Chrissy Metz

Hi, everyone. It's Sophia. Welcome to Work in Progress. Welcome back to Work in Progress, friends. Today we are joined by one hell of a whipsmartie, bright and beautiful and talented and just the most fun to hang with in the corner of a crowded room. Today's guest is Chrissy Metz. She has spent the last few years pushing herself into brand new territories, making music, writing, taking on darker and more complicated characters, and most recently making a her Broadway debut in And Juliet. She is coming to us straight off that demanding eight-show-a-week run to chat with us about her next project that will be born into the world.

It is Apple TV's Nocturne, and it couldn't be more different than a musical. It is a psychological crime thriller that puts her in the center of a very twisted world. And there seems to be a connection to a bigger theme running through this chapter of Chrissy's life. Expanding her comfort zone, doing things that scare her, taking risks before she knows exactly where they will lead and giving herself permission to evolve. And that is something I think all of us can relate to. With all these new creative challenges and new experiences, Chrissy has a whole lot of possibility in front of her. And she is embracing a philosophy I deeply relate to, which is say yes, even before you're sure where that yes will take you. Let's

dive in with Chrissy Metz. Hi, buddy. I'm so excited that you're here.

I'm so excited to be here. It's been a minute. This is so nice. I love it.

Happy belated birthday. I hope it was great.

Thank you. Thank you.

Yes.

Yes, it was for sure.

We love it. Okay. I actually, speaking of birthdays, some of them are major. I remember double digits being so huge. And I wonder if we could go back in time and run into each other in Gainesville when you were 10. Oh, like. Who would I be getting to know? Who was that little girl? Do you think she would be shocked at what your life is now? Do you think you would see yourself in her then? Definitely shocked.

I mean, literally, we're walking to school, feeding the horses in this pasture that doesn't exist anymore, sadly, because they've built things. But I went to every elementary school in my town. because my mom was a single mom struggling. And so we moved often and it was great when I got to high school because I got to really everybody that I knew from all the schools ended up, you know, in the three high schools in our town.

So it's interesting because at 10 years old, I, my parents had recently divorced and we moved, you know, and my mom remarried shortly after. And so I, yeah, it's such a blur. I mean, thank goodness for good friends who were super sweet and supportive and like took me under their wing. But I certainly had a hard time.

I had a hard time in childhood. Like I didn't, I don't really think that I knew who I was in that like, okay, my personality, like I'm the entertaining diplomat as I've always been. I'm, you know, the feeler, the moderator, the Libra, you know, girl. And I just remember going to this like wet seal, like in the mall when all the cool kids were wearing like cute little outfits. And I was like, Oh, I can wear a necklace. Like, Oh, this is cute. Like I can wear the accessories. Um, I just remember those like really important moments in my childhood that like seemed very fuzzy, but I can sort of see it. It's like dirty glasses, you know? Um, And I certainly at 10 years old did not think that my life would look this way

or I would feel the way I do about myself now if I thought about how I felt at 10 years old, you know. So, yeah, that's such an interesting question.

Well, I just it's so cool to me to think about where we come from before we're in this, you know, and and it's interesting to hear you say that, you know, because it is such a transitional time. And going through such a big family shift, like I just wrote my book and, oh, girl, like I had to go back to that and go, oh, now I know why I ask everyone who comes on my podcast that question. Because I think my little 10-year-old is wondering if anybody else was kind of doing the double life thing, you know, being a kid but also being a grown-up really early.

And so it's crazy to hear you– not crazy, it's impactful to hear you talk about it. In the way that you are because, yeah, I think that thing where you sort of become the host, the entertainer, it's before you realize you're going to grow up and be an entertainer.

Right.

But I wonder if it makes us good at it from like a young age.

Yeah. I mean, people ask me like, how did I get into acting? And I was like, oh, I was acting as if everything was fine my entire life. you know, or like everything's good and I'm happy and everything's fine. And we just try to figure it out. And I think that's why actors are good at a lot of things because they have to be good at a lot of things and they end up, you know, whether it's the chicken or the egg kind of thing. But yeah, I, wow.

10 years old, such a crazy time.

