Yahoo News Beverley Mitchell, Jodie Sweetin and Christine Lakin: Life After Childhood Stardom
For viewers of TV in the 1990s, it was hard to miss Jodie Sweetin, Beverley Mitchell or Christine Lakin starring in one of their family-friendly shows-a shared experience that bonded the girls more than 20 years ago. "We grew up in this crazy sorority," says Sweetin, now 35, who landed the role of Stephanie Tanner on Full House when she was only 5. Now they've reunited for Pop TV's comedy series Hollywood Darlings-and opened up to People about the joys and pitfalls of early stardom.
"It was a simpler time," reminisces Lakin, 38, who played feisty tomboy Alicia on Step by Step. Adds Mitchell, 36, who played middle child Lucy Camden on 7th Heaven: "Now you're constantly judged by what you put out there." Still working as actresses, the trio admit it can be difficult to shake their old TV personas. "In Hollywood it's very difficult to change how people see you," Mitchell says.
Sweetin-who's in the midst of a nasty breakup with ex-fiancé Justin Hodak-knows how big the gap between squeaky-clean image and real life can be. In 2006 she revealed she'd been addicted to crystal meth. Now six years sober, she says, "If people hear my story and relate because I'm famous, that's an opportunity." She recently broke off her engagement with Hodak and has a restraining order against him. On March 30 the actress posted to Instagram, "It's definitely been a roller coaster, but with amazing family, friends and fans, I'll be just fine!"
The friends now also have another bond in common: parenthood. Lakin has daughter Georgia, 1, with Brandon Breault; Mitchell and husband Michael Cameron have daughter Kenzie, 4, and son Hutton, 2; Sweetin has two daughters, Zoie, 9, and Beatrix, 6, with exes Cody Herpin and Morty Coyle. "It's nice to share the bond of being working moms," says Lakin.
And while working in Hollywood as children may have left a few scars, it's also granted them an enduring friendship. "We have a wonderful sisterhood," Mitchell says. "We're always there for each other."
