This week on Reclaiming, we sit down with the incomparable Molly Ringwald, the actress who defined a generation and shaped ’80s pop culture forever (Pretty In Pink, Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club).

In this intimate conversation, Molly pulls back the curtain on her meteoric rise to fame, sharing candid revelations about navigating Hollywood as a teenage icon. She offers a fascinating glimpse into her creative partnership with legendary director John Hughes, and reveals the untold story of how her own headshot unexpectedly inspired the classic “Pretty in Pink.” Plus, Molly reflects on her years in Paris, where she rediscovered herself away from the American spotlight.

Ringwald shared that Hughes wrote Sixteen Candles inspired solely by her headshot, which he had pinned above his computer. She also recounted how an impromptu dance with co-star Matt Freeman at Kingston Mines led Hughes to conceptualize her character in Pretty in Pink.

Reflecting on her early fame, Ringwald acknowledged that while she has always been in the public eye, the intense spotlight during her teenage years felt overwhelming and intimidating. She continues to process the complexities of her early career and her collaboration with Hughes, recognizing both the opportunities and challenges it presented.

For a deeper insight into Molly Ringwald’s experiences and reflections, watch the full interview below: