Kids Are Growing Up tells the story of Australian rapper and singer The Kid LAROI, born Charlton Howard. Starting at just 15 years old, the documentary charts his ascent from aspiring teenage artist in Sydney to global superstar by age 20.
We see LAROI’s early days freestyling with friends, then watch as success finds him through collaborations with Juice WRLD and Justin Bieber’s chart-topping duet “Stay.” As fame and accolades pour in, LAROI purchases a lavish home in Los Angeles – yet also wrestles with pressures of his new lifestyle.
The film takes us inside LAROI’s musical journey while revealing personal struggles with anxiety, depression and losing his close friend and mentor Juice WRLD. Though it offers an intimate view of LAROI’s world, the documentary could have provided even more insights into his roots and origins in Australia early in his career. Overall, Kids Are Growing Up gives viewers a candid portrayal of what it’s like to achieve dreams – and dilemmas that can accompany fame at a young age.
LAROI’s Rise in Sydney
The documentary wastes no time introducing us to the young talent of LAROI. We’re treated to footage of him as a fresh-faced 15-year-old, freestyling alongside friends from the passenger seat of a car. Though stumbling over his words at one point, his raw skills are evident. It’s clear even at this early stage that he dreamed of making it in the music industry. The film offers insights into LAROI’s upbringing in Sydney and Aboriginal heritage, though only scratches the surface of influences that shaped him.
We learn LAROI found inspiration from artists like Western Sydney trailblazer BLESSED, who helped foster early talent in their community. BLESSED’s production guided LAROI’s 2014 debut EP “14 WITH A DREAM,” bringing early attention through SoundCloud. The film touches on this pivotal collaboration only briefly, a missed opportunity to shed more light on influences so formative to his development.
While sharing glimpses of LAROI exploring his hometown as a teen, the documentary curiously neglects to delve deeper into his origins in the Sydney neighborhood of Waterloo.
This is presented as little more than a place he knew growing up, neglecting to acknowledge how time there molded his artistry and connection to fans. Given LAROI has noted in past interviews that Waterloo will always be part of his identity, its near-absence from his on-screen story is quite glaring.
By 15, LAROI’s talent was undeniable and his ambition to succeed clear. However, Kids Are Growing Up only provides a surface-level look at influences and community that helped thrust his early career upward in Australia, leaving viewers wanting more insight into the foundation of this now-global superstar.
Rising to the Top
The documentary outlines LAROI’s early collaborations that helped propel him toward superstardom. We see how working with the late Juice WRLD left a profound impact, the two developing a strong bond. Their song “Go” stands as a poignant tribute following Juice WRLD’s tragic passing. Around this time, LAROI’s talent was undeniable and beginning to gain traction worldwide.
It was 2021 when everything changed. LAROI teamed up with Justin Bieber for the smash hit “Stay.” The film shares their fun interactions in the studio and we sense a genuine friendship forming. With Bieber’s co-sign, “Stay” catapulted to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, opening countless new doors for the then-17-year-old LAROI. He found himself rubbing shoulders with industry titans like Scooter Braun.
The overnight success transformed LAROI’s lifestyle completely. We see him tour private jets, make lavish purchases and enjoy lavish parties abroad. Most astounding is that before even turning 18, LAROI dropped millions on an opulent Los Angeles mansion, a daring move that paid off immensely. He enthuses about the fruits of his labor but acknowledges deeper challenges that came with notoriety.
By the time LAROI was 20, he had unveiled his debut album and landed on the Grammys stage, cementing his status as a true global phenomenon. It’s a remarkable rise, especially for one so young. The documentary aims to convey both LAROI’s dizzying success and the pressures that came with reaching popularity’s heights at such a formative age.
Navigating Stardom
Kids Are Growing Up allows a candid look at the mental toll fame took on LAROI. He freely shares lifelong bouts with depression, anxiety and even suicidal ideation. It’s eye-opening to hear someone so young articulate such personal struggles. But his transparency aims to erase stigma through relatability.
LAROI achieves superstardom by age 20, yet wonders “What do I do now?”. The film underscores how quickly dreams materialize, leaving some adrift without new purpose or direction. LAROI navigates this identity crisis openly. His observations on fame’s fleeting nature and the spotlight’s unstable ground feel beyond his years.
