Celebrity Kids Try to Find Balance
Famous Children Can Have a Hard Time Establishing Selves
Jul 13, 2009
Paris Jackson, the 11-year old daughter of pop icon Michael Jackson, made an extremely rare public appearance at her father's memorial service on July 7, 2009. She moved the nation when she spoke of her father as "the best father you could ever imagine." Certainly, losing her father is the most painful experience of her young life. But will she ever be able to escape the controversy of her father? Can celebrity children ever emerge from their parent's shadow?
Celebrity Children Who Thrive
Certainly, not all children of celebrities experience hardship. Some follow in their parent's footsteps and establish their own careers. Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis, has been in the music business for more than a decade. Ashley and Wynonna Judd, whose mother Naomi Judd is a well known country singer, have had successful careers in film and music. Chastity "Chaz" Bono has become a spokes-person for the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgendered community, using her celebrity for the cause of demanding equal rights. The daughter of Sonny and Cher is a well respected activist.
Miley Cyrus has created a hugely successful franchise from her Disney show Hannah Montana. The daughter of one-hit-wonder Billy Ray Cyrus was ranked #35 on Forbes' 2008 Celebrity 100 list, which ranks stars based on earnings and influence. Angelina Jolie, daughter of actor John Voight, has established herself as one of Hollywood's highest paid actresses. These are just a few examples of celebrities that were born into famous families and became thriving, successful adults.
Celebrity Children Who Struggle
Unfortunately, not all children of celebrities do so well. Marlon Brando was perhaps the most well known and respected actor of his time. Two of his nine children, Christian and Cheyenne, faced many difficult battles with drugs, depression and murder. In 1990, Christian was sentenced for the killing of his sister Cheyenne's boyfriend. Cheyenne herself attempted suicide several times and had to be committed for psychiatric care on multiple occasions. Both children claim their father was physically abusive and often neglected them ("The turbulent life of Marlon Brando's children" by Peter Manso. Entertainment Weekly, January 25, 1991). Unfortunately, Cheyenne hung herself in 1995 and Christian died of pneumonia in 2008.
Other children of celebrities have struggled to one degree or another. Many have difficult or non-existent relationships with their famous parents. Despite her huge success as an actress, Angelina Jolie and her father, actor John Voight, have both admitted to a dysfunctional relationship. Billy Bob Thornton's daughter Amanda Brumfield is currently being held for the murder of her 1-year old child. According to People Magazine, Brumfield had no relationship with Thornton for many years ("Billy Bob Thornton's Daughter Arrested After Baby's Death" by Stephen M. Silverman. June, 2009).
Finding Balance
Being in the spotlight can take a toll on a child. Michael Jackson famously shielded his children, Prince Michael, Paris Michael and Prince Michael II from the limelight. The children were never seen by the public unless they were wearing masks to cover their faces. Many saw this as another Jackson quirk. But perhaps he was attempting to make their lives as normal as possible. Now, in light of his tragic death, they have stepped out of the shadows and into the public eye. How will they fare? One can only hope that they can find balance and find themselves in a world obsessed with celebrity.
