November 11, 2025 • 27 mins
This week, Tommy is joined by actress Alicia Silverstone, who has been bringing joy to both the big and small screens for the past three decades. This year marks the 30th anniversary of her beloved film Clueless, in which she portrayed Cher—one of the most iconic roles in pop culture history. Coming to Netflix on November 12 is her new Christmas movie, A Merry Little Ex-Mas, a must-see this holiday season.
Today, Alicia opens up about why she believes she’s had such longevity in Hollywood, why she gravitates toward roles that challenge her, and how she’s never really pursued the traditional Hollywood dream. She also shares why reading the script for A Merry Little Ex-Mas made her cry, her own holiday traditions, the constant juggling act of being a mom and having a career, and what she’s most proud of in creating the character of Cher in Clueless. Plus, Alicia reflects on the Cher quotes she finds herself saying lately, why there’s never been a serious conversation about a Clueless sequel, how she nurtures her mind, body, and spirit, what she hopes to continue, stop, and start doing in the new year, and so much more.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey, guys, welcome to I've never said this before with
me Tommy di Dario. It's beginning to feel like the holidays,
and I am so here for it because it's one
of the most magical times of the year. Come on,
fight me on it. It's true. Everywhere you look, it's turning
into a Christmas wonderland. Nostalgic traditions are coming back, and
(00:21):
must watch holiday movies are being binge. My guest today
is the incredibly talented Alicia Silverstone, who has a new
Christmas movie that you are going to absolutely love. Alicia
has been working for three decades, bringing so many characters
to life that.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
We all love.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
But perhaps one of the most iconic characters is the
one and only Share from Clueless. It's a movie that
when it's on, how do you not watch it? It's
so good. But out this week is her festive new
Christmas film called My Merry Little Ex Miss And here's
a gist. So I recently divorced Kate played by Alicia,
hopes for one last perfect family Christmas before selling her house.
(00:58):
But our holiday plans are derived Eldwin, her ex husband,
unexpectedly introduces his younger and well successful new girlfriend. Oh
the tea is hot and you don't want to miss
this hilarious and heartwarming film. Today we are getting into
the holiday spirit while celebrating an artist who has made
such an impact in pop culture history. Okay, let's see
(01:19):
if we can get Alicia to say something today that
she has never said before.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Alicia Silverstone, how are you, my friend?
Speaker 3 (01:33):
You?
Speaker 2 (01:33):
I'm good. It is so good to see you.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
You are bringing all the festivibes my way today and
I'm here for it. Oh good, Well, we have a
lot to get to. I first, before we dive into
the movie, which I absolutely loved, I want to celebrate
you for a minute because you're someone who I have
been so impressed by throughout the course of your career.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
You've been doing this for three.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
Decades now, over eighty movies and shows combined, and that's
not easy. That is not easy in the business that
we all work in. So I guess my first question
to you would be, why do you think you have
had such long deevity in this industry?
Speaker 3 (02:10):
Well? I don't know.
Speaker 4 (02:13):
I I've just you know. I started because I loved acting,
and I didn't really know about movies. I was into theater,
I was a theater nerd, and the process of you know,
experiencing different characters and letting go of so much personal
(02:35):
stuff while you're doing it felt so therapeutic to me
as a little girl when I was twelve when I started,
and so I got a lot out that I needed
to get out, and storytelling was interesting and watching plays
with my family, So I think I think it comes
(02:56):
from that. And then when things got really heat in
my career, when things went so we're at their height
and it felt difficult, I sort of went back into
theater and found the reason I loved it in the
first place again, you know. So I've just always been
interested in the work and working with really great artists,
(03:18):
and I feel so lucky that this year I had
so many different kinds of projects come out. You know,
Pretty Thing that was directed by Justin Kelly and was
really a love a love letter to try Beeca. You know,
it feels really New York Tribeca and it's a erotic thriller,
but it's also really funny and or at least it
(03:40):
was funny to me. And then Irish Blood that I
produced is very different kind of you know, mystery character.
