Former Disney stars say childhood fame toughened them up for hit military series Special Forces

Disney stars Christy Carlson Romano and Kyla Pratt began their careers in Hollywood as children, which they say gave them an edge for some intense physical challenges.

“I think we were able to recognize the space around us very quickly when it was critical,” Romano told Fox News Digital. “I think we knew how to fit in and be there for people. We were often genuinely compassionate because we knew we weren’t physically the strongest. We thought we led with our emotions and our ability to socialize.”

“We don’t like letting people down either. I think growing up in this industry it puts a different pressure on you and you’re like, ‘No, I’m going to do it. I will do that.’ “I won’t make it. I won’t be the one to screw it up,” Pratt added. “It was kind of the same vibe in life here.”

Romano and Pratt starred alongside several other stars, including Stephen Baldwin, Brody Jenner, Denise Richards, Ali Manno, Trista Sutter, Kayla Nicole and more, in “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test,” premiering tonight on Fox.

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Kyla Pratt (left) and Christy Carlson Romano told Fox News Digital that their experiences as child actors helped them overcome the challenges in “Special Forces: The World’s Toughest Test.” (JC Olivera/Variety via Getty Images)

“I want to say one thing about Kyla And then I think we were really fully committed to it. And so we left it there. You know, we left it in Wales and gave it 200%. Yes. And I think…we’re proud of what we did,” Romano said.

The cast faced challenges overcome by British special forces, including navigating the difficult terrain of Wales, exercises in the freezing ocean and even a hostage rescue scenario.

WATCH: FORMER DISNEY STARS EXPLAIN HOW CHILD STARS PREPARED THEM FOR ‘SPECIAL FORCES’

As a fan of the show, Romano has championed other child stars who appeared, such as JoJo Siwa, saying, “It doesn’t surprise me that they had other… child actors on this show because we’re really a lot more resilient than that.” people are aware of. And I actually always keep my fingers crossed for us, like at any time of the year.”

Pratt said people often complimented her by saying, “‘You’re so normal, like you’re good.’ You turned out quite well.’”

Carlson Romano said child stars “are a lot more resilient than people think.” (Pete Dadds/FOX ©2025 FOX MEDIA LLC)

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“And I thought, yeah, but I feel bad for those who had to experience a different journey, you know? So we kind of took certain things in and learned from them and didn’t let them affect us negatively.” You know?” she continued.

This positive attitude helped the Disney alumni bond with their castmates and overcome the challenges.

“We’re actually a lot more resilient than people think.”

— Christy Carlson Romano

“Getting together with all these different people from different walks of life, and then you have that experience, as soon as we experience something similar, it was like we all hit it off. “So.” “We supported each other,” Pratt said.

“This is about teamwork,” said Romano, who also noted that “Special Forces” is not a competition show. “A lot of the things you do on this show are about educating each other so that everyone can be successful. And yeah, you lose people in the process, and that’s really sad because it’s like the family starts to die, so to speak.”

Romano said “Special Forces” is not a competition show but focuses on “educating each other so everyone can succeed.” (Pete Dadds/FOX ©2025 FOX MEDIA LLC)

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In addition to actors and influencers, “Special Forces” stars numerous athletes who take on the series’ extreme challenges, including Landon Donovan, Golden Tate, Jordyn Wieber, Alana Blanchard, Cam Newton, Marion Jones and Nathan Adrian.

Carey Hart, who has competed in motocross for years, took the opportunity to push himself physically after recently having to take a step back.

“I’m still lucky enough to ride motocross for a living, but I’ve had to get back to the level I’m racing at probably since I was in my early 20s because of physical injuries and just – no one can cheat on my dad’s time ” he told Fox News Digital. “It was a great experience for me to be back in a situation where I can just put everything on the line. I can give everything, give 100%, because I physically can’t manage so much of my life anymore in my job.”

Hart, husband of singer Pink, had meniscus repairs last November and spine and neck surgery several years ago.

Carey Hart, who is married to Pink, took the opportunity to join Special Forces to challenge himself physically after taking a few steps back from his motocross career. (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

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“I tend to have wild and unusual things and experiences, and my wife takes them in her stride,” he said.

But she supported his decision to join the Special Forces.

WATCH: STEPHEN BALDWIN AND CAREY HART admit their wives thought they were crazy for being in ‘special forces’

“She says, ‘Okay, this is something you really want to do. You’re an idiot, but I support it.’ And you know, ‘Get through it in one piece,’ because she’s been through many, many injuries that I’ve suffered and recovered from.”

Pink does her own impressive stunts during her concerts by flying above the audience in a harness, which Hart said was “calculated.”

Hart joked that his wife was “calculated” in her aerial concert tricks while he was “reckless.” (Getty Images)

Hart said Pink has been through “many, many injuries that I have suffered and recovered from.” (Pete Dadds/FOX ©2025 FOX MEDIA LLC)

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“She’s calculated, I’m ruthless,” he said with a laugh.

Stephen Baldwin joked that his own wife would simply call me “an idiot” for doing “Special Forces.”

“I tend to have wild and unusual things and experiences, and my wife takes them in her stride.”

– Carey Hart

“My wife, who talks to me about whether or not I should join Special Forces, is completely different, simply because we’ve been together for 35 years. So there’s a lot more story to my madness and adrenaline junkie activities. But without question: “The toughest test of the special forces in the world” has by far changed my life for me.”

Baldwin, who has spoken openly about his faith, called bringing him through the show a “tremendous blessing.”

Stephen Baldwin said after being with his wife for 35 years, “Here’s a lot more story of my madness and adrenaline junkie activity.” (Pete Dadds/FOX ©2025 FOX MEDIA LLC)

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“I’m a super religious guy, and every day I get up and read my Bible, and thank God, because there was nothing that could prepare me for ‘Special Forces.’ “Can I get an amen?” he said, laughing.

“It was definitely one of those things where when you go in you don’t talk to anyone. You don’t talk to your family, you don’t have any communication. It’s total lockdown. Anything is possible for me, right? The Bible says that anything is possible if you have strong faith. And thank God that was the biggest shock factor and the surprising fear factor was the hardest part “Having my faith has been a tremendous blessing.”

Baldwin called his faith “a huge asset” to the show. (Pete Dadds/FOX ©2025 FOX MEDIA LLC)

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“Special Forces World’s Toughest Test” premieres January 8 on Fox.