Throughout the 90s, almost every teen and tween made appointments to watch one of ABC’s most iconic sitcoms. Millions were transported into Mr. Feeny’s classroom at Quincy Adams Middle School while they grew up alongside Cory Matthews (Ben Savage) and his BFF Shawn Hunter (Rider Strong).
Aside from the relatable theories Cory tested while navigating adolescent woes resonating with fans in “Boy Meets World,” one star rose to claim a permanent spot in the hearts and minds of 90s television enthusiasts: Topanga. Initially intended to be a side character with a short-term appearance, the charismatic actress Danielle Fishel Karp captivated audiences and was written into the show.
Named on a whim while “Boy Meets World” creator Michael Jacobs was on the road in Arizona, passing by Topanga Canyon, Fishel’s character cemented her as a dream girl—not just in Cory’s eyes, but for teens all over the country. Her fame from the series that ended in 2000 even sparked a Disney Channel spinoff called “Girl Meets World” from 2014 to 2017.
While her fictional character dated and eventually married Cory on screen, Karp had her share of relationship trials off-screen, and she opened up about them in an interview with a former Bachelor.
America’s Sweetheart Says It Straight
No stranger to relationships both on and off the small screen, Karp took to former Bachelor Nick Viall’s podcast “Viall Files” to share some of her seasoned relationship advice. The mom of two and wife to Jensen Karp has reached a comfortable place in her personal life, but it wasn’t always that way.
Karp split from her husband, Tim Belusko, in 2016 after an uncontested divorce. Back in 1999, Karp even dated Lance Bass before he came out as gay. But in 2017, her now-husband Jensen Karp revealed the pair were an item on the “Get Up On This” podcast.
Struggling with her identity as a heartthrob before becoming mature enough to be considered one, Karp has had her share of challenges growing up on screen. But with adversity comes wisdom, and she was quick to share hers in a viral video on “Viall Files.” Check out what Karp had to say in this video posted by GÜSTÄVÖ:
I knew one day I’d get relationship advice from Topanga
I knew one day I’d get relationship advice from Topanga pic.twitter.com/DQUaneHbi6
— GUS (@Gxxtavo) June 29, 2023
Karp called herself a “serial monogamist,” prompting her mother to ask her, “Danielle, if you’re always in a relationship with the wrong person, when are you free to meet the right person?” She continued with the notion that if two people aren’t compatible, it’s not an indication that something is “wrong” with either of them. To drive it home, Karp added what should happen if the “spark” isn’t there:
I don’t have to hate you. I’m just going to part ways with you.
Karp’s grounded spirit came through in her character Topanga, and over 20 years later, she’s sharing her emotional maturity with the masses—and a former Bachelor.
