Elaine Hendrix: Personal Life, DWTS, & Career Facts

For many fans, Elaine Hendrix is frozen in time as Meredith Blake, the conniving socialite from *The Parent Trap*. But decades later, the actress has stepped back into the spotlight—literally, on the dance floor.

Birth date: December 28, 1970 ·
Birth place: Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA ·
Known for: Role in The Parent Trap (1998) ·
Marital status: Never married ·
Children: None ·
Dancing with the Stars finish: Eliminated in 2024

Key biographical details for Elaine Hendrix are listed below.

Does Elaine Hendrix have any children?

Elaine Hendrix’s family plans

• Hendrix has publicly stated she does not want marriage or children, according to a Bustle interview.
• In a separate interview, she described herself as an only child (The Morning After Show interview). There is no record of her having children.

What this means: Despite persistent fan curiosity, Hendrix has consistently chosen a life without children—a decision she has discussed openly.

Are Lisa Ann Walter and Elaine Hendrix a couple?

Their friendship explained

• Hendrix and Walter have remained close friends since The Parent Trap, but they are not romantically involved (People report).
• In a Bustle interview, Hendrix said she and Walter have a bond “like a married couple” but clarified it is platonic (Bustle).

The pattern: Fans often read into on-screen chemistry. But in this case, the friendship is real—the romance is not.

Did Elaine Hendrix ever marry?

Relationship history

• Multiple sources confirm Hendrix has never been married (Yahoo Entertainment, Wikipedia).
• In interviews, she expressed she is not opposed to marriage but hasn’t found the right person (Bustle).

The implication: Hendrix’s marital status is not a mystery—she simply hasn’t married, and she’s candid about it.

What happened with Elaine on Dancing with the Stars?

Her elimination and performance

• Hendrix competed on season 34 of Dancing with the Stars in 2025, partnered with Alan Bersten (Wikipedia).
• She placed fifth overall (Wikipedia).
• People reported a special Dedication Night appearance with Lisa Ann Walter (People).
• The Hollywood Reporter noted that her participation rekindled her love for dance after a car accident had derailed her early dance aspirations (The Hollywood Reporter).

Why this matters: Dancing with the Stars gave Hendrix a chance to reconnect with her first passion—dance—after a long hiatus forced by injury.

Is Elaine Hendrix cousins with Harrison Smith?

Family ties

There is no credible source linking Elaine Hendrix to Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith. The rumor appears to stem from a different Elaine Hendrix or a social media mix-up. None of the biographical profiles—including Wikipedia, IMDb, or The Hollywood Reporter—mention any such relative.

The trade-off: Without evidence, the cousin claim remains internet speculation—not fact.

“I always thought I would meet someone and we’d be together forever, but I still don’t want kids or marriage.”

— Elaine Hendrix, in an interview with Bustle

“We are like a married couple—but we’re not actually married.”

— Elaine Hendrix, quoted by Bustle

“It rekindled my love for dance, which I had given up after my accident.”

— Elaine Hendrix, as told to The Hollywood Reporter

For those trying to understand Elaine Hendrix, the key takeaway is that she is a private person who has been remarkably open about her choices—no children, no marriage, and a career that continues to evolve. The rumors circulate because fans want more, but the actress herself seems content to let her work speak for itself. For fans of Elaine Hendrix, the most honest portrait comes not from gossip but from her own words and her on-screen performances.