Elaine Hendrix: From “Parent Trap” to Azalea Queen, her next role comes with a crown

Actress, author, producer, and advocate Elaine Hendrix – who became an icon to many as Meredith Blake from the movie The Parent Trap—joins “1on1 with Jon Evans” ahead of her newest role, as Queen of the 2026 North Carolina Azalea Festival in Wilmington. Hendrix talks about returning to a celebration she remembers as “wonderfully wild”, and why she can’t wait to connect with the community. She also opens up about the life-changing accident that ended her dance career, the “second chance” she found on Dancing with the Stars, and the unexpected fan support that carried her through injury setbacks. Plus, we get a pop-culture gem: how her Inspector Gadget 2 character became the Happy Meal toy she still treasures today.