Yahoo Lifestyle Child star Sally Boyden at 50: Fame almost killed me
Sally Boyden in this week's New Idea.
She's just turned 50, but to many of us, Sally Boyden will forever be remembered as 'The Littlest Australian' – her nickname on hit variety show Young Talent Time.
Now the singer has finally opened up on her roller-coaster life – including allegations she was forced out of the show and her shock addiction to heroin.
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'Being on Young Talent Time would change my life in every way,' says Sally, who also suffered an eating disorder in her teens. 'Looking back is bringing up so many memories – good and bad.
'I had an awful time [being bullied and teased] at school because of this instant fame. My whole family’s life changed.
Sally quit YTT when she was 11, after being ostracised for daring to appear on a rival TV show to promote her solo album.
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But Sally didn’t look back, heading to LA at the age of 12 to star in The Waltons and a Lassie movie before eventually moving to London where she continued singing, working alongside Duran Duran.
'Then one night I was at a friend's house and somebody offered me heroin. Before I knew it, I was an addict,' Sally tells New Idea.
With the help of her friend and Duran Duran keyboardist Nick Rhodes, Sally got clean, and has stayed that way for 28 years.
To read Sally's full story, pick up this week's New Idea magazine, on sale now!
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