Boy Meets World icon Danielle Fishel is no stranger to navigating life's plot twists with grace and grit, but her latest revelation from the Pod Meets World podcast has fans both tearing up and chuckling: her 6-year-old son, Adler, coped with her Dancing With the Stars (DWTS) schedule by telling his teacher, "My mom is dead."
The 44-year-old actress, who was eliminated in eighth place from season 34 of the ABC hit on November 4 after an inspiring run alongside pro partner Pasha Pashkov, opened up on the November 10 episode of her podcast with co-host Rider Strong. Amid the grueling rehearsals and emotional highs of the competition—including a tearful on-air disclosure of her 2024 breast cancer diagnosis—Fishel's family life took an unexpected turn as her absences left young Adler grappling with big feelings.
"So my family has had to make so many adjustments to our daily life since I started season 34 of Dancing With the Stars," Fishel shared, her voice a mix of empathy and amusement. "I'm just not able to be there as often as I used to be." What followed was a call from Adler's school that caught her off guard: her son had not only spun a tale about his father, podcaster Jensen Karp, getting fired for "inputting a lot of information on the computer wrong," but escalated it to declaring, "And also my mom died."
The teacher, sensing a teachable moment, gently probed: "Well, why don't you tell me more about that?" Adler doubled down briefly before course-correcting with a sheepish, "Well, maybe that's not true," and shifting topics. Fishel, who shares Adler and 4-year-old Keaton with Karp, explained the outburst stemmed from the 6-year-old's frustration over her packed schedule. "He was upset she wasn't as present anymore due to her obligations from the show," she reflected, recounting a tearful car ride home where Adler pleaded, "I hate this job. Why did you take this job? All you do is dance, dance, dance... I want you to quit."
Fishel's candor highlights the unseen toll of celebrity commitments on family, especially for working parents in the spotlight. "It broke my heart, but I told him, 'Mommy loves her job, and I made a commitment. It's not forever, but I'm not going to quit,'" she said. True to her resilient spirit—fresh off cancer treatment that she channeled into her DWTS performances—Fishel has since carved out more quality time, balancing post-show recovery with intentional family moments. "We're working through it as a family," she added, emphasizing open conversations as key to healing.
Fans flooded social media with support, praising Fishel's vulnerability. "As a mom who's juggled shoots and school runs, this hits home—kids say the wildest things when they're hurting," one parent tweeted. Another quipped, "Adler channeling Topanga-level drama? Iconic." The story also sparked broader discussions on parental guilt and child psychology, with experts noting such "tall tales" as common coping mechanisms for separation anxiety.
Fishel's DWTS journey, which she called "life-changing," not only showcased her foxtrots and contemporary routines but also her advocacy for early cancer detection. Now cancer-free, she's grateful for the platform and the lessons learned off the dance floor. "Adler's my little reality check," Fishel laughed. "He reminds me that even superheroes need bedtime stories."
Catch more unfiltered Fishel wisdom on Pod Meets World, available on all major platforms. For updates on her next chapter—rumored to include directing and family adventures—follow @daniellefishel on Instagram.
About Danielle Fishel
Danielle Fishel is an actress, director, and podcast host best known for playing Topanga Lawrence on Boy Meets World and its sequel Girl Meets World. A breast cancer survivor, she's a fierce advocate for family, health, and honest storytelling. Married to Jensen Karp, she resides in Los Angeles with sons Adler and Keaton.
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