And then Bogonia that just came out with your Ghost
Lanthemos directing, and Emma Stone and Jesse Plemmons, like, those
people are so amazing and I just feel so lucky
to get to work with them, those kinds of artists.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
And now the.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
Christmas movie that I also produced and you know, had
such a good time with. So I don't know, I'm
just interested in good stories and really interesting people to
play with.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Really, and it seems like one of your secrets of
success is you kind of keep doing things that challenge
you and that maybe push you outside of your comfort zone,
which I feel like in any career is what we
all hope for to keep growing and learning and developing
different skills. Is that something that really interests you at
this point of your career is doing things that maybe
you're a little freaked out by.
Speaker 3 (04:36):
Oh, yes, the best thing is when you get a script.
Speaker 4 (04:39):
I mean, with your ghost Lanthemist, I've worked with him before,
but on the second time this time around, when I
saw the script, I went, oh, I'm totally scared.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
I don't know if I can do this, you know.
Speaker 4 (04:52):
And then that's what then, of course, you have to
So whenever I feel that way, it's really a reason
to jump right in. And sometimes you feel like sometimes
I don't feel that way. I just feel like, oh,
I know what this is, and this will be really
interesting and fun to dive into. Like with the Christmas movie,
I knew that this character was really you know, she's
(05:16):
going through a lot. There's a lot for me to
chew on. She seems like she's kind of unhinged at times,
and that's fun. So you know, as long as there's
a lot to sink your teeth into, then I'm interested
and engaged. But yes, I do really like stretching and
growing all the theater experiences I've had.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
You know.
Speaker 4 (05:36):
The first time I did a play on Broadway was
with Kathleen Turner and she I mean I remember twenty
when they would call they do a thing where they
call like thirty minutes, right, and then every time they
called it, I would just start screaming. And I was
twenty five, and Kathleen came in and she was like,
what's going on?
Speaker 3 (05:56):
And she tried to calm me down, and.
Speaker 4 (06:00):
I really and it was a scream of excitement and
fear and all the things like I cannot believe I
have to go on stage and do that, but then
you know, nine months later, I was sobbing when it
was over. And every time I do theater, I think
I feel that for many different reasons. But most theater
(06:21):
experiences have been incredibly challenging and stretching and wonderful.
Speaker 3 (06:26):
I mean, I did One with Laura.
Speaker 4 (06:27):
Lennie on Broadway with Daniel Sullivan directing and Donald marg
Lees wrote the script, and it was just so of
the play and it was so challenging and exciting.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
So I don't know, they're all Those are the time.
Speaker 4 (06:43):
Those are the most juicy times is when you feel challenged,
for sure, And.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
It's so cool to see your face lighting up as
you talk about all of this because I genuinely see
you reliving it and reflecting on it in such a
beautiful way. Would you say you still have the same
passion today in this industry and doing the work that
you do that you had as young Alicia pursuing the
Hollywood dream.
Speaker 4 (07:09):
I do because I was never pursuing the Hollywood dream.
So I think I was pursuing because I didn't know
what that was, right, So now I know what that is,
and it's a different thing to be a grown up looking.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
To still engage in this business.
Speaker 4 (07:27):
But when I was a little girl, I just wanted
to act and I just wanted to work on interesting things.
And you know, The Crush was my first film, and
that was a very juicy, challenging role. And so I
started doing really interesting things. And I feel very lucky.
(07:49):
And there's been times where it didn't feel like that.
So that's why I would step back right and then
sort of start all over again. And I do feel
very lucky that I get to work with great people.
And right now I feel, yes, I still love telling stories,
and I'm really inspired by people like your Ghostlanthemos and
(08:13):
the Stone Jesse Plemmons. I mean, and when you get
and even working on the Christmas film, getting to work
with like I had really great scenes with Oliver Hudson
where we were so locked in with each other and
he's so He's very good and very good in this film,
and I think, yeah, I love it.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
I love it.
Speaker 4 (08:37):
I love that I get to show up and really
chew on something and play with people in a creative way.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
And it's my favorite.
Speaker 4 (08:47):
When I'm being led by people I'm so inspired by,
that's my favorite. And yeah, like the play I did
with Laura. I remember every time she would go to
the bathroom, I would go to the bathroom when she
went to the bathroom because I didn't want to miss
a moment of rehearsal, do you know what I mean.
