Molly Ringwald: Showbiz is a No-No For My Kids

When Molly Ringwald reunited with the Brat Pack onstage during a John Hughes tribute at the Oscars last month, the married mom of three was overcome with memories.

“It was a really emotional night,” the Secret Life Of An American Teenager star, 42, tells me during the Ragu Recipe for a Good Start event. “We rarely see each other.”

Nowadays the ‘80s icon, who made her name with Sixteen Candles, Pretty In Pink and The Breakfast Club, has her hands full chasing after daughter Mathilda, 6, and eight-month-old twins Adele and Roman, with husband Panio Gianopoulos.

Even though their mom got her start in showbiz at age 11 on the sitcom Diff’rent Strokes, the trade is off-limits for her brood until after they graduate from college.

“Mathilda is very willful, headstrong and very intelligent, but so far she’s shown no interest in being onstage,” Molly admits. “I think she’s more of a behind-the-scenes person. That could change after college and all that. If she wants to do it, I would support her, but after college. Not as a child.”

Why not?

“I think that it’s hard having grown up in the business,” she says. “I think it’s something I wouldn’t want for my own children. If they want to do it later, that’s great. But I think I just want them to be kids.”

When Molly sees young stars like Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber, she hopes they come from a strong family as they navigate the fickle business.

“I was fortunate to have a good family,” she says. “My parents are still together. I have a brother and sister. Family, communication and time spent together was important. I think that that’s the best thing that anyone can have, whether they’re an actor or not. That’s what I want to have for my own family. Show business is very hard for anyone, but particularly for kids. I think without that strong family background, it’s very challenging.”

Here’s my pic with Molly: