Its a classic “if you’re in the top 1% of the industry its pretty great, but shit for everyone else”.
You could say the same thing about NFL linemen or professional musicians. Spending half your life to develop a talent into something people will pay to witness, getting maybe two to five good years out of it if you’re lucky, and then retreating back to the low-skill service sector once you’ve destroyed your body.
Also, lots and lots of drug use and managers/owners who will exploit the fuck out of your few good years. And a disturbingly high rate of physical and sexual assault to keep the gears of industry turning profitably.