Kim Kardashian’s Son Psalm, Angry Birds, & Coogan Law

Kim Kardashian, Psalm West, & Child Performer Law After Angry Birds 3 Debut

The latest episode of The Kardashians has spotlighted a key area of entertainment law — the rights and protections of child performers.

On November 6, 2025, six-year-old Psalm West, son of Kim Kardashian, made his voice acting debut in Angry Birds 3, raising broader questions about how Hollywood safeguards minors working in film and television.

The episode showed Kardashian accompanying her son to a Los Angeles recording studio to record his lines for the upcoming animated movie, set for release on January 29, 2027.

On camera, she beamed with pride as Psalm joined director John Rice behind the microphone, voicing the son of Red and Silver — characters portrayed by Jason Sudeikis and Rachel Bloom.

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A Family Moment in the Spotlight

The scene offered viewers a glimpse into the balance between celebrity and parenthood. “As crazy as my schedule is, I will always make time to do all the important things with my kids,” Kardashian said during the episode.

“I don’t want to stop my kids from doing what they want to do, so I tailor my life around their schedules.”

Psalm appeared composed and enthusiastic as he began reading his lines. Rice praised the boy’s natural tone, telling him his voice was “so cool,” while Kim smiled from the control booth. Later, she reflected on how easy-going her youngest child is: “He’s a total go-with-the-flow kid. He’s a dream child — never complains, never throws a tantrum.”

Kardashian shares Psalm and her three other children — North, Saint, and Chicago — with her former husband, Kanye West. Several of the siblings have already followed their mother into voice work: North and Saint appeared alongside Kim in PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie in 2023.

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The Legal Landscape for Child Performers

Psalm’s on-screen moment highlights an often-overlooked issue: the complex network of laws designed to protect minors who work in entertainment. Behind every seemingly carefree scene lies a framework of labor, privacy, and financial safeguards that determine how children may participate in professional productions.

Understanding the Coogan Law

In California — where most film and television work is produced — the Coogan Law requires that 15 percent of a child actor’s gross earnings be placed into a protected trust account until the child turns 18.

Named after early film star Jackie Coogan, the statute emerged after the actor discovered that his parents had spent nearly all of his childhood fortune.

Under the current law, any minor who performs in entertainment must also hold a valid work permit, observe limited working hours, and have access to education and rest periods during production. These protections are meant to balance opportunity with well-being.

Legal experts generally agree that the Coogan framework remains one of the strongest in the world, but its enforcement relies heavily on parental cooperation.

When a parent is also a producer or on-screen personality — as in the Kardashian family — transparency and documentation become especially important to prevent conflicts of interest.

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Privacy, Consent, and the Modern Media Child

Another growing area of legal focus involves privacy rights for children who appear in film, television, or online content. A minor’s image cannot legally be used for profit without parental consent, and production companies are expected to ensure that participation is voluntary, safe, and age-appropriate.

In practical terms, this means that every appearance by a child performer is accompanied by signed consent forms, contractual safeguards, and restrictions on how footage or recordings can be reused or marketed.

Parents serve as both guardians and business representatives, bearing responsibility for understanding how contracts, royalties, and intellectual-property rights will affect their child later in life.

As entertainment law continues to evolve, experts emphasize that public figures have an added duty to model responsible behavior.

When children grow up in front of cameras, their parents’ decisions about exposure can shape not only future earnings but also emotional well-being and digital privacy.

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Why It Matters for Everyday Families

Although few parents will find themselves negotiating a Hollywood contract, the same principles apply to any child involved in monetized creative work — including social-media channels, brand partnerships, or paid digital content.

Across the United States, fewer than half of all states have comprehensive statutes protecting minors in entertainment, meaning many young creators operate without clear financial or educational safeguards.

Parents considering similar opportunities for their children should:

1. Secure the proper work permit before any paid project begins.

2. Create a dedicated trust or savings account for the child’s earnings.

3. Review all contracts carefully and seek legal advice to understand royalty, image, and usage terms.

4. Maintain balance between work, schooling, and personal development.

These steps not only ensure compliance with state labor laws but also help children retain control over their earnings and future choices.

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Balancing Fame and Protection

For Kim Kardashian, Psalm’s debut marks both a family milestone and a reminder of how intertwined celebrity culture and child-labor law have become. Her willingness to share the process publicly underscores the reality that fame and regulation must coexist when minors are involved.

Industry observers note that every generation of young performers — from classic child actors to today’s influencer kids — tests how society defines creativity, consent, and childhood itself.

The underlying goal of entertainment law is not to restrict opportunity but to preserve autonomy, ensuring that each child’s work truly benefits them.

As Angry Birds 3 approaches release, audiences will likely hear Psalm’s distinctive voice without realizing how much legal structure stands behind that simple performance. In Hollywood and beyond, it serves as a quiet reminder that protecting young talent is as essential as nurturing it.

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FAQs: Understanding Child Performer Rights and Entertainment Law

1. What legal protections exist for child actors in the entertainment industry?
Child actors are protected under state labor laws, most notably California’s Coogan Law, which requires that 15% of a minor’s earnings be placed in a trust until adulthood. These laws also limit working hours, mandate education on set, and ensure safe working conditions.

2. Do parents need special permission for their children to appear in movies or TV shows?
Yes. Parents or legal guardians must obtain a valid work permit for their child, sign performance contracts, and consent to all film or recording sessions. Production companies are legally responsible for upholding those safeguards and cannot employ minors without verified documentation.

3. How can parents protect their child’s privacy when they appear in media or online content?
Parents can include clear privacy clauses in contracts, control the use of their child’s image, and monitor how footage or likenesses are used in promotions. Legal experts recommend consulting an entertainment attorney to ensure the child’s data, earnings, and likeness rights are properly protected.