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Cole Sprouse Says Fame Is Trauma — And I Get Why That Hits So Hard

When I heard Cole Sprouse say, “Fame is trauma,” it stopped me in my tracks. I grew up watching him on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, and like many of you, I assumed being a child star was all red carpets and fan mail. But hearing him open up about the darker side of early fame made me reflect on how we, as a culture, view young celebrities—especially young girls.

Sprouse didn’t hold back. He said that while he and his brother got to enjoy a “very privileged” path in the entertainment world, young female stars were “heavily sexualized from a very young age.” And sadly, I’ve seen it too. From magazine covers to late-night interviews, we’ve watched teen actresses being asked inappropriate questions or dressed up to meet adult standards before they’ve even finished high school.

It made me think about how fame can steal your childhood. Imagine growing up in front of millions, with strangers commenting on your looks, body, and behavior 24/7. I don’t think most of us could handle that without scars.

What hits me hardest is how normalized it’s all become. We scroll, we double tap, we judge—sometimes forgetting there’s a real person behind the screen. I’m guilty of it too. But hearing Cole speak out reminds me that these young stars are still kids. And the pressure they carry isn’t just unfair—it’s dangerous.

If there’s one thing I’m taking away from this, it’s to be more mindful of how I consume celebrity culture. Because if fame really is trauma, then the least we can do is stop feeding into the system that causes it.