Megan Park reflected on how starring in The Secret Life of the American Teenager shaped her career — and addressed whether she will ever return to acting after stepping away.
“It was such a different time [when I filmed The Secret Life] so it’s hard to compare that and [my new show Sterling Point] because it was truly a different era,” Park, 40, exclusively told Us. “There were so many wonderful things that came out of that show.”
Park expressed gratitude for her best friend Shailene Woodley, who led the cast with her role as Amy. Park portrayed main character Grace, a conservative teenager and cheerleader who was learning how to navigate her relationship while trying to honor her beliefs.
“Still to this day, she is my ride or die,” Park noted. “And it was such a wonderful cast. All those people I’m still really close with.”
She continued: “And I learned a lot about just being on a set and what everyone’s role is and getting so comfortable on a set. But it was a very different kind of show to make.”
As Park got more comfortable in the industry, her outlook changed, adding, “I just didn’t always feel like when I was in many different projects — not specifically that — it didn’t feel authentic to how I was actually experiencing my young adulthood or seeing my peers experience theirs or talking about things or in a way that felt really natural.”
The Secret Life of the American Teenager, which ran from 2008 to 2013, followed teenager Amy (Woodley) as she experienced pregnancy and parenthood while also struggling with everything that comes from being a high school student.
In addition to Woodley and Park, the ABC Family drama starred Kenny Baumann, India Eisley, Greg Finley, Daren Kagasoff, Francia Raisa, Molly Ringwald and Steve Schirripa.
Park has since found success behind the screen with The Fallout, My Old Ass and now Prime Video’s Sterling Point. The show, which is streaming now, follows Annie Jacobson (Ella Rubin), whose life takes a turn when she inherits her mysterious grandfather’s island in Canada. This leads to new friends, a love triangle and shocking family secrets being exposed — including a secret sister (played by Amélie Hoeferle).
“I definitely did not know this was going to be the path for me,” Park told Us about getting the chance to create a TV show. “I definitely feel like I am trying to create a more authentic experience for the YA [young adult] space and genre — and also just for the actors.”
The producer hinted that she didn’t have any plans to make an onscreen appearance.
“I personally don’t miss acting at all so I’m not itching to get back in front of the camera,” she revealed. “The actors on this show kept being like, ‘Play the dead mom.’ I was like, ‘No! I don’t want to manifest that, first of all.’ And I was like, ‘No, I can’t direct myself to do that. I can’t do it. It doesn’t sound fun to me.'”
She teased: “But maybe. Never say never. Maybe in someone else’s project. Maybe for Sean Baker because I’d have a hard time saying no to that but I definitely am happier behind the camera.”
Park would love to use her role behind the camera on Sterling Point to bring in a friendly face or two from her past work — starting with Woodley, 34.
“That I would do. I always am like, ‘Hey Shai.’ And she’s already in The Fallout,” Park concluded. “I love working with people that are my friends. It’s so fun. Why not? And actors that I’ve worked with in the past.”
Sterling Point is streaming on Prime Video.
