Former Nickelodeon star Natanya Ross, best known for her role as Robyn Russo in the science-fiction series "The Secret World of Alex Mack," recently turned heads with a dramatically transformed appearance at a 90s-themed birthday celebration. The 44-year-old actress attended the prom-themed 50th birthday bash for "Boy Meets World" alum Will Friedle, sporting a tattooed and glammed-up look that she described as giving her a "hard-hitting edge."
Ross, who first gained fame as a goth teenager on the Nickelodeon show, which aired from 1994 to 1998, has been open about her past struggles. She told Voyage LA last year that she battled drug and alcohol addiction for most of her 20s and entered treatment for the final time at age 30. This experience inspired her to begin working in the treatment field.
After experiencing homelessness on Skid Row, Ross achieved sobriety and dedicated 17 years to working in substance abuse and mental health advocacy. She remains the president of the board of directors for the Women's Association of Addiction (WAAT).
Beyond her advocacy work, Ross has recently launched a retro podcast titled "We're Still Here, Babe," distributed through 103.3 The App. She is also slated to reunite with former "Secret World of Alex Mack" castmates Larisa Oleynik, Darris Love, and Meredith Bishop at "That's 4 Entertainment's 90s Con" from October 16-18 in Hartford, Connecticut.
Her acting career continues as well. Ross is set to portray matriarch Deb Miller in Alexsiya Flora's upcoming romance film, "The Fantastic Santa Monaco." She also resides in Burbank, California, with actor Nate Richert, known for his role in "Sabrina the Teenage Witch."