In a touching tribute, former child actress Mara Wilson shares intimate memories of her friendship with Michelle Trachtenberg, revealing a side of the 'Harriet the Spy' star that few knew.
Wilson first met Trachtenberg at the 1997 Kids' Choice Awards, where the 'Harriet the Spy' actress immediately impressed her with warmth and kindness. Despite being two years older - "an eon in preteen years," as Wilson notes - Trachtenberg welcomed the younger actress with genuine friendliness.
"She gave me a huge, warm smile, then looked at my dress and said 'Eurokids, right? I love that store!'" Wilson recalls. "I felt a surge of joy. I shopped where the cool girl shopped!"
Their friendship blossomed through charity events and Hollywood gatherings, where they joined a close-knit group of young actors including Vanessa Lee Chester, Ashley Johnson, and Jonathan Taylor Thomas. Far from the stereotypical "child star" behavior, these young performers spent their time making PSAs about bicycle safety and bringing Christmas gifts to children in hospitals.
Wilson paints a picture of Trachtenberg as the heart of their group - intelligent, funny, and remarkably grounded. "When she told us a set anecdote or a shaggy dog joke, in her slight New York accent, everyone would listen," Wilson remembers.
Their paths crossed again in middle school when Trachtenberg moved to Burbank. However, the reunion revealed a darker side of child stardom as Trachtenberg faced relentless bullying. "They call me Harriet the Slut, Harriet the Bitch... and so much worse," Trachtenberg confided in Wilson.
Through the years, even as their paths diverged, Wilson remained a steadfast defender of her friend's character. When others criticized Trachtenberg's portrayal of mean characters, Wilson would insist, "She's not like that! I knew her. She was a sweetheart."
Wilson's heartfelt remembrance offers a rare glimpse into the real Michelle Trachtenberg - not just the actress known for 'Harriet the Spy' and 'Gossip Girl', but a kind, intelligent girl who touched many lives with her warmth and authenticity.
"I always thought I would get the chance to see her again, to tell her how much I'd always looked up to her," Wilson writes. "The times we spent together as children were some of the best of my life."