Many children dream of being famous singers or movie or TV actors. But the harsh reality of having your name in lights at such a young age is nothing like the dream. In this roundup of 10 child stars we examine how early fame can quickly turn into a roller‑coaster of legal woes, substance abuse, and personal upheaval.

Why 10 Child Stars Struggle With Fame

10 Lindsay Lohan

Born in New York City in 1986, Lindsay Lohan was first recognized by the public for her starring role as the twins in Disney’s remake of The Parent Trap. She then rose higher to fame during her roles in 2003’s Freaky Friday and 2004’s Mean Girls.

However, stardom did not do any favors for Lohan. As her fame grew, she began appearing in New York nightclubs and her life quickly devolved into a stream of negative publicity in the tabloids.

In 2007, Lohan was arrested after she crashed her Mercedes-Benz into a tree. Two months later, she was arrested again for being involved in a car chase during which she was also found to be in possession of cocaine. The result of this was two counts of driving under the influence and one count of reckless driving. She received the minimum sentence of four days in jail, although she only had to serve one.

Later in 2007, Lohan checked into rehab as required by her recent sentencing. When she was released, Lohan said that she wanted to stay sober and “out of Los Angeles.” After managing to stay clear of the press for a few years, she reappeared after being sentenced to 90 days in jail for missing a DUI hearing. In 2011, she was charged with the theft of a necklace from a jewelry store.

Since her scrapes with the law, she has managed to stay out of the tabloids aside from the time when she was bitten by a snake in Thailand in 2017. Her current projects include the Lohan Beach House club in Mykonos, Greece, and a second club in Rhodes.

9 Amanda Bynes

Amanda Bynes appeared in her first commercial at age seven before moving on to stage productions including Annie, The Secret Garden, and The Sound of Music. Following this, she landed a role in Nickelodeon’s TV series All That while simultaneously hosting her own program The Amanda Show.

From there, her success kept growing. She soon starred in a number of roles, including her part as Holly on the WB sitcom What I Like About You. Unfortunately, her fame went to her head and she soon found her face printed on the front of tabloids for all the wrong reasons.

Shortly after her “retirement” in 2012, Bynes was involved in a car accident with a police vehicle. She was arrested and charged with driving under the influence. She was then involved in two more hit-and‑run car accidents and caught driving with a suspended license after her car was impounded.

In 2013, Bynes was arrested for drug use in her New York City apartment lobby after reports that she had thrown a bong out her apartment window. For this, she was charged with reckless endangerment, drug possession, and tampering with evidence.

Later that year, she reportedly started a fire near a residential driveway in California and was placed on psychiatric hold. Later, she went into a rehabilitation center. In 2014, she appeared to have turned her life around. However, not long after getting her license back, she was charged with driving under the influence and placed on psychiatric hold again.

Fortunately for Bynes, she has finally managed to regain control of her finances and straighten out her life. She took time off from the tabloids to mend family relationships and showed interest in other hobbies, namely at a fashion design school. People Magazine has confirmed that Bynes is in a “happy and healthy place in her life” as of August 2018.

8 Britney Spears

Born in December 1981 in Mississippi, Britney Spears landed her first major TV role at age 11 starring in The All-New Mickey Mouse Club. This success came after being rejected at her first audition at age eight.

In 1995, she began to focus on her music career and was quickly signed by Jive Records. They produced her first single, “ . . . Baby One More Time.” By 1999, the single had reached the top of the charts after the release of a controversial music video with Spears in a skimpy outfit.

Over the years, Spears began shedding her innocent girl image and building a mature career with which she could continue to grow. She performed her hit single “I’m a Slave 4 U” at the MTV Video Music Awards, drawing more attention as she danced with a python in a revealing costume onstage.

In 2004, Spears married a childhood friend and then annulled the marriage, all within a few days. Several months later, she married her backup dancer Kevin Federline, who had previously left his pregnant girlfriend to be with Spears. In 2005, they announced that the first child would be born in April of that year. From there, Spears’s life quickly went downhill.

In 2006, she was caught driving with her son on her lap. This led to national headlines questioning her ability to be a parent. She was accused of sending horrible messages to her fans despite her excuse that she was merely trying to get away from paparazzi.

She gave birth to their second son only two months before filing for divorce from her husband. Then she began hanging out at the club scene and reportedly checking in and out of rehabilitation. In 2007, Spears shaved her head before checking into a treatment center.

Shortly after she released another single to attempt a comeback, she was charged with a hit‑and‑run accident in a local parking lot. She underwent a psychiatric evaluation and spent some time in the hospital before making her debut in a triumphant return.

In 2008, she released her next album, Circus, which made it to the top of the charts and marked the beginning of her comeback. She then took a role as a judge for the popular singing show, The X Factor, before heading back into the music scene to work with big names like Iggy Azalea. She appeared to be fully recovered as she ventured on her #PieceOfMe tour.

7 Brian Bonsall

Brian Bonsall was born in 1981 in California and grew up acting in Hollywood from a very young age. From 3–14 years old, he played roles in a variety of shows and movies, including Family Ties, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and the Disney film Blank Check.

In 1995, Bonsall took a break from acting and attended high school in Colorado. There, his passion for punk music developed. He began performing in punk bands, including Late Bloomers and Thruster.

Unfortunately, his life took a turn for the worse as he was arrested for driving under the influence. In 2007, he was arrested for assaulting his girlfriend and pleaded guilty to third‑degree assault. This resulted in a two‑year probation sentence.

However, this didn’t mark the end of Bonsall’s troubles. Between 2007 and 2010, he was arrested on a number of drug possession and minor assault charges that were all highly publicized due to his stardom. In 2009, he beat a friend over the head with a broken wooden stool while under the influence and was given another two years’ probation after being charged with felony menacing and third‑degree assault.

Now living in Boulder, Colorado, he is pursuing a career in music by playing rhythm guitar in Lowjob, a local punk rock band. He is also a part of acoustic duo Bootjack & Bonz.

6 Drew Barrymore

Born in 1975, Drew Barrymore landed a major role at age six in Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster E.T. the Extra‑Terrestrial. Her career exploded in the 1990s as she starred in Poison Ivy, Guncrazy, Bad Girls, and Boys on the Side.

She also developed a vast character portfolio by starring in low‑key films like The Wedding Singer, Ever After: A Cinderella Story, Never Been Kissed, and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. She became one of the most talented actresses of her generation. However, life hasn’t always been easy for Drew Barrymore.

At age nine, her mother started taking Drew to nightclubs during the absence of her alcoholic father. It was in these years that a young Barrymore became familiar with the effects of drugs and alcohol. At just 13, she violently attacked her mother in an attempt to throw her out of the house. As a result, Drew was placed in a rehabilitation center.

After a subsequent suicide attempt, she went back to rehab and returned to her home life completely sober at age 14. To try to reclaim her life, she filed successfully for emancipation at 15 and moved into her own apartment with a job at a local coffee shop.

Drew took another wrong turn at age 19 by posing naked for the infamous magazine Playboy. Following the issue’s release, she received a quilt and a note from Steven Spielberg for her 20th birthday telling her to cover up. The note was accompanied by Photoshopped images from the magazine which had been edited to have clothes on them.

This triggered her journey to cleaning up her act for good. She now has a balanced life and is extremely successful in the film industry. Drew discusses her dark history in her autobiography, Little Girl Lost.

5 Shia LaBeouf

Born in 1986 in California, Shia LaBeouf is best known for his starring role as Sam Witwicky in the Transformers movies. He began his career by doing stand‑up comedy in his hometown before being inspired by a friend in the film industry. LaBeouf instantly began looking for an agent and auditioning for parts.

As well as his Transformers role, he is also known for his parts in Disney Channel’s Even Stevens and in the 2003 movie Holes. He won a Daytime Emmy Award for his performance with Disney which sparked the beginning of an incredible career. However, he also had a troubled childhood.

Coming from a financially unstable family, LaBeouf suffered mental and verbal abuse at the hands of his father, who had developed a substance abuse problem. While it is said that this drove LaBeouf’s desire to be in the entertainment industry, the abuse must have taken its toll on such a small child.

In 2005, at age 19, he was arrested and charged with assault after he threatened his neighbor with a kitchen knife. LaBeouf then proceeded to ram the neighbor’s car with his own, claiming the neighbor was blocking LaBeouf’s path to the garage.

In 2007, he was arrested again after being asked by security to leave a Walgreens store and refusing to do so. Following this incident, he failed to appear in court and faced a $500 fine.

Not long after this, he was involved in a car crash and required three surgeries to fix his hand. He faced charges for driving under the influence and had his license suspended. Unfortunately, the last time LaBeouf appeared in the media was due to plagiarism accusations involving three graphic novels he had written.

4 Demi Lovato

Born in 1992 in Albuquerque, Demi Lovato landed her first role as a child star alongside Selena Gomez in Barney & Friends. From there, she was cast in a part on Disney Channel’s As the Bell Rings before landing the starring role in the Camp Rock series. It was during the filming of Camp Rock that she found her passion for recording, and since then, she has climbed the music charts.

In 2008, not long after Camp Rock wrapped, Lovato began filming Princess Protection Program, another Disney movie, with her good friend Selena Gomez. Then Lovato landed her own Disney TV show, Sonny with a Chance, which ran until 2011.

While rising in the film industry, Lovato was also climbing the music ladder with her albums Don’t Forget and Unbroken. From there, her stardom was ever growing. But what did we miss along the way?

