Christy Carlson Romano Details Post-Disney Struggles with Substance Use

Romano, best known for her roles in Even Stevens and Kim Possible, described a period of aimless rebellion during which she lacked professional guidance. Without a publicist or stylist to curate her transition into adulthood, she relied on nightlife to capture public attention. She admitted that her drug use was less about the substance itself and more about the social currency it provided within exclusive circles. Being the Disney girl who broke character offered a fleeting sense of belonging among peers.

This era of her life, characterized by aggressive partying and an attempt to force a new public identity, is a central theme in her upcoming memoir, Once Upon a Trainwreck: The Rise and Fall of a Child Star. Romano recalled her past choices with candor, including an awkward and failed attempt to ingratiate herself with Lindsay Lohan during the height of the tabloid era. She hopes that by documenting these mistakes, she can offer a relatable account of the pressures faced by young performers navigating fame without a support system.