The Olsen Twins: How They’ve Changed Since Stepping Away from the Spotlight
Ladies and gentlemen, hold on to your hairbows and scrunchies because the Olsen twins are all grown up! You may have met these pint-sized moppets when they first graced our screens on Full House, but 35 years later, they're practically strangers. But, before you start mourning the loss of your childhood crushes, let's dive into the wild ride that has been the twins' lives. From family drama to high fashion and everything in between, the Olsen sisters have seen it all. But, why did they choose to step out of the spotlight? Keep reading to find out!
Made To Be On Screen
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were born on June 13th, 1986 in Sherman Oaks, California, with Ashley being two minutes older. Despite this small age difference, it's likely that Ashley often reminds her sister of her elder status.
From a young age, the twins were known for their smiling and giggling personalities, leading their parents to consider a career in show business for them.
Fraternal Or Identical?
Although fraternal twins are often thought of as being vastly different in appearance or one being male and the other female, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are fraternal twins who look nearly identical.
This resemblance is what inspired their father, Dave, to pursue a career in Hollywood for them.
Hollywood Trend Setters
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen landed their first starring role as Michelle Tanner on the ABC sitcom, Full House at the young age of nine months. They were the first twins to play one role.
This was made possible by new labor laws which restricted the working hours of young children to a maximum of 20 minutes before a break. The producers of the show took advantage of this by casting two kids, which allowed them to get double the amount of acting time.
Went With What Hoolwood Threw Their Way
The producers of Full House initially credited Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen as "Mary-Kate Ashley Olsen" to conceal the fact that the role of Michelle Tanner was played by twins. They wanted to keep this revolutionary casting decision a secret for as long as possible.
However, once the show became a hit and press tours and interviews began, the truth was revealed that the charming Michelle Tanner was played by Hollywood's most adorable twins.
Adored World Wide
The popularity of the Olsen twins on Full House led to the show writing storylines specifically around the character of Michelle Tanner.
By 1989, the twins were given speaking roles and their delivery of one-liners like "You got it, dude!" further endeared them to audiences across America.
Setting Fashion Trends From An Early Age
The Olsen twins' portrayal of Michelle Tanner on Full House not only made them beloved to audiences, but also helped shape their fashion sense.
The character was often dressed in children's clothing from top designers like Chanel and Marc Jacobs, which had a significant influence on the girls' fashion choices later in life. The Olsen's style and fashion sense would become an important part of their brand and career later in life.
Trying New Things
By 1992, the twins were ready to branch out and try new things. They landed their first gig outside of Full House that year when they released their first album "Brother For Sale."
Although the two weren't naturally singers, the album was a hit with young kids and introduced the twins to a new market.
Working Overtime
After the success of their album, the Olsen twins' dad-turned-manager started working them double time.
While the girls filmed Full House, they also completed multiple movies like To Grandmother's House We Go (1992), Double Double Toil and Trouble (1993), and How The West Was Fun (1994). That's a lot of work!
Breaking Records And Taking Names
The success of their films prompted the girls to create their own production company, Dualstar. The girls are still the CEOs of the company, and it allowed them to become the youngest producers in history.
They were only six years old when they were credited as producers on To Grandmother's House We Go.
Finding Their Way Into Our Home Video Collections
On top of filming Full House and releasing multiple movies, the Olsen twins began making video series'.
Any young girl growing up in the '90s remembers the episodes from their detective series The Adventures of Mary-Kate & Ashley, and their slumber party series You're Invited to Mary-Kate & Ashley's.
Life After Full House
Full House ended after eight seasons in 1995, and the Olsen twins were finally free to devote their time and attention to Dualstar. The girls released a steady string of straight-to-VHS movies during the '90s like Billboard Dad (1998), and Passport to Paris (1999).
They also released their first feature film, It Takes Two (1995).
A Family Breakdown Didn't Help
Alongside the end of Full House came the end of their big, happy family. Mary-Kate and Ashley's parents divorced in 1995. The divorce was allegedly due to a strain on the relationship that came from the twins' success.
After the divorce, Mary-Kate, and Ashley became even more private when it came to their personal lives.
Time To Try A New Passion Project
A new millennium called for a new passion project. The Olsen twins were known for their love of fashion on set, so they decided to branch out and create a fashion line.
The line was sold in Walmart and JCPenney and basically made Mary-Kate and Ashley the icons for tween girls across America.
If You Could Buy It, Their Faces Were On It
The success of their clothing line turned Mary-Kate and Ashley into the two most influential teens in America. Their likeness was used to sell everything from shoes, purses, CDs, makeup, board games, dolls, and everything else you can think of.
If an item could be marketed to tweens, you can guarantee Mary-Kate and Ashley were front and center.
How About Two New TV Shows?
Their influence on the tween market allowed them to star in not one, but two, new television series. So Little Time was a live-action sitcom, while Mary-Kate and Ashley in Action! was an animated series.
Both were critical flops, but it didn't matter because the tweens couldn't get enough.
Their Final Act
In 2004, the Olsen twins starred in what would be their last film ever. New York Minute was a feature film flop, although it became an immediate fan favorite. With a passion for high fashion and a desire to step out of the spotlight, the girls retired from acting.