While on tour with the Jonas Brothers in 2008, Lovato began using cocaine. She has since admitted that she couldn’t go more than an hour without it. Due to this addiction, she would smuggle drugs onto planes, doing lines in her seat while neighboring passengers slept or using drugs in the bathrooms.

Despite her growing substance abuse problem, she was still compassionate. In 2009, she teamed up with Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, and the Jonas Brothers to record a single to raise money for charity.

In 2011, she accepted that she had a problem and admitted herself to rehab where she was treated for bulimia, self‑mutilation, and “self‑medicating” with drugs and alcohol. It was during her rehabilitation that she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

After sobering up in 2013, she detailed her experiences in a book, Staying Strong: 365 Days a Year, in an attempt to help other young people struggling with addiction. She states that this book provides young readers with “lessons, meditations, reflections, and daily goals.”

3 Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber was born in 1994 and raised in Ontario, Canada. Growing up, he always had an interest in music. Bieber taught himself to play a number of instruments, including guitar, drums, piano, and trumpet.

His rise to stardom began when his mother started posting videos of Justin performing on YouTube. His account grew, and people fell in love with him. Eventually, his videos caught the attention of talent agent Scooter Braun. The agency helped a young Bieber to obtain a record deal.

His first single, “One Time,” was released in 2009 and became a worldwide hit, going platinum in Canada and the US. This was quickly followed by the release of his debut album, My World, which was also successful on an international level. My World 2.0 was released in 2010 along with his concert film, Justin Bieber: Never Say Never. However, the fame went to his head and his behavior became questionable.

His first run‑in with the law came in 2011 when Bieber was just a teen. A woman claimed in a lawsuit that the 17‑year‑old star was the father of her child. Fortunately, DNA tests proved the pop star’s innocence and the lawsuit was quickly dropped. This was merely the beginning.

In 2013, Bieber was accused of spitting on his neighbor after making threatening comments. Shortly after, there were a number of complaints about his dangerous driving in the residential area. Later that year, he was in the press again after he was recorded urinating in public and yelling obscenities about former President Bill Clinton.

Bieber’s last big run‑in with the law was in 2014 when he was arrested for drag racing and driving under the influence. He remained in custody until he was able to post bail and was further charged with resisting arrest.

2 Aaron Carter

Aaron Carter, brother of Backstreet Boys’ Nick Carter, was born in 1987 and followed his older brother into the music industry. At age seven, Aaron began as lead singer for the band Dead End before making his solo debut as the opening act for the Backstreet Boys two years later. The performance landed him a record contract, which led to the release of his first single, “Crush on You.”

In 1997, his first album was released and went gold in Norway, Spain, Denmark, Canada, and Germany. His next album, Aaron’s Party, was released in 2000. A huge success, it reached triple‑platinum certification in the US. His music career also opened a number of doors in the acting industry, where he landed roles in Lizzie McGuire, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, and 7th Heaven. But scandals were going on behind all this success.

In 2008, Carter was arrested for speeding in Texas and the police found marijuana in his car. In 2009, Carter secured a place on Dancing with the Stars. However, his stage fright led him to become addicted to Xanax, which he was using to relieve his anxiety.

Three years later, still addicted to the prescription drug, he was coerced to enter a rehabilitation program by his brother, Nick, and their mother. Unfortunately, it was the death of his sister from a drug overdose which drove him to sobriety in 2012. In 2013, he filed for bankruptcy to clear his $3.5 million of debt. He is now clean and back on track financially.

1 Macaulay Culkin

Macaulay Culkin is one of the most renowned US child stars. He was born in 1980 in New York City and came into contact with showbiz at age four by appearing in a number of Off‑Broadway shows. At age eight, he appeared in the films Rocket Gibraltar and See You in the Morning.

In 1990, he starred in his greatest film, Home Alone, directed by Chris Columbus. Home Alone became one of the highest‑grossing movies of all time and resulted in a sequel.

At age 14, Culkin starred in a number of low‑rated films. The public became skeptical as to whether the child star, who was the highest‑paid star of his age, had already peaked. This led to questionable behaviors by Culkin which further tarnished his once‑perfect reputation.

The lead‑up to his role in the sequel of Home Alone resulted in allegations that his father, Kit Culkin, was mismanaging his fortune. This was later confirmed as his parents entered into a custody battle during which it seemed that they were more interested in their son’s fortune than in their son.

In 2004, Culkin was arrested for possession of 17.3 grams of marijuana along with a stash of other controlled substances. Culkin was “demonized” by the press for his drug use despite the many other child stars who had spiraled much further than he ever did.

For a while, Culkin performed with a Velvet Underground parody band called Pizza Underground. They performed covers of songs featuring lyric changes about the topic of pizza.

The world of cinema has seen countless prodigies, but the 10 child actors who rose to stardom often found the spotlight a double‑edged sword. While their early performances captured audiences worldwide, the pressure of constant attention, relentless scrutiny, and the challenge of growing up in the public eye left many grappling with personal demons.

From iconic holiday mischief to dramatic award‑winning turns, each of these young talents endured a unique set of hurdles. Below, we dive deep into the triumphs, setbacks, and eventual paths to redemption that define their unforgettable journeys.

10. Macaulay Culkin

The unforgettable Kevin McCallister of the Home Alone saga catapulted Macaulay Culkin into global fame during the early ’90s. His razor‑sharp comedic timing and mischievous charm made him an instant household name, solidifying his status as the era’s premier kid‑star.

Yet behind the laughter lay a turbulent personal life. Culkin wrestled with substance‑abuse issues and a fraught relationship with his father‑manager, which strained both his family dynamics and his career. By the late ’90s, his once‑blazing trajectory began to dim, prompting a self‑imposed hiatus to regroup and focus on his well‑being.

Fast forward to today: Culkin has maintained sobriety for many years and is staging a modest resurgence. Recent appearances on shows such as American Horror Story and Dollface showcase his evolving craft, while his quirky social‑media antics and collaborations with brands like Happy Socks highlight his enduring cultural relevance.

9. Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan dazzled audiences with a blend of talent and charisma, breaking out in the late ’90s and early 2000s with hits like The Parent Trap, Freaky Friday, and the cult classic Mean Girls. Her magnetic screen presence made her a staple of teen cinema.

The tide turned in the mid‑2000s when a high‑profile DUI arrest exposed her struggle with drug and alcohol misuse. Tabloid photographers seized on her erratic behavior, turning her personal battles into front‑page fodder and intensifying the pressure she faced.

These challenges seeped into her professional life, resulting in a string of poorly received projects and a noticeable dip in critical acclaim. Nevertheless, Lohan persisted, continuing to work despite the setbacks and the relentless media glare.

In recent years, she has taken decisive steps toward recovery, completing court‑mandated rehab and committing to sobriety. Her career has begun to rebound, highlighted by a starring role in the Netflix romantic comedy Falling for Christmas, signaling a hopeful new chapter.

8. Shia LaBeouf

Shia LaBeouf first captured attention as the charismatic teen on Disney Channel’s Even Stevens, later transitioning to the big screen with standout roles in Holes and Disturbia. Early acclaim positioned him as a rising star with a promising future.

His public image took a sharp turn in 2014 after an arrest for disorderly conduct, followed by a series of bizarre headlines—including a paper‑bag‑on‑the‑head appearance at a movie premiere—that painted a picture of increasingly erratic behavior.

The situation escalated in 2017 when another arrest for public drunkenness forced LaBeouf to confront his alcoholism head‑on. Simultaneously, allegations of emotional and physical abuse from former partner FKA Twigs added another layer of controversy, prompting him to step back from acting and focus on mental‑health treatment.2020 marked a turning point when he wrote and starred in Honey Boy, a raw, autobiographical film inspired by his childhood experiences and fraught relationship with his father. Despite the turbulence, LaBeouf’s talent remains evident, and his willingness to confront personal demons continues to earn respect.

7. Amanda Bynes

Emerging as a teen icon in the early 2000s, Amanda Bynes amassed a string of successful sitcoms and films, quickly becoming a beloved figure in pop culture. Her vibrant energy and comedic timing made her a household name.

Mid‑2000s turmoil saw her career derailed by a cascade of legal issues, including multiple DUI arrests and increasingly erratic public conduct. Reports of substance abuse and mental‑health struggles surfaced, culminating in a dramatic incident where she set fire to a neighbor’s driveway.

In 2014, a conservatorship was established to safeguard her well‑being, and she began receiving treatment for diagnosed bipolar disorder. While Bynes has largely retreated from the spotlight, she remains focused on health, occasionally hinting at a possible return to acting, though no concrete plans have emerged.

6. Corey Feldman

Corey Feldman lit up the 1980s silver screen with memorable roles in cult classics such as Stand by Me, The Goonies, and The Lost Boys. His youthful charisma earned him a devoted fan base and solidified his place in Hollywood lore.

Beyond the bright lights, Feldman has spoken candidly about the darker underbelly of the industry, alleging that powerful figures sexually abused both him and fellow child star Corey Haim. He asserts that these traumatic experiences fueled lifelong addiction and emotional struggles.

Despite battling addiction and facing legal entanglements tied to his past trauma, Feldman has managed to sustain a multifaceted career, branching into music and continuing to appear in film and television projects.

His accusations have sparked both support and skepticism, yet Feldman remains steadfast, championing child‑actor protections and advocating for systemic change within Hollywood. His legacy endures through the beloved movies that defined a generation.