When was it that you started getting into performing?

Oh, Well, I always loved music and music was very, very prevalent in our household. Like we grew up with, I mean, everything from like the Doobie Brothers to Motown to country, all of it. And I loved it. And like, it made me feel something and it made me feel like connected to a song or a person singing that I didn't feel connected to in my family or wasn't seen or heard, you know, but I wasn't, there was no way that I was performing anything. Like it took until, my senior year of high school to join chamber choir or to even audition. And that was because my choir teacher was like, why don't you? And in my heart of hearts was like, I wanted to perform and sing forever.

And so envious of all the performers who had such confidence or at least led us to believe they had such confidence. And I was like, Oh, I want to tell stories and like be silly and have people laugh at me and feel loved and validated. But I, it wasn't until my senior year of high school that I actually, did like a state competition and sang a song and then joined chamber choir. So, and I certainly never thought I'd be an actor. No, I just thought that I would just sing and love to sing.

I mean, you have an amazing voice.

So that tracks.

But the rest of it, I mean, I, I read, I love, cause you're like, I didn't think I would do it. And then I, I've obviously read about your story with your sister.

Yeah.

And I just, I love that it, it found you. you know, your, your calling found you. Will you tell your friends at home how that went?

Well, I really try to use that story as like, if something is meant for you, it would literally trace you, like chase you down, hunt you down. And that had to be the only explanation. I was teaching preschool. I thought I was going to be an early childhood educator and again, because I didn't feel seen and heard as a kid. And so I was like, okay, that's a noble thing. And I love it. And I love kids.

And then my sister found out about this random open call at a holiday in, in Gainesville, Florida. And I was like, this is a crock of crap. We're not going.

And she's like, please just take me and.

My friend, Jenny. So I take them. We're sitting, this random woman is sitting across from me. She's like, what are you doing here? I was like, Nothing. I'm just here with my sister. I'm her guardian. She's like, I don't know. I taught at your high school. And I'm like, no, you didn't. And if you did, I didn't know you.

Oh yeah.

You were in the theater department. I was like, no, I wasn't like, what are you saying? Like, I feel crazy anyway. She was like, well, I think you should audition. I think you're here for a reason. I'm like, whatever.

Okay.

Crazy lady. And then my sister comes out of the audition room. The manager who was holding the open call was like, what do you do? And my sister's like, oh, she's a singer. And I'm like, no, I'm not. And she's like, Chrissy, just sing. I ended up singing. It was not good. Whatever. And then they called us back and she was like, well, if you're interested, you know, we're doing some classes and workshops and then we are going to eventually do like a showcase in L.A. I was like, oh, sure. Yeah, whatever. This isn't real. I never saw the woman who encouraged me to audition ever again.

I asked everybody, like the lady with the brown hat. And I'm like, did I make this woman up? Was this like my subconscious guardian angel? It's so bizarre. I can't make sense of it. And yeah, so I ended up doing a workshop, found an agent, moved to LA. And then became a talent agent for nine years because- I needed to stay in L.A. and pay the bills. Yeah.

And our business is so hard.

So difficult. So difficult.

So many people don't know that.

Right, right.

Yeah.

Right.

Because, like, you're not on the podcast when you're having a hard time.

Right. You know? people are like wow everyone's just.

Working all the time and I'm like they're not it's not like that no it seems that way yeah and even when you have it's not like that.

Right it's so tricky yeah so random open call Do you feel like.

God, that's so cool. I got that visual, you know, of like the ghosts of Christmas past when you're talking about the lady in the red hat. I'm like, was she just, was she an apparition? Was she a sign?

No, literally. Like that's the only way I can reconcile in my mind. I'm like, cause nobody else saw her. And am I crazy? Yes, sure. Whatever it took, I guess. I don't know. Okay.

And the nine years at a talent agency. That has to teach you a lot.

It taught me so much. It really helped me to understand why I wanted to do it and that it wasn't about fame or fortune because I knew what not having money was like. So I was like, whatever, it's not going to happen. And I just saw so many people come into the office who were really passionate but wanted to do it for the weirdest reasons or feeling obligated by their parents or something. And I was like, oh yeah, no. And then just to understand contracts and be able to read them and to have relationships with people before they thought I wanted something from them, or I was just, you know, calling them to talk about a particular client or something, a particular project. And also just to see what was exciting. I love to read scripts.

