Former child star Elijah Wood says Hollywood has a seedy underbelly of child exploitation and that those responsible are being protected by the entertainment industry elite. “I can tell you that the number one problem in Hollywood was and is and always will be child exploitation,” Wood stated. “Nobody talks about it; it’s the big secret and it’s widespread.”

Hollywood, known as the epicenter of entertainment, produces our favorite movies and TV shows and is home to some of our most beloved stars. However, beneath the glitz and glamour lies a dark side, particularly in how it exploits young talents. Horror stories of young actors being taken advantage of by industry bigwigs are not just rumors but real events.

For example, Oprah Winfrey has been accused of being part of an elite group that allows such terrible behavior to continue. What’s frustrating is how these stories often get brushed off or not given the attention they deserve.

Corey Feldman is a prime example. He has been speaking out for years about the abuse he and his friend Corey Haim suffered as child actors, but his claims were often ignored or not taken seriously. Feldman has repeatedly said that he and Haim were abused by people they trusted in the industry. In his book “Choreography,” Feldman alleges that Haim was raped on the set of the 1986 film “Lucas.”

Feldman claims that during the filming of “The Lost Boys,” both he and Haim experienced more abuse. Despite many knowing about it, people chose to stay silent.

In 2013, Feldman appeared on “The View,” insisting that the perpetrators were still out there, continuing their behavior. He said he couldn’t name names due to California’s statute of limitations laws.

Feldman explained how these predators would single out better-looking younger kids and take them to after-parties where unspeakable things happened.

Elijah Wood backed up Feldman’s claims in an interview with the Sunday Times, saying there are many vipers in the industry who only have their interests in mind.

Wood pointed out the tragic reality that victims often can’t speak as loudly as the powerful people harming them. He described it as a tragic attempt to reveal what’s happening to innocent people, whose lives are irreparably damaged. Wood credited his mother, Deborah, for protecting him from such situations, but noted that even as an adult, he has been led down dark paths.

Wood’s statements align with Feldman’s experiences, highlighting a disturbing pattern seen with powerful figures like Harvey Weinstein. According to Feldman, whenever someone tries to expose a big name with money and power, it’s the accuser who ends up looking bad, not the perpetrator.

One of Weinstein’s close friends, who is now getting a lot of side-eye, is Oprah Winfrey. For decades, Oprah introduced various characters to her audience, some legit and others questionable. She had everyone from self-proclaimed miracle workers to criminals on her show, often for ratings. For instance, John of God, a so-called healer, was later sentenced to nearly 500 years in prison for serious crimes, including sexual abuse.

Oprah also gave airtime to Mo’Nique’s brother Gerald, a convicted felon who spent over a decade in prison for sexually assaulting Mo’Nique. Oprah blindsided Mo’Nique by having their parents on the show, the same parents who didn’t believe her when she spoke out about the abuse. Mo’Nique later revealed that her parents tried to sell her story to Barbara Walters, but Barbara shut them down. However, Oprah jumped at the chance to bring Gerald on her show, offering only a half-hearted apology to Mo’Nique later.

Mo’Nique has also accused Oprah of blocking her career and stealing roles meant for her. Lee Daniels, the director of “The Butler,” allegedly offered the lead role to Mo’Nique, but Oprah ended up playing the part. Similarly, in a biopic about Richard Pryor, Mo’Nique was supposed to play Pryor’s grandmother, but Oprah claimed the role instead.

Moreover, after Michael Jackson’s death, Oprah gave a platform to his accusers, despite their changing stories and admissions of lying under oath. This move angered many, including Mo’Nique, who felt it was shady given Jackson’s previous interview with Oprah, which significantly boosted her show’s reach. Oprah defended herself, stating she wanted to shed light on the pattern of such crimes and the victims’ experiences.

In summary, Elijah Wood and Corey Feldman’s testimonies reveal the dark side of Hollywood, where child exploitation is a well-kept secret protected by powerful industry elites. This disturbing reality continues to plague the industry, with many victims’ stories being ignored or dismissed.