Shocking Revelations: Danielle Fishel's Disturbing Encounter in Hollywood

Danielle Fishel. CraSH/imageSPACE/Shutterstock

Danielle Fishel, known for her role in Boy Meets World, recently opened up about the distressing experience of being objectified as a teenager and how it has impacted her personal relationships throughout the years. Speaking on her podcast "Pod Meets World," the 42-year-old actress revealed that despite being able to engage in mature conversations with adults and maintain eye contact, she should not have been subjected to discussions about her appearance in a romantic and male-centric manner during her early teenage years. Moreover, she shared that these comments were even directed at her directly.

The former child star, known for her role as Topanga Lawrence on the ABC sitcom from 1993 to 2000, recently opened up about her experiences with unwanted attention. She shared that many people would mark her "18th birthday on their calendar," indicating a disturbing level of interest in her coming of age. One male studio executive even went so far as to inform her that he had a specific calendar month featuring photos from a shoot she had done at the young age of 16, implying a clear sexualization of her image. Reflecting on her past, she admitted that at the time, she didn't find the attention creepy or weird, but rather saw it as a validation of her maturity and adulthood. However, she now recognizes the inherent wrongness of this situation.

Her cohosts, Rider Strong and Will Friedle, acknowledged Fishel's maturity and advancement for her age but strongly believed that she should have never been objectified or seen as a desire at such a young age.

Fishel, known for her high-profile relationships with Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Lance Bass during the '90s and early '00s, candidly revealed that being sexualized as a teenager hindered her ability to establish healthy boundaries. It took her a significant amount of time to fully comprehend the negative impact it had on her personal and romantic connections.

She expressed that she had no preconceived notions about how people should communicate with her or treat her. It wasn't until she reached her late 30s that she realized she had been in a series of unsuccessful relationships. Instead of blaming others, she took responsibility for her choices and questioned what she might be doing wrong. Fishel, who had been previously married to Tim Belusko until their separation in 2016, got married to her current husband, Jensen Karp, in November 2018 after getting engaged earlier in the same year.

Ben Savage, Rider Strong, Danielle Fishel, Will Friedle. Touchstone Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock

"I am absolutely ecstatic. He is truly an exceptional partner, someone that anyone would be fortunate to have," she enthusiastically shared with Us magazine just a month before her marriage to her 43-year-old husband. "I simply cannot contain my excitement. I eagerly anticipate embarking on this journey with him and creating a beautiful life together."

On their first wedding anniversary, Karp expressed his heartfelt admiration for his wife and the life they had created together. They have been blessed with the arrival of two sons, one in June 2019 and the other in August 2021.

"One year ago today, I had the honor of marrying the most incredible person on this planet. I know it may sound cliché, but I genuinely believe she is. She brings light to each day, adds humor to every joke, and makes every embrace feel like home," the filmmaker shared on Instagram. "We've experienced so much in the past year, including the joy of welcoming our precious Marv Albert into the world. Yet, you have embraced motherhood with a level of passion and meticulousness that exceeds all expectations. You are my partner, my confidant, and my beloved wife, even after just one year! I love you immensely."