I was a child performer from age 3 to age 17. I did Broadway and television all through my childhood. I then was a casting director in New York for more than twenty years. I was coaxed into watching the shows and I would like to make the following comments:
I was amazed that any of the mothers actually felt entitled to interrupt a professional choreographer trying to teach a dance routine. They did not seem to understand that this is the best way to ensure that their child will not pass an audition. From watching them coach their children it is clear that none of them have the talent or experience to give advice on acting. A child actor is just that, an actor. The talent comes from within them, not from their mother's coaching. The children who get jobs have mothers who go out for coffee with other "regular moms" not "stage moms" and let their children handle the work they are being paid to do. The kids get jobs on their own merit if they are truly professionals.
As far as the children were concerned, I would like to start with the girls.
I get Alaina as a sad, exhausted, over stressed little girl who is trying very hard to satisfy her mother. Her commercial audition showed no sparkle and no sense of timing. It was forced and not natural. Her singing was mostly off key in every song she sang, starting with Amazing Grace. Perhaps her mother has no ear for music and cannot hear the flat and sharp notes she is singing. I personally think she needs to take some time off from show business so the can relax and get over the trauma she suffered in the motorcycle accident. Although her mother says she is strong and driven, I believe Kim is describing herself, not her child.
Gracie has sparkle and drive. I truly think she wants to do this and is leading her mother, not the other way around. She has acting talent and is adorable on stage. I believe she will get work. I would have chosen Gracie as the overall winner and my agency definitely would have signed her up.
Maria and Veronica both need to get diction lessons to clear up their regional accents especially with their Ts and Ds. Maria says "tuhday" and beautsiful, and Veronica said, "Yuh dohn godda do that to my face." This type of diction will never get either of them a commercial. Maria's acting is forced and over coached. Her singing is nasal, she forces her voice and she has no sense of phrasing or timing. She also needs to watch her pitch. There is no feeling coming across in either her acting or her singing. She is beautiful and perhaps can model. She will not pass an audition where they are looking for a 13 year old girl because she is too mature looking . No matter how talented she may get to be, she will never never get a job if her mother continues behaving the way she did on the show.
Meghan is a very angry and stressed child. This is manifested in her acting. She however is only 10 years old and if she has professional vocal lessons, and ballet lessons and dramatic lessons this may bring out her talent. Her bit with the child actor was very aggressive and terribly angry.
The three boys were quite talented. All three have acting talent, but I get Dmitri as a musician. Kyrian is not a singer but his overall bounce and sparkle and cuteness make up for it. I am glad to see he is getting work. I definitely would have signed him up, along with his brothers. I don't know how really motivated the other two boys are or if they are just going along with it.
Now for the mothers:
Kim may believe she knows what is best for Alaina's career, but I do not think she has a clue. She speaks in the first person and it seems to be all about her. As I said before, the child is sad and seems very burned out.
Kiki is doing just fine. One of the reasons Gracie will get work is because her mother is not a detriment to her career.
Larissa I believe is intelligent enough to mind her own business and stay out of it once her kids get jobs. They are also very well adjusted boys, and the family is loving and good humored. I just think she should look at whose motivation it is for the older boys.
Susan does not have a clue about acting. She has no acting talent herself and the coaching she was forcing on Meghan was abysmal. Let her find her own way. If she is an actress it will come out in time.
Veronica is inappropriate in a professional capacity. She comes off as controlling and entitled. Maria is beautiful but is in no way ready to be a star. If Maria really wants to do this she needs professional training. Her mother is not qualified to give it.
My advice to the mothers is to not mention auditions or acting for a few weeks. Take a hiatus from show business and see if your child brings up the subject of going on an audition or is practicing by her/himself because he or she wants to and not because they have been told to. Also notice if your child seems more relaxed, happy and is doing better in school because they do not have to concentrate on pleasing agents.
Please make your relationship with your children more important than the work they may or may not choose to do in the future. Best of luck to you all.
(Original Air Date: 05/21/07) Dr. Phil’s child star competition heats up! Seven kids with stars in their eyes face the final leg of the competition in The Dr. Phil House, but do their mothers unwittingly sabotage their chances? After speaking with Veronica, Kiki and Larissa about how they could be a liability to their child’s success, Dr. Phil turns to Kim and Susan. Playing a video clip of Kim’s daughter, Alaina, in an interview, Dr. Phil points out the pressure and stress that she feels and how it may affect her performance in school. Then, Dr. Phil shows a video of Susan assisting her daughter, Meagan, during the dance rehearsals. In the video, Meagan struggles under her demands. Will these mothers adjust their behavior and take on a healthy, supportive role in their child’s career? Then, it’s time for the final talent show! Each child performs on the Dr. Phil stage, in front of his studio audience and a panel of Hollywood’s top talent agents, managers and casting directors, who decide the grand-prize winner. The children receive fabulous prizes for their hard work, but they mean little to one upset mother. Share your thoughts, join the discussion.
