Christy Carlson Romano Opens Up in Wide-Ranging Interview About Turning 40 After Surviving Child Stardom (Exclusive)

Photo:Dylan Lujano Dylan Lujano Christy Carlson Romanois ringing in a new decade. The Disney Channel star, who got her start in the acting industry when she was just 6 years old, turned 40 on Wednesday. In a wide-ranging interview, the former child actress — who’s been candid about her ups and downs growing up in Hollywood — tells PEOPLE exclusively that she’s made peace with her past. “There were a lot of gifts to being a young performer, so I am tremendously grateful for starting as young as I did and the positive experiences that I had.

Christy Carlson Romano Says Bullet Fragment Was ‘Less Than 1 Millimeter’ from ‘Permanently Blinding’ Her

Christy Carlson Romano.Photo:Christy Carlson Romano/Instagram Christy Carlson Romano/Instagram Christy Carlson Romanois updating fans on her injury since beingshot in the eyeon Friday, Feb. 7 while shooting clay pigeons for husbandBrendan Rooney’s birthday. “The lead fragment must remain in place, as surgically removing it could leave me blind,” she said. “I should fully recover with no issues at all, though I may never be able to get an MRI again.” Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Christy Carlson Romano Says Her Life Has 'Changed Profoundly' Since Getting Shot in Face: 'Feeling More Grateful'

Christy Carlson Romano attends the FOX Winter Press Day on Nov. 18, 2024.Photo:JC Olivera/Variety via Getty JC Olivera/Variety via Getty Christy Carlson Romanois sharing her gratitude for life — and finding some humor in its circumstances — after she was “shot in the eye” last month. TheEven Stevensalum, 40, posted a candidInstagram message(and a silly skit) on Feb. 27 about how her life has “changed profoundly” in the three weeks since she was shot in the face.

Christy Carlson Romano ‘Shot in the Eye’ During Husband's Birthday Party: 'Grateful to Be Alive'

Christy Carlson Romano in an Instagram post shared on Feb. 8, 2025.Photo:Christy Carlson Romano/Instagram Christy Carlson Romano/Instagram The former child star, 40, was shot on Friday, Feb. 7, while shooting clay pigeons in Texas as part of husbandBrendan Rooney’s “present” this year, she revealed in an Instagram video the following day. “So I got shot in the eye. It was not fun,” the Austin-based actress began the video before assuring her followers that she is now “safe.

Christy Turlington and Husband Ed Burns Snap Rare Family Photo with Their Two Teens in Greece

Photo: Panas Group via Getty Christy Turlingtonis enjoying some downtime with her family. The supermodel, 53, posed for a sweet family photo while dining out in Greece with husband Ed Burns, 54, and their two teenagers. Turlington and Burns have kept their children’s lives very private as they’ve grown. In the picture, the family of four smiles as they’re gifted a coffee table book. Grace, 18, bares a strong resemblance to her model mother while Finn, 16, looks more bashful in the group photo.