Psychotherapist Reveals Why Female Celebrities Are Embracing Childlike Personas
An increasing number of prominent female celebrities are adopting childlike personas and behaviours when facing personal challenges and public pressures, according to a leading psychotherapist. This fascinating trend sees stars like Nicola Peltz-Beckham, Ariana Grande, and Lily Rose Depp embracing youthful aesthetics and nostalgic activities as subtle forms of emotional self-regulation.
The Psychological Mechanism Behind Childlike Behaviours
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, Marygrace Anderson, psychotherapist and founder of MG Hypnosis, explained that reverting to childlike behaviours represents a sophisticated coping mechanism during turbulent times. 'Presenting in a more childlike way can be a subtle form of self-soothing,' Anderson revealed. 'In hypnosis and psychology, this is often seen as a common coping mechanism when adults need reassurance or self-care.'
Anderson elaborated that this psychological display typically emerges during moments of heightened pressure or emotional vulnerability. 'From a psychological perspective, this kind of display often emerges during moments of heightened pressure or when the person feels a sense of emotional vulnerability,' she noted. 'Coupled with being in the public eye and under the media spotlight - alongside adult responsibilities - relationships and life stresses can easily intensify.'
Celebrity Case Studies: From Ballerina Parties to Disneyland Trips
The phenomenon manifests in various ways across the celebrity spectrum. Nicola Peltz-Beckham recently celebrated her 31st birthday with a ballerina-themed party, complete with a pastel pink cake adorned with a ballerina topper. Photographs showed the model clinging to her 83-year-old father Nelson amid ongoing family tensions with her husband Brooklyn's family.
'Best birthday yet,' she wrote on social media. 'I'm so grateful.' Anderson interpreted this behaviour as psychologically significant: 'Clinging to her father and describing it as "the best birthday ever" can be her way of reinforcing that sense of emotional security. Whether conscious or subconscious, strong physical closeness and emphatic language often underline where someone feels most supported.'
Ariana Grande has similarly drawn attention for her dramatic transformation toward youthful styling, favouring oversized bows, pastel colours, and doll-like poses. The 32-year-old singer has faced immense personal challenges, including the Manchester bombing aftermath and the death of her ex-partner Mac Miller. Anderson suggested: 'Psychologically, this can function as a form of emotional self-protection. For someone who has navigated intense public scrutiny and personal loss, presenting in a softer, younger way can help preserve vulnerability while maintaining control over how it's expressed.'
Beyond Fashion: Psychological Grounding Techniques
The trend extends beyond clothing choices to encompass behaviours and settings. Lily Rose Depp, then 18, visited Disneyland Paris wearing Mickey Mouse gloves and a red mouse-ears hat with a glittered face. Lily Allen frequently adopts childlike positions during her BBC Sounds podcast recordings, while Myleene Klass embraces youthful fashion items like leg warmers.
Anderson explained that these behaviours serve important psychological functions: 'People can instinctively gravitate towards symbols, behaviours and relationships that feel familiar, safe and grounding for them. This kind of presentation outwardly looks into a softer, almost childlike identity, with nostalgic references, affectionate poses and a gentler manner.'
The psychotherapist emphasised that these cues represent emotional regulation rather than regression: 'These cues are often less about emotional regression and more about emotional regulation. Childlike behaviours - whether expressed through clothing, body language, family closeness or settings like Disneyland - can indicate where someone feels emotionally protected at that particular moment in time.'
The Public Eye and Personal Protection
Anderson noted that celebrities displaying childlike traits might also be protecting themselves from constant public scrutiny. 'Myleene's presentation can come across as quite bold or showy, but underneath that, there's often a softer motivation,' she observed. 'From a psychological point of view, leaning into a lighter, more childlike side can be a way of staying grounded and connected to what feels familiar.'
Regarding Lily Rose Depp's Disneyland visit, Anderson commented: 'Childlike styling here can reflect a desire to preserve a softer side and be authentic, rather than being defined solely by what others expect you to dress like.' Similarly, she noted that Lily Allen's approach 'can act as a stabiliser - giving space for emotional honesty without it becoming too overwhelming, especially in times of personal change.'
The psychotherapist concluded that these behaviours represent sophisticated psychological strategies: 'That kind of imagery and energy can reflect a return to an earlier version of themselves, one closely tied to comfort and familiarity in their early years. It feels less about image-making and more about grounding with loved ones around them.'