5. Jodie Sweetin

Jodie Sweetin first won hearts as the spunky Stephanie Tanner on the beloved sitcom Full House, captivating audiences throughout the late ’80s and early ’90s with her lively personality and endearing performance.

Transitioning into adulthood proved challenging; Sweetin grappled with addiction and a series of personal setbacks, including a stint in rehab and a brief, tumultuous marriage. These hardships temporarily stalled her career, but she eventually found a path to sobriety and stability.

Today, Sweetin enjoys a successful resurgence, reprising her iconic role in the Fuller House reboot. Her openness about recovery and mental‑health advocacy has transformed her into a role model for those battling similar struggles, solidifying her status as a beloved and resilient Hollywood figure.

4. Gary Coleman

Most recognize Gary Coleman from his razor‑sharp one‑liners on the classic sitcom Diff’rent Strokes. His quick wit and charismatic presence made him a beloved figure during the late ’70s and early ’80s, earning a place in pop‑culture history.

Behind the scenes, Coleman faced a host of personal challenges. A congenital kidney disorder stunted his growth and necessitated multiple surgeries, while strained relations with his parents—who were accused of mismanaging his earnings—added financial and emotional strain.

By the 1990s, his acting opportunities waned, and legal troubles surfaced, including a lawsuit against his parents and a 1999 assault arrest. Nevertheless, Coleman remained a recognizable personality, appearing in various TV shows and even launching a brief political bid for California governor in 2003.

Tragically, he passed away in 2010 at 42 due to complications from his kidney condition. His legacy endures as a cherished child star whose contributions continue to resonate within the entertainment world.

3. Jonathan Taylor Thomas

Jonathan Taylor Thomas, affectionately known as JTT, captured the hearts of 1990s teenagers as the mischievous Randy Taylor on the hit series Home Improvement. His charm extended to the big screen with roles in The Lion King and Tom and Huck, cementing his teen‑idol status.

Amidst soaring fame, Thomas struggled to juggle personal life and career demands. Opting to prioritize education and privacy, he stepped away from the limelight at the height of his popularity, citing the need for a normal childhood and a break from relentless scrutiny.

Since then, Thomas has largely remained out of the public eye, focusing on private pursuits and philanthropic efforts, including wildlife conservation and education initiatives. Fans continue to cherish his memorable performances, and his legacy endures as a nostalgic emblem of ’90s television.

2. Mara Wilson

Mara Wilson became the quintessential face of childhood cinema, dazzling audiences with roles in beloved films like Mrs. Doubtfire, Matilda, and Miracle on 34th Street. Her natural talent and endearing screen presence earned her a reputation akin to a modern‑day Shirley Temple.

However, Wilson’s journey was not without hardship. She has spoken openly about the pressures of Hollywood—from unrealistic beauty standards to invasive paparazzi attention. The loss of her mother to cancer, coupled with bouts of anxiety and depression, further complicated her teenage years.

Choosing to step back from acting in the early 2000s, Wilson pursued higher education, earning a degree from NYU. Today, she champions mental‑health awareness and body positivity, while continuing to write and perform in various creative projects. Her candidness and resilience make her an inspiring figure for aspiring actors and fans alike.

1. Haley Joel Osment

Haley Joel Osment captured global attention with his haunting performance in the thriller The Sixth Sense, earning an Academy Award nomination and cementing his place as a standout child actor of the late ’90s and early 2000s.

Riding the wave of that success, Osment landed roles in films such as A.I. Artificial Intelligence and Pay It Forward, showcasing his ability to convey deep emotion. Yet, by the mid‑2000s his on‑screen appearances slowed, prompting a hiatus to focus on college studies.

In adulthood, Osment confronted legal challenges, including a 2006 DUI arrest, and found it difficult to secure roles that aligned with his evolving age and talent. Nevertheless, he persisted, appearing in series like The Kominsky Method and Future Man, while also exploring music and voice‑over work.

Today, Osment remains a respected Hollywood professional, continuing to contribute to the industry with a blend of acting, music, and voice projects. His enduring legacy as a child star underscores his lasting impact on cinema.

When it comes to fame, flashing lights, and lavish lifestyles, the rich and famous also face some eye‑watering financial obligations—especially when it comes to child support. In this roundup we dive into the 10 most expensive celebrity child‑support rulings that have made the news, revealing just how steep those monthly checks can get. Buckle up for a roller‑coaster of court orders, massive sums, and a few surprising arrangements.

Why These 10 Most Expensive Child Support Cases Matter

10. Terrell Owens: $45k/Month

Former NFL star Terrell Owens, known for his on‑field talent and off‑field drama, finds himself tangled in a series of high‑stakes child‑support battles. Owens, a father to four children each with a different mother, has been ordered to cough up a staggering amount every month to meet his obligations.

One of the most publicized cases involves his daughter with Melanie Smith. Owens initially faced a $20,000 bill for missed payments, and in 2012 he paid that sum to avoid arrest. According to the Atlanta Journal‑Constitution, his total monthly child‑support obligation for all four kids reaches $44,600.

The relentless financial pressure has taken a toll. Owens claims he currently has no steady income, prompting him to petition the court for a reduction. Judges, however, have consistently upheld the original figures, leaving him to shoulder the hefty monthly charge.

Owens even opened up about his “daddy drama” on Dr. Phil in 2012, discussing the challenges of meeting these obligations while navigating his post‑football life.

9. Kelly Clarkson: $45k a Month

Pop‑rock powerhouse Kelly Clarkson is obligated to pay $45,000 each month in child support to her ex‑husband Brandon Blackstock, covering the needs of their two children, River Rose and Remington Alexander. In addition, she must also provide $115,000 per month in spousal support until the end of January 2024.

The settlement also includes a one‑time, tax‑free payment of $1,326,161 to Blackstock. As part of the agreement, the kids will travel privately until fully vaccinated, and Clarkson will reimburse $50,000 for their private‑flight costs. Meanwhile, Blackstock will pay Clarkson $2,000 a month for rent while he searches for a new home.

8. Nas: $51k a Month

Rapper Nas faced a court‑ordered increase in his support obligations, pushing his monthly payment to $51,101. The Los Angeles family court raised his combined child and spousal support after his former wife, singer Kelis, argued that the $8,000 she received each month fell short of covering their child’s $25,000‑plus expenses.Nas disclosed in May 2018 that his total monthly outlay totals $76,834.04, with $20,245.70 earmarked for helping extended family members, plus additional rent costs. Back in 2010, a judge had already ordered him to pay more than $47,000 in back child support and $40,000 in spousal support, underscoring a long‑running financial tug‑of‑war.

7. Eddie Murphy: $35k a Month for One of Them

Eddie Murphy, a father of ten, has one child whose support check dwarfs the rest: his daughter Angel, born to Spice Girls singer Melanie Brown (Mel B). Originally, a 2009 court order set Murphy’s monthly payment at $25,000.

In late 2020, Mel B requested a higher amount after experiencing a significant dip in her own earnings. The court responded in 2021, raising Murphy’s obligation by an additional $10,000, bringing Angel’s monthly support to $35,000.

Despite a rocky start to their relationship—Murphy accused Mel B of tricking him into the pregnancy—the two seem to have reached a more amicable footing, with Murphy even covering her legal fees. While we lack exact figures for his other nine children, it’s safe to assume his overall child‑support ledger is astronomically high.

6. Sean Combs: $55k a Month

Sean “P. Diddy” Combs has faced multiple child‑support orders over the years. In 2004, a court mandated $35,000 per month to his former partner Misa Hylton‑Brim. After an appeal, the amount swelled by an extra $21,000 in 2005.

Combs also pays $20,000 monthly for his son Christian King with the late model Kim Porter, on top of a $150,000 lump‑sum settlement, a multi‑million‑dollar life‑insurance policy, and a promise to cover college expenses. The couple later reconciled and welcomed twins before Porter’s tragic death in 2018.

Overall, P. Diddy now fathers seven children, each with varying support arrangements.

5. Brendan Fraser: $75k a Month

Actor Brendan Fraser has been shouldering a sizable financial burden since his 2009 divorce from Afton Smith. The settlement required him to fork out $900,000 annually for alimony and child support covering their three sons, translating to roughly $75,000 each month.

In addition, Fraser was ordered to provide $50,000 per month in spousal support. By 2013, he petitioned the court to lower his yearly child‑support obligation, arguing that he needed to earn about $2 million before taxes to meet the court‑mandated payments.

4. Charlie Sheen: $80k a Month

Charlie Sheen’s child‑support saga has been a roller‑coaster. In 2006, a judge ordered him to pay $55,000 monthly for his daughters with ex‑wife Denise Richards. Five years later, in 2011, another order added $25,000 per month for his twin sons with Brooke Mueller.

Facing reduced income, Sheen filed a motion in 2016 to have the payments lowered. The court granted a reduction to $20,000 per month for Richards and $10,000 per month for Mueller.

He sought another reduction in 2021, arguing the children now lived with him full‑time. The court terminated the direct child‑support obligations, though Sheen remains liable for 50% of the children’s medical and educational costs.

Today, while the monthly support checks have vanished, Sheen continues to share half of any healthcare or schooling expenses for his kids.

3. A‑Rod: $115k a Month

Baseball legend Alex Rodriguez was hit with a $115,000 monthly child‑support order in 2008, payable to his ex‑wife Cynthia Scurtis for their daughters Natasha and Ella. The agreement stipulated that the amount could be revisited once Rodriguez retired.