I didn't want to miss a moment of that conversation
because I was so inspired that what was happening with
(09:09):
these people, because it was only six of us at
the table, four actors and the director and the writer,
and this was I was just that is the most exciting.
So yes, I'm still hopeful for many more of those opportunities,
and I feel very lucky that I've had them very recently.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
So yeah, yeah, Well, one through line is your work
continues to bring so much joy for so many people,
and that includes this Christmas movie, which I know people
are going to fall in love with a very little
ex miss. I mean, when I think about my exes,
I don't want to be spending time with them. So
this is a very interesting concept. Why did you have
to be a part of this movie?
Speaker 4 (09:45):
Well, when I first read it, it made me cry,
and so I'm always a sucker for that. When I cry,
you know, it's just it's very heartwarming, and yeah, it's
very meaningful that I think many many people are challenged
by relationships, by marriage, by their family. I mean, that's
universal problems and the film really deals with that in
(10:10):
a fun way, and so it's very touching, you know,
to see people struggle and find themselves and lose themselves
in all of that, right, And I really liked I
thought it was a fun, challenging role because just maybe
not challenging, but super fun role that I could sink
(10:30):
my teeth into and do fun things with. And because
she's going through so much, you know, basically she's uncoupling
with her husband, she's having a conscious uncoupling, and she's
determined to have the last amazing, perfect Christmas together as
(10:52):
a family.
Speaker 3 (10:54):
But this gets completely derailed. And that's because.
Speaker 4 (10:59):
X husband shows up with a younger, very successful woman,
a new girlfriend, and this throws everything off.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
So it's really fun.
Speaker 1 (11:14):
And people have been there to your point. I mean,
it's a very relatable theme. And I love when movies
like this tackle relationship dynamics because they are so intricate
and there's not just kind of one format for how
things unfold. So I think people are really going to
connect and appreciate this. And you're now in the Netflix
Holiday family, which so many people you know are clamoring for,
(11:37):
which is so cool. Have you always been a big
fan of holiday movies?
Speaker 3 (11:41):
Well, my son and I.
Speaker 4 (11:44):
Before I had a kid, no, I never really watched
holiday movies. But when I had my son, we do
try to watch, you know, like the Bishop's is It
the Bishop's Wife? But now he's not as into the
black and white, but I like to get the Bishop's
Wife in there. We watch Elf, Home Alone, or some classics, right, A.
Speaker 3 (12:04):
Wonderful, a wonderful Life.
Speaker 4 (12:07):
Those are sort of the ones that we circle around,
but I'm always trying to introduce new ones. And it's
always fun. It's cozy to watch Christmas movies.
Speaker 3 (12:15):
It's nice. It feels like you're getting away with something.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
Yeah, yeah, it's true.
Speaker 1 (12:21):
It's one of the favorite, you know, pastimes of the
holiday season. But I think this is a cool movie
because there are different messages people can take away from
watching this. So what's one of the messages you take
away from this?
Speaker 4 (12:33):
Well? I kind of think this film is like a
romantic comedy and a Christmas moab if a romantic comedy
and a Christmas movie had a baby, you know, so it's.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
Not all Christmas, and but it is Christmas.
Speaker 4 (12:45):
It's completely a Christmas film, but it's that romantic comedy
element that is so nice mixed in. I think just
family relationship, you know, family. I think that's what you're
going to come away that yummy I think people are
gonna laugh, they might be moved by it. I certainly was,
(13:05):
and I think they will feel that yummy, warm holiday
spirit that you want.
Speaker 2 (13:14):
I think that's what they for sure.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
And your son Bear has a cameo in this. Is
it fun when he gets to step inside your world.
Speaker 4 (13:21):
Well, for me, it's a matter of getting to be
with him, you know, when it's being a mom, you know,
and working is tricky because I want to work, but
I want to be with my boy and I don't
want to miss any of it.
Speaker 3 (13:33):
And I want him to have me.
