Jennifer Stone, known for her Disney Channel fame, attributes her work as an ER nurse to staying grounded. Balancing her Hollywood past with healthcare realities has given her perspective. On the ‘Cheers’ podcast, Stone recounted her experiences juggling these demanding worlds.
Stone faced challenges when returning to her role in ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ while working in an emergency room. She shared, ‘I was trying to post, but my hospital had terrible Wi-Fi, so I was outside, posting and doing my job, then coming in and doing the work of an ER nurse. Nothing keeps you more humble.’
Nothing keeps you more humble.
The contrast between her work in healthcare and her teenage Disney fame is stark. Stone described her time on Disney as ‘Disney High,’ a heightened version of high school filled with drama, wealth, and unique opportunities.
She credits her parents for helping her maintain normalcy amidst the allure of Hollywood. Without their support, Stone believes she might have struggled to stay grounded. She highlighted the challenges young actors face, revealing that a former audition acquaintance recently overdosed.
While her parents had no creative backgrounds, their support helped nurture her acting passion. Stone recalled a pivotal moment when a writers’ strike led her back to Texas at 16, and she worked various jobs, including posing as an elf in Santa photo sessions.
After ‘Wizards’ ended, Stone’s perspective shifted significantly when she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 20. Her health struggles led her to hospitals frequently and ultimately inspired her decision to become a nurse.
Stone’s nursing career, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, has reshaped her views on Hollywood pressures. She emphasized, ‘You don’t sweat the small stuff.’ Her experience in healthcare has made entertainment industry concerns seem trivial in comparison.
It makes all this stuff so small and so much easier to digest.
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