Singer Jang Yoon Jeong is suffering again because of conflict with her mother. Although they had already cut ties after an incident 13 years ago, this time her daughter's name was dragged into an investment fraud allegation. Jang Yoon Jeong has borne the pain for years.
Stars who, like Jang Yoon Jeong, have taken on "family risk" are not only found in Korea. Overseas, many stars have also confessed to financial problems or controversies caused by parents or siblings. From former child actors to a star who at one time was known worldwide as the "pop princess," some even declared they had cut ties with their parents.
# "pop princess" britney spears, why she cut ties with her father
The overseas star often compared with Jang Yoon Jeong is Britney Spears, who at one time was loved worldwide as the pop princess. Britney had been under the conservatorship of her father Jamie Spears, who was appointed guardian starting in 2008 when she suffered mental health problems. He managed about 70 billion won of his daughter's assets as well as taxes and medical issues.
The issue was Britney's claim that her father, as conservator, had effectively controlled her assets and activities. Britney said she had to work under her father's control regardless of her wishes and could not use the money he earned as she pleased. She also made personal life disclosures, saying he prevented her from having more children. Meanwhile, Jamie Spears is reported to have paid an estimated $1 billion during his 13 years as his daughter's conservator.
Ultimately, in June 2021 Britney filed a lawsuit seeking to remove her father's conservatorship, saying she wanted to get her life back, and she was freed in November of the same year. At the time, the #FreeBritney movement also took place. Britney is estranged from her father, and the conflict between the two has been made public in real time for years.
# "home alone" macaulay culkin, the pain of a child star
Macaulay Culkin, a former child actor who appears every Christmas season in the film Home Alone, also experienced conflict due to his parents' dispute over assets. Macaulay Culkin rose to fame as a child star through Home Alone in 1991, gaining worldwide popularity. At age 12, when the film became a huge hit, he was called one of the most successful child actors in history.
But there was pain behind the success. When Macaulay Culkin was 14, his parents engaged in a two-year legal battle over his $17 million in assets (about 2.51 billion won). The parents clashed over divorce, assets and custody, and Macaulay Culkin ultimately asked the court to exclude his parents from managing his assets.
After these legal battles, Macaulay Culkin was no longer able to sustain the popularity of Home Alone. His acting career did not continue, he married at 17 but divorced two years later, and controversies such as drug use did not stop.
# "gossip girl" blair sues her mother
Leighton Meester, who became a global star for her role as Blair in the drama Gossip Girl, is also one of the stars who experienced financial conflict with her mother. She said money sent for her sick brother's medical treatment was used by her mother for other purposes, leading to legal disputes. Leighton Meester is also known for an anecdote that her mother gave birth while serving time in prison after being convicted of drug trafficking.
While her fame continued, in 2011 she filed a complaint in a Los Angeles court against her mother. Leighton Meester said she sent $7,500 each month for her younger brother's hospital bills, but her mother spent that money on shopping and plastic surgery, she explained.
In response, Leighton Meester's mother counter-sued, saying she had sacrificed everything to support her daughter's acting career, had promised financial support she did not keep, and had even been assaulted. Ultimately, the court ruled in Leighton Meester's favor.
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