Moments where animated caricatures symbolize inner demons hint at constant battles largely invisible to admiring fans. LAROI acknowledges money and acclaim fail to “resolve problems” which persist, perhaps growing, as success rises. Shifting between ecstatic achievements and soul-searching uncertainties, his journey depicts the complexities of child stardom.
By philosophizing on these challenges, LAROI helps others while processing his own journey. Against a backdrop of mansions and private jets, he maintains a clear-eyed realism about fame and fulfillment and their separation. While the pleasures of wealth and renown are understandable, LAROI’s willingness to unpack their costs commands respect. His growth from aspirant to role model stems from hard-won wisdom and a desire for open discussion challenging misconceptions.
Valuing Relationships
The film offers intimate glimpses of LAROI relaxing amid success. We see him cavorting playfully in the pool with his brother Austin, their bond evident. Other scenes show the easy camaraderie LAROI shares with collaborator Justin Bieber. The pair clearly developed a strong friendship while creating their global hit “Stay.”
LAROI expresses how fan support proves crucial to his emotional well-being. Even at fame’s heights, that appreciation grounds him. From live performances capturing phones aloft to homecoming tour highlights, his gratitude for admirers seems sincere. While the trappings of wealth surround, LAROI appears most vibrant engaging directly with crowds.
Prominent names in the industry also speak fondly of LAROI. Post Malone relays wisdom gained touring and encourages perseverance. His testimonial suggests recognizing talent regardless of experience. With careers now diverged, their bond was formative for the rising artist.
Scenes portray LAROI as gracious and approachable despite achievements. Despite pressures, his focus remains creating music to form connections. Whether joking around poolside or opening up to viewers, LAROI’s charm lies in maintained realness. Even amid challenges, prioritizing people defines the journey shown.
A Star Returns Home
Kids Are Growing Up could have really shone highlighting LAROI’s triumphant Australian tour. Selling out massive shows in your hometown takes things to another level. The film lands him performing before screaming crowds at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena. Yet it leaves out actually seeing the dynamic performances.
We get that LAROI felt like “a tourist” revisiting areas shaping his journey. The doc gives a taste of reminiscing about close friend Saik who passed too soon. Scenes pay subtle tribute to those impacting even the biggest names. It brings perspective knowing humble roots remain close to heart.
While global stages await, homecoming embodies the full circle of dreams attained. LAROI shrugs off fame improbabilities, grounded through remembering hardships surmounted. Even amid riches, true wealth lies in connections never outgrown. The departed friend’s memory lives on in music moving multitudes.
Ending on this emotional high note could’ve resonated stronger. LAROI triumphs by staying real amid rewards. His story tells how recognizing community roots creativity in place identity.
The Journey Continues
Kids Are Growing Up offers a fascinating glimpse into LAROI’s world. As one of music’s brightest talents, he opens doors few expect. The documentary gains unique access to his experiences.
Yet for a film chronicling such a story, more exploration of influences and community could strengthened the impact. LAROI’s roots clearly inspire him, but receive cursory treatment.
Still, intimate moments retain value. Fans witness the pressures of youth and sudden fame few fully grasp. LAROI’s charm and humor shine through serious discussions of mental health. Viewers gain sympathetic insight into navigating undeniably public careers from a private perspective.
LAROI now stands as one of Australia’s most successful musical exports. But as he mentioned, fame proves fleeting without maintaining creativity. His maturation suggests growing ability meeting challenges.
By sharing struggles and triumphs, LAROI connects with legions worldwide. Kids Are Growing Up serves as a primer. One expects the next chapter of this prodigy’s saga will surpass all seen before. For LAROI, the best remains ahead.
The Review
Kids Are Growing Up: A Story About a Kid Named LAROI
while Kids Are Growing Up provides a personally revealing look at LAROI's journey navigating youth, fame, and mental health struggles, the documentary could have delivered richer context and exploration of his formative influences and community. Overall however, the film accomplishes its goal of offering fans empathy and insight into LAROI as an artist and person.
PROS
- Provides personally revealing look at LAROI's struggles with mental health and navigating youth/fame
- Offers fans empathy and understanding of LAROI as a person behind the fame
- Features intimate moments and behind-the-scenes access
CONS
- Could have elaborated more on LAROI's musical influences, community, and artistic process
- Feels somewhat incomplete in exploring his formative years and rise to fame
- Lacks tighter focus and leaves some wanting more context