In 2018, Rodriguez petitioned the court for a reduction, citing a post‑retirement dip in earnings. Scurtis’s legal team argued that the original figure, based on his income at the time of divorce, should stay intact.

The case remains unresolved, leaving the future of Rodriguez’s hefty monthly obligation uncertain.

2. Kanye West: $200k a Month

Kanye West’s child‑support commitment to his children with Kim Kardashian tops the list at $200,000 per month. The Los‑Angeles cost of living and both parents’ substantial incomes contribute to this massive figure.

Beyond the monthly payment, West also covers half of the children’s medical, educational, and security expenses, further swelling his financial responsibilities.

West has publicly affirmed his dedication to co‑parenting and ensuring his children receive the best possible care, despite the sizable fiscal load.

1. Nick Cannon: $250k a Month

Father of twelve, Nick Cannon, takes an unconventional route: instead of traditional monthly child‑support checks, he provides for his children on an as‑needed basis. This informal arrangement, spread across four mothers, reportedly exceeds $3 million annually.

Cannon argues that the classic child‑support system can feel punitive toward fathers, preferring a hands‑on approach that directly addresses each child’s needs.

The arrangement has sparked both praise and criticism. Some view Cannon as a model modern dad, while others question his avoidance of formal support structures. Ultimately, the decision rests with Cannon and the mothers involved.

Top 10 shocking moments on YouTube aren’t limited to the usual cartoon clips and sing‑along songs. While the platform markets itself as a family‑friendly space, a surprising amount of content slips through the cracks and lands straight in the feeds of curious youngsters. Below, we break down ten of the most unsettling videos and trends that have managed to capture the attention of children worldwide.

10 A Frighteningly Thin Beauty Vlogger

Eugenia Cooney burst onto the beauty scene in June 2011, sharing makeup tutorials and fashion hauls. Yet it was her unnaturally slender physique – standing 5’7” and weighing just 86 lb – that sparked outrage. By late 2015, viewers began flagging her videos for seemingly glorifying an eating disorder, and the comment sections swelled with concern. A Change.org petition urging YouTube to ban her amassed over 20,000 signatures, accusing her of negatively influencing impressionable fans.

Cooney responded in a heartfelt video, insisting she never intended to promote unhealthy habits. She argued that genuine signs of an eating disorder, such as deteriorating teeth or brittle nails, were absent, suggesting instead a “crazy high metabolism.” Nevertheless, the controversy persisted, culminating in a 2018 Twitch suspension for a nip‑slip violation, a brief hiatus in early 2019, and a triumphant return to her 2.4 million‑subscriber base by July of that year.

9 A Disgusting Waste of Food

At the opposite end of the spectrum sit the mukbangers – creators who purchase massive quantities of food to devour on camera. While some manage to finish entire fast‑food menus, many leave a staggering amount of food untouched, turning consumption into a spectacle of excess. Nikocado Avocado, boasting 1.83 million subscribers, epitomizes the worst of this trend. His videos blend dramatic breakdowns with mountains of processed meals, often ending with the food being crushed, poured over, or otherwise destroyed.

The waste is stark: in 2018, an estimated 820 million people worldwide went hungry, according to the World Health Organization. Meanwhile, obesity rates continue to climb across all age groups, especially among school‑age children. Young viewers absorb messages of over‑indulgence and disregard for global hunger, learning more about waste than nutrition.

8 The Body of a Suicide Victim

Logan Paul, a 21‑million‑subscriber juggernaut, has courted controversy with everything from Tide‑Pod challenges to tasering dead rats. However, his most infamous moment arrived in 2017 when he and his crew ventured into Japan’s Aokigahara forest – a notorious suicide hotspot – and filmed an apparent corpse hanging from a tree. The video, titled “We found a dead body in the Japanese Suicide Forest…,” featured a warning screen, blurred faces, and a suicide‑hotline link, yet still amassed over 6.5 million views within 24 hours.

Paul later issued a public apology, acknowledging his grave mistake and removing the footage himself. The incident led to his removal from Google Preferred, YouTube’s premium advertising program, and sparked debates about the platform’s role in amplifying sensationalist, potentially harmful content for profit.

7 Solicitation of Child Pornography

Music channels dominate YouTube’s ecosystem, drawing massive teen audiences. Yet not all creators use that reach responsibly. Austin Jones, a guitarist who launched his channel at 14, accumulated half a million subscribers and 20 million views before his downfall. In 2015, he began soliciting explicit videos from under‑age female fans, urging them to “twerk” on camera. By 2017, authorities arrested him on two counts of producing child pornography, and he later pled guilty to coaxing minors into sending sexual content.

YouTube swiftly terminated his channel following his guilty plea. Jones now serves a ten‑year prison sentence, leaving a stark reminder that fame can mask deeply disturbing behavior.

6 Racism and Anti‑Semitism

Felix Kjellberg, better known as PewDiePie, once held the title of most‑subscribed YouTuber, boasting 104 million followers and over 25 billion views. While his gaming commentary and comedic sketches earned him a spot on Time’s 100 Most Influential People list in 2016, his career has been marred by several incidents of hate speech. In 2017, he paid individuals to hold a sign reading “Death to all Jews,” prompting Disney and YouTube to drop him from advertising programs.

Later that year, during a live stream, PewDiePie uttered a racial slur, quickly apologizing and claiming it was “not meant in a bad way.” Though the outburst generated backlash, the financial impact was minimal compared to his $30 million net worth. The pattern underscores how high‑profile creators can skirt consequences for bigotry, especially when their audience numbers dwarf the fallout.

5 Animal Abuse for Entertainment

Pet‑fail videos—cats startled by cucumbers, dogs stuck in odd places—routinely rack up millions of views. While YouTube’s policy bans content that causes “unnecessary suffering or harm,” many of these clips slip through, presenting a gray area where humor masks cruelty. Studies, such as a 2010 investigation by Penn State’s Nancy Dreschel, reveal that fear‑induced behaviors in dogs can trigger physiological stress, potentially shortening lifespans and increasing disease risk.

One viral example shows a cat frantically reacting to tape on its paws, garnering 375,000 views and amused comments, yet the animal appears visibly traumatized. Animal welfare experts argue that these seemingly harmless pranks may have lasting psychological impacts, urging creators to prioritize the well‑being of their furry subjects over click‑bait.

4 Cruelty Toward the Homeless

Spanish prankster Kangua Ren, known online as ReSet, built a following of 1.2 million by accepting bizarre “challenges” from his audience. In early 2017, he swapped Oreo cream for toothpaste and offered the tainted cookies to a homeless man, filming the victim’s subsequent vomiting. Ren posted the video with a flippant comment about giving the man a €20 tip, framing the act as a “positive side” for dental hygiene.

Legal repercussions followed: in May 2019, a Spanish court ordered Ren’s channel shut down for five years and fined him €20,000. He was also sentenced to 15 months in prison for violating the victim’s moral integrity, though the sentence was suspended as a first‑time, non‑violent offender.

3 Underage Gambling

Counter‑Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO) star duo Trevor Martin (TmarTn) and Tom Cassel (Syndicate) leveraged their massive followings to promote CSGO Lotto, an online gambling platform allowing players to bet real money for a chance at valuable virtual weapons. Their videos showcased massive cash wins, enticing viewers as young as 13 to participate.

Both creators admitted ownership of the site, with Cassel apologizing for any perceived deception. Martin, however, defended the venture, insisting his involvement was transparent and “not immoral.” The sponsorship disclosures and direct promotion of a gambling service to minors sparked widespread criticism, highlighting a dangerous intersection between gaming culture and unregulated betting.

2 Second‑Degree Manslaughter

In June 2017, pregnant YouTuber Monalisa Perez, 21, filmed a lethal stunt that ended with her boyfriend Pedro Ruiz III, 22, being shot point‑blank with a .50‑caliber Desert Eagle. The plan—using a 1.5‑inch book as a shield—was presented as the next “crazier” video for their growing audience. The tragic shootout occurred in front of 30 witnesses, including the couple’s three‑year‑old daughter.

During rehearsals, the pair tested various props, and Perez even tweeted minutes before filming, “Me and Pedro are probably going to shoot one of the most dangerous videos ever. HIS idea not MINE.” Despite her pleas moments before pulling the trigger, the fatal shot was taken, leading to her pleading guilty to second‑degree manslaughter. She received six months in jail, ten years of supervised probation, and a conviction for “culpable negligence that led to the tragic and completely avoidable death.”

1 Adult Content Directed at Children

Launched in 2015, YouTube Kids promised a safe haven for viewers aged seven and up, offering parental controls, time limits, and curated content. Yet the platform has repeatedly faltered. Parents reported videos featuring profanity, drug references, sexual innuendo, and dangerous behavior slipping through the algorithm. In 2018, YouTube released a statement emphasizing aggressive enforcement of policies against content that misleads or endangers children, citing a blend of machine learning, algorithms, and community flagging.

Despite those assurances, troubling clips continue to surface—misogynistic cartoons, suicide tutorials, and even graphic depictions of stabbings. A notable incident involved a nine‑second animation teaching children how to slash their wrists, which took over a week for YouTube Kids to remove. Experts recommend that children under high school age access YouTube only through browsers equipped with third‑party filters, reinforcing the need for vigilant parental oversight.