I love to just see what was going to be coming out on TV or features and Yeah, all of it was so instrumental. And to be able to be on the other side of the desk and learn the other side of the business where it's just not personal. It's just not personal. And sometimes it's frustrating as hell because you're like, oh, that person, oh, she looks a little too close to the lead, but she's the better actress, but we can't hire her. And I'm like, what, what?

And like, you sort of get disheartened. Then you're like, okay, but what's meant for you will find you. Like we initially were talking about, like it will hunt you down. So I'm like, okay, it's fine.

It's fine.

But it was, I always say this, but it was sort of watching your boyfriend take another woman out every day. You know, you're like, oh, you're sitting at my favorite table eating my favorite dessert. Okay, great. You know, so it was hard. It was, it was difficult, but you know, somebody said, actually Devon Franklin, he always said, you got to learn to carry a crown before you can wear one.

And I said, that is... Yes. And let me be of service. And that's even what we do now is still being of service, but even though it might seem a little more self-serving, it certainly is. I think for me, what I want to do is be a servant of, you know, of any, of any help. So, yeah, but it was, it was a very interesting time of my life and it taught me so much about the business myself, why I wanted to do it. And, do I want to like stand in line long enough? And even if I stand here, is anybody going to pick me?

Yeah. Well, and then you get on like the biggest TV show ever. I mean, that's a wild ride to just be like, and hello world. This is us is going to take over the planet and be everyone's favorite show. And we're all going to cry together every week. And I mean, and you just, that's suddenly your life. I mean, what was that? Because, of course, there's things before that.

But the thing that makes you a household name seems to the world like your first thing ever.

Yeah, like overnight success.

Yeah. And you're like, my overnight was so long.

12 years in the making. Yes.

But when it happens like that, what is it like?

I mean, it was the most wonderful, scariest thing. thrilling roller coaster. You know, like, okay, you booked the job. Okay. Is it going to get picked up? Is it going to do well? Oh my gosh. It's okay. Great. It was so wild. And then we, all the press that goes around, you know, any new project and the press felt like that was work and the work felt like so joyful and good and cathartic. And also just, you know, all those people are the most wonderful people. And yeah, you know, it took me a while to grieve like, Oh, I'm not going to be with my friends and these people that have changed my life and we've changed other people's lives. And even to this day, people come up and still share their stories. And, or I just started

watching the show and I'm like, Oh my gosh. And that it's been 10 years since it premiered. I can't really wrap my head around it. I mean, as we get older, time really does fly, but it was, I'm like, how, how, where do I go from here? And I'm thinking, I really was, I was like, if I never book another project again, that was enough. That truly, truly, I get, I get emotional thinking about it was enough. And, um, I think in our business and I can only speak for myself, but it's always like, Oh, what are you doing next? Oh, what's, what's next? What's this? What's, are you going to, and so I always think like, Chrissy, you had one of the most incredible experiences of life of your career of art that really impacted people and

still continues to. So that was enough. Like if anything, it's enough.

Yeah. Well, and I imagine too, to be on a show with, with that sort of scale and to have, you know, someone like Dan at the helm, like someone who's so good at really letting, um, characters be human. I feel like you got to bring a lot of your own humanity to that. And frankly, to be you and to get to shine and to be a plus size actress on television who gets to, yes, be the star of a TV show and also speak from the perspective of a woman who has had to do a woman's work in this world and figure out how to like herself in a world that tells her not to. Right.

And to add your personal experience on top of that, like, I mean, God, there were scenes I watched you do where I just was like sobbing in the middle of my living room, realizing that even for my young self, when I first started on TV and I was getting all kinds of mixed messages, like you had conversations on that show that like healed my younger self. And I just, I can't imagine how meaningful it's been for so many women and how meaningful it was for you.

A hundred percent. Yeah.

It's magic.