Speaker 4 (13:35):
So usually, you know, on some things like Irish Blood,
I was able to see every three weeks, they carved
out a whole week for me to take off to
be with my kid. This film, we couldn't do that
because it's only shooting for five weeks, so he came
in the middle for one full week, and I got
lucky that it fell on his holiday break anyway in
February from school, and so he brought because I was
(13:57):
going to be working the whole week, which is not
fun to bring your kid to work with you for
a whole week. For him, I brought his friend with him,
and Liam wants to be an actor and he was
really interested in what was happening. So I asked them,
can they be participating while they're here to make it
more fun for them, and so they let him them.
You know, there's this moment with they're both talking to Pearson,
(14:20):
who plays Chet my boyfriend in the background, and you
can see that in one of the scenes and they're
going down the sledding, which is so fun for them
to do all day long. So I think they had
it really, I know they had a great time.
Speaker 2 (14:33):
It's always cool.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
Throughout your career, you've talked so beautifully about your relationship
with your sign, and you've shared really beautiful moments with
people on social media, and it's clear you have such
a special bond. What do you hope one day when
he thinks back to these years, that he's going to
turn around and say that he's proud of when he
thinks back in this time in your life.
Speaker 4 (14:54):
Well, it's tricky because there's so much I could say,
but I also want to respect him. And he's at
that age where everything I say, you know here gets
back to him somehow, So how do I say it
in a way that he wouldn't be annoyed? I mean,
I think that the most important thing for me is
(15:15):
just that he always feels like I was.
Speaker 3 (15:19):
I mean, I know he does.
Speaker 4 (15:20):
We're so deeply connected and me, I'm so He's my
priority no matter what, and I know he feels that,
and I know that that I get to experience the
rewards of that because he's so well adjusted and so
confident and comfortable in his skin and thriving.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
There's a lot I'm sure he's very proud of you
for and I think that's really sweet too. It's going
to be really sweet one day when he continues to
vocalize all those things.
Speaker 2 (15:58):
I have friends.
Speaker 1 (15:58):
I'm not a parent, but my friend to our parents,
some of their kids are starting to share those things
with them and it's like the most beautiful moment in
their lives. So I think that's really cool. One that
does happen and you have a lot to be proud
of for yourself.
Speaker 2 (16:09):
I imagine one of those.
Speaker 1 (16:11):
Things is this year was the thirtieth anniversary of Clueless,
and you created a pop culture iconic role.
Speaker 2 (16:17):
Not a lot of people can say that. I mean,
it's just fact.
Speaker 1 (16:20):
What are you the most proud of when you think
of that role of creating share?
Speaker 2 (16:25):
Hmm?
Speaker 4 (16:28):
Well, first, I'm just proud of everyone's work in the film,
because I think it takes so much to make that
magic happen. You know, you see so many films that
have wonderful actors or wonderful director or wonderful script, it
doesn't necessarily all come together that same way. And this one,
it's just that magic that happened with an incredible director,
(16:53):
Amy Heckerling, who you know, wrote a really brilliant script
based off of a really brilliant book called Sense I
mean Emma from Jane Austen. And then you have Mona
May's costumes, and you have all of these actors who
are so good, and and then you have whoever edited,
(17:16):
who did the editing, and the lighting and the set designs,
so all of it just came together so beautifully. And
when I think about my work in it, I don't know.
Speaker 3 (17:26):
I think I think I think I was.
Speaker 4 (17:30):
Channeling some things when I was doing that that I
think are really fun.
Speaker 3 (17:36):
What else I don't know.
Speaker 4 (17:42):
I think I think that it's at the time, I
assume people thought that that was just me or something,
but it wasn't.
Speaker 3 (17:49):
That's a character that.
Speaker 4 (17:50):
I, you know, embodied, and she was very different than
me and had very different sensibilities than I did.
Speaker 3 (17:58):
So it was really fun to There's little things.
Speaker 4 (18:01):
I do in the movie that I feel are you know,
like when I get out of the car with when
he's trying to kiss me, Elton is trying to kiss
Share in the car, and I do this sort of like, oh,
I really knew what I was doing that because I
thought that that was something that Lucille Ball would do
or that my mom would do.