Ultimately, YouTube remains a cultural lifeline for young audiences. As Jill Murphy of Common Sense Media notes, shutting the platform down isn’t the solution; instead, parents should engage in open conversations, teaching kids to navigate the digital world responsibly.

When it comes to horror, nothing sends shivers down the spine quite like a seemingly innocent child with a dark secret. In this top 10 disturbing roundup, we dive into the most chilling young antagonists ever to crawl onto the silver screen.

Why These Top 10 Disturbing Kids Haunt Us

From tiny fists of fury to eerie, other‑worldly powers, the little ones on this list prove that evil isn’t always tall, muscular, and brooding. Their uncanny ability to mask malice behind a sweet smile makes every scene they occupy feel like a jump‑scare waiting to explode.

10 Mercy and Jonas

In the unsettling world of The Witch, the fraternal twins Mercy and Jonas appear at first glance as ordinary New England children, but their behavior quickly betrays a far more sinister nature. They taunt their older sister Thomasin, accusing her of witchcraft and reveling in the chaos they cause. Their playful innocence turns dark as they proudly proclaim they’ve “forgotten” their prayers, much to the horror of their devout parents. During a family prayer, the twins contort and writhe on the floor as if possessed, turning a sacred moment into a grotesque spectacle.

What truly cements their creepiness is their eerie relationship with the family’s goat, Black Phillip. The twins converse with the animal as if it were a confidante, only to reveal that Black Phillip is, in fact, Satan in disguise. Their cute, cherubic faces mask an underlying malevolence, making the revelation of their true allegiance all the more chilling.

9 Doris Zander

Doris Zander bursts onto the screen in Ouija: Origin of Evil with a disturbingly blank stare that quickly turns white, sending chills down anyone’s spine. Even before her full possession, she delivers a harrowing monologue describing the sensation of being strangled, the taste of sourness, the fire that spreads through her chest, and the icy pins that follow. Her vivid, graphic description of death is both horrifying and unforgettable.

After the initial shock, Doris escalates the terror by stitching the mouth of a doll, claiming her deceased father forced the act to silence the voices that haunt her. She is responsible for the deaths of two characters, and even after her mouth is sewn shut, she defies logic by crawling upside‑down across a mental‑hospital ceiling, delivering a jump‑scare that lingers long after the credits roll.

8 Rhoda Penmark

In the 1956 classic The Bad Seed, eight‑year‑old Rhoda Penmark appears as the picture‑perfect little girl with big, innocent eyes—until her psychopathic tendencies surface. The film, predating Psycho by four years, explores the chilling reality that a child can be utterly devoid of empathy, treating human life as disposable.

Rhoda’s murderous spree includes drowning a classmate, setting a fire that consumes a handyman locked in a cellar, and using a staircase as a weapon—all while maintaining a disturbingly normal demeanor. After committing these acts, she nonchalantly asks for a peanut‑butter sandwich and a glass of milk before heading out to roller‑skate, as if nothing out of the ordinary has occurred.

7 Samara Morgan

Any list of terrifying youngsters would be incomplete without Samara Morgan from The Ring. When she first emerged in 2002, her pale, hair‑obscured face crawling out of a television set became an instant cultural nightmare. Her tragic backstory—being abandoned in a well and left to die—offers a thin thread of sympathy, but her transformation into a vengeful spirit erases any pity.

Samara’s cruelty manifests in several macabre ways: she imprints horrific images onto the minds of her adoptive parents, forces horses to commit mass suicide, and ultimately creates a cursed videotape that guarantees death seven days after viewing. Her long, wet black hair, deformed visage, and relentless pursuit of vengeance cement her status as an iconic horror child.

6 Stephanie

Stephanie, the seemingly sweet girl from the apocalyptic thriller Stephanie, is anything but innocent. Abandoned by her parents during a catastrophic event, she retains her brother’s corpse in his bedroom after murdering him—an act that hints at a deep, unsettling detachment from mortality.

When her parents return to bury their son, the corpse inexplicably reappears via an attic window, and Stephanie remains unfazed. The film reveals that the true monster isn’t a lurking apocalypse but the child herself, wielding telekinetic powers to destroy her neighborhood alongside a global network of similarly gifted children.

5 Brandon Breyer

Imagine if Superman’s powers were twisted into pure malevolence—that’s the premise behind Brandon Breyer in Brightburn. After crash‑landing on Earth and being adopted by a loving couple, Brandon’s alien abilities quickly turn dark. He begins his reign of terror by crushing a girl’s hand after she calls him a pervert, displaying a chilling lack of remorse.

His cruelty escalates as he shatters a mother’s eye with a shard of glass, violently attacks her, and hurls a truck onto his own uncle, tearing the man’s jaw loose. Brandon’s ultimate act of devastation is causing a passenger plane to plummet, killing all 268 souls aboard. Throughout his rampage, he dons a grotesque, laced mask that adds a visual layer of horror.

4 Luke Lerner

Babysitting takes a nightmarish turn in Better Watch Out, where 12‑year‑old Luke Lerner orchestrates a terrifying home‑invasion prank on his babysitter, Ashley. When Ashley discovers the ruse, Luke’s obsession turns violent—he shoots her, enlists his friend Garrett to subdue her boyfriend, and even kills his own accomplice.

The climax sees Luke stabbing Ashley, only for her to survive. In a chilling final moment during the credits, Luke calls his mother, feigning concern for his babysitter and claiming he needs to go to the hospital, leaving viewers to wonder just how deep his psychopathy runs.

3 Michael Myers

Michael Myers stands as perhaps the most unnervingly silent horror icon. His blank, emotionless stare behind a white mask, coupled with his heavy breathing, turns ordinary encounters into lethal threats. What makes him especially terrifying is his penchant for striking where victims feel safest—their homes.

Myers began his murderous spree at age six, brutally killing his own sister while wearing a clown mask. Psychiatrist Sam Loomis describes the young Michael as having “devil’s eyes,” noting his complete lack of humanity. After fifteen years in an asylum, Myers escapes, spending another twenty‑three years hunting his remaining family members and any strangers who cross his path.

2 Eli

In Let the Right One In, the 12‑year‑old vampire Eli befriends the bullied Oskar, sharing a secret that she has been a vampire for far longer than her youthful appearance suggests. Eli’s existence is sustained by feeding on neighbors, and she lives under the guardianship of an older man who shields her from the world.

Eli’s vampiric nature forces her to scale hospital walls in search of blood, and she cannot cross thresholds without being invited—a rule she brutally enforces. When Oskar refuses to invite her inside, she erupts, bleeding from eyes, nose, and mouth in a grotesque display. She later viciously slaughters Oskar’s bullies, severing a head and an arm, proving that the film’s romance is heavily laced with horror.

1 Charlie

Charlie, the 13‑year‑old girl from Hereditary, embodies pure, unsettling creepiness. She habitually clicks her tongue, gasps for air when confronted with her peanut allergy, and gruesomely decapitates a bird with scissors, preserving the severed head in a box alongside other animal trophies.

When Charlie herself is decapitated while being rushed to the hospital by her brother, her soul is briefly possessed by the demon Paimon. Even after death, she continues to haunt the living—her brother hears the unmistakable clicking sound at the most unexpected moments, reminding viewers that the horror lingers beyond the grave.

These ten youngsters prove that sometimes the most terrifying monsters wear the tiniest shoes.

Both the Union and the Confederacy enlisted child soldiers during the bloody US Civil War that lasted from April 12, 1861, to May 9, 1865. Many of the children served with distinction and returned home. Others were not so lucky and paid with their lives. This is a look at 10 notable child soldiers who left an indelible mark on history.

Why These 10 Notable Child Soldiers Matter

Their youthful bravery, tragic ends, and extraordinary feats illustrate how even the youngest could shape the outcome of a nation‑splitting conflict.

10 Edwin Francis Jemison

The iconic photograph of Confederate Private Edwin Francis Jemison remains one of the most recognizable images of the Civil War. He entered the world on December 4, 1844, and signed up with the 2nd Louisiana Infantry in May 1861 at the age of 16. The picture that immortalized him was taken shortly after he joined the ranks.

Jemison first faced Union troops in April 1862 during the clash at Dam No. 1 in Virginia. His second encounter came a few months later, on July 1, 1862, at the Battle of Malvern Hill, which held the record for the deadliest engagement until the Battle of Antietam eclipsed it.

The Confederates suffered roughly 5,500 casualties at Malvern Hill, while Union losses were about half that number. Jemison’s life was cut short when a cannonball struck him as he surged toward the enemy lines. He was just five months shy of his 18th birthday.

9 John Lincoln Clem

Born John Joseph Klem, he later adopted the middle name Lincoln out of admiration for President Abraham Lincoln. In 1861, at just ten years old, John slipped away from home to enlist as a drummer with the 3rd Ohio. The regiment turned him away for being underage, prompting him to try the 22nd Michigan, which also rejected him for the same reason.

Undeterred, John attached himself to the 22nd Michigan, eventually being embraced as a mascot and unofficial drummer, though formal enlistment didn’t occur until 1862.

During the September 1863 Battle of Chickamauga, John swapped his drum for a musket, and three bullets punctured his hat. While separated from his unit, a Confederate colonel chased him and demanded surrender. John refused, shooting the colonel dead; the officer had derisively called him a “Yankee Devil.” This daring act earned him a promotion and the nickname “The Drummer Boy of Chickamauga.” He was discharged in 1864, rejoined in 1871 as a second lieutenant, and retired as a brigadier general in 1915.

