'Little House on the Prairie' star admits it was 'horrible' dating Rob Lowe during his heartthrob era
Share and Follow

Melissa Gilbert is reflecting on her past love life. 

During a conversation on the “I Choose Me With Jennie Garth” podcast, the star of “Little House on the Prairie” openly shared her experience of dealing with fame at a young age. She also discussed how her relationship with Rob Lowe shaped her perspective on future relationships.

“Reflecting on those six years, I realize I was so young when Rob and I got together,” explained Gilbert, who dated Lowe intermittently from age 17 to 23. “Our relationship was quite tumultuous. I felt like I had gained some wisdom in the industry by then, as I had been part of it for a long time. I was still starring in ‘Little House on the Prairie’ when we met, after years in the role, while he was just kicking off his career.”

“Rob had some television experience, so I got to watch his rapid rise to fame. However, I wasn’t ready for the challenges that accompanied it. While I was accustomed to attending premieres, award ceremonies, and similar events, I was not prepared for the immense fandom and, frankly, the attention from other girls.”

“I always thought that every girl and woman was my sister. We’re sisters, but it was not evident at all when Rob and I were a couple. I mean, it was like I didn’t exist. They just pushed right past me and stuck phone numbers in his pockets and stuff.”

Gilbert admitted that period of her life was difficult. 

“To say it was disconcerting is doing it a big disservice,” she said. “It was hard and horrible.”

A representative for Lowe did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. 

Despite the challenges, Gilbert said the relationship helped her learn a lot about desires when it came to finding love. 

“I think I learned a lot about what didn’t work for me, actually, and what I wouldn’t stand for later on,” she said. “They’re hard because they usually are born of heartbreak and angst, but those are really valuable and important lessons… We had some really, really, really fun times.”

Last year, Gilbert – who landed the role of Laura Ingalls Wilder at the age of 9 – opened up about her decision to leave Hollywood. 

“All of the pressures, I faced all of them,” Gilbert explained to People magazine at the time. “When you live in Los Angeles, it’s like living at the mall when you work at the mall. Literally, everyone is in the business. When you walk into a restaurant, every head turns to see who walked in. Everybody’s always looking, curious, competing and that’s a really difficult thing, especially for a female actor. It puts a lot of pressure on staying thin and staying young, and really it makes it hard to feel comfortable in one’s own skin, because [of] the aging process.”

“No matter how much we push it downstream, it’s inevitable,” she continued. “So are you going to age comfortably and happily? Are you going to fight it, be unhealthy and feel like there’s something wrong with you for aging and that you’re defective because you’ve gotten older?”

Gilbert and her husband, actor Timothy Busfield, moved to Michigan in 2013. The actress spent the next few years without Botox or facial fillers. She even had her breast implants removed in 2015.

The 60-year-old film producer emphasized aging is a “blessing.”

“I had to get out of there [L.A.], because it felt like I was not being authentically myself,” she told People. “In the five years that I was in Michigan, all of that stopped. … I stopped everything and just focused on being as physically and emotionally healthy as I could. And I think that shows, ‘Yes, I’m aging, but it’s not a curse — it’s a blessing.’”

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Former Marine Bryan Frederick Jennings who raped, killed 6-year-old Rebecca Kunash set for execution in Florida

Florida Set to Execute Ex-Marine Bryan Frederick Jennings for 1995 Murder and Rape of 6-Year-Old Rebecca Kunash

In Starke, Florida, a former Marine is poised to face execution for…
Cowboys to support Marshawn Kneeland pregnant girlfriend, unborn child 'for the rest of their lives'

Cowboys Commit to Lifelong Support for Marshawn Kneeland’s Pregnant Partner and Future Child

FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys are grappling with the emotional aftermath…
Amy Schumer's marriage on the BRINK: Star's brutal views on husband

Amy Schumer Opens Up About Her Marriage: Candid Insights on Her Relationship with Husband

Amy Schumer is reportedly on the verge of ending her seven-year marriage…
Chicago judge orders Trump to release 600 illegal migrants

Chicago Judge Mandates Release of 600 Migrants by Trump Administration

A federal judge appointed by President Biden has mandated the release of…
MLB star pleads not guilty to rigging pitches after FBI arrested him

Major League Baseball Star Denies Allegations of Pitch Tampering Following FBI Arrest

Emmanuel Clase, a prominent player for the Cleveland Guardians, has entered a…
Stream It or Skip It?

Must-Watch or Move On: The Ultimate Guide to Streaming Decisions

At just a teenager, Eddie Murphy transitioned from performing stand-up comedy in…
Gov. JB Pritzker believes government shutdown will help Democrats in 2026 midterm elections, Republicans disagree

Gov. Pritzker Predicts Government Shutdown Advantage for Democrats in 2026 Midterms: GOP Pushes Back

The recent government shutdown might cast a long shadow over the upcoming…
NYPD officer leaps into freezing river to save teenage girl from drowning

Heroic NYPD Officer Bravely Rescues Teen from Icy River Plunge

In an act of bravery, three officers from the NYPD saved a…