The premiere of the last season of “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” is upon us! ShockYa was able to talk to Megan Park about the final season of the hit ABC Family show. During the interview, we talked about where Park’s character, Grace, is headed, if Park liked the final chapter of her character, fan interaction and more.
So, the last season of “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” is coming soon. What can you tell us about the season premiere?
Megan Park: The season premiere is the beginning of what’s going to be a wrap-up season, where you get to see what all the characters find out what they’re going to do with their lives, where they want to go, who they want to be with, so the first episode is an introduction to that[.]
What can fans expect from your character this season?
Megan Park: Grace is with everybody else, trying to figure out where she wants to go and what she wants to do, but her biggest struggle is definitely in her relationship. Things like Jack and her past are [going] in very different directions and she’s always struggled with whether Jack is the right person for her…whether she should try to make this relationship work because they’re in a good place, or if she should go off, live her life and Jack goes off and lives his life and see if they come back together at some point. But, of course, she doesn’t want to break up with him, but she’s trying to figure out if it’s the right thing to do, which is what I think a lot of people who are in serious relationships in high school who are going to different schools and going in different directions are trying to figure out what to do as well. So, it’s a very relatable struggle, I think.
You said that this is a wrap-up season. Do you think that because it’s a wrap-up season that there will be more drama? Will this season be more intense than the others?
Megan Park: I think it’s more intense in a different way. I think it’s more emotional. There’s not really a lot of “Oh my gosh!” shocking, crazy things that happen, but there are really, really difficult decisions people have to make and when they make them, it’s not what people think is going to happen. It’s emotional and it’s not a fairy tale ending for any of the characters. But, it’s real. It’s real life and the creator, XXX decided not to sugarcoat it and to keep it real until the very end. There’s no holding hands and skipping off into the sunset for anybody…It’s going to be a very emotional season.
Are you happy with how Grace’s storyline wraps up?
Megan Park: You know, when I first saw the script, no, I wasn’t. I was sort of disappointed because I think I maybe wanted that fairy tale moment for her. But the more I thought about it, I really was happy because it’s real. But I was a little shocked with how they decided to end my character. But, I think it makes sense. So I wasn’t upset; I was shocked.
How do you feel about the fan support throughout the show’s run?
Megan Park: It’s been amazing! I literally tell people that I’ve never had a bad experience with anybody. I’ve only had people coming up to me telling me how much they like the show and how much they like the character or how the show has changed their life or just support, people being excited to meet me. It’s been so sweet and so lovely. I’ve had, I think, the perfect experience. I can’t think of one bad thing that’s every happened to me or anyone who’s ever said anything mean. I’m sure if I went on blogs, I bet I could find that, but in terms of people approaching me in person, it’s been lovely and amazing. I’m just so grateful that people have liked the show and kept watching and kept us on the air for five years. It’s been really lovely and without the fans, we wouldn’t have had the show for this long, so it’s been great.
Make sure to catch the premiere of the final season of “Secret Life” TONIGHT at 8/7c on ABC Family.