8 Elisha Stockwell

Elisha Stockwell first answered a Union recruitment drive in Jackson County, Wisconsin, when he was 15. His father objected, prompting the recruiters to cross his name off the rolls.

Refusing to be deterred, Elisha ran away with a Union soldier who was a family friend and on leave. Before departing, he told his sister he was heading downtown; she reminded him to return early for supper. Two years later, he did just that.

During his second enlistment, Elisha claimed he couldn’t recall his exact age but guessed he was 18. The recruiter, aware he was younger, nevertheless recorded his age as 18 and listed his height as 165 cm (5 ft 5 in)—a stature he wouldn’t actually reach for another two years.

Elisha’s first encounter with death came at the 1862 Battle of Shiloh, where he stumbled upon a disemboweled soldier slumped against a tree, an experience that left him “deadly sick.” He also participated in a downhill charge toward Confederate lines; when the assault was called off, roughly half of his comrades lay dead or wounded.

That harrowing experience taught Elisha that running away from home was folly, as war was no child’s play. After the war, he discovered that only three of the 32 men and boys from his hometown who had left for battle survived.

7 William Johnston

William Johnston holds the distinction of being the youngest Medal of Honor recipient. Born in July 1850, he enlisted with the 3rd Vermont Infantry as a drummer in May 1862.

He fought in the “Seven Days” campaign (June 25 – July 1, 1862), during which his unit was forced to retreat under the pressure of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s forces. As Union troops fell back, many abandoned their weapons and drums.

William, however, clung to his drum, and when the entire division assembled for an Independence Day parade on July 4, he performed for the whole formation. President Abraham Lincoln was so impressed by his determination that he awarded William the Medal of Honor. At just 13, he remains the youngest recipient to date.

6 John Cook

John Cook signed up as a bugler with the 4th United States Artillery at age 15. He saw action at the brutal Battle of Antietam, where his battery was assaulted by Confederate infantry.

The first wave of the Confederate attack left about 17 of his comrades wounded or dead, including the battery’s commander, Captain Campbell, whose horse was killed. As survivors attempted to retreat, John managed to pull the wounded captain to safety before taking control of a cannon himself.

He was soon joined by Brigadier General Gibbon, who personally loaded and fired the cannon alongside him. The Confederates launched three attempts to seize the artillery; the third brought them within a terrifying 3‑5 meters (10‑15 ft) of the guns.

When the fighting ended, the battery had suffered 44 men and 40 horses killed or wounded. John Cook’s bravery earned him the Medal of Honor, making him the youngest artilleryman ever to receive the award.

5 Robert Henry Hendershot

Robert Henry Hendershot was ten when he joined the Union’s 9th Michigan Infantry as a volunteer drummer in 1861. Though a mischievous youngster who often quarreled with his mother and tossed fruit at passing train passengers, he took the drumming role seriously.

He wasn’t formally accepted until March 1862. From that point onward, his wartime accounts wavered between truth, embellished truth, and outright fabrication.

He claimed to have slain a Confederate colonel during a siege at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, after which he was captured and later exchanged. He reenlisted with the 8th Michigan under the name Robert Henry Henderson on August 19, 1862, but somehow ended up in the 7th Michigan, where he asserted he forced a Confederate soldier’s surrender at the Battle of Fredericksburg.

In August 1891, veterans of the 7th Michigan disputed his presence at Fredericksburg, stripping him of the title “The Drummer Boy of the Rappahannock” and suggesting the honor belonged to John T. Spillaine or Thomas Robinson. The 8th Michigan later claimed the title belonged to Charles Gardner. Ultimately, prominent figures—including President Lincoln and General Ulysses S. Grant—intervened, restoring Robert’s title.

4 Charles Edwin King

Charles Edwin King holds the grim record of being the youngest fatality of the Civil War. Born on April 4, 1849, he enlisted as a drummer with the Union’s 49th Pennsylvania Volunteers on September 12, 1861, at the tender age of 12. Though his father opposed the enlistment, he relented after Captain Benjamin Sweeney promised to keep Charlie away from the front lines.

Charlie’s first combat experience came at the Battle of Williamsburg, where Union forces were routed from the Virginia Peninsula by Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s troops. He saw action again on September 17, 1862, at the Battle of Antietam—the bloodiest single day of the war.

Estimates suggest the battle claimed at least 22,720 lives: roughly 12,400 Confederate and 10,320 Union casualties, not counting civilians who later died of disease or the 6,300 soldiers who fell in the prelude three days earlier.

During the Antietam engagement, Charlie was seriously wounded when shrapnel from a Confederate shell exploded near the rear lines, tearing through his body. He lingered for three days before succumbing to his injuries on September 20, 1862, at age 13.

3 Frederick Grant

At age 12, Frederick Grant, the son of Union General Ulysses S. Grant, followed his father into the war. He set up camp in his father’s tent, received his own horse and uniform, yet General Grant barred him from front‑line exposure. Still, Frederick defied the restriction, venturing onto the battlefield until a Confederate soldier wounded him in the leg.

Frederick’s lowest point came during the Battle of Port Gibson, where Union forces suffered 131 dead and 719 wounded. He helped collect the fallen bodies after the fighting, an experience that made him ill, prompting him to assist other soldiers in transporting the wounded to a makeshift hospital. The sight inside the hospital—rows of amputated limbs— horrified him, and he retreated to sit beneath a tree, shaken by the gruesome scene.

2 Edward Black

Edward Black enlisted as a drummer with the 21st Indiana Infantry at the astonishing age of eight, making him the youngest person ever to serve in the United States Armed Forces. Drummers were constantly at the front, using their instruments to signal commands, which also made them prime targets for enemy troops seeking to disrupt unit cohesion.

Edward was captured during the Battle of Baton Rouge and imprisoned on an island in the Gulf of Mexico. He regained his freedom when Union forces seized the island and the nearby city of New Orleans.

After President Lincoln banned child soldiers in 1862, Edward was discharged and returned to Indianapolis with his drum. The trauma and injuries he endured during the war likely contributed to his premature death at age 18. His drum now resides at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, where it is one of the museum’s most treasured artifacts.

1 Abel Sheeks

Abel Sheeks fled his Alabama home at 16 to join the Confederate Army. Short on uniforms, he initially wore a blue shirt and trousers—clothing that resembled Union uniforms—until a fellow soldier asked if he wanted to risk being mistaken for an enemy.

After each skirmish, Abel scavenged the battlefield for uniforms belonging to fallen Confederate soldiers his size. Though he despised the practice, necessity left him no alternative, and within weeks he had assembled a proper Confederate uniform.

Training in Confederate camps proved grueling for youngsters. Drills dominated daily life, while opportunities for live‑fire practice were scarce due to limited ammunition, meaning many learned to shoot only amid actual combat.

Union camps were no better. One Union boy, weary of endless drills, suggested “Let’s stop this fooling and go over to the grocery.” The drill sergeant reacted harshly, ordering a corporal to “drill him like hell.”

Oliver Taylor is a freelance writer and bathroom musician. You can reach him at [email protected].

Arguably one of the most famous rulers to have ascended to any throne in human history was Tutankhamun (1341–1323 BC). What sets the 11th Pharaoh of Egypt apart from many others is that he rose to power before his tenth birthday. After a nine-year rule over Egypt, Tutankhamun is suspected of having died of either malaria or another infection.

History tells of many other rulers who were crowned heads of their respective territories before reaching the age of majority. Like the young King Tut, these child rulers saw not only their reigns but also their lives come to a startlingly and tragic early end.

10 Lungtok Gyatso, Ninth Dalai Lama (1805–1815)

The Ninth Dalai Lama, Lungtok Gyatso, was born in 1805 in a little village called Dan Chokhor in Kham, Tibet. Interestingly, a number of sources list Lungtok’s parents as Tenzin Choekyong and Dhondup Dolma, although many sources state that he was, in fact, an orphan. Lungtok was selected over another to be the reincarnation of the Eighth Dalai Lama, Jampel Gyatso.

Around the time of his reign, major regional power shifts took place. The Qing Dynasty struggled to retain power and influence in Tibet, and Tibetan leadership and aristocrats were at odds with Qing officials. The selection of the Dalai Lama was overseen by a Qing official, something that was contested by some Tibetan leaders. This was because the Qianlong Emperor mandated that selection be made from a golden urn supplied by the emperor, effectively giving control of the selection process to the Qing dynasty. The Tibetans managed to forego using the urn after the emperor announced his retirement. At the tonsure ceremony in 1808, the child was given the name Lobzang Tenpai Wangchuk Lungtok Gyatso. He took the throne at the end of that year.

In 1815, Gyatso, who was described as having sharp intellect, taking great interest in dharma, and memorizing lengthy prayers, allegedly fell ill with a cold. It is also reported that the Ninth Dalai Lama was actually assassinated due to the turmoil that ensued during the time of his reign. Notably, the three Dalai Lamas who followed all died young, raising suspicions that they were also murdered.^[1]

9 Alexander IV of Macedon (323–309 BC)

Having to follow in very large footsteps, Alexander IV of Macedon was born in 323 BC, the son of Alexander the Great, after his father died in Babylon the same year. Alexander IV’s rise to the throne was neither immediate nor easy. The young king’s uncle, Arridaeus (who also went by Phillip), succeeded his brother as king but was soon found to be mentally incapable of acting as ruler. The regent to Arridaeus, Perdiccas, campaigned to put a hold on selecting a new successor in an effort to hold onto power and influence for himself. His efforts were met with a lot of resistance, however, and Alexander IV was born soon after.

