Jennie Garth has revealed how her former co-star Amanda Bynes profoundly influenced her approach to raising teenage daughters, transforming her perspective from apprehension to excitement.
In an exclusive interview, the actress reflected on their time together on the hit sitcom What I Like About You, which premiered in 2002. At the time, Bynes was just 16 years old, brimming with youthful energy, while Garth was 30 and already a mother to young daughters.
“Working with Amanda was eye-opening for me,” Garth shared. “I didn’t know what it was like to be the older person in scenes with a younger person, or to be around that kind of teenage energy. She had so much overflowing teenage energy.”
Garth admitted she initially felt “a little nervous” about her own daughters reaching their teenage years. However, her experience with Bynes shifted her outlook entirely.
“She really made me feel excited for it because I had so much fun with her,” Garth explained. “I thought, ‘This is how I want to be with my kids when they’re older.’ Just loving all the songs that they’re loving and playing and being youthful with them. And so she really brought out all of that in me, which made me less afraid to move forward as the mother of teenage girls. That was really incredible.”
Beyond the personal impact, Garth also praised Bynes’ comedic talent, noting she still enjoys rewatching the show on Netflix.
“Amanda has just the best comedic timing,” Garth said. “I’ll just get sucked into it and find myself giggling. It was so silly and fun, and just real, feel-good vibes from that show.”
Although the two have lost touch since the show ended in 2006, Garth expressed unwavering support for Bynes’ current pursuits, including her music career.
“God bless her,” Garth said. “Explore all the things that you want to do in life, chase your dreams. Don’t ever give up, and if that’s what she’s doing now, I’m here for it.”
Garth’s reflections come as she promotes her memoir I Choose Me and prepares for her upcoming I Choose Me Summit in Los Angeles.