Alyson Stoner Reveals Eating Disorder Struggles And Sexual Assault Survival

Former Disney star Alyson Stoner is pulling back the curtain on the realities of growing up in Hollywood, sharing deeply personal stories in her new memoir "Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything."

In a recent conversation with author and podcaster Zibby Owens, the 31-year-old reflected on her struggles with mental health, her time in treatment, and the strength it took to reclaim her sense of agency after experiencing trauma.

For Stoner, who rose to fame in "Cheaper by the Dozen" and "Camp Rock," the pressure of being a child performer often meant sacrificing her own well-being to meet the demands of an industry that rarely prioritized mental health.

She recalled one pivotal moment when she sought treatment for her eating disorder, only to be pressured to continue auditioning.

“I remember being in treatment and as a performer in the industry, people want you to be, of course, ready at their beck and call,” she explained. “It’s a lot of last-minute auditions. It’s a lot of pressure to maintain momentum. You know, if you’re out of sight, you’re out of mind.”

The experience forced her to make difficult choices at just 17 years old.

“What happened in treatment that I’m forever grateful for, it was actually the first environment where I experienced consistency, stability, where I was surrounded by adults who weren’t on my payroll,” she said. “They actually were there in service of my wellbeing. That was a novel idea.”

Stoner admitted she didn’t always see her decisions as “strength” at the time. “It felt more like desperation and a real assessment that my health was deteriorating rapidly, and if I didn’t do some kind of intervention… I would potentially reach some kind of fatal end,” she said.

Her memoir also details one of the most devastating chapters of her life.

The night Stoner was r-ped by a man in a position of power. Though deeply painful to recount, she said sharing the story was an intentional choice.

“I wanted to include it because after I experienced it firsthand, I learned how prevalent it is,” she told Owens. “It was shocking to think of how many people in my life, just by sheer statistics, had experienced something similar or even worse. And I recognized that this person was in a position of power and he absolutely abused that power.”

The experience left her grappling with difficult questions. “I just was so confused and wondered, what can I do? Is there anything else I could have done?” she admitted. But ultimately, she came to recognize the broader societal issue. “We still collectively have to actively create safer spaces… where it is safe for people of all identities and embodiments to go out and live their lives.”

Looking back, Stoner connected her vulnerability to patterns she developed as a child actor.

“On set, I was conditioned to make myself available to whomever for whatever aim. I was never instructed to have any sense of bodily autonomy, let alone to set boundaries,” she explained. “From here on out, I know where I start, where I end, and I am constantly reminding myself of my conscious agency.”

Despite the pain of revisiting these experiences, Stoner hopes her story resonates with others who feel they’re just doing their best to survive in a world that moves too fast.

“Our mind and body systems follow an ancient speed of evolution… and then technology is at this absolutely faster-than-fast pace,” she reflected. “Of course, we’re feeling the effects.”

When asked what advice she’d give parents raising children who dream of acting, Stoner didn’t hesitate to emphasize preparation and protection.

“First, I would say, please check out the Artist's Wellbeing Essentials Toolkit. We designed it for this exact reason,” she explained. “You are going to receive education on so many different areas and specific tools for navigating these unique situations. Even lessons specifically for guardians around red flags, pitfalls, things to look out for.”

Stoner encouraged families to approach the industry with patience and awareness rather than rushing in, adding that parents should remain mindful of balance, especially when it comes to their child’s overall growth.

“If you start to notice that this part of your child's life is taking up disproportionate space in their overall development and wellbeing, that might be your clue as to what capacity you can participate in that activity before you need to set some parameters.”

Ultimately, Stoner believes the key lies in boundaries, something the industry rarely enforces on its own.

“Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything” is out now.