Yeah, it really is. It's like so much more than a television show. And I know that sounds like saccharine and like, oh, cutesy, but I don't, I really mean that. Like, and as to your point with Dan and the way that he understands human condition and people and just knowing that there was a person who was trying to become a full-fledged woman imperfectly in the shadow of her brother and, With the shame and guilt of her father's passing and everything that she had been literally carrying. And to know that people felt less alone. And that's the whole point of me wanting to be an actor.

I was like, this is.

I don't even think I realized in the moment how important it was. And even now I'm like, holy moly. And I was chosen.

To do that.

Like. It makes me emotional. It's really a gift. It was really like such a gift. And like, I just, you know, Dan always championed me. And even there was talks like whispers about like, initially it was going to be a feature film and they had approached some studio and they were like, okay, so this plus size girl, what is she like? Like a Kate Winslet plus size. And Dan was like, I'm sorry. I think you're missing the boat, buddy. Like, and so, the insanity that goes on with people who green light things. So I'm so glad and grateful that, you know, Jen Sulky and everybody at NBC and at Fox, like got it. And they were like, Oh no, this is really a plus size woman. And she's not in some, you know, prosthetic suit, but like a real lived experience

and to be able to bring myself back. who I was, who I was becoming, and then who I ended up being as a woman at that moment in my life. And it's so special.

It was just so beautiful. So cool. And to watch that lead to more music and movies and things, like, I don't know, just as a person who, you know, I always am... I joke with people that you have like event friends where you're never in the same city in real life, but then you see them a couple of times a year at things. And you're always like, thank God you're here. And like, you're one of my event friends. Every time I see you, I'm like, yay.

It is. It's so, it's so nice to see you and how happy you are. And you know, like that, I, I love to see people happy. Like, especially when they come through something and it's like, Oh yes, yes, yes, yes. Yeah.

And like, I don't know. It's just exciting to get to root for your pals, even. if you see them you know x number of times a year and I don't know I feel like every time for the last few years I've seen you something exciting is happening like it's right after a movie comes out or it's right after music is launching into the world and and now I even think about like how exciting it was to see the shift you know you coming onto the hunting wives, like, cause you know, I did like one of my first movies ever with Brittany. So I want to watch everything she's ever in. I watched that show sight unseen, had no idea what I was in for. And then Malin's on screen and then you're on screen and then Katie.

And I'm like, what's going on?

Like all my favorite gals are in one place. Did you know how wild that show was going to be? Like, did you know it was another really special thing? Or did you just like the group when you said yes?

You know, Rebecca Cutter, who is the showrunner and writer, she was so cool when I met her. And she was like, yeah. And I really enjoyed her. And then when she told me who was on board, I'm like, oh, I've not worked with any of these gals. And I love them all. And to play a single mother from the South who was just trying her best to take care of her daughter, I'm like, oh, I know that woman.

Yeah.

Also, just to see the dynamics between, you know, the women of the church and the women in the show. And, you know, so many people are like, oh, my gosh, Brittany and Mal. And I'm like, they found a love in each other that they hadn't found in other people. And as dysfunctional as it is, you find yourself in anything, hopefully, if you're cognizant enough and aware and introspective enough. Yeah.

And I just was like, Oh, this is cool. And this is different. And I certainly did not think initially it was not with Netflix. And so we didn't know if anybody was going to see it. And then when people started seeing it and just jumped on the bandwagon, I was like, okay, this is exciting because you just never, ever know. You just truly never know. And yeah. And to see like, what the people's reactions and like, you know, people shouting at me in the airport, justice for star.

And like, you know, just all kinds of stuff is like really cool. And just to be with those, those ladies, even if we were, you know, adversaries, we were just, you know, I felt very misunderstood. But yeah, but we, we can see ourselves in, in, in anything and all of those women. And yeah, it was just so much fun.

it was, I mean, dysfunction junction, but fun.

I love it. I absolutely love it. Yeah. Oh, and to be, to be in a cohort with that many great women too, I feel like we don't get to do that a lot. Like you're so often one of one or one of two on a set when there's a bunch of us, it's so fun. And you guys were, you know, almost exclusively all great women and like, The guys are great too. No shade.

Yeah, of course they are.

