A School of Rock star has opened up about the bullying they suffered as a result of the film, leading them to become a 'raging addict' at age 14.
Rivkah Reyes, who uses gender neutral they/them pronouns, was just 10 years old when they starred as bass player Katie in the 2003 Jack Black comedy musical.
Following the release of documentary Framing Britney Spears, which looked at the media treatment of the pop star as a young woman, Reyes has spoken out about their struggle and how their story is 'kind of parallel with Britney's'.
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Speaking to the New York Post, Reyes, now 28, said they were sexualised as a minor and suffered bullying at school after starring in the movie.
"Especially after production wrapped, when I first came back to school, people were really nice or really mean. There was no middle ground," they said.
"I was literally followed around the school with people chanting School of Rock. "
Following this, from the age of 14 to 24 the star used food, sex, drugs, alcohol and self-harm to get through the dark times.
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In an essay titled 'Confessions of an Obsolete Child Actor' written for Medium, Reyes elaborated on the bullying and subsequent addiction.
They said: "From the age of 14, I used drugs, alcohol, sex, food, and self-harm to numb all of this pain. I've survived dozens of toxic relationships and three suicide attempts.
"I'm not saying all of this is because I played bass in a movie when I was a kid but because I spent over a decade terrified that I'd peaked at 10 years old."
Through all of this, Reyes has come out the other side and has no regrets about their involvement in the movie.
"It was nothing but love and support," Reyes told the New York Post. "I have never lost gratitude for that, or wish that I wasn't part of it."
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Reyes, who still acts and performs and lives in LA, hasn't lost touch with the other child stars of the film and has had numerous reunions with them over the years.
"I wish there was a reality TV show for all the moms of School of Rock - they're their own cast," Reyes said.
But the thing Reyes is most proud of? In their own words: "No credit or feat is as cool as the fact that I have been in recovery from alcoholism and addiction for two years."
Words by Daisy Phillipson
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Mental Health, Bullying, Addiction, TV, Films & Movies