Rita Wilson has opened up on her teenage years, and one thing she wishes she’d done more of.
Rita Wilson wishes she “had been more of a rebel” in her younger years.
The 69-year-old star admitted she was “such a good kid” and never wanted to let her parents down, but as she’s got older she has found herself regretting not pushing the boundaries a little more.
She told The Big Issue magazine: “I would tell my younger self to break some rules. I was such a good kid and I really didn’t want to disappoint my parents.
“I wish I had been more of a rebel. But there’s still time. I’m living my teenage years now.”
The Sleepless in Seattle actress, who was raised by Bulgarian dad Allan and her mother Dorothy with siblings Lily and Chris, explained she “didn’t have boyfriends in high school”, but recalled one crush in her mid teens.
She said: “When I was 15, I met a cute guy at a girlfriend’s house in Newport Beach, and he was a musician. He must have been 16 or 17. We exchanged phone numbers.
“He was playing at a club called Gazzarri’s on Sunset Boulevard. It was a big venue in the ’70s.
“I asked my parents if he could take me out on a date, and they agreed, but when he showed up, he had a van to transport drums, guitars and amps.
“My dad took one look at the van and said, ‘You’re not going out with him.’ “
Rita revealed the “next time” he came to take her out, they went on a “double date” with her sister Lily and her boyfriend to watch the musician playing at Gazzarri’s.
She added: “My mom made my sister and I matching dresses, which were shocking pink with puff sleeves. Think very ’70s.
“We were innocent girls going to a rock ‘n’ roll club where everyone was wearing tie dye and fringed jackets.”
Despite not exploring a rebellious side, Rita – who is married to Tom Hanks – insisted she was “a fun-loving teenager”, and got on with both her parents.
She said: “My mom was my best friend. my dad was super fun. They both taught me about work ethic.
“My mom was the kind of person who would hear a song come on the radio and would say, in a Greek accent, ‘This song is going to be a hit.’
“Within a week, that song would be number one.”
Rita Wilson reveals biggest regret from her teenage years
