In recent months, the world has watched child star Amanda Bynes fall apart. While the actress' bizarre behavior has been the subject of many headline jokes, Nick Cannon has decided it's time to get serious.
Cannon, who starred with Bynes in the 90's Nickelodeon hit "All That," has posted an emotional open letter to the starlet; calling her his "sister" and letting her know he is here for her.
The 32-year-old "America's Got Talent" host begins the letter admitting he has made light-hearted jokes about Bynes in the past, but recently realized the extent of her issues when she was placed on a 5150 psychiatric hold at a California hospital.
"The questions have ranged from, 'Have you spoken to Amanda?' to 'Are you working on her rap album?'" he wrote. "Sometimes I would answer in a playful humorous manner and sometimes I would brush it off as another Pop culture topic that a reporter was trying to retrieve a sound bite for. But after recent events of Amanda being admitted under psychiatric care and reported as 5150, I see this as no laughing matter."
Cannon goes on to condemn the pressures of child stardom, pointing to Bynes' early success as a possible reason for her downfall.
"The entertainment industry just consumes people and spits them out like flavorless bubblegum. A few chews of enjoyment then they're under a city bus bench," he said. "Don't get me wrong this is not a pity for the popular statement. I am always the first to say that fame and entertainment is one of the best and easiest occupations to ever have, but one must know how to navigate through the matrix or you may find yourself in a very dark hole.
"Imagine being the breadwinner in your household before you can even drive. Imagine you parents, teachers, and employers NEVER telling you NO. Anything you ask for or want, the world gives you," he continued. "At some point you are bound to self-destruct."
At the end of the letter, Cannon offers his unending support to the troubled actress.
"I say to my sister Amanda Bynes you're not alone," he said. "I'm here for you. I understand. I care and I appreciate you, because that's what family does and that's what family is for."
Click here to read the full letter.