Speaker 3 (18:21):
You know, and I was just little and I was playing,
you know.
Speaker 4 (18:25):
And then there's a moment where I do this like
hair toss when I'm in the thing with in the
shopping mall with Stacy Dash and those were things I
was copying. I was sort of embodying. I was making
fun of the people that I you know, I was
sort of making fun of what I'd seen and you know,
(18:45):
sort of and those kinds of things I think are
fun in it, But the whole thing is just it's
just I don't know what to say about it.
Speaker 3 (18:51):
I'm grateful that people like it.
Speaker 1 (18:53):
Yeah, yeah, And it's cool how those memories come right
back to you as if no time has passed, which
you know, shows that it was a very important part
project to you. Do people quote the movie to you
all the time?
Speaker 4 (19:03):
Still, yes, but I've even started doing it, which is weird.
Speaker 2 (19:08):
What do you mean, like, oops.
Speaker 3 (19:10):
My bad is coming up for me a bit in
my life.
Speaker 4 (19:12):
It's because every once in a while that just feels
fun to say. Or these shoes, you know, you see
how picky I am about my shoes and they only
go on my feet? I think that sometimes, But that's
that's happened later in life. I never thought about it
for years until you know, everyone kept asking me what's
your favorite quote and what and hearing other people say it.
Speaker 3 (19:35):
So now it's sort of in my mind. I guess.
Speaker 1 (19:37):
That's so funny how life can be so full circle
like that?
Speaker 2 (19:41):
Did you?
Speaker 1 (19:41):
Like, you probably never imagine at this point you would
be thinking of share lines in your mind, right, No,
that's absolutely amazing, you know. I mean, people are literally
salivating for a follow up film. It would break the
world and the internet. Why has there never really been
conversation about that.
Speaker 3 (20:02):
I don't know.
Speaker 4 (20:03):
I always just thought, I mean, from my end, I
always thought, and I might not be right about this,
I'm probably very wrong about this, but I just in
general thought the sequels were never going to be as
good as the original, So I never thought about doing it.
And then Amy Heckerling herself didn't want to do it,
and I always felt that that would be her who
(20:24):
would be the instigator of that. She did a television
show of it afterwards. But yeah, so I just never
really thought about it, and I was busy doing other things.
Speaker 2 (20:37):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (20:37):
Yeah, I mean, you've had so much happened since then.
I'm seeing now floating around online. I don't know if
you've seen it, but people are like, oh my god,
what if Alicia has a daughter and that could be
a great sequel.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
Have you been seeing those?
Speaker 4 (20:49):
No, but that's very interesting given that we are working
on a clueless show right now.
Speaker 2 (20:56):
So we'll see, Okay, we will see about that. I
love that so much.
Speaker 1 (21:00):
You really seem to be somebody who protects your peace.
Speaker 2 (21:04):
And I imagine that's not easy.
Speaker 1 (21:06):
As a working mama and being in a business that's
very public facing. So how do you nurture your mind, body,
spirit and protect yourself when you're in such a public
facing job.
Speaker 4 (21:19):
Yeah, that is a constant, everyday journey of taking care
and gosh, I think self care is the most critical
thing we can do everyone, and it is sort of
a full time job. But the easiest hack to it
is plant based food. That is like, because when you
(21:42):
eat clean, healthy food, your body feels so much better
that you're not fighting and working so hard to process
all that. So that makes you happier, your mood is better,
you sleep better. So that's my number one secret, is
my plant based diet.
Speaker 3 (21:57):
If LLLSE fails, if.
Speaker 4 (21:59):
I don't get to work out, and I don't you know,
do all the things that we need to do to
take care of ourselves, then that is the biggest foundation
for me. And I see the rewards of that immensely.
You know, from in the beginning when I first when
(22:20):
I first went plant based, when I was twenty one,
I you know, I had an asthma hailer, I took
allergy shots twice a week. I was larger, my skin
was full with acne.
Speaker 3 (22:35):
What else?
Speaker 4 (22:35):
I got bronchitis all the time. So once I changed
my diet, literally I transformed and everything was better, and
my nails got so strong. I no longer needed asthma
and hailer, no longer needed allergy shots, and I just
never really needed.
