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Women's Health, Your Way

February 19, 2026

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BODYTALK / 'The Parent Trap' Actresses Just Wrote a Love Letter to F...

'The Parent Trap' Actresses Just Wrote a Love Letter to Female Friendship on 'Dancing With the Stars'

'The Parent Trap' Actresses Just Wrote a Love Letter to Female Friendship on 'Dancing With the Stars'

We'll say it until we're blue in the face: Female friendships are essential. Not just because our friends make us laugh and make us feel seen and give us a soft place to land, but also because investing in friendship is good for our health. 

That's why we are so obsessed with what The Parent Trap actresses Elaine Hendrix and Lisa Ann Walter — who are still real-life best friends nearly 30 years after filming the iconic movie — just did.

The TL;DR? Hendrix (who played the most stylish villain of all time, Meredith Blake) is competing on this season of Dancing With the Stars. Last week, the show had "dedication night", and each contestant chose an important figure in their life to honor. While many honored parents, children, spouses (you know, what we think of when we traditionally think of as "family"), Hendrix chose to honor her best friend, Walter. 

“We have both starred in many movies, had husbands and boyfriends. They come and go. We are constant,” said Walter. “And we’re going to grow old together.”

“This moment is a celebration of Lisa and I, and of female friendships everywhere,” added Hendrix.

In our world of "frenemy" storylines, pitting women against one another, and prioritizing romantic love stories over platonic love stories, it can be easy to lose sight of how vital and good and important female friendships are. We have to thank these incredible besties for reminding us.

Ask Clara: What are the benefits of female friendship?

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