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American pop culture is laced with childhood prodigies and celebrities that crumble under the pressure of constant national exposure.
As the saying goes, “We like to build them up and tear them down.” Upon reflection, it’s easy to see why an actor, musician or athlete can’t handle being on the cover of every magazine, the ire of social media trolls or the bombardment of TMZ in addition to trying to appease the fans, agents and executives who take over their life. And upon deeper reflection, it’s extraordinary that anyone can withstand it and, in the rarest of cases, rise above it.