterated the innocence of youth, saying, “This picture was taken in 1975. I’m 15. I’m a child. I’m gonna say this a little louder for those in the back row. I’m FIFTEEN. I’M A CHILD.” Bertinelli emphasized that having a job or being in the public eye does not diminish the fact that they were minors.
The responses from these former child stars illustrate a broader conversation about the treatment of young actors and the societal attitudes towards their experiences. By sharing their stories and images, they aim to shed light on the vulnerabilities faced by children in the entertainment industry and the importance of acknowledging their experiences with sensitivity and respect.
The discussion surrounding Kelly’s comments has resonated widely across social media platforms, with many individuals contributing to the #iWasFifteen movement. This collective response not only seeks to hold public figures accountable but also aims to foster a deeper understanding of the impact of sexual exploitation and the need for protective measures for young individuals in the industry.
