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I Felt Pressure to Be Sexy: Boy Meets World Star on Growing & Sexploitation in Hollywood

Mayim Bialik・2 minutes read

Actress Danielle Fishell reflects on her journey in the entertainment industry, auditioning for roles, navigating body image struggles, and finding self-acceptance while discussing her childhood experiences, relationships, and motherhood. She emphasizes the importance of emotional maturity, open communication, and self-awareness in relationships, sharing personal stories of her family background, motherhood, and experiences with miscarriage to connect with her audience.

Insights

  • Danielle Fishell, known for her role as Topanga on "Boy Meets World," faced rejection in auditions but eventually found success in the industry, highlighting the unpredictability and persistence required in acting careers.
  • Body image struggles and societal pressures on appearance, particularly in the entertainment industry, impacted Danielle Fishell during her teenage years, showcasing the challenges individuals face in maintaining self-esteem and confidence.
  • Personal experiences with relationships, self-awareness, and emotional maturity shaped Danielle Fishell's perspective on partnerships, emphasizing the importance of communication, identity, and growth within relationships.

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Recent questions

  • What struggles did Danielle Fishell face in the entertainment industry?

    Danielle Fishell faced struggles with body image, weight criticism, and rejection in auditions. She experienced pressure to look a certain way as a teenage actress, highlighting societal expectations and self-esteem issues.

  • How did Danielle Fishell's relationship with Lance Bass evolve?

    Danielle Fishell dated Lance Bass in high school, but he eventually broke up with her before coming out as gay. Their relationship was significant for Lance's self-realization and Danielle's emotional growth.

  • What challenges did Danielle Fishell encounter during her pregnancies?

    Danielle Fishell faced challenges during her pregnancies, including a premature birth with her first child and a subsequent miscarriage. She underwent difficult labor experiences but found support in shared stories of pregnancy struggles.

  • How did Danielle Fishell's family background influence her career choices?

    Danielle Fishell's family background, including her mother's artistic aspirations and her grandparents' immigrant history, influenced her career choices. She pursued acting despite initial setbacks and aimed to use her experiences for insight in her future career goals.

  • What personal growth did Danielle Fishell experience in her 40s?

    In her 40s, Danielle Fishell developed a healthier relationship with food and body image, influenced by motherhood and therapy. She emphasized listening to her body's cues and focusing on internal signals rather than external factors for body confidence.

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Summary

00:00

Danielle Fishell: From Rejection to Topanga

  • The speaker auditioned for the role of Toena but did not get a call back due to lack of acting skills.
  • They realized acting meant pretending to be different characters, not just being themselves.
  • The character Toena was similar to the actress, a hippie child who wanted the role but was ultimately rejected.
  • There were discussions about the speaker gaining weight towards the end of a show.
  • Lance Bass was the speaker's boyfriend in high school, and he eventually broke up with her to come out.
  • The breakup was a turning point for Lance, realizing he couldn't continue the relationship without hurting the speaker.
  • The speaker is introduced as Danielle Fishell, known for her role as Topanga on "Boy Meets World" and later as a director.
  • She has two children named Adler and Keaton and enjoys connecting with fans.
  • Danielle started acting late and was initially told she was too old for the industry.
  • She auditioned for Toena but didn't get the role, leading to her eventual casting as Topanga.

13:34

"Actress overcomes setbacks to secure roles"

  • The speaker recalls auditioning for a character on Boy Meets World but not getting a callback.
  • Subsequently, she auditioned for a different character with two lines and successfully got that role.
  • Another girl was cast for the initial character but was let go after one day, leading to a re-audition for the role.
  • The speaker had to re-audition against the girl she had been working with all day for the role.
  • She observed the director working with the previously cast girl and learned she could adjust her performance.
  • The speaker got to try the audition again and successfully secured the role.
  • The speaker reflects on her first audition for Full House and not getting a callback.
  • She highlights the importance of putting in effort to make relationships strong, referencing her work on her relationship with her kids.
  • The speaker discusses the podcast "Pod Meets World" where they discuss behind-the-scenes aspects of Boy Meets World.
  • Reflecting on her time growing up on set, the speaker talks about the protective environment on the Boy Meets World set and contrasts it with experiences of inappropriate comments as a teenager.

26:53

Teenage Body Image Struggles and Recovery

  • The speaker has done over 40 episodes full-time, discussing various topics.
  • They reflect on the pressure faced as a teenage girl to look a certain way, especially in the entertainment industry.
  • Body image issues were prevalent, with emphasis on appearance and weight.
  • The speaker discusses personal experiences with body image struggles, particularly during their teenage years.
  • They highlight the impact of societal expectations on body image and self-esteem.
  • The speaker recalls being criticized for weight gain during their teenage years on a show.
  • Changes in body type during puberty are discussed, emphasizing the uncertainty of body development.
  • The speaker reflects on feeling let down by their changing body and the impact on their self-esteem.
  • The speaker shares how they shut down emotionally due to body image struggles during their teenage years.
  • They mention developing a healthier relationship with food and body image in their 40s, influenced by having children and therapy.

