Actor-dancer Alyson Stoner's revelatory and incisive memoir—from family violence and betrayal, to eating disorders and religious trauma—may begin in Hollywood, but its chilling relatability will resonate with anyone navigating identity, privacy, purpose, and mental health in a digital age.
Raised on soundstages and studio lots from the age of six, shuffling between auditions for Disney Channel, Cheaper by the Dozen, or Missy Elliott music videos, Alyson Stoner experienced many of the defining moments of childhood inside the bizarre fishbowl of Hollywood. From working eighty hours a week at eight years old, to learning how to distinguish fan mail from kidnapping plots, to TV execs saying they weren’t “anorexic enough” to stop working and get help, Alyson struggled to find stability and sanity in a chaotic world.
In Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything, Alyson shares their powerful story for the first time, detailing a turbulent home life fractured by substance abuse, harrowing accounts from rehab, the messy process of discovering their sexuality in church, rebuilding a life after an early professional peak, and charting a path of self-discovery and advocacy. With striking introspection, Alyson connects the dots across the entertainment industry ecosystem, child development, and media culture, exposing the “toddler to trainwreck pipeline” of child stars and sparking timely conversations about success and society’s enchantment with fame.
Bold, entertaining, warm, and galvanizing all at once, Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything is more than a personal memoir: it’s a beacon for industry reform, a road map for breaking the bonds of generational trauma, and a testament to the freedom and strength that come from finally trusting your own voice and power.
During childhood, Stoner appeared in over 200 films, TV shows, and tours, including Camp Rock, Phineas & Ferb, Step Up, Cheaper by the Dozen, and iconic music videos with Missy Elliott and Eminem. Today, they’re focused on impact-driven and community-based initiatives, such as designing Artist Wellbeing Essentials, a robust digital toolkit including expert-led education and tools for performers to pursue their passions in a healthy and sustainable way.
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Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything
Written By Alyson Stoner
Review By Heidi Lynn’s Book Reviews
Oh as soon as I heard that Alyson Stoner wrote her memoir Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything you know I had to read it!! If you know me you know I am a huge fan of all things pop culture and celebs. I grew up watching Alyson busting her killer dance moves with Missy Elliot on her music videos, acting alongside Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers in Camp Rock (that I am a huge fan of) and acted alongside Hillary Duff in Cheaper By The Dozen. Yes, she shares all those stories on how she reached those milestones in her life. However, it was an eye opening look into what really happens of a child star getting into the entertainment business roller coaster of a ride you put on during your journey.
I commend Alyson for being brave and opening up sharing deeply personal stories that you have experienced with your readers. I am so sorry that you had to go through all of that! Many times while reading the book I felt your pain and wanted to jump in the book rescuing you from the situation you were in.
I appreciated Alyson giving her readers a heads up on the trigger warnings in her Author’s Note. Very few authors do so. I am thankful that she cared about her readers' mental health before telling her story. Those triggers are child abuse, addiction, eating disorders, domestic violence, mental illness, rape, gun violence, surgery, body modification, greif, micro aggressions, suicide, death and general trauma.
Alyson gave us an inside backstage pass to give us a glimpse of what it is like for a child to make a name in the industry as an actress and as a dancer. She shares stories of what it was like to go on auditions, when she met Missy Elliot, etc. There were a lot of pop culture references made that I can remember in time when that happened. Oh I had to laugh when she said she probably shouldn’t have seen the famous Madonna, Britney and Christina kiss at the award show but she did.
There was a part in the book that made it extremely hard for me to read where I just wanted to go and snatch her out of the book and rescue her. It was when she was sexually violated by that guy after saying no! No means no! The way he was talking to her, oh it creeped me out!! I don’t blame her for dislocating herself from the situation. That is what I did when I was put in the same situation. But what got me heated was the message Alyson got after that he has done this to multiple girls before!!
The story of how she discovered her sexuality made me smile ear to ear. The way she described the first date and how she was all tongue tied was just so cute!
Alyson is a very gifted writer and a beautiful storyteller. Through everything she has gone through and overcome she has become a stronger person for that. This is a must read book to put on your TBR list.