Someone's going to be like womp womp.

But like, I love it. No, of course they are. But like all female directors, which was incredible. Yeah. It was amazing. Yeah. I mean, we know that men have had opportunities and so women can have them too. And we can be excited about those opportunities.

And it's okay.

Yes. A hundred percent.

And now a word from our wonderful sponsors. you got to take up an opportunity that as the person who knows your story and is like geeked that your initial singing audition has led you here you you said you know too shy to do theater in high school but you just wrapped up a broadway run you did and juliet how Did you, were you ready or did you have to be talked into it? Or was it like a little bit of both?

No, my, you know, teenage self was like dreamt of Broadway, but I didn't get to go to Tisch or Pace or Juilliard or any, any of these beautiful schools. And I wasn't, you know, I didn't have a BFA. I didn't all the things that like the compare and despair and I'm not worthy. And when I saw the show, I just fell in love with the show, obviously the music that I've listened to, you know, soundtrack to my life.

But the character of Angelique was so charming and disarming and also like the mother and keeping Julia in line, but also showing her and bringing her the confidence of being a woman that like you can stand up for what you want and you can rewrite your own story. And I love that. I love that. And the, you know, she got to sing F and perfect, which is such a great song. And I just, um, yeah, I just loved it. And so when I, my publicist was like, Oh, is it something that you want to take a meeting with?

And I was like, ain't nobody hiring me. It's not going to happen. And she's like, Chrissy, just do it. And I was like, how about this? Cause I had some close friends, very close to Max Martin. And she was like, I'll call him. I said, you don't need to call Max. I need to earn this. I want to earn this. And I said, let me audition. Like, let me sing some songs. Let me, you know, do the scenes. Cause I don't just give it to me.

Cause you're like, Oh, here's a poor little girl. Like, okay, whatever. So it was very funny. Cause I did the audition on zoom and was like my own stage manager, the cues of the music and stuff, whatever. And I was like, fine. I was like, okay, it's fine. And then when they offered me the role, I mean, I was obviously elated.

And then when I got to the rehearsals, I said, y'all didn't tell me about this. Okay. I cried for the first two days. I was like, I'm not smart. I don't know what I'm doing. Stop making the wig. Stop making the corset. I'm going back to Nashville. This is crazy. And my boyfriend was like, Chrissy, you want to do this all your life. If you, if you give up now, you will always say, yeah, you always wonder.

He's like, you have done so many difficult things. What's another hard thing. And I'm like, okay. And then once I started to like, feel like settled into it in the rehearsal, I was like, Oh, Oh, okay. Maybe, maybe I can do it. But it wasn't until I'm not even kidding in my last show. which was like a week ago, I'm like, Oh, I haven't even scratched the surface because you'd gratefully get to do it every night for eight shows. If your body and mind, soul and voice are willing. Um, but it, it, I was like, Oh, now I understand. Cause from TV film world, it's like, you're doing something different every, every scene. Yeah.

Every 37 minutes. Right.

Right. And here it's like you get to play in this box and that's wonderful. But there's like a lot of liberation in that box. And I didn't even understand until like my last show that I was like, I'm having these epiphanies. And I'm like, oh, damn. You know, like, okay. And I mean, I guess that's what they say. Art is never finished. It's just abandoned. And it was so special.

The people were so talented. So wonderful. Please pay musical theater people my money. Please, please, please.

Also, please go see a Broadway show if you're here and you can.

Yes, if you can. Yes, please. And Julia is closing in January. So if you haven't seen it, you got to see it. It's so special. My boyfriend came four times. He's like, I haven't gotten sick of it. You know, a lot of dear friends and family came. And it was just to see my friends like crying, watching me, you know, in the middle of my dream come true.

It was so wonderful. It was like, yeah, I mean, I miss them. Everybody. I literally have, I'm jealous for sure. I'm like, everybody's playing. New people are playing with my friends and I'm not invited to the party. And I really miss them. I mean, my body's grateful for a little bit of a break.

It's really tough.