40:30

Navigating Body Image and Self-Worth Evolution

  • Listening to her body's cues about eating habits, cravings, and sugar addiction.
  • Developing a healthy relationship with food by focusing on internal signals rather than external factors.
  • Reflecting on body confidence in her 40s post-children, considering cosmetic procedures like a mommy makeover.
  • Explaining a mommy makeover as a combination of plastic surgeries targeting post-childbirth body changes.
  • Concerns about selecting a surgeon with appropriate specialties for different procedures in a mommy makeover.
  • Acknowledging the availability of cosmetic procedures while not tying self-worth to physical appearance.
  • Normalizing post-pregnancy body changes and accepting one's body's natural evolution.
  • Reflecting on body image struggles, appreciating past appearances, and questioning the pursuit of perfection.
  • Exploring the concept of validation and self-worth beyond physical ideals, seeking fulfillment in other aspects.
  • Discussing the impact of childhood experiences, parental validation, and seeking approval in the entertainment industry.

54:03

Danielle's Journey Through School and Fame

  • Danielle wore pantyhose and a jumper to school in sixth grade to fit in but faced ridicule.
  • Her mom took her shopping after the incident to help her blend in with the other kids.
  • Most kids at her school wore pajamas, jeans, Converse, and flannels.
  • Vanessa Evan, an actress, was assigned to be Danielle's friend and showed her around the school.
  • Danielle made good friends in school and was not popular in junior high.
  • She became known for her role on "Boy Meets World" in high school.
  • Danielle's real-life friends from sixth grade are still her best friends.
  • She brought Ben Savage to a school dance and Lance Bass to her prom.
  • Lance Bass asked for Danielle's phone number through Justin Timberlake after a live show.
  • Lance Bass broke up with Danielle before coming out as gay, which she didn't suspect.

01:07:03

Navigating Relationships: Insights from Personal Experiences

  • The speaker had a crush on a boy in elementary school, framed his picture, and later found out he was gay.
  • The speaker felt safe with a boy named Lance but wasn't ready for sex at 17 or 18, despite societal expectations.
  • The speaker's mother encouraged open communication about sex, advising against losing virginity on Valentine's Day.
  • The speaker's mother didn't approve of her first marriage, accurately predicting its end.
  • After her first marriage, the speaker realized she was attracted to people with weak identities she could influence.
  • The speaker studied psychology and aimed to be a marriage family therapist, using her experiences for insight.
  • The speaker learned the importance of emotional maturity, articulating needs and seeking partners with established identities.
  • The speaker emphasized the need for self-awareness and open communication in relationships.
  • The speaker acknowledged the need for time and understanding in relationships, beyond initial attractions.
  • The speaker's mother's Maltese heritage and family background were briefly discussed.

01:21:33

Generational immigrant journey and family expansion.

  • The speaker's grandparents were Maltese immigrants who arrived in 1952, with the speaker's mother born in San Francisco in 1958.
  • The speaker's grandfather was technologically inclined, running a television repair shop and working for Pack Bell, aiding in transitioning Southern California colleges to computers.
  • The speaker's grandmother worked as a bank teller, while their mother, artistically inclined, desired to be a makeup artist but was steered towards banking.
  • The speaker's mother eventually pursued her dream of becoming a makeup artist after a divorce, establishing a successful bridal makeup business.
  • The speaker's first child was born prematurely at 36 weeks, with concerns about lung development due to a condition called kylothorax, necessitating a hospital stay.
  • The speaker's labor began unexpectedly at home, leading to a rushed hospital visit and a five-day stay to monitor the baby's condition.
  • The baby was delivered vaginally to aid in expelling fluid from the lungs, followed by a month-long stay in the NICU for treatment.
  • The speaker's second pregnancy was uneventful, aside from a previous miscarriage, culminating in a quick three-hour labor and a healthy baby.
  • The speaker's husband, an only child, faced challenges caring for his aging parents, leading to discussions about family size and the decision to have a second child.
  • The speaker's husband's experience as an only child influenced their decision to have a second child, with the speaker reflecting on the differences in upbringing and family dynamics.

01:34:53

Navigating Miscarriage: Shared Stories and Hope

  • The speaker reflects on being an only child and the fear of losing her mother, finding solace in shared experiences of miscarriage.
  • She recounts a traumatic experience with her son's birth and a subsequent miscarriage, feeling supported by others who shared similar stories.
  • Grateful for the shared experiences, she finds hope for a healthy pregnancy in the future.
  • Acknowledging the stigma around discussing miscarriages, she appreciates those who have shared their stories.
  • The speaker discusses the commonality of miscarriages and the body's way of interpreting complex messages.
  • Transitioning to a discussion on nostalgia, she believes it offers comfort and escapism, particularly through TV shows like "Boy Meets World."
  • "Boy Meets World" is noted for addressing heavier subjects and making viewers feel seen, providing a sense of comfort.
  • The speaker shares her Instagram handle and promotes her podcast, "Pod Meets World," as well as her hair care company, B Free.
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