The curse of the child star has struck again, this time bringing down pint-sized pop star Justin Bieber.
Bieber was arrested in Miami overnight and charged with a DUI for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol and marijuana.
Police report that Bieber was drag racing on a suburban street in a rented yellow Lamborghini, was incoherent at the time of his arrest and was not able to produce a valid driver’s licence.
Sadly, Bieber is far from the only child star to fall from grace – it’s a tale that plays out again and again: once-bright futures marred by numerous arrests and multiple stints in rehab.
But it’s not all bad news for the kiddies. While some seem to get caught up in alcohol and addiction, there are success stories among the many meltdowns. Here are some of the most famous former child stars and where they are today.
Like many child stars, Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber have struggled with their transitions into adulthood.
Amanda Bynes is in and out of rehab and the headlines.
Britney Spears has battled with mental health and substance abuse issues.
Drew Barrymore struggled with substance abuse issues from the age of 11.
While Haley Joel Osment may have been able to see dead people in The Sixth Sense but the actor apparently couldn’t see straight in 2006 when he crashed his car and was charged with DUI.
Edward Furlong is currently in prison for domestic abuse.
Justin Bieber’s butter-wouldn’t-melt persona is a distant memory these days.
Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin has had drug and alcohol problems.
Lindsay Lohan has had numerous stints in jail and rehab.
Miley Miley Miley. While Ms Cyrus hasn’t been in trouble with the law, we think the fashion police would like to talk to the former Hannah Montana star for some of her clothing, or lack there of, choices of late.
Christina Ricci suffered with eating disorders and self-harming.
Kirsten Dunst has spoken of her troubled youth.
Natalie Portman says she struggled with her identity growing up.
Former child star Shia LeBeouf was arrested in 2007 for refusing to leave a Walgreen’s store in Chicago.
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have had drugs and mental health rumours swirling throughout their adult years.
Christina Applegate reportedly dabbled in drugs in the 1980s and 1990s.
Scarlett Johansson is another child star who hasn’t gone off the rails.
Emma Watson took a break from acting because it was too intense.
Malcolm in the Middle star Frankie Muniz has suffered a series of strokes in the past year.
Chloe Moretz has made the transition from child star to adult star well.
Ryan Gosling is another exception to the child star rule.
Dakota and Elle Fanning haven’t encountered any problems.
Abigail Breslin has also had an easy ride.
There is one Justin who has kept things together. Justin Timberlake was a Mickey Mouse Club regular and so far this Disney star has broken the mould and managed to make the transition from child star to super star in squeaky clean fashion.
Jodie Foster is another rare case of child star success – she never fell into the partying trap.
Matilda star Mara Wilson has struggled with any of the usual child star issues.
