From bullying to being beaten up, these 6 stars all have some unhappy memories from their time in school. Some were picked on because of their careers which began at a young age, while others were called fat and taunted for no particular reason. These stars may have all had a tough time during their school years, but they have put their demons behind them and are even stronger thanks to the bad experiences.
Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato dropped out of school because of bullying: “Bullying is something I went through when I was 12 years old. I actually ended up leaving school because of it. I just remember the hard times that I went through that caused problems that I struggle with every day to this day. I was bottling it up 100 per cent and one day I was in a bathroom and the lights were out, I couldn’t turn them on because you had to have a key in a separate part of the school. I just called my mom and I was crying and I said ‘I don’t want to go to school any more’. It was a rough time, I was by myself.”
Leighton Meester
Leighton Meester was picked on and even called fat: “School is not fun for most people, but the people who do have fun are usually making fun of other people, which sucks. By no means did I have a conventional upbringing, but I was brought up with love. I don’t believe it matters what kind of place you come from. I didn’t tell people I was an actress. Then one day, I went into school and someone was holding a magazine and they were, like, ‘Is this you?’ It was just a small photo spread ñ I was 14 ñ and I said, ‘Yeah, it’s me,’ and they were, like, ‘Man, you are such a dork.’ One of them said, ‘You’re bigger on TV.’ I said, ‘What do you mean?’ And they said, ‘Well, you look kind of fat’. Kids are so mean! What’s wrong with them?”
Kristen Stewart
Kristen found that she didn’t get on with kids of her own age: “I was glad to leave school. I couldn’t relate to kids my own age. They are mean, they don’t give you a chance. I think the social aspects, I haven’t missed out on. I am around people constantly. I meet hundreds of people at work. Once you have done with school, you realised it’s just a smaller version of life. When I was there, I was never the type of girl to be walking around talking about acting, so I didn’t get a lot of hassle until someone found out. I was trying to play it down, but I definitely got, ‘Oh she’s such a b**ch.’ They’d never spoken to me, but instantly they were like, ‘You are so rude.’ I am not rude.”
Hayden Panettiere
Hayden began her career at a very young age, which made other children turn against her: “I was tortured, emotionally tortured by these girls. Every time I came back from filming, it would be me trying to find my way back into the clique. And they weren’t having it. I remember hearing in first grade, ‘Oh, why does she get to skip school?’ It wasn’t like I suddenly started feeling different. I always knew that I was.”
Evan Rachel Wood
Evan Rachel Wood was beaten up because people thought she was stuck up: “I used to get beat up in elementary school for the same reason. They would assume I was this spoilt little brat. In fifth grade, I would get held and spit on and people would throw basketballs at me and s**t. It sucked. I never even fought back. I would be like, ‘Why? I’ve never done anything, I’m not bothering you.”
Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore found herself friendless but learned about boys: “I had a hard time at school. People didn’t talk to me. I didn’t have a lot of friends. It seemed like the boys were really into the girls who had tight bodies and were hot. When I got out of school, I realised I would never want a guy who wants me because I giggle and flip my hair and have a hot body. I want a guy to like me because I’m intelligent and can carry on an interesting conversation. I want someone who will be proud of my accomplishments. When you’re young, you try to get acceptance from boys, but they don’t even know what they want.”
