Keri Russell continues to maintain close friendships with fellow cast members from the All-New Mickey Mouse Club nearly 25 years after the show ended. Speaking on Wednesday’s Watch What Happens Live, she shared who she still regularly connects with and the candid conversations that happen during their get-togethers.
When asked by an audience member about her ongoing relationships from the ’90s Disney variety series, Russell named Ilana Miller and Lindsey Alley as her closest friends.
“One of my oldest friends, who still is one of my closest friends, Ilana Miller. And Lindsey Alley. We meet up for girls swanky dinners and numerous amounts of alcohol…like, drinks. We just met [up] like two weeks ago,”
she said.
Unfiltered Moments and Memories from Their Gatherings
Russell revealed that their hangouts often involve emotional moments and frank conversations about their past experiences.
“Someone always cries, and someone always tells a hilarious [story],”
she explained.
“It was all our 20s in New York, and ‘so-and-so hooked up with so-and-so,’ and what bl– job story went wrong. It was the best.”
These nights are marked by humor, tears, and honest talk about their youth.
Russell’s Role in an Iconic Cast of Teen Stars
During the early 1990s, Russell appeared on the show from ages 15 to 17, working alongside notable names like JC Chasez, Dale Godboldo, Rhona Bennett, Josh Ackerman, Nikki Deloach, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, and Ryan Gosling. The Disney Channel series featured daily weekday episodes at its peak, spotlighting the energetic cast performing both music and comedy skits.
Reflecting on Her Place Amongst Talented Peers
In a 2023 interview, Russell openly described herself as the least naturally gifted among the show’s star-studded roster.
“I was there at a time when there were a lot of famous kids there. And I say this completely truthfully: I was literally the least talented one there,”
she admitted.
“I’m not kidding. When I look at those kids, I’m like, Why in the world did they pick me? Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake and Ryan Gosling and Britney Spears. It was wild.”
What She Saved From Her Mickey Mouse Club Experience
When asked if she kept anything from her time on the program, Russell gave a stark reply:
“My sanity, my dignity. Not everyone got out alive.”
This candid reflection underscores the intense pressures cast members faced during and after their participation in the acclaimed show, adding depth to her ongoing connection with former club members.