It's grueling. It's, I really, especially as a perimetopausal woman who has, you know, some knee issue and you just don't know how things are going to end up you know going that day and luckily we have understudies who are so incredible so incredible who could be principals at any given second um tv and film we don't have that it's like oh you have the flu okay you're just going to keep sneezing through whatever use it because you don't have somebody to fill those shoes for you um so that was interesting aspect as well and i'm so grateful cassie silva who was an understudy for the nurse and for another character. And it's like, they can do everything. The ensemble, they can do everything. Um, so

I'm constantly in awe of, of everybody in the musical world. I can't wait to do it again. Um, I'd love to originate a role, um, as scary as that sounds, but yeah, I, I was like, Oh, I found my people. Like these are really my people, you know, it was so special. So, so special.

I think there's something, you know, it's such a beautiful thing to get to be an actor when it's the thing you love to do. But there's something theater gives you that dawns on you when it hits and you're like, oh, this is the thing I didn't even know I needed.

Yes.

Oh, like when people ask me if I love doing it, I did a show. show on the West End for a while. And, like, I can't explain it to you. It put me back in my body. Right. In this unbelievable way. It, like, it unlocked me for myself. And my whole life changed.

Yeah.

It was really... profound.

Yes exactly and I I didn't know that didn't know it was going to happen and now I'm like decompressing from the experience and talking about it really with you initially from a week ago I'm like wow like yeah there's um a presence that has to you know you have to like maintain yeah you know like you don't get a second third fourth whatever tenth take and um there are people who are sitting there waiting on bated breath.

It's so special. It's like, yeah, I can't explain it. You did very beautifully, but I can't explain it.

You know what I wonder too is like, there's freedom obviously in what we do on the film and TV side. Because you get to noodle with something, you try something, you go back, you do it again. But there is the overbearing sense of the clock and everybody's watching the clock and everybody needs to make the day and the turnarounds have to go faster and we got to get this quicker and we're behind here. So you're always rushed.

Yeah.

And the show is as long as the show is. So like you said, you said it perfectly. It's this, it's a box, but there's freedom inside the box. And I'd never had that kind of freedom before.

There's no clock.

Right. There, You're just, it's your time. It's actually your time with no constraints on it. And it's, I don't know, I'll never forget, like probably three weeks in, you know, you do the same blocking every night in the same show, sometimes two, you know, twice a night, five show weekend, whatever. And I remember being in a scene and looking up and having this completely first time unique experience in it and just thinking to myself, Like I zoomed out for 0.2 seconds and went, holy, this is cool. And then I had to be back in the scene. But like we surprised ourselves in something we'd been doing for weeks.

Yeah.

That's like lightning in a.

Bottle, man. Yeah. You said it.

Yes. So cool.

Yeah. And yeah. because you don't know how you're going to be feeling in that moment or what could go wrong or what could go right. And, or what a beautiful mistake could happen or have my thing is like having the epiphany in the moment. I'm like, Oh, I never said it that way, but I heard it differently.

And I'm like, yeah, what, what is this? Or like a audience, you know, reaction or a heck heckler or whatever. Like, you just don't know what's going to happen at any given moment, which is very thrilling. And also like, that immediate validation is always, you know, you rarely get claps on a TV set or a film set. Yeah, you're like, oh, we're in this together. The cyclical energy is super, super cool.

It's so neat. Yeah, it really is.

And obviously, you know, at the time when we're recording this, you've just finished. You're decompressing from this big, gorgeous experience. And Nocturne, you know, is, is coming into the world. Like, but obviously you would have had to film it before. So you kind of have to go back to this other thing and it's, I don't want to spoil anything.

It's really hard. I realize I'm fumbling over my words because I've seen things that I know our listeners haven't seen yet and I don't want to screw up. Um, it's so scary. It's so intense. It like, It gave me that feeling like my chest just kept getting tighter and I literally had to be like, you know her, this isn't real.

Calm down.

You're at home. Like I had to talk myself through it.

Yeah.

What made you want to step into that world and make something so spooky?

Well, I haven't really done anything in that sort of genre in that world. And I had not ever worked with Stephen Graham, Liev Schreiber, Zazie or Rory or Bill or Like all these people that I'm like, oh, oh my gosh, masterclass of acting. And so when I read the actual novel, I was like, okay, this is petrifying.

