Jackie Evancho reveals the downsides of finding fame as a child on America’s Got Talent

Jackie Evancho posted a revealing Facebook message on Wednesday. 

The 18-year-old star opened up about finding fame on America’s Got Talent after being named runner-up in season 5 when she was only 10.

‘Throughout my childhood I was also facing another reality — that there were men out there who wanted to hurt me,’ she revealed.

‘Some even went to the extreme of claiming they were priests and other disarming occupations to gain trust and easy access backstage, but clearly their intentions weren’t so pure,’ she continued. 

Evancho said she felt the need to share the hardships she endured during the almost ten years after finding overnight success because she wanted a fresh start.

‘With the onset of a New Year and me entering adulthood as a 18 year old moving to New York, I felt the need to put this out into the universe as a way of continuing the healing process I’m on,’ she began her personal message.

‘I no longer have the fear to stay silent. People often still think of me as a child star, and that isn’t easy to shake off. 

Bad intentions: ‘Throughout my childhood I was also facing another reality — that there were men out there who wanted to hurt me,’ she revealed; (pictured on AGT in 2010)

‘I just performed on NBC’s AGT’s The Champions and it allowed me to reflect on my journey – the reason I wanted to do the show was to walk onto that stage as a young woman and show the world I am no longer a child,’ she explained.

And Evancho understands there were both negatives and positives to becoming a public figure, especially one so young. 

‘I’ll admit that there are a lot of aspects that aren’t so glamorous about being a child in the music industry but there’s a lot that I’m thankful for and would never change. I am glad that I am a performer and that that’s how I make my living, but growing up that way wasn’t easy,’ she continued. 

Keeping positive: ‘I’ll admit that there are a lot of aspects that aren’t so glamorous about being a child in the music industry but there’s a lot that I’m thankful for and would never change’; (pictured with AGT winner Michael Grim and host Nick Cannon in 2010)

Hardships: ‘Through the years I have developed some flaws and battled some demons, from being sheltered from aspects of a ‘normal’ child’s life. I am extremely awkward and shy around those my age’; (pictured July)

‘Through the years I have developed some flaws and battled some demons, from being sheltered from aspects of a ‘normal’ child’s life. I am extremely awkward and shy around those my age,’ she added. 

Despite the hardships she faced growing up in the limelight as a child, she is grateful for the chance to make a living as a performer.

‘All these things were terrible as a child and yet I’m still here performing and loving it. A lot of people may ask ‘Why?’ and I say it’s my path, my dream, and my passion, with a fire inside of me when I perform. I’ve learned that there is a lot about the world that is sad. That’s just life, but there are also many beautiful parts of life that I cherish and focus on,’ she wrote on Facebook.

And Evancho is looking ahead for even better things to come in the future.

‘I’ve learned and been through so much, but this is my journey and I look forward to a bright future for the next phase of my life.’

Bright future: Despite the hardships she faced growing up in the limelight as a child, she is grateful for the chance to make a living as a performer. She recently performed on AGT: The Champions