Speaker 3 (22:51):
Medicine again very much.
Speaker 4 (22:53):
I can't remember, you know, maybe here or there, but
mostly no. So it's been incredible, And so that's number
one for my piece, because that's that's really affects body,
mind and spirit, but always just sort of you know,
you're it's constantly prioritizing, constantly having to go back to
(23:15):
because the overwhelm is incredible.
Speaker 3 (23:19):
And I think the.
Speaker 5 (23:20):
More you know, there's just there's so much, we have
so much access to so much that it's overwhelming and
you can't and you have to cut up what's like.
Speaker 4 (23:30):
The number one thing and be okay with failing at
all the emails and all the texts and all. You know,
your only can do so much, so sort of what
is the critical thing here? And often I really do
want to carve out that when my kid my favorite
days when I'm not working on a film are when
I can wake up in the morning, make my son's
(23:51):
food for you know, make his breakfast, in his lunch,
kiss him, send him off on his way, and then
walk the dog, do business calls while i'm the dog,
get home, do my work, and be ready for my
kid when he comes home with dinner or he'll kick
me out of the kitchen and he cooks.
Speaker 3 (24:08):
But being present for him, so try.
Speaker 4 (24:11):
My goal is always to get as much done so
I can just drop it all and be there with him.
And that's always been how I wanted it, so that
when we were together, we were together. And sometimes that works,
and sometimes I'm up late at night once he's gone.
Speaker 3 (24:26):
To sleep, trying to catch up.
Speaker 4 (24:27):
You know, it's you do the best you can, but
really prioritizing is massive.
Speaker 1 (24:32):
Yeah, that's all we can do, and to your point,
we all do the best that we can, so I
think that's super important. You know, this holiday movie is
coming out during your time where we're wrapping up the year,
and it always gets me thinking about a new year
that's coming up. So I like to ask my friends
this question, and I would love to ask you this
question as well. What is one thing that you want
(24:52):
to start, stop and continue doing as we enter a
new year.
Speaker 4 (25:00):
I guess just stop leaking energy where it's not needed.
That would be something I'm always working on and want
to continue.
Speaker 3 (25:07):
I want to stop that. It always gets better, But
that's that's important.
Speaker 4 (25:13):
Letting things, you know, being like like a ninja about energy,
don't get in here, you know, and and continue.
Speaker 3 (25:26):
Doing is the next one? Or or start start doing.
Speaker 4 (25:31):
I don't know about start doing because hm, I feel
like I've started a lot of things that I want
to do. Okay, Oh, maybe start looking for another place
to live as well.
Speaker 3 (25:43):
That would be nice to find another.
Speaker 4 (25:47):
Area to live in then where I live, like out
of California.
Speaker 3 (25:51):
Maybe that's one idea. I don't know.
Speaker 4 (25:55):
And then continue doing all the things I'm doing, continue
to be the best mom that I can be, to
continue to be working with people that I admire and respect,
and continue fighting for peace in myself and in the world.
Speaker 1 (26:16):
That's a beautiful thing. I love that very very much.
And I know you have to run so real quick.
Last question the show was called I've never said this before.
Is there something you've never said before? Whatever that means
to you that you want to share today.
Speaker 4 (26:28):
I think I've said a lot of things already that
I've never said before to you just now, so I
think we could go back and find many, but there's
nothing that comes to mind that I want to say.
But I do think I've said a lot of things
to you that I don't think i've ever said.
Speaker 1 (26:43):
Well, I would agree, So thank you for sharing all
of that today. Thank you for the gift of this movie.
It is so fantastic. People are going to eat it
up all week long on Netflix. So make sure you
watch this movie. And thank you, Alicia. I'm wishing you
an amazing holiday season. I love getting to.
Speaker 2 (26:58):
Hang with you.
Speaker 3 (26:59):
Thank you too, Thank you.
Speaker 1 (27:04):
I've Never Said This Before is hosted by Me Tommy Dedario.
