Kim Rhodes, Mom from The Suite Life, Shares Why She’s No Longer in Touch with Dylan and Cole Sprouse

It may be hard to believe, but The Suite Life of Zack & Cody debuted 20 years ago. The Disney Channel hit made twins Dylan and Cole Sprouse household names. Over the span of six years—including its spin-off The Suite Life on Deck, which ran until 2011—the brothers brought Zack and Cody to life.

Actress Kim Rhodes played their on-screen mom, Carey Martin, for several years and developed a close bond with the twins and fellow cast members like Brenda Song and Ashley Tisdale.

But once the series ended, life took everyone in different directions, and they gradually lost touch.

Now, Kim Rhodes has opened up to People about why she’s no longer in regular contact with the cast. Much like a real mom, she doesn’t want to put pressure on the “kids”:

“I keep up with everything they’re doing, but I don’t want them to feel like I’m an obligation,” she said. “I love seeing them express themselves freely, but I don’t necessarily expect anything in return.”
She added that she follows their careers with joy:

“I follow them with delight. I follow them with pride. I love seeing them grow into who they are—but I don’t expect anything back.”

Speaking about her former castmates Brenda Song and Ashley Tisdale, Rhodes said:

“What I love seeing most is how each of them has such a unique voice—as people and as artists. Watching them become who I always knew they could be, and fully own it, has been amazing. I love how unique, fun, and talented they are.”

What Kim Rhodes Is Doing Now

Kim Rhodes is still active as an actress. In recent years, she’s appeared in shows like Enmeshed and the short film The WOMAN Collection. Outside of acting, she also pursues one of her biggest passions: dance.