Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen first gained the world's attention when they starred on Full House. Having started when they were still in diapers, the world watched the Olsen Twins grow up on television. As they grew into their teens, the twins became media moguls and expanded their brand across all forms of entertainment.
Dylan and Cole Sprouse were another set of twins who entered the business after the Olsens were established. Before they became a fixture on the Disney Channel with their show The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Mary-Kate and Ashley tried to take the twins under their wing.
Mary-Kate And Ashley Gave A Rare Interview To Celebrate Their Fashion Brand's 15th Anniversary
After dominating just about every market before their 18th birthday, Mary-Kate and Ashley took a much-needed break from the entertainment industry in 2004. After they graduated from high school, the girls went to college at NYU in New York City. Their independent journey would lead them to creating their very own fashion brand, The Row, in 2006.
In 2021, the brand celebrated its 15th anniversary. To commemorate the occasion, the Olsen Twins gave a rare interview to i-D where they opened up about the brand and its history.
"I think in the beginning it was really a project for us," said Ashley. "So yes, it started with the T-shirt and then six other pieces fell out of that: tank tops, cardigans, leggings… But it was really about perfecting the fit and perfecting the fabric and it really was kind of just a passion project. It took a year and a half, because there really was no end date or goal in mind as far as turning it into a business, I’d say."
Related: Every Piece We Want From The Row, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s Luxury Fashion Label
"It had to be easy. It had to be comfortable on all bodies," Mary-Kate explained. "It really had to have all the elements that we continue to put into our projects and design. The fabrics had to be luxurious and perfect and, hopefully, have longevity. The items were really about perfecting and simplifying the details."
Cole Sprouse Said He Was Pushed Into Child Acting Because His Mother Was 'Irresponsible' With Money
Growing up, Cole Sprouse appeared with twin brother Dylan in Friends, Big Daddy, and The Suite Life. He would continue acting well into adulthood in Riverdale. His childhood was spent in front of the camera and now, Cole is opening up about why that was the case.
When speaking to the Call Her Daddy podcast in 2023, Cole opened up about his mother, whom he said pushed him into acting as a result of the family's financial problems. However, much of the money he and his brother made was spent.
Related: Dylan And Cole Sprouse's Mom Has Lived An Unconventional Life After Losing Her Custody Battle
"Both my brother and I went through a lengthy court battle at about 10, and custody was stripped from my mother and given to my father," he said, explaining that his father wanted them to be "normal kids."
He added, "I don’t think I’ve ever talked about this.…When my father was given forced custody, we had pretty much lost everything from the youngest parts of our career. That would be Friends and Big Daddy."
"My mother was an incredibly wonderful and artistic woman, but she was financially the most irresponsible woman ever," Cole continued. "I think it was the consequence of some alchemy of addiction and mental instability, and it’s probably the greatest wound in my life."
Cole went on to say that his father reevaluated their career after the custody battle. His father used it as a way to help his sons regain their financial freedom and add some stability to their chaotic lives.
"By the time my brother and I got to the Disney Channel, we were good. It was a huge boon to us," Cole said. "It was in many ways a lifesaving show. It provided us with an amount of stability and consistency and routine that really was needed for my brother and I at the time."
Mary-Kate And Ashley Signed The Sprouse Twins To Their Company, Dualstar Entertainment, In 2005
Before the Sprouse Twins became Disney darlings, they signed with the Olsen Twins' company, Dualstar Entertainment, when they were 13. The deal was meant to include a wide range of merchandise including movies, CDs, surfboards, snowboards, and apparel.
"This isn’t just about clothing," said former manager Josh Werkman. "It’s about lifestyle, it’s about products . . . One of the big reasons for the launch of this platform is that there’s nothing for little boys out there."
Related: Will Mary-Kate And Ashley Olsen Ever Return To Acting?
By the time the Olsen Twins were in high school, they were media moguls whose powers extended to every branch of the entertainment industry. This deal would surely have given the Sprouse Twins a chance at following in Mary-Kate and Ashley's footsteps.
"This deal that we just closed for them really represents one of the biggest deals in Hollywood right now because we just signed a deal with Mary-Kate and Ashley’s company Dualstar for licensing and, basically, Mary-Kate and Ashley are at a point where they’re getting older (they’re in college) and they’re looking to kind of move up in different directions for their careers," Werkman said. "The Sprouse twins are now stepping in."
Years later, in 2010, Mary-Kate told Marie Claire that while she doesn't regret her childhood, she felt like a "little monkey performer."
"I look at old photos of me, and I don't feel connected to them at all," she said. "I would never wish my upbringing on anyone…but I wouldn't take it back for the world."
When reflecting on his career as a child star on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Cole expressed some similar sentiments.
"I don’t regret it at all," Cole said. "I know that there’s definitely resentment, there’s definitely some things I have to work through, but no. If I were given the same choice again, I’d probably do it again."