This podcast is executive produced by Andrew Piblisi at iHeartRadio
and by Me Tommy, with editing by Joshua Colaudney. I've
Never Said This Before is part of the Elvis Duran
podcast Network on iHeart Podcasts. For more, rate review and
subscribe to our show and if you liked this episode,
(27:27):
tell your friends. Until next time, I'm Tommy Dedario.
Hey, guys, welcome to I've never said this before with
me Tommy di Dario. It's beginning to feel like the holidays,
and I am so here for it because it's one
of the most magical times of the year. Come on,
fight me on it. It's true. Everywhere you look, it's turning
into a Christmas wonderland. Nostalgic traditions are coming back, and
(00:21):
must watch holiday movies are being binge. My guest today
is the incredibly talented Alicia Silverstone, who has a new
Christmas movie that you are going to absolutely love. Alicia
has been working for three decades, bringing so many characters
to life that.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
We all love.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
But perhaps one of the most iconic characters is the
one and only Share from Clueless. It's a movie that
when it's on, how do you not watch it? It's
so good. But out this week is her festive new
Christmas film called My Merry Little Ex Miss And here's
a gist. So I recently divorced Kate played by Alicia,
hopes for one last perfect family Christmas before selling her house.
(00:58):
But our holiday plans are derived Eldwin, her ex husband,
unexpectedly introduces his younger and well successful new girlfriend. Oh
the tea is hot and you don't want to miss
this hilarious and heartwarming film. Today we are getting into
the holiday spirit while celebrating an artist who has made
such an impact in pop culture history. Okay, let's see
(01:19):
if we can get Alicia to say something today that
she has never said before.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Alicia Silverstone, how are you, my friend?
Speaker 3 (01:33):
You?
Speaker 2 (01:33):
I'm good. It is so good to see you.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
You are bringing all the festivibes my way today and
I'm here for it. Oh good, Well, we have a
lot to get to. I first, before we dive into
the movie, which I absolutely loved, I want to celebrate
you for a minute because you're someone who I have
been so impressed by throughout the course of your career.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
You've been doing this for three.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
Decades now, over eighty movies and shows combined, and that's
not easy. That is not easy in the business that
we all work in. So I guess my first question
to you would be, why do you think you have
had such long deevity in this industry?
Speaker 3 (02:10):
Well? I don't know.
Speaker 4 (02:13):
I I've just you know. I started because I loved acting,
and I didn't really know about movies. I was into theater,
I was a theater nerd, and the process of you know,
experiencing different characters and letting go of so much personal
(02:35):
stuff while you're doing it felt so therapeutic to me
as a little girl when I was twelve when I started,
and so I got a lot out that I needed
to get out, and storytelling was interesting and watching plays
with my family, So I think I think it comes
(02:56):
from that. And then when things got really heat in
my career, when things went so we're at their height
and it felt difficult, I sort of went back into
theater and found the reason I loved it in the
first place again, you know. So I've just always been
interested in the work and working with really great artists,
(03:18):
and I feel so lucky that this year I had
so many different kinds of projects come out. You know,
Pretty Thing that was directed by Justin Kelly and was
really a love a love letter to try Beeca. You know,
it feels really New York Tribeca and it's a erotic thriller,
but it's also really funny and or at least it
(03:40):
was funny to me. And then Irish Blood that I
produced is very different kind of you know, mystery character.
And then Bogonia that just came out with your Ghost
Lanthemos directing, and Emma Stone and Jesse Plemmons, like, those
people are so amazing and I just feel so lucky
to get to work with them, those kinds of artists.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
And now the.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
Christmas movie that I also produced and you know, had
such a good time with. So I don't know, I'm
just interested in good stories and really interesting people to
play with.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Really, and it seems like one of your secrets of
success is you kind of keep doing things that challenge
you and that maybe push you outside of your comfort zone,
which I feel like in any career is what we
all hope for to keep growing and learning and developing
different skills. Is that something that really interests you at
this point of your career is doing things that maybe
you're a little freaked out by.
Speaker 3 (04:36):
Oh, yes, the best thing is when you get a script.
Speaker 4 (04:39):
I mean, with your ghost Lanthemist, I've worked with him before,
but on the second time this time around, when I
saw the script, I went, oh, I'm