Perdiccas was killed in 320 BC, and the then-guardian of the royal family, Antipater, was later killed in 319 BC. Antipater’s son, Cassander, plotted his way to the regency, forcing Roxane to flee Epirus with her young son and Polyperchon (a family guardian). There, the pair united with Olympias, the mother of Alexander the Great. Alexander IV’s status as successor and true king to the Macedonian throne was realized after Olympias retook Macedon and was named regent. In 316 BC, Cassander eventually managed to besiege and execute Olympias, and Cassander was accepted as regent.

In an effort to end the Third Diadoch War in 311 BC, a peace treaty that recognized Alexander IV’s rights and claim to the throne was established. Cassander, however, decided not to honor the treaty and imprisoned the young king and his mother in the citadel of Amphipolis. In 309 BC, the then thirteen-year-old king and his mother were assassinated by poisoning.^[2]

8 Ptolemy XIII, Theos Philopator (62–47 BC)

In 51 BC, the father of twelve-year-old Ptolemy XIII and his older and more famous sister, Cleopatra VII, died. In the wake of his father’s death, Ptolemy was named senior ruler by the de facto regent, Pothinus, much to the dismay of co-ruler Cleopatra. Under the influence of Roman general Pompey the Great, Pothinus, and Theodotus, Ptolemy’s strong-willed older sister was eventually expelled from Egypt in 48 BC.

Not long after her expulsion, Cleopatra wielded an Arab army to help her siege the Egyptian city of Pelusium, sparking a civil war with her brother. Pompey, unfortunately, sealed his fate after losing to Julius Caesar at the Battle of Pharsalus in Greece. To win the favor of Caesar, Ptolemy set a trap for Pompey in Alexandria and ambushed him.

There in Alexandria, a peace treaty was attempted between the warring siblings but failed to produce a positive outcome. While the siblings were detained by Caesar, Pothinus pushed their youngest sister Arsinoe to the forefront and took Alexandria. Arisinoe, however, did not get along with the heads of the Egyptian forces and was successfully offered in exchange for Ptolemy. The young king was no match for Caesar and was defeated in battle. While running for his life, Ptolemy drowned, and Caesar asserted his dominance over Egypt.^[3]

7 Emperor Antoku (1178–1185)

On December 22, 1178, Tokohito was born in Kyoto, Japan, to Emperor Takakura and his wife, Tokuko. The emperor’s son was named Crown Prince soon after his birth that same year. Although Tokohito took the throne a few years later in 1180 under the Taira clan at the tender age of two, it was his grandfather and warrior Taira Kiyomori who had sway and held control over the government. Tokohito took the name Antoku Tennō as the 81st emperor of Japan.

In 1183, the Taira clan was forced out of Kyoto City by men under the control of Minamoto Yoshinaka. Antoku and his clan eventually made their way to Yashima, where they would establish a temporary palace. Here, Minamoto and Antoku’s clans clashed in the Battle of Yashima. The shame of defeat caused Antoku to flee to the sea.

Two years later, the clans waged war against each other in the Battle of Dannoura, where the Taira clan would once again taste defeat and ruin at the hands of Minamoto’s naval fleet. Rather than die at the hands of the Minamoto fleet, many of the Taira clan’s commanders and fighters committed suicide by throwing themselves into the sea. Antoku’s grandmother followed suit, taking not only two of the three imperial regalia with her but the young emperor as well. Antoku and his grandmother plunged into the sea and drowned.^[4]

6 Peter II of Russia (1715–1730)

The grandson of Peter I the Great, Pyotr Alekseyevich was born in 1715 in St. Petersburg, Russia. Sadly, Pyotr’s mother died only 10 days after giving birth to him. Peter I’s son from his second marriage, Tsarevitch Peter Petrovitch, had died, making way for his grandson, Pyotr, to eventually become the Emperor of Russia. This was only made possible after a close adviser to Peter I and Catherine I, A.D. Menshikov, influenced Catherine to include young Pyotr in her will in 1727. Catherine I died, and Pyotr, who took the name Peter II, was declared emperor.

Menshikov wasted no time manipulating the young ruler once he had moved him into his house within the first few months of his reign. Peter II, who was promised to marry Menshikov’s daughter, was not pressed under the adviser’s thumb for much longer as he fell ill and was eventually exiled to Siberia by the aristocratic Dolgoruky family. Peter was instead betrothed to Yekaterina Alekseyevna Dolgorukaya in 1729. With a stroke of horrible luck, however, Peter II died of smallpox on the day set for the wedding. He was only fourteen years old.^[5]

5 Edward VI (1537–1553)

Sixteenth-century England fell prey to the rule of one of the most infamous and ruthless monarchs to have lived, Henry VIII, for more than 30 years. After his death in 1547, he was succeeded by his son, Edward VI. Because the king was a mere nine years of age, a council of nobles had the task of managing the affairs of the kingdom. This group included the king’s uncle, Edward Seymour—until he was overthrown by the Earl of Northumberland, John Dudley.

The political and religious climate at this time was one of Protestant reformation and economic instability. Furthermore, the king’s place as ruler was on rocky ground as the ambitious Northumberland moved to secure the future of his family by hastily marrying his son to Henry VIII’s great-niece, Lady Jane Grey, who was widely accepted by the people as heir to the throne. During this time, Edward VI was discovered to be suffering from tuberculosis. Edward, the last Tudor baby to be born, never married and died at the age of fifteen.^[6]

4 Emperor Zhao Bing (1272–1279)

Emperor Bing of Song, born Zhao Bing in 1272 to a concubine of Emperor Duzong, was destined to become the last emperor of China’s Song dynasty. Before holding the title of emperor, he was given the title “Prince of Xin” in 1274, after which it was changed to “Prince of Guang.”

Bent on conquest and glory, Mongol forces led by general Bayan took the Song capital of Lin’an and, with it, the then-Emperor Gong. Gong’s brothers, four-year-old Zhao Bing and Zhao Shi, fled to Jinhua with the help of their officials. There, Zhao Shi was named Grand Marshal, and his brother Zhao Bing, Vice Grand Marshal. By 1276, a seven-year-old Zhao Shi became the new Song emperor, Emperor Duanzong.

General Bayan was determined to rid China of any remaining Song dynasty members and led an attack on Southern China. The Song army hit a major roadblock in this fight as the young Emperor Duanzong would not live past 1278 due to illness. With low morale, the number of Song soldiers started to diminish. Lu Xiufu, one of the officials who previously helped the brothers escape peril, would once again step in and flee with Zhao Bing to Guangzhou, where he would eventually be named emperor.

Facing imminent defeat in 1279 at the hands of the Mongol naval forces, Lu Xiufu took the seven-year-old Emperor Zhao Bing to a cliff and plunged into the depths of the ocean together. With this act, the Song dynasty had come to a tragic end.^[7]

3 Alexios II Komnenos, Byzantine Emperor (1169–1183)

The life of Alexios II was a turbulent one. The future emperor was born in Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey) in 1169. Eleven years later, his father, Manuel I, died, leaving behind his son and Alexios II’s mother, Maria. Because it was determined that the new emperor, Alexios II, was too young to rule, his mother took up the regency alongside Alexios II’s cousin, who also shared the name Alexios.

Turmoil would soon follow as friends of Alexios II attempted a coup intended to secure the young emperor’s place on the throne. In response to the coup attempt, however, rioting took place in Constantinople, and the failed attempt was capitalized upon by Emperor Manuel’s first cousin, Andronikos Komnenos. Andronikos seized control of the Constantinople government, and a slaughter of thousands of Roman Catholic inhabitants ensued.

In a bid to eventually seize power for himself, Andronikos isolated Alexios II by killing his mother, older sister, and his cousin Alexios. What’s worse is that the young emperor was apparently made to forcibly sign off on the death warrants himself. By 1183, Andronikos made himself co-emperor. In October of that year, the plot to gain absolute power came to a head when Andronikos gave the order to assassinate Alexios II. He was strangled to death with a bowstring.^[8]

2 Edward V of England (1470–1483)

Edward was born at Westminster Abbey in 1470, a time when the War of the Roses raged on. In 1471, at a mere one year old, Edward was deemed Prince of Wales by his father, King Edward IV, who was living in Holland in exile at the time. The young prince lived a very strict and structured upbringing as dictated by his father. Receiving an education, exposure to religion, and having positive influences around him were the order of the day. A betrothal to the Duke of Brittany’s young daughter Anne was also arranged as a means of strengthening political and military ties. Sadly, this marriage union would never come to fruition.

At age twelve, Edward learned of the death of his father in April of 1483. The fallen king’s son became King Edward V soon after. The former king’s brother, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, was appointed Edward’s protector. Conflict soon arose between the protectorate and the royal council, which was mainly comprised of the family of Edward’s mother, the Woodvilles, who wanted the young king to take the throne right away. In reality, the Woodvilles wanted a regency for their own benefit instead of Edward V under the protection of the Duke of Gloucester.

The duke eventually arrested the Woodville leadership and took custody of Edward V and his younger brother, who were taken to the Tower of London. Gloucester later claimed that the marriage of the king’s father was not valid, and the king and his brother were illegitimate. On June 26, parliament declared Gloucester as King Richard III. The young monarch was ruler for a mere two months and seventeen days.

