Melissa Joan Hart Expresses Regret Over Clubbing with Underage Britney Spears: ‘I Still Feel Guilty’
3 min read
Melissa Joan Hart, known for her iconic role in “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” has opened up about a significant regret from her past involving pop superstar Britney Spears. In a recent interview, Hart expressed her lingering guilt over taking Spears clubbing when she was underage. “I feel really guilty about that still to this day,” the 48-year-old actress confessed.
Reflecting on her career, Melissa Joan Hart recounted her experience working alongside Spears in the 1999 music video for “You Drive Me (Crazy).” At the time, Hart was six years older than the “Toxic” singer, who was only 17. Despite their age difference, the two developed a close, sibling-like bond, often doing press events together. Entertainment Tonight highlighted this connection, noting the duo’s camaraderie.
Hart recalled how Spears was constantly surrounded by people and seemed unable to escape the pressures of her burgeoning fame. “I saw that she was just surrounded by people, never able to break free. And I was like, ‘Hey, want to come?’” Hart told the outlet, referring to her invitation to Spears to join her clubbing. “I would go to a club every night – I love dancing and I loved going out, but I also knew to be responsible and, like, when to stop.”
Melissa Joan Hart says she feels "really guilty" for taking Britney Spears to her first nightclub when she was 17:
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) May 20, 2024
“I saw that she was just surrounded by people, never able to break free. And I was like, ‘Hey want to come?’ She was underage and young and – but I was just like,… pic.twitter.com/3zz6Xl2PZu
Melissa Joan Hart admitted that she should have known better, considering herself a big sister figure to Spears. “She was underage and young, and – but I [was] just like, ‘Let’s go out. We’re just gonna go out and have some fun.’ And yeah – and I feel really guilty about that still to this day because I should have known better, being a big sister,” she reflected.
This revelation comes amid a renewed focus on Spears’ past and her struggles with fame and personal issues. In her 2023 memoir, “The Woman In Me,” Spears opened up about her early experiences with alcohol. She shared candidly about drinking with her mother starting in eighth grade, describing how they would drive from Kentwood to Biloxi, Mississippi, to enjoy daiquiris together. “For fun, starting when I was in eighth grade, my mom and I would make the two-hour drive from Kentwood to Biloxi, Mississippi, and while we were there, we would drink daiquiris,” Spears wrote. “We called our cocktails ‘toddies.’”
Spears contrasted these experiences with her father’s problematic relationship with alcohol. “I loved that I was able to drink with my mom every now and then,” she wrote. “The way we drank was nothing like how my father did it. When he drank, he grew more depressed and shut down. We became happier, more alive and adventurous.”
While Spears has not released new music since her 2022 duet with Elton John, “Hold Me Closer,” she continues to make headlines and maintain a significant presence in the entertainment industry. Hart’s admission adds another layer to the complex narrative of Spears’ early career and the influences around her during those formative years.
As both women navigate their lives and careers, Melissa Joan Hart’s candid reflection serves as a reminder of the weight of decisions made in youth and the lasting impact they can have. Her acknowledgment of guilt and responsibility highlights the importance of guidance and care, especially when dealing with young, impressionable stars in the spotlight.
Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
