Melissa Joan Hart reflects on pros and cons of being in spotlight

Melissa Joan Hart reflects on the ups and downs of being in the spotlight from an early age, but she appreciates how her life has unfolded.

On February 1, 2026, amidst the vibrant atmosphere at Steven Tyler's 7th Annual Jam for Janie Grammy Awards Viewing Party, Hart spoke to PEOPLE about the impact of growing up on TV on her life.

“It instilled a strong work ethic in me,” she shares with PEOPLE exclusively. “It helped me mature quickly, learn about myself and the world, and become self-reliant, but it also hindered me socially in some respects.”

Hart, who shot to fame at 15 with the lead role in Clarissa Explains It All, notes that despite spending much of her youth on set, her family was determined she didn’t “miss out on” childhood.

The Sabrina, the Teenage Witch star credits her parents — producer Paula Hart and actor William Hart — with keeping her grounded.

“I really had a typical childhood, even though I was working in acting since age 4. So I don't have any regrets,” she discloses. “I think my family did an excellent job…I was in Girl Scouts, we took family ski trips, and things like that. So there were plenty of regular experiences mixed in with this unusual, hectic life.”

Although most of her academics were completed through on-set tutoring, Melissa stresses that it wasn’t isolating. 

Her mother made sure she engaged in key experiences and daily activities alongside her career.

Even though her graduation took place on Nickelodeon set, she recalls, “I attended my boyfriend's prom. It wasn’t directly mine, but I did get to have that prom experience. So I had a few key moments.”

Reflecting on her early years in entertainment, Melissa mentions she has no regrets about starting young, highlighting how her upbringing seamlessly integrated ordinary childhood memories with the demanding entertainment world.

Currently, she shares that none of her three sons – Mason, Braydon and Tucker, whom she shares with husband Mark Wilkerson – have any intention of pursuing entertainment careers.

“If they ever showed any interest, it wasn't for the right reasons. It was driven by money and fame rather than a love for the craft,” she tells PEOPLE, adding that she never urged them toward acting.