Tuesday marked the debut of a new initiative from Next Generation Collective, which aims to help young people in entertainment, music and the creator economy handle the pressures of being raised in the public eye. The announcement came at Hollywood & Mind’s first summit at iHeartMedia in New York City.
This effort is built for young people, their families and the professionals who help them. It gathers clinical mental health knowledge, leadership from the entertainment industry and personal experience to offer practical, expert-led advice on mental health, boundaries and the realities of working on set, performing, creating content and building a public presence while still young. It will also work as an extra source for studios, productions, agencies, managers and platforms that support young talent.
The Team Behind It
Lilah Kojoori leads the initiative, a longtime children’s entertainment communications executive who founded the Collective. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience working with young performers and their families, she provides additional guidance, trusted resources and a stronger community of support.
The Founding Advisory Board draws on talent and family members who know what it is like to live in the public eye. The group includes Angel Carter Conrad, a children’s mental health advocate; Logan Henderson, an actor and singer; Isabela Merced, an actress and singer; Kel Mitchell, an actor; Soleil Moon Frye, an actress and filmmaker; Carmela Wallace, mother of Juice WRLD and founder of Live Free 999; Hudson Yang, an actor; and Breanna Yde, an actress and singer. Artists for Artists rounds out the roster. More members will be revealed later.
What The Initiative Does
This project is built around helping young talent and their families find guidance and resources so they can move through the industry with care for their wellbeing. It touches on mental health, setting limits, and the pressures that come with working on set, performing, creating content and building a public profile while still young.
The Kids Mental Health Foundation is contributing clinical guidance and insights so the Collective’s work stays in line with evidence-informed mental health educational materials. Founded by veteran entertainment journalist Cathy Applefeld Olson, Hollywood & Mind brings together talent, executives, advocates and wellness professionals for the Collective, partners on programming and raises the profile of the Collective’s work at its events.
The Partners
The initiative brings together three organizations with distinct roles:
| Organization | Role |
|---|---|
| Next Generation Collective | Founded by Kojoori, brings lived experience and industry leadership |
| The Kids Mental Health Foundation | Provides clinical expertise and evidence-informed guidance |
| Hollywood & Mind | Connects with talent, executives, advocates and wellness professionals |
The Founding Advisory Board
The initiative draws its advisory board from a mix of performers, filmmakers and a parent whose child was Juice WRLD, which brings a wide set of views on what it means to come of age in the public eye.
| Member | Role |
|---|---|
| Angel Carter Conrad | Children’s mental health advocate |
| Logan Henderson | Actor and singer |
| Isabela Merced | Actress and singer |
| Kel Mitchell | Actor |
| Soleil Moon Frye | Actress and filmmaker |
| Carmela Wallace | Mother of Juice WRLD and founder of Live Free 999 |
| Hudson Yang | Actor |
| Breanna Yde | Actress and singer |
| Artists for Artists | — |
Kojoori On The Mission
“Young people in entertainment often grow up in the public eye, and they deserve real support along the way,” said Kojoori. “With The Kids Mental Health Foundation’s clinical expertise, Hollywood & Mind’s reach across the industry and an advisory board that has lived this life firsthand, our hope is to give young talent and their families guidance and resources to navigate the industry while prioritizing their wellbeing.”
The Expertise Behind The Project
Dr. Ariana Hoet, Executive Clinical Director of The Kids Mental Health Foundation and a pediatric psychologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, spoke about the initiative’s approach.
“We are excited that the Collective is beginning their work by first learning from the community they want to support,” notes Dr. Hoet. “There are so many directions this important work can take shape and it’s wonderful that it’s being launched in such a thoughtful way.”
Hollywood & Mind’s Role
Hollywood & Mind’s founder and CEO, Cathy Applefeld Olson, detailed the arrangement.
“Supporting the wellbeing of those who work in entertainment is at the heart of Hollywood & Mind’s mission. We’re thrilled to be a founding partner of Next Generation Collective, where we can provide young people and their support teams with the resources and community they need to thrive both personally and professionally,” said Olson.
What Comes Next
Starting in 2027, Next Generation Collective plans to collaborate with its Founding Advisory Board and partners on building resources, education and support for young people, their families and the studios, productions, agencies, managers and platforms that shape their professional environments, with guidance from experts.
More announcements about programming and partnership opportunities are expected in the months ahead.
Source material: “Next Generation Collective Launches Initiative To Support The Mental Health Of Young Talent In Hollywood,” Deadline.
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