For an entire generation of television viewers, Tiffani Amber Thiessen’s face remains permanently associated with the hallways of Bayside High, where she defined 1990s pop culture as Kelly Kapowski in the beloved teen sitcom Saved by the Bell. Decades have passed since those iconic locker-lined corridors were left behind, and Thiessen—like the elder Millennials who grew up idolizing her style—has transitioned into adulthood as a working woman and a mother.
Now 52 years old, Thiessen is a mother to two children, 16-year-old Harper and 11-year-old Holt. While her high school days are long in the rearview mirror, her professional career continues to thrive at a rapid pace. Interestingly, she has even found herself back in a classroom setting of sorts. Her dark academia series Coven Academy, in which she stars as the principal of Crescent Veil Academy, was recently renewed for a second season by Disney, bringing excitement to fans of the witchy fantasy show.
Outside of her acting projects, Thiessen maintains an active presence on Instagram, where she shares a curated blend of culinary creations, fashion, personal humor, nostalgia, and candid reflections on finding personal power and peace as she enters her fifties.
Recently, Thiessen teamed up with Always for their “Period Talks Don’t Have to Be Scary” campaign, tackling a common hurdle for families: initiating conversations about menstruation with children. Research indicates that roughly 43% of mothers struggle to start the first-period conversation because they feel unequipped. By sharing her own experiences, Thiessen aims to offer practical advice for parents looking to have open, informative, and honest discussions with their tweens and teens, even when the topics feel inherently awkward.
Sitting down for an interview, Thiessen discussed the realities of modern parenting, breaking long-standing stigmas, her recent television renewal, holiday traditions, and the lasting impact of her late co-star, Dennis Haskins.
Reflecting on how generational attitudes toward intimate health topics have evolved, Thiessen noted the stark contrast between her own upbringing and the environment she fosters with her children today. She pointed out that the generation of parents who grew up decades ago rarely discussed these subjects openly. In contrast, modern youth are significantly more vocal, and Thiessen maintains a transparent dynamic with both of her children. While she acknowledges that intimate talks regarding periods, physical development, and growing up can never be made entirely free of awkwardness, she emphasizes that framing the discussion as a series of casual, small conversations rather than one massive, intimidating event can significantly ease the tension.
Her partnership with Always aligns with this philosophy, focusing on equipping parents with the confidence and tools necessary to approach the subject naturally. Many parents find themselves feeling more anxious about the conversation than their children actually are, a sentiment Thiessen shares from personal experience. She discovered that once the dialogue begins, it often transforms into a valuable bonding opportunity. By reminding her kids that more than half of the population experiences menstruation, she helps normalize the topic, utilizing humor and casual dialogue to build mutual competence and reframe the milestone as a badge of honor.
This commitment to open communication extends far beyond physiological health into all aspects of family life. Thiessen’s overarching parenting philosophy centers on absolute openness. When she first became a mother, she made a deliberate choice to cultivate an environment where her children could bring any topic to her—whether difficult or lighthearted—without fear of judgment. She strives to ensure they feel entirely comfortable sharing both the triumphs and the challenges they encounter, keeping the lines of communication completely free of severe judgment. While she admits with a laugh that a secret internal judgment can occasionally slip in, she recognizes that most situations her children experience are things she has either witnessed, lived through, or seen others navigate, making the realities of growing up feel much more manageable.
Shifting professional gears to her television career, Thiessen expressed profound excitement regarding the recent Season 2 renewal of Coven Academy. Announcing the pickup, she shared that the cast and crew held high hopes for finding an audience that appreciated the unique charm of the series. With strong performance metrics on Disney+ and Hulu, the team is thrilled to step back into the world of Crescent Veil Academy.
The series fills a specific void in contemporary media, catering directly to tweens and young girls. Thiessen noted that while the witchy aesthetic is currently having a prominent moment across social media, the core narrative of the show transcends spells and potions. Instead, it centers on the themes of a found family, deep sisterhood, and the importance of supporting one another. Drawing a parallel to her own life as the mother of a teenage daughter, she emphasized the value of having a dependable circle of friends—a foundational support system she believes every woman needs.
Transitioning from a teenage student on a massive 1990s pop-culture phenomenon to playing a headmistress working alongside a younger generation of actors feels entirely natural to Thiessen. Having spent her recent years working on projects with younger casts, she genuinely enjoys the dynamic of mentoring emerging talent while simultaneously learning from them. She recalled grueling night shoots on set, during which she found herself struggling with fatigue while younger cast members maintained their energy by filming TikTok videos at 3 a.m., providing an unexpected source of motivation.
As the winter holidays approach, Thiessen embraces time-honored family traditions centered firmly around togetherness. For the past decade and a half, her family has rotated holiday celebrations between her husband’s relatives in Texas and her own family. This year marks a trip to Texas, where they will spend the week following Christmas alongside in-laws and cousins, a gathering the family looks forward to annually.
When it comes to holiday culinary traditions, Thiessen leans into a mix of classic comfort foods and family favorites. While Thanksgiving features traditional turkey, stuffing, and her mother’s renowned cream cheese pie, Christmas usually brings a pivot away from poultry, with enchiladas serving as the centerpiece for the holiday meal.
The conversation also touched on the legacy of the late Dennis Haskins, who portrayed Principal Richard Belding alongside Thiessen on Saved by the Bell. Following Haskins’ passing, Thiessen shared fond memories of the actor who served as the emotional anchor for the youthful cast. Acknowledging that playing the lone adult authority figure on a children’s show presented its own unique challenges, she commended the grace and protection he provided on set. Haskins managed to command respect while remaining approachable, creating a secure environment that left a lasting impression on the young actors who worked with him.
