Melissa Joan Hart Maxim Shoot

Melissa Joan Hart was one of the busiest young actresses in Hollywood in the autumn of 1999. She had been playing Sabrina the Teenage Witch on television since 1996, her romantic comedy Drive Me Crazy was about to enter theatres, and she had appeared in the music video for Britney Spears' song "(You Drive Me) Crazy," which was featured on the soundtrack. Even so, the celebrity reportedly acknowledged that the day of the Drive Me Crazy premiere was "the worst day of [her] life."

Hart recently made a visit on the Boy Meets World rerun podcast Pod Meets World, where she disclosed that in addition to going through a difficult breakup that day, she had also been informed that her future at Sabrina was in peril. The now-47-year-old claimed that when she took part in a controversial photo session for Maxim magazine, her lawyer informed her that she was in danger of losing her job as well as being sued. Continue reading to learn more.

I had been crying all evening, as you can see by the colour of my eyes," the actor remarked. She explained that she recently ended a relationship, had been "up since 4 a.m." promoting the film, and had to wait an hour on the red carpet for Spears to come so they could take pictures together.

She was then taken to the airport to begin work on the horror parody Scary Movie in Vancouver rather than viewing the movie with the other premiere goers. She learned that her role had been slashed when she was travelling. Unfortunately, Hart's day's terrible news didn't end there.

She was informed that Sabrina would fire her.

Melissa Joan Hart Maxim Shoot

Hart attended the Drive Me Crazy premiere after-party after leaving Scary Movie. Her attorney met her there to discuss the effects of the recent images she had posed for.

The actor recalled that when his lawyer arrived, he inquired, "You did a photo shoot for Maxim magazine?" I think, 'Yes, I did.' They say, "Well, you're getting sued and your show's cancelled, so don't talk to the media and don't do anything.

Hart then heard from her mother, executive producer of the programme Paula Hart. So my mother, my producer, calls me on my cell phone and asks, "What did you do?" said Ha rt. "And I was like, 'I don't know, whatever my publicist told me to do at the photo shoot. I did a photo shoot for Maxim. It's Maxim, of course you're gonna be in your underwear!"

Hart is clad in undies and is clutching a sheet over her chest on the cover of Maxim. "Sabrina: Your Favourite Witch Without a Stitch!" is the title of the cover. This phrase, according to the actor, who was 23 at the time, is what gave rise to the potential legal problem. Her contract with Archie Comics, the source material for the Sabrina television series, forbade Hart from ever portraying the character in barely clothed or undressed form, she said. Despite the headline, the teen idol posed as herself and wasn't "playing" Sabrina in the Maxim pictures.

On the podcast, Hart continued by claiming that "nothing came of it" and that Archie Comics "had no ground to stand on" when they fired her. She did write an apology letter, but the company did not take the issue further. She remained on Sabrina until it ended in 2003 after seven seasons.

"I had a contract with Archie Comics that stated I would never portray Sabrina as attractive or as someone who wears only her pants. And for some reason, instead of writing "Melissa," Maxim magazine printed "Sabrina" across the bottom in large letters. As a result, they inscribed, "Sabrina, your favourite witch without a stitch." That was against my contract, therefore. Added she, Sincerely, they ought to have taken Maxim to court.

At the time, according to Hart, she believed her "career was over." It was absolutely frightening, she continued. Looking back, the argument was whether it was acceptable for a 23-year-old woman to be attractive while advertising a movie. Who nowadays doesn't look hot advertising a movie at 12?

She also acknowledged having fun before the photo session.

Hart has also shared details regarding the day of the Maxim photo session, admitting that she went there after a wild night of partying.

"The previous evening, I attended my first Playboy Mansion party. According to Hart in a 2014 E! News interview, it was a Midsummer Night's [Dream] party where everyone was wearing only their pants. I took some ecstasy, rolled with some buddies, and took a limo to my first Playboy Mansion party since I was feeling a little shy.

The performer claimed that because she stayed at the party until quite late, the next day was difficult. I believe I arrived at the Maxim photo session in my car, entered, and said, "OK, so we're going to do this thing and go home?' And they're like, 'Oh no, girl, you're here for, like, 10 hours.'" she recalled.