And I was like, oh, okay. And, you know, they've changed things, whatever, adjusted them obviously to really fit the world of Pittsburgh and the suburbs of Pittsburgh. But it, yeah, I'm like on the edge of my seat. Like, and that's, luckily everybody was so wonderful and kind. Stephen Graham, Leah, are they so sweet, but like, it's what they, what happens.

And again, I won't, I can't give anything away. It's so intense things I've never done on screen before that I'm like, can I get through this? And everyone's like, are you okay? Are you okay?

You okay?

I'm like, I'm okay. I had to compartmentalize and I had to like, like I had to sort of separate my body from my mind in some aspects. Cause you know, cellular level, our bodies are like, is this real? Is this fact or fiction? And I'm like, no, Chrissy, this is not really happening. So yeah, it was intense and really great. Landon who plays my son, a new actor and so special. And, um, Yeah, it is creepy. It is mysterious. It puts you on edge. And I was like, oh, yeah, I want to do that. Something I haven't done, I want to do that if I'm lucky enough to. And I had a couple of Zoom meetings literally in the airport.

I'm reading scenes in the airport, y'all, in like one of those glass bubble things, workspaces. And I'm just thinking, oh, no, somebody's going to think I'm distraught. Somebody's going to come in and think something is wrong.

Yeah.

And when you see the show, you'll know why they thought they potentially might have to rescue me. But it was like, oh, when you want something, I don't care what it's going to take to work toward it. And yeah, I really wanted to have that experience. And I'm so grateful that I did because it was thrilling, challenging. And also I think people are going to enjoy it. I think people are going to enjoy it. I mean, I know people like to be, on the edge of their seat and to be scared. And, you know, there's something about that kind of crime thriller stuff. So, um, yeah.

It's just so good. Thanks.

Yeah. I, um, yeah, I, yeah, it's intense.

Well, and you got to check that box, like the, the crime thriller, you know, horror adjacent world. Is there, is there any other, I know it's like, I don't want to do the what's next, but I, I mean, that's more just artist to artist. Like, what other spaces have you not tried yet that you're curious about? Like what's, what's on the bucket list of, of genres?

Well, bucket list really is comedy. And like, that's why part of Angelique was super fun because she got to be silly and fun, or at least I made her that way. And everyone's like, Oh, I didn't know you were funny. I'm like, okay, it's okay. I wanted to be on SNL. Like that was like, you know, the characters and impressionations and all, all that stuff is like fascinating to me. Um, and I did like one episode of a Tracy Morgan show, um, the last OG and Jordan Peele directed that episode. And he was like, you're funny.

And I was like, Oh, if you think that I'm so grateful. So I feel like I had a little, you know, a little star on my little, yeah.

A little feather in the cap.

Yes, exactly. And honestly, comedy is something that I, um, because I'm the girl who cries a lot on TV, which I'm happy to do at any given point in time. I love to cry. I also love to laugh and laugh until you cry. So comedy, honestly, like that would just be. Yes.

I'm so with you there. I've been making more comedies this year just because I miss it. And I think you're right. It's like when you cry well, people go, oh, that's what you do. Or you, you know, it's like I spent a a handful of years playing a cop on tv so everybody thinks i'm very serious right and you know i'm i'm i'm serious about the world like treating people well but that's not it you know i started as an actor to be the comic relief on a show yeah and oh it's just so delicious and maybe because the world is stressful it feels like we just want to giggle more right so yeah maybe we just speak more comedy into the ethers. Yes.

Even Wilson McCarthy was mentioning that the other day, you know, it's like, yeah, we need that. And it's so fun. We need the levity and we need fun and joy where we can find it and hold on to it.

Yeah. I totally agree. And now a word from our sponsors that I really enjoy. And I think you will too. What do you think, like when you, when you think about Everything we've been talking about and, you know, artistry and life and, you know, personal joy, like all these things. What's changed in the way that you think about your life and your happiness with all this experience under your belt now?

