Jennifer Garner has become entangled in a social media controversy after 'liking' an Instagram post by actress Melissa Gilbert, who recently faced criticism for her comments on child stardom and the death of former child actress Daveigh Chase.
Gilbert's post, which appeared to attribute Hollywood child star struggles to parenting failures, prompted backlash. This was amplified by the fact that Gilbert's husband, Timothy Busfield, is currently facing criminal charges related to child sexual contact, allegations he denies.
Chase, known for her role in "The Ring," died on June 16 at age 35 from complications related to AIDS, with chronic polysubstance use also cited as a contributing factor. Reports indicated she had been living on the streets of Los Angeles in her final years.
Garner and Gilbert share a long-standing friendship, having met on the set of the television adaptation "Zoya" over two decades ago, where Garner played Gilbert's on-screen daughter. Garner has previously spoken about Gilbert's mentorship during her early career, stating Gilbert taught her essential industry knowledge.
In her Instagram post, Gilbert reflected on working with a young Chase more than 20 years ago, recalling she sensed troubling family dynamics. Gilbert, drawing from her own experiences as a child star on "Little House on the Prairie," cautioned that the entertainment industry can be perilous when parents become excessively focused on their child's success.
"Child stardom, in itself, is not a guarantee of dysfunction," Gilbert wrote. "However, when a parent or parents lose sight of who THEY are, of what their true responsibility is, and their lives revolve solely around their little star child, well, that's where the trouble begins."
She advised parents considering show business for their children to prioritize the child's well-being, ensure financial transparency, confirm the child's genuine desire for the career, and maintain a thriving life outside the industry.
While many commenters on Gilbert's post were supportive, some criticized her for potentially assigning blame to parents. The online discussion also veered towards Busfield's legal troubles, with some social media users bringing up the charges against him.
Chase gained recognition as the voice of Lilo in Disney's "Lilo & Stitch" franchise and for her role as Samara Morgan in "The Ring." Her career also included roles in "Donnie Darko" and its sequel, "S. Darko."