Aimee Teegarden Dishes on Her Teen Years! (2024)

Where did you grow up?

Orange County, CA

Were you a good student?

I was probably an A/B student. Being home-schooled, I got to do a lot of fun field trips and a lot of hands-on stuff.

What was the worst popular trend when you were in school?

Knee-length black leggings. It's just not flattering. I don't care how tall you are — it makes you look short. I'm just not a big leggings-under-the-skirt person. Even though I did wear them back in the day!

What's the craziest thing you ever did to get a guy to notice you?

I don't think I've had any crazy guy moments! [My boyfriend] definitely went out on a limb a bunch of times, but I was just like, "Okay, cool. Whatever." I definitely let him chase me. That's how it should be with boys.

What was your after-school job?

During the second season of Friday Night Lights, I decided that I wanted to have a real job. So I started working at Hollister because one of my girlfriends worked there. It was kind of fun! People would come in and say, "Are you the girl from Friday Night Lights?" I'm like, "Yeah!" And they'd be like, "No, you're not." I'm like, "Okay, I'm not!" [Laughs]

What was your style like when you were 17? Now?

At 17, I was a jeans-and-T-shirt type of girl. I was a little bit schleppy, I'll admit it. And now, I think I'm definitely more obsessed with designer clothing. I love YSL shoes and William Rast jeans. They're amazing. It's become a weakness.

What clique were you in back then? Now?

I don't know if I've ever been in a clique. The older I've gotten, the more I've realized what a true friend really is. So my friendship circle has changed a bit. But it's definitely for the better!

What nicknames did you have back then? Now?

I used to get called "Bumblebee" a lot. One Halloween, I wore a bumblebee costume to the dance that I met my boyfriend at, though I don't remember saying hi to him. He remembers, apparently. He was like, "We code-named you 'Bumblebee' behind your back." I get called TG a lot. And Jesse Plemons on Friday Night Lights always calls me "Flea Garden." Jerk.

What rumors were people spreading about you then? Now?

Well, I was never part of that cliquey girl drama. Most of my friends were guys growing up, so I was never part of that whole toxic energy. It seemed like way too much hassle. But recently, somebody on a Web site said that my Friday Night Lights costar, Zach Gilford, and I had been in a relationship for the last two-and-a-half years. That was amusing.

What were your hobbies back then? Now?

Well, I wanted to be the first female professional baseball player. I played for eight or nine years. I still have a good arm. But that didn't work out so well. I used to surf a lot more because I wasn't working as much. I do a lot more reading now, though, in between takes, which is actually exciting.

Who was your best friend back then? Now?

She's actually still my best friend. I've known her forever. I was working on a student film of her now husband's at the time. I knew him first, and then they started dating. I used to send these mean text messages to her from his phone. And then we became best friends after that. I was just being a jerk.

What did you like to do for fun when you were 17? Now?

I loved shopping, and I still love shopping. It's a guilty, guilty pleasure of mine.

What advice did your parents give you when you were 17?

Whatever you do, be happy with you. Don't conform. You are who you are, and you shouldn't change that for anybody.

What did you worry about back then?

Really wanting to fit in and to feel like a normal teenager. And then I got to a point where I was like, "Nobody's normal. Nobody really fits in." I just accepted that I am who I am, and I can't change that.

Who was your idol back then? Now?

Sandra Bullock and Julia Roberts are my idols. I really respect their bodies of work.

Do you have a celebrity crush?

[When I was younger] I watched Star Wars and fell in love with Mark Hamill. I was like, "I'm going to marry him!" It didn't work out. Now I think Paul Rudd is really sexy. I know he's old enough to be my dad, but I just think he's got it going on. I just think he's super-adorable.

What advice would you give to your 17-year-old self?

I would tell myself to enjoy being a kid and not having responsibilities. And that everything would work out. Don't worry about everything and really enjoy the moment. Enjoy being 17.