Hollywood — a city that sustains itself on dreamers, doers and makers — is simultaneously a beautiful and ugly place. The bustling streets are lined with trendy restaurants, artsy coffee shops and hot-yoga studios on every block. The sunsets are as gorgeous as the people strolling down the beach. And the nightlife is a creativity melting pot with actors, singers, comedians and artists of every type itching to share their craft with the world.
But for all its beauty, it can be very dark and lonely too. A city filled with artists is also a city filled with egos, angst, insecurities and competition. It’s hard to connect and find true friendships (the flakes are abundant here) — but, more important, and sometimes more often than not, it can be even harder to find and stay true to yourself.
Roseanne and Shameless star Emma Kenney is experiencing both sides of Hollywood’s personality right now, but luckily, she isn’t afraid to admit when she needs help. After tweeting she is taking a break from Los Angeles and social media for a bit, she exclusively told In Touch Weekly she’s seeking treatment for the personal issues she’s encountering in life.
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“I was running with a really fast crowd. I was being naive and very immature, and I was doing things I should not be doing because it was illegal and I’m not 21,” she said. “It wasn’t healthy, and it was making me feel even worse — anxious and depressed,” Kenney explained. “It was just a slippery slope that I did not want to go down. And I knew that I needed to stop it.”
Hitting fame and fortune at 11 years old and growing up in the limelight like Kenney did can be difficult to navigate. We’ve seen it time and time again. But now, as she enters the first few years as a real adult (isn’t that what we’re calling 18-year-olds?), she’s looking out for herself.
“I want to be the healthiest, best Emma that I can be, and I know that by going to treatment that’s what’s going to happen, and I’m going to continue on that positive road,” she added. “I just want to send a message to my fans saying that it’s OK to admit that you need help, and it doesn’t make you weak. I’m going to come out on the other side, the True Emma that I’ve always been.”
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Fans and colleagues, including Lyn Paolo, the costumes designer for Shameless, have showered Kenney with love and support on Twitter since she announced her self-imposed hiatus from the business.
See you soon sweetheart…..get some rest…LP
— Lyn Paolo (@LynPaolo) April 9, 2018
What a smart young lady. You made the decision for yourself and that's why you'll be okay. Thank you for sharing your truth and the real you. You may help someone who is struggling. #staystrong#PositiveVibes
— Wanda Probe (@Voice4Silent) April 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/sweetshan13/status/984424879079510016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Bravo sweetheart..What a brave, beautiful, young women u are💕 You've gotta a whole lotta life ahead of u. Most people wait till there older (like myself) to set out on a personal journey..Take all the time you need, & don't let yourself feel rushed..it's worth it, I promise🤗
— MrsMoorefoto📷😷 (@MrsMoorefoto) April 11, 2018
Right now, it’s unclear what kind of treatment Kenney is receiving or when she’ll make her return to Hollywood (and frankly, it’s none of our business). But according to IMDb, she is cast in two films that are currently in production — Robert the Bruce and My Love Affair with Marriage. On top of that, Kenney is currently playing Darlene’s teen daughter in the Roseanne reboot, and while she’s already completed nine episodes, we know there are many more to come.
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Until then, we hope Kenney gets all the R&R she needs before she returns to work. Everyone needs help from time to time, and we applaud Kenney for sharing her struggles so we can all learn that it’s OK to just take a break.
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