The disappearance of the young king and his brother is shrouded in a cloud of mystery. It is believed that they were murdered at the Tower of London after being held in heavily guarded captivity. Sir Thomas More later wrote that the young king and his brother were smothered to death. In 1674, two remains believed to be that of the boys were discovered by King Charles II and laid to rest at Westminster Abbey.^[9]

1 John I of France (1316)

John I of France goes down in French history as being the youngest to ever hold the title of king, having the shortest recorded reign in French history, and being the only French monarch to have reigned from the day of his birth to his last.

The only son of King Louis X and Clémence of Hungary was born in Paris on November 15, 1316. Because the child king was born after the death of King Louis X, he was known as “John the Posthumous” (Jean le Posthume).

Tragically, John I only lived to see five days on Earth and was dead on November 20. The infant was buried in Saint-Denis Basilica. It is speculated that John I was killed by his uncle and future king Philippe V as a means of gaining power and control of the throne for himself. Other rumors state that Philippe replaced the still-living child with a dead infant. This claim has never been proven. Decades later, a man claimed to be the supposed king John I but was swiftly detained, imprisoned in Naples, and died there.^[10]

You’ve probably heard of famous Gen Z child prodigies like JoJo Siwa, Simone Biles, Emma Chamberlaine, and Billie Eilish. From popularizing viral dance videos to never having lived without the existence of the internet, children from Generation Z are known for many things.

Although many older generations peg these “zoomers” as being overly sensitive and highly reliant on “likes” and “follows,” Stanford University behavioral scientist Roberta Katz describes the “typical” Gen Z as, “A self-driver who deeply cares about others, strives for a diverse community, is highly collaborative and social, values flexibility, relevance, authenticity and non-hierarchical leadership.”

There are so many influential Gen Zs that are changing the world in fields that have far less media exposure. From Grammy-nominated jazz pianists to Olympic silver medalists and published authors, here are ten child prodigies you’ve probably never heard of.

10 DJ Switch

Erica Armah Bra-Bulu Tandoh, born December 12, 2007, is a multi-faceted performance artist and child prodigy from Dadieso, Ghana. Although she has experience in multiple performance areas, Erica is recognized mainly as “DJ Switch,” the youngest winner at the 2018 Ghana DJ Awards. She even took home the Best Female DJ award the following year, at just 11 years old. In 2020, not only was DJ Switch featured on Roc Nation’s social media for Black History month, earning her international recognition for her talents, but she also won a Global Child Prodigy Award.

DJ Switch is passionate about supporting her community, and in 2019 she donated tables and chairs to a junior high school in Brafoyaw, Cape Coast, Ghana.

In the future, DJ Switch will continue DJing while pursuing a career as a gynecologist.

Social Media:

Instagram: @djswitchghana

YouTube: DJ Switch Ghana

9 Anisiia Volodymyrivna Gonymovych

In 2017, Anisiia Volodymyrivna Gonymovyc, born December 24, 2007, became the first Ukrainian to win “Mini-Miss Universe.” Born in Odessa, Ukraine, Anisiia is a competitive ballroom dancer, model, singer, pageant winner, television correspondent, and journalist. She has been spotted at Odessa Fashion Week as well as the 2017 International Kids Fashion Week.

Not only is Anisiia a member of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) International Academy of Journalism. In 2020, she was listed as one of the Global Child Prodigy Award’s “Top 100 Child Prodigies of the World.”

Social Media:

Instagram: @anisiia07

8 Stacey Fru

Stacey Fru, born February 16, 2007, is an award-winning South African author, activist, and public speaker. Her debut book, Smelly Cats, was published in 2015, when Stacey was just seven years old. Since then, Stacey has written five more books, all published by the Johannesburg publishing company Profounder Publishing.

Stacey won the Pan African Award for Literary Work in 2019, the Outstanding Young African Entrepreneur Award in 2020, and was shortlisted for the International Children’s Peace Prize in 2020. In 2022, Stacey was appointed as the Director and President of AfroStory.

Social Media:

Twitter: @staceyfru

Instagram: @staceyfru

7 Jhulia Rayssa Mendes Leal

Jhulia Rayssa Mendes Leal, known more commonly as Rayssa Leal, is an Olympic silver medalist born on January 4, 2008. Rayssa competed at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics in the women’s skateboarding street competition. She is the youngest athlete ever to represent Brazil at the Olympics and is the youngest Olympic medalist in 85 years. Rayssa was awarded The Visa Award at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics for her outstanding sportsmanship during the competition.

Rayssa was born in Imperatriz, Maranhão, Brazil. In 2019, Rayssa competed with, and outscored, three-time X-Games Gold Medalist Alexis Sablone, and six-time X-Games gold medalist Letícia Bufoni, proving to the world just how much of a prodigy she is.

Social Media:

Instagram: @rayssalealsk8

6 Tanaka Koki

Tanaka Koki, known by his stage name, “Koki,” is a Japanese K-Pop idol born on January 29, 2009. He first arrived on the K-Pop scene during the survival competition TV show known as LOUD in 2021, making the final lineup of the show in September 2021. Koki was the second-youngest participant and competed against trainee idols as old as 21.

Although Koki will no longer be debuting with the group from LOUD, Koki will continue as a trainee under PYS’s label P NATION.

Social Media:

Instagram: @pnation.official

5 Zuriel Oduwole

Born in July 2002, Zuriel Oduwole is a Los Angeles-born American filmmaker, education advocate, and public speaker. Zuriel made her first documentary, The Ghana Revolution (2012) when she was ten years old. Her second documentary, The 1963 OAU (2013), would earn her recognition in Forbes. By the time she was 12, Zuriel’s fourth film, A Promising Africa (2014), was getting international acclaim, and Business Insider cited Zuriel in their “World’s Most Powerful Person at Every Age.” In 2015, Elle Magazine put Zuriel on their list of “33 Women Who Changed The World”.

Zuriel now has seven films under her belt, and her most recent documentary, Nelson Mandela—A Centenary Life of Giving (2019), earned her recognition from the Nelson Mandela Foundation in 2019.

Social Media:

Twitter: @ZurielOduwole

Instagram: @zuriel.oduwole

4 Juju Noda

Juju Noda, born February 2, 2006, is a professional racing driver currently slated to compete in the 2022 W Series, an all-female formula racing championship, at the age of 16. Juju is the daughter of the former Formula 1 racer, Hideki Noda. She’s been driving karts since she was four and has been testing “single-seat” race cars since she was just nine years old.

Juju’s first race as a professional was in 2019 at the Lucas Oil Winter Race Series, finishing things off in 14th place. In 2020, Juju moved to Denmark, where she would start competing in the F4 Danish Championship with a team run by her father. She won her first-ever race and finished the 2020 season in 6th place overall. The next year Juju finished the championship in 7th place.

Social Media:

Twitter: @JujuNoda_Racing

3 Alma Deutscher

Born on February 19, 2005, Alma Deutscher is an esteemed composer, violinist, and pianist who composed her first sonata when she was five. Alma is from Basingstoke, England, where she played both the violin and the piano by the age of three. Her first opera, The Sweeper of Dreams, was finished in 2012 when she was just seven, and she would go on to write two more, Cinderella and The Emperor’s New Waltz.

Alma has also composed five orchestral pieces, six piano pieces, seven chamber pieces, and four songs. In 2019, she was recognized by the Beijing Music Festival, winning the Young Artist award—in the same year, she was given the European Culture Prize. In 2021, Alma became the youngest ever recipient of the Leonardo da Vinci International Award.

Social Media:

YouTube: AlmaDeutscher

2 Joey Alexander

Joey Alexander is a jazz pianist, born on June 25, 2003. He was born in Depasar, Bali, Indonesia, and was the first Indonesian artist to chart on the Billboard 200. By the time Joey was six, he had taught himself to play the piano by ear. In 2013, at the age of nine, Joey won the Grand Prix at the Master-Jam festival. When he was eleven, he released his first album, My Favourite Things, which was nominated for the “Best Jazz Instrumental Album” Grammy in 2016. Joey has twice been nominated for “Best Improvised Jazz Solo” at the Grammys in 2016 and 2017 for his pieces “Giant Steps” and “Countdown,” respectively.

When Joey was eight, he was able to perform for one of his idols, Herbie Hancock, when Hancock visited Jakarta. After receiving Hancock’s praise, Joey “decided to dedicate [his] childhood to jazz.” He would go on to win the Grand Prix at the Master-Jam Festival in Odessa, Ukraine, the following year.

Social Media:

Instagram: @joeyalexandermusic

YouTube: Joey Alexander

1 Ewok

Ewok is a professional E-sport athlete and influencer born on September 18, 2005. Ewok started playing Fortnite in 2018, and just one year later, he signed a streaming contract with Twitch. He became the first deaf member of the FaZe Clan. Ewok has been a pioneer for deaf representation in the gaming industry and explained that he uses a “sound visualizer” that Fortnite put in place to make their game more accessible to deaf and hard of hearing players.

In 2020, Ewok came out as transgender and bisexual, becoming the first “out” transgender player for FaZe. He (born she) was listed in Forbes‘ “30 Under 30” in the same year. Despite an onslaught of “trolls” after Ewok’s coming out, with people attacking his sexuality, and even questioning the truth behind his disability, he continues to be a leader in his field. As of April 2022, Ewok has 329.9k followers on Twitter, 336k followers on Twitch, and 490k followers on Instagram.

Social Media:

Instagram: @ewokfn

Twitter: @ewok

Twitch: @ewokttv