After so many years in show business, no one knew what the girls would do next.
Time To Step Into A New Career
The girls decided to devote their lives to their true passion, fashion. Naturally, the two became fashion icons by 2006, appearing alongside the most elite runways in the world.
Mary-Kate was even named by The New York Times as the pioneer of the "homeless" bohemian look. Oversized sunglasses, boots, loose sweaters, and floral skirts are all thanks to Mary-Kate.
Finally Beginning To Grow Separately
After their departure from film and into fashion, the two could begin to differentiate from each other. Ashley kept the twins' signature dirty blonde hair, but Mary-Kate began to change things up by dying her hair different colors like brown and red.
Finally, people were able to start telling them apart!
The Party Scene Took Them By Storm
Mary-Kate and Ashley both went through some partying phases, and it has come back to be controversial. Reality star Spencer Pratt sold a not-so-flattering photo of Mary-Kate to tabloids for $50,000, which made America think the twins were spiraling downhill.
These actions by "friends" made Mary-Kate and Ashley shy away from the media even more than before.
Continuing To Appear On The Forbes List Of Millionaires
Their choice to move into fashion was a good one. Although their numerous films and money left over from Full House made them millionaires by the age of 10, they made most of their money in fashion.
The two have launched multiple clothing and beauty lines like The Row, Olsenboye, and Elizabeth James.
A Dramatic Death Shook Mary-Kate
Things got dramatic for Mary-Kate in 2008 with the death of Heath Ledger. The high-profile suicide shocked the world, and it was even more shocking to find out Mary-Kate and Heath had been secretly dating.
The massage therapist that found Heath actually called Mary-Kate before calling the police.
Creating A Unique And Defining Style
Their "homeless" boho-chic style makes a lot more sense when you realize just how spiritual the twins are. Both Mary-Kate and Ashley have discussed in rare interviews their use of crystals, sage burning, and belief in bad auras.
The two seem to have found their own path to being at peace.
They Created A One-Of-A-Kind Shopping Experience
Their couture fashion line The Row is an entirely new shopping experience. They began it as a desire to create the perfect t-shirt, and has expanded from there.
The fitting rooms have robes and caviar in them, and the entire experience is supposed to detract from online shopping.
One Twin Broke An Important Promise
Even though the two vowed not to return to acting, Mary-Kate has made a few solo appearances in film and television. She had a small role in the 2011 film Beastly and had a recurring role in the third season of Weeds.
Still, the two have not appeared on film or as producers since their vow in 2004.
Don't Forget About Their Little Sister
Now, most of the red carpet appearances either happen during fashion week or with their younger sister. Elizabeth Olsen had been acting since she was young as well, but when the girls quit in 2004, it was Elizabeth's time to shine.
You might recognize her best in the role of the Scarlett Witch in the Marvel film franchise.
They've Inspired Many Celebrities In The Fashion World
In another rare interview with Vogue, the Olsen twins admitted their style crushes and you may be surprised. Mary-Kate said Gigi Hadid is giving her serious inspiration right now, and Ashley cited Amber Heard as her latest style icon.
Ironically, those two celebs probably were inspired by the Olsen twins!
Now, Ashley's Focusing On Fashion
Nowadays, Ashley Olsen is focusing on her fashion line. She's been keeping busy focusing on the fashion line while her sister takes on family life.
Ashley's dating history has caused some controversy though, as her last three boyfriends were old enough to be her father. The latest, Richard Sachs, was an art dealer who was 28 years her senior. The girls both seem to have a preference for mature men.
Mary-Kate Was Married To Olivier Sarkozy, The Half-Brother Of The Former French President
Mary-Kate married Olivier Sarkozy, the half-brother of the former French president, in November 2015 at a very unique wedding.
All guests were required to check in their mobile phones, and each table had a bucket of free...erm, cigarettes. The couple divorced in 2021 after irreconcilable differences and Mary-Kate started privately dating again.
They're Practically Unrecognizable Now
Today, the twins have continued to shy away from acting and focus on their fashion line. They are rarely seen on Hollywood red carpets, but you can find them at any time seated alongside the fashion runways.
They've kept up their boho beach look but modernized and grown into it with their age.
Audiences Are Over The Whole "Twins" Thing
No doubt, if Mary-Kate and Ashley did decide to make a return to acting, all of their long-time fans would tune in just to see their faces again.
Both twins found the most success when acting as a pair, so it's no surprise if a Hollywood agent is scared to cast them separately.
Perfecting Their Craft Is Priority #1
You can't argue with results like this! In 2018, Ashley and Mary-Kate were named the 2018 CFDA Accessories Designer of The Year and were presented with the coveted award.
It's interesting that their own choice of accessories for the event was decidedly low-key and toned down. They always seem to be making some sort of statement through their clothing.
Their Sister Elizabeth Is Shining On The Big Screen
Here are the twins with sister Elizabeth. They all resemble each other to some extent but look completely different at the same time!
Unlike her sisters, Elizabeth continues to embrace her Hollywood career. She starred in the miniseries WandaVision. She's won several awards for her acting.
