‘School of Rock’ Child Star Shares The Heartbreaking Reason Watching That Movie Is Painful

Revisiting School of Rock should feel like hitting play on a childhood soundtrack. For one former child star, it does not, because the movie they helped make iconic also became a trigger they cannot just rewind past.

In an October 2022 episode of the Sleepover Cinema podcast, Rivkah Reyes, now 32 and using they/them pronouns, explained how the excitement started so bright. Filming wrapped, the cast watched the film together, and it felt magical, like they were living inside the coolest rock fantasy imaginable, right up until fame turned into a spotlight they could not escape.

That’s the part that hurts, the moment the “we were like, this is so cool” feeling curdled into something sharper.

Hit play and rewind to when Jack Black made school the coolest gig in town!

In an October 2022 episode of the Sleepover Cinema podcast, Reyes opened up about their difficult relationship with the film. They admitted that, despite its iconic status, revisiting it wasn’t always easy.

The 32-year-old, who now goes by the pronouns they/them, explained that much like their other young co-stars, their journey with School of Rock began with excitement and magic.

After filming wrapped, the cast got together to watch the movie, and for the young actors, it was an unforgettable experience.

The Tonight Show promos and that “this is so cool” energy were fun at first, but they also set up the perfect stage for the shine to fade fast.

The Emotional Impact of Nostalgia

Nostalgia often evokes complex emotions, blending joy with sadness. This emotional mix can create a bittersweet experience when revisiting memories from childhood, as seen with the 'School of Rock' star's reluctance to revisit the film.

Research demonstrates that while nostalgia can enhance feelings of connectedness, it can also highlight unresolved issues from the past, leading to emotional discomfort. Acknowledging these feelings is crucial in processing them and moving forward.

A young Rivkah Reyes alongside Jack Black in a moment that defined a generation of rockers.

Paramount Pictures

Once premieres, festivals, and events started rolling in, Reyes said watching themself over and over turned into a loop of severe self-criticism.

“We were like, 'This is so cool!'” Reyes recalled, sharing how they felt like stars while promoting the movie on shows like The Tonight Show. But as time went on—that shine began to fade.

For Reyes, watching themselves over and over again at premieres, festivals, and events began to fuel a cycle of severe self-criticism. They’d pick apart their appearance and scrutinize everything from their facial expressions to their body language.

And if you think “realistic” went wrong, these celebrity dolls promised realism but delivered something very different.

Rivkah Reyes unpacks the struggle with self-criticism during and after the fame of School of Rock

Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images

Then the bullying from peers hit on top of everything, so the nostalgia that was supposed to feel warm started feeling like pressure.

“I have severe anxiety,” Reyes admitted. “Ever since I was a little kid, I have had really negative, spiraling thoughts.” This inner turmoil was only compounded by bullying they faced from peers who weren’t as kind about their sudden fame.

Rivkah Reyes explores the impact of self-scrutiny on their mental health on Sleepover Cinema podcast.

By the time Reyes tries to revisit <i>School of Rock</i>, it is not just a movie anymore, it is a whole chain reaction of anxiety and spiraling thoughts.

Reyes recounted how they would sit beside their mom, cringing at their own performance. However, time has a way of healing old wounds.

Despite their mixed emotions about the movie, our favorite rockstar bassist now says they’re ready to see it with fresh eyes.

While Reyes' experience as a child actor was complicated, their memories attached to filming School of Rock remain mostly positive. “It’s like a family reunion video,” Reyes said, reflecting on the movie’s lasting impact on their life.

Revisiting the film might have once been a challenge, but they’re now ready to appreciate it for what it was—a unique and unforgettable part of their journey.

The emotional journey of childhood memories is intricately woven into the fabric of our lives, as illustrated by the reflections shared by the child star of School of Rock. The film, while beloved, carries a bittersweet weight for those who starred in it, reminding us that nostalgia can be tinged with pain. The star's candid acknowledgment of the difficulties faced during and after filming underscores the reality that even cherished experiences can harbor underlying struggles.

This narrative invites us to consider the importance of resilience in confronting our past. Rather than simply reminiscing about the joyous moments, it encourages a deeper exploration of the challenges that accompany them. By embracing practices that promote emotional growth, such as gratitude and mindfulness, individuals can begin to reshape their relationships with their memories. This transformation can lead to a healthier emotional landscape, allowing them to appreciate both the joy and the lessons learned from their experiences.

Watching <i>School of Rock</i> is painful for Reyes because the film that made them feel famous also taught them how to be cruel to themself.

Before you rewind School of Rock, check out the TikTok trend where people impersonate celebrities as owls.