Former Nickelodeon child star Natanya Ross glammed up to attend Boy Meets World actor Will Friedle's 1990s prom-themed 50th birthday party last Friday, revealing a tattoo-sleeved makeover that she said gave her a hard-hitting edge.
The 44-year-old former actress looked great but appeared unrecognizable from her teenage self at the celebration. Addressing her aesthetic changes on Sunday via an Instagram story, Ross stated that she has always been transparent about the maintenance, upkeep, and cosmetic work she has had done over the years.
Teen stardom on Alex Mack
Ross first achieved fame after securing a recurring role on Nickelodeon's science-fiction comedy-drama series The Secret World of Alex Mack, which ran for four seasons between 1994 and 1998. The 5-foot-3 red-haired actress portrayed Robyn Russo, a surly goth teenager who was a close friend of the main character in the popular 1990s youth series.
Following her breakout television role, the New Jersey native expanded her acting career across film and television. She appeared in ABC's 1995 television movie remake of Freaky Friday and featured in major films including Little Monsters in 1989, The Baby-Sitters Club in 1995, and Bellyfruit in 1999.
During the 1990s and early 2000s, Ross became a frequent guest star on mainstream television. Her screen credits included guest appearances on Step by Step, Boy Meets World, ER, The Faculty, Baywatch, Beverly Hills, 90210, and Boston Public.
Battling addiction and advocating for recovery
In recent years, Ross has opened up about her personal struggles with addiction and homelessness. Speaking to Voyage LA last year, she stated that she battled a drug and alcohol addiction for the majority of my 20s before entering treatment for the final time at 30 years old, an experience that inspired her to begin working in treatment.
After experiencing homelessness on Skid Row in Los Angeles, the flame-haired millennial got sober and spent 17 years working in the substance abuse and mental health space advocating for those suffering. Today, Ross remains the president of the board of directors for the Women's Association of Addiction Treatment.
New podcast and upcoming 90s reunion
Ross has also launched new projects in media and entertainment. Last month, she debuted a retro podcast called We're Still Here, Babe through 103.3 The App. She also interacts with fans on the Cameo platform, where custom video messages command $54.
Ross will next reunite with her former The Secret World of Alex Mack co-stars Larisa Oleynik, Darris Love, and Meredith Bishop at That's 4 Entertainment's 90s Con. The event takes place from October 16 to October 18 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, Connecticut, where Ross will charge fans $40 for autographs and selfies, $70 for a combo, and $65 for a professional photo opportunity.
For her next acting role, Ross is set to portray matriarch Deb Miller in Alexsiya Flora's $500,000-budget performance art romance film, The Fantastic Santa Monaco. On a personal level, she lives in Burbank, California, sharing a home with Sabrina the Teenage Witch actor Nate Richert and their dog Bill.
