Former Disney child star Jennifer McGill recently shared how, after her mother passed away, she went through an extremely dark period in her life. But when she finally hit rock bottom, she turned back to Jesus and ultimately realized He “had never left me.”

 

Credit: Instagram/@thejennifermcgill

 

Jennifer was born ready for the spotlight. She grew up in a loving, Christian home in Texas. And by age 7, she begged her mom to let her enter pageants. Jennifer's mom was hesitant to agree. But seeing her daughter’s high energy and unshakable love of the spotlight, she finally granted her daughter’s wish.

 

 

Jennifer started winning her pageants, and soon an agent suggested Jennifer's parents have her audition for The New Mickey Mouse Club, a Disney show featuring comedy sketches, commercial parodies, music videos, and celebrity guests. Jennifer tried out and landed her "dream job."

 

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Many of Jennifer's co-stars on the show went on to pursue their careers -- folks like Justin Timberlake, Ryan Gosling, Britney Spears and others.

 

Pictured: Justin Timberlake, Jennifer McGill and Ryan Gosling during The New Mickey Mouse Club days            Credit: Jennifer McGill via The Stream

 

But after her years as a Disney child star, Jennifer didn't feel ready for Hollywood just yet.

 

"I just needed to grow up and grow wiser in order to be the artist I think I was meant to be," she said.
Instead, Jennifer chose to go on to college -- a decision her mother fully supported.

 

Falling Into Darkness


Both of Jennifer's parents were supportive throughout her career and schooling. But her mom was her champion -- a constant source of support.

 

Then, when Jennifer was 24 years old, her mom passed away.

 

“The biggest light and fan was gone," she said. "The person who’d reminded me that I was unique and valuable. . . I was kind of lost. Untethered. Disconnected."


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The next several years grew very dark. Jennifer drifted away from her faith. She began isolating herself. She felt "lifeless and purposeless."

 

"I think I'd lost my joy," she says.


Things got even worse when Jennifer married.

 

"I got into a relationship when I was at my most isolated and when I wasn't taking any advice from God where I ended up marrying a man who was married to somebody else," she said.


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