Celebs Talk: When Fame Comes Early

Aug. 27, 2008 — -- Celebrities who started their entertainment careers at young ages talk in September magazines about the challenges facing the new generation of stars. USA TODAY checks out their perspectives.

Self-Esteem Can Be a Burden

Jada Pinkett Smith, 36, on challenges facing young celeb and how they should view women's roles, in Capitol File

"I don't think I would have made it! The things I have to talk to my children about, at such a young age — it would blow your mind. I have to constantly reassure my daughter that she's beautiful and teach my sons a different thought process when it comes to how they view women."

At Its worst, It's a Form of 'Child Abuse'

Alanis Morissette, 34, on young Hollywood stars, in Women's Health

"I think it's child abuse to have someone in the public eye too young. Society basically values wealth and fame and power at the cost of well-being. In the case of a child, it's at the cost of someone's natural development. It's already hard enough to develop."

Encourages 'Entrepreneurial' Thinking

Justin Timberlake, 27, on younger generations finding more ways to reach out to the world, in Vogue

"Now you're talking about 10-year-olds who have 5,000 songs on their iPods! And you're talking to kids who go onto MySpace or Facebook and promote themselves and what they're doing. It's probably subconscious, or unconscious, to them — but it's an entrepreneurial way of thinking."