Yeah, I think I'm finally in a place where I want to do things. that I enjoy as opposed to, do you think I should do it? Do you think it's a good idea? Do you think people are going to like me more? Do you think it's going to be good for my career? Like, what is it that I want to do? You know, maybe I'm not making as much money, but like the project is incredible. I'm like, yeah, I want to do that. Like, it's not about like life as we know is so much about the people we know and love and the experiences we get to have.

Like nobody cares about a number in a bank account when you're leaving this plane of existence. So it's really like for me, like, Oh, do I want to do something? Like how I feel about it or if I disagree, I'm not, that's not for me. Like it might be a great paycheck or it might be with so-and-so, but, I don't resonate with the material or like, that's not where I want to sit for 12 hours a day or, you know, and I don't know that I had the confidence or a leg really to stand on before to, to be picky and say, Oh, cause you know, we're taught like, Oh, you just take whatever, whatever's there and whatever's available, which yes, yes. Like you want the experience.

But I just sort of check in with myself more. because at the end of the day I'm the one that has to sit with myself and like because I have food issues I know that if I say yes to something I should have said no to I'll eat over it you know what I mean like there's things that it won't be good for me short term long term and I just have to do what's what feels right so that makes me happy and then I feel more settled and grounded and I can be a better you know sister and partner and actor and friend so yeah yeah Yeah.

Listening to yourself, protecting your peace really changes your life.

Yeah. Yeah.

But nobody gives us the guidebook on how to do that. No. Figuring it out is like, it's a journey.

Yeah. Right. And some days you're like, oh, I think I got a handle on it. And then you're like, oh, hell, I should have told them now. I should have told them, no. Turns out I don't know anything. Turns out I'm a work in progress. Yes.

Exactly. Well, that's my favorite thing to ask everybody who comes on the show. What is your work in progress? And it can be like a life thing or a right now thing.

Yeah, for me, it's really like. The HRTs of the world, like the hormone replacement therapy that like I'm trying to introduce because, you know, as I said, perimenopausal and not getting any younger and the things that my mom didn't, you know, wasn't equipped with in that space. And just like finding out how do I mentally, emotionally, and physically make myself the best version of myself. And for a long time, I either didn't have the bandwidth or, the heart space, the head space or the capabilities. And now it's just like, Oh, like it all has to go together. And I've always known that, but then I'm putting it into practice or at least trying every day and giving myself grace when I don't make the decision I thought I was going to, or,

but yeah, I just, you know, and, being patient with myself. I think I've been very impatient and a lot of aspects of my life with myself. So just like, it's okay. I don't have a job right now. That's okay. Like there's supposed to be space. I just did a great run on Broadway. I just did an incredible show with incredible people. Like I can take a breath. Yeah. That's okay.

It's okay.

Yeah. I feel good about what I've done. So I don't.

Yeah.

Okay.

But even saying that and, and allowing myself and not being like, okay, what's next? Okay. We gotta, we gotta hustle. What about next year? You know?

Yeah. Yeah. Saying it and believing it are different.

A hundred percent.

And saying it's hard enough, but like, if you say it and your body's like, yes, it's like, how do I actually let it soak into where I believe it? And my, my, my vibrations are not up here. They're, they're slow and steady and I can, I can be present with myself and with the people around me, you know, that's big.

Yeah, it is. And being with my family really helps with that. You know, like I'm just Chrissy to them. I'm just their sister. I'm just their aunt. I'm just, you know, they are great mothers and great partners. And I'm like, oh, like this is what it's about. Yeah. This is what it's about. And being with my family and, you know, wanting to start a homestead together, but that sounds like a lot of work. Um, but, um, you know, I think about it too, though. Yeah. I'm like, who's going to do that every day?

Are we going to do that every day?

Are we going to be okay? Um, but yeah, just being around people that love you and ground you and don't want anything from you, you know, just your presence and your, friendship and yeah so I get to spend some time with my family which I always look forward to my nieces and nephews so yeah.

I love that for you I'm just so happy to see you happy congratulations on everything it's it's all so good

Thank you I'm very grateful and so good to see you happy thank you

Kapitelklicken springt direkt hin

Shownotes

Transkriptvom Podcast bereitgestellt · Zeitmarken springen hin