Tiffani Thiessen, now 52, says the confidence she carries today dwarfs what she had at 15, when she first walked into Hollywood auditions. "At 15, I thought I had strong confidence in myself, but at 52, that confidence is like no other," the actress tells us in a new interview. "There's a 'who gives a f--k' attitude that has developed after many years of being in the spotlight in Hollywood."

The quote anchors a career that spans more than three decades of public scrutiny. Thiessen became a household name as Kelly Kapowski on Saved by the Bell, then turned up the drama as Valerie Malone on Beverly Hills, 90210. She has since added best-selling author and host to her résumé. Her latest role is Miss Graves, the glamorous and formidable head of an elite magic school in the new supernatural series Coven Academy, which streams in full on Disney+ and Hulu starting today.

Asked what she has subtracted from her routine in her 50s, Thiessen is blunt. "I have subtracted all the BS," she says. "The unnecessary negativity that only takes away from your life. Whether that's people, places, activities or items."

Her philosophy on aging comes from family. "I was lucky enough to be given great advice on aging from the women in my family," she says. "My mother and grandmother were huge inspirations in my life and career and continue to be. They always told me that aging is a privilege. A privilege you should embrace with gratitude and grace. I continue to take those words to heart."

Playing Miss Graves, a character who clearly cares about presentation, reminded Thiessen of her grandmother. "My grandmother never left the house without her 'face on,'" she recalls. "She always took the time to put herself together before ever stepping foot outside. Talk about commitment." The comparison stops there. "That is very different than me. I love to dress up and feel good on occasion, but I think comfort is where my priority lies."

If she could speak to her younger self in the makeup chair, Thiessen would correct one habit: self-criticism. "I would tell her to embrace every stage of life," she says. "I look back at some of my old photos or even videos and remember being critical of myself. I think now, how truly wasteful those thoughts were. Every stage of life is beautiful in its own right."

Her face and aging process have been watched publicly for over 30 years, a fact she addresses directly. Asked how she draws the line between caring for herself and chasing youth, she answers in one sentence. "It's simple: I'm not chasing anything. I'm living in the now and cherishing every stage I enter with grace and immense gratitude."

On industry change, Thiessen sees progress in one area and a gap in another. "I am happy to see more women embracing the natural aging process we all go through," she says. "What I am hoping to see more? More women coming together in support of one another. I am seeing more of it, but we can always use more. Women supporting women is what we should all want more of."

As Coven Academy arrives on two major streaming platforms, Thiessen's message lands with the same clarity as her role: command of the room, minus the noise.