In his first interview following the release of ‘Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV,’ Drake Bell discussed his hesitations about participating in the docuseries and mentioned his father’s role in it. Bell’s disclosures during his interview, which took place on ‘The Sarah Fraser Show’, range from his initial reluctance to be part of the project due to an unpleasant previous experience, to the impact of the sexual abuse he faced as a child actor.
Initial Hesitations and Approach to the Docuseries
Appearing on The Sarah Fraser Show, Bell stated that he was initially skeptical when approached about ‘Quiet on Set.’ This was due to an earlier negative experience where he had been criticized and ‘shamed’ for refusing to participate in a similar project. However, Bell’s opinion changed after his interaction with Emma Schwartz, one of the directors of the docuseries. The actor-musician found her approach sensitive and genuine, which put him at ease and nudged him towards agreeing to participate.
Participation in the Docuseries and Personal Impact
While Bell conceded that he was more comfortable after his first interview with Schwartz, he revealed that he had been dealing with significant personal issues at the time. This led him to seek help from a rehabilitation center where he attended group and one-on-one therapy sessions for trauma.
The Impact on his Family and Nickelodeon’s Reaction
Drake Bell, the former ‘Drake & Josh’ star, disclosed that the sexual abuse he suffered from Brian Peck didn’t only affect him, but it also impacted his entire family, including his parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews. Bell also discussed the involvement of his father in the documentary who expressed his regret over not being able to protect him.
Bell did not shy away from sharing his thoughts on Nickelodeon’s response to the docuseries. He termed the media company’s official response as ’empty’ and the product of clever legal maneuvering.
His Relationship with Dan Schneider
In the interview, Fraser also inquired about Bell’s relationship with Dan Schneider, a former Nickelodeon showrunner with his own share of controversies. Bell noted that, although he had a positive working relationship with Schneider, this shouldn’t diminish the allegations made by other Nickelodeon stars in the documentary.
Learning and Growing From Previous Challenges
Towards the end of the podcast, Bell addressed the various difficulties he previously faced. These ranged from child endangerment charges in 2021, numerous run-ins with the law, to reported substance abuse issues. While he acknowledged these were his own mistakes, he also stressed the misinformation and false statements that have circulated about him.
Wrapping Up
In essence, Drake Bell’s interview sheds light on the challenges he has endured, both as a victim of child sexual abuse and as a public figure dealing with past mistakes. Crucially, his story underlines the importance of honest conversations about the dark side of the entertainment industry. To know more about similar stories and gain insights into the world of film and television, make sure to visit HitPlay.
