Danielle Fishel says husband’s message sealed DWTS decision as she navigates hamstring injury

Danielle Fishel, the 1990s television star known for Boy Meets World, is competing on Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars with partner Pasha Pashkov. Her husband, Jensen Karp, has become a central source of support, telling her to clear her mind so she could focus on the competition. "I want you to clear your mind. I promise I have the house, I have the kids, they’re going to be great, and you just focus on you," Fishel recalled in an interview after the premiere.

After Week 1, Fishel tore her hamstring, and Karp moved quickly to organize medical care. "When I got injured, he was the first person saying, ‘I’m going to call a P.T. I’m going to call this.’ He started making doctor’s appointments for me," Fishel said. Pashkov said Karp is not only a caregiver but also a social media coordinator for the family’s DWTS journey, offering up TikTok ideas and nudges for their content. "He’s amazing. And even on top of all of that, he’s also part of our social media group chat where he gives us ideas. TikToks, he’s sending us some TikToks and says, ‘You guys should do this.’ It’s really great."

The couple’s family life has been a constant backdrop to Fishel’s DWTS run. Adler, 6, and Keaton, 4, have shown their support in living rooms and classrooms alike. Adler reportedly told his teacher after the premiere that his mom delivered the most beautiful dance and would win because she and Pashkov are the best. Keaton reportedly woke up at 3 a.m. to remind his mother, "Mommy, your dance was so beautiful." Fishel said the kids will attend when possible, even if it means late nights on school nights. "They won’t be back each week. It’s just a late night for them. They’re six and four, and they came for the premiere. I can’t wait to have them back."

Beyond family ties, Fishel has drawn strength from a network of ’90s-era friends in the audience. Fellow Full House alums Andrea Barber and Jodie Sweetin, as well as Elisa Donovan from Clueless, cheered the actor on during Week 2. Fishel described her long friendships as a source of stability in a high-demand competition environment. "Honestly, I’m close with everyone [from that era]," she said. "Very similarly to this ‘Dancing with the Stars’ family, once you’re in it and you realize what a machine it is—and how wonderful it is—you’re pouring your blood, sweat and tears into this. In order to do this, you have to really love it." She added that Jodie Sweetin’s prior DWTS experience has been a practical resource.

DWTS airs on ABC every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET and PT and is available to stream on Disney+. The show’s season continues to unfold as Fishel seeks to balance a demanding rhythm of rehearsals with family life and a growing role as a social-media conduit for her team, all while receiving support from a circle of friends who have known her since the title credits of her youth. The dynamic between personal life, injury management, and professional performance offers a portrait of a celebrity navigating a modern, multimedia edition of a classic competition format.