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The ’90s are making a comeback — in fashion, makeup, and now, the Chili‘s menu. Chili’s was the spot then and it’s the spot now, especially with ’90s darling Tiffani Thiessen bringing back all the nostalgia with the Radical ‘Rita.
For just $6, Chili’s patrons can take themselves back to the ’90s with the Radical ‘Rita, crafted with Lunazul Blanco Tequila, Monin Dragonfruit, Blue Curaçao, House-Made Sour, and a collection of ’90s-inspired swizzle sticks — and who better to talk about the release than the Queen of ‘90s TV herself?
Known for her iconic roles as Kelly Kapowski on Saved by the Bell and Valerie Malone on Beverly Hills, 90210, Thiessen has remained as beloved as ever while transitioning into new roles, including mom of two and chef extraordinaire. However, when you ask her kids what their favorite roles of hers are, their answers might surprise you.
Thiessen shared that her role in White Collar is her daughter Harper’s favorite: “Before that, it was Alexa and Katie.” As for her son? “My son really hasn’t watched a lot of my stuff. He would probably say Dinner at Tiffani’s because he was little when that happened and was around the set. My daughter knows I’m an actress, but my son thinks I’m a chef. Like, that’s what he knows me for,” she laughed. How precious is that?
Despite her star status in both entertainment and the food world, Thiessen remains refreshingly down-to-earth. Talking with her feels like catching up with a wise, longtime mom friend — the one who knows all the best advice and reminds you that ’90s music still reigns supreme.
During our chat, Thiessen dished on all things ’90s, her family’s approach to tough conversations, and what she’s truly nostalgic for these days.
On Her Family’s Love of the ’90s
“When I was asked, I was pretty excited. I have my own sort of nostalgic connection to Chili’s — it was one of my husband’s favorite places to hang out, and we used to literally go there when we first started dating,” she said of her husband of 20 years, Brady Smith.
But they’re not the only ones obsessed. Entrepreneur reports that Gen Z has fallen hard for Chili’s too — and their kids, Harper, 14, and Holt, 9, are no exception. “We just took them again recently, and they were definitely obsessed. I got them to order some of the classic stuff I always used to get,” Thiessen said.
Besides food, what Thiessen is most nostalgic for these days is ’90s music — and thanks to her kids, she gets to experience it daily. “I have to toot my kids’ horn: I listen to a lot of ’90s music, a lot of ’90s R&B and hip hop, because that was my thing back in the ’90s. What makes me so proud is that every time I get in the car to take them to school or pick them up, they know all the songs,” she beamed. “They know all the words. It fills my heart to know that my kids know ’90s music like I do.”
Thiessen also noted that her daughter Harper has fully embraced the ’90s fashion revival. “My daughter dresses like I used to dress — big baggy low-waisted jeans, oversized sweatshirts, and hoodies. It’s very full circle,” she said.
And while everyone says Harper is her mom’s mini-me, Thiessen sees a mix. “She looks like me. She looks like my husband, too. She’s a pretty blend of both of us,” she said. Personality-wise, though? “She is more my husband. They’re pretty much two peas in a pod.”
Tiffani Thiessen, Brady Smith, Holt Smith, Harper Smith
Photo By: Priscilla Grant/Everett Collection
On Her ’90s-Inspired Parenting Style
While the world looks very different from the 1990s, Thiessen’s parenting approach proves that some lessons are truly timeless — especially when it comes to making sure her kids feel safe, heard, and supported.
“It’s hard because it’s so different. When I was growing up, we didn’t have telephones and stuff like that to deal with. The best tool I have is to take away the phone from my teenager,” she said. “It’s easier in that sense, but it’s also harder to parent with [phones] because there’s so much more being thrown at us with technology.” (Which makes total sense given that she and Smith co-wrote the children’s book You’re Missing It! — a playful reminder about being present instead of glued to a screen.)
Thiessen’s golden rule for parenting in the age of tech? Open communication and trust. “My kids are very open with their feelings and their thoughts. I love that they feel like they can come to us and really talk about anything,” she said. “We’ve been very open about everything, even the uncomfortable stuff. Using humor and making things feel less heavy helps them feel more comfortable.”
Her advice: “Keep the communication open. Always have open lines with your kids. No matter how weird and uncomfortable it is, you have to keep it open. And never make them feel bad or weird about coming to you.”
And as her daughter Harper enters the teen years — including navigating teenage parties and growing independence — Thiessen is staying just as intentional. “We talk about being careful, and we have code words,” she shared. “I feel like I’m learning just as much as they are.”
Ultimately, Thiessen hopes her kids always know they have a wide, loving support system beyond just mom and dad. “I would not want her to try to navigate it on her own without any sort of guidance,” she said. “She has such great support from aunts, uncles, cousins — even dear friends of mine whom I completely respect as parents.”
At the end of the day, whether she’s serving up ’90s nostalgia with Chili’s or sharing real-talk parenting wisdom, Tiffani Thiessen proves that some things — like good food, good music, and good communication — truly never go out of style.
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