Disney Channel alumnus actor Dylan Sprouse compared his child acting career to "child labor" and criticized it.
On the Wildmen podcast released on the 1st (local time), Dylan Sprouse described his childhood acting activities and said, "In the past some kids worked in coal mines and at 15 guarded the mine carts. We just sang and danced. Still, it's child labor."
Dylan Sprouse began acting in 2005 with his twin brother Cole Sprouse on the Disney Channel drama The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.
He compared having worked as a child actor for many years to working a full-time office job. Dylan said, "I've explained this to people a lot: working on TV is like having a daily work routine. You go to work, clock in, clock out, you have cubicle-like desks, and you do work. Of course it's different in that we work on set, but the working hours are the same," he said.
He said that when a production wrapped he was left with a "void" and that his self-esteem became closely tied to his ability to keep working and go back to set.
He also admitted that he is still overcoming some of the unpleasant experiences and mental hurdles he went through at the time.
Dylan spoke about actor Mark Indelicato, who debuted at a young age and became known at just 12 years old through the drama Ugly Betty, saying, "I'd definitely like to talk with him about how he overcame those things while growing up in the entertainment industry. We may be talking around it, but ultimately it's child labor," he said.
Dylan acknowledged that he was fortunate to have his twin brother Cole Sprouse by his side while navigating the good and bad aspects of the profession.
Meanwhile, Dylan Sprouse married model Barbara Palvin in July 2023 and is currently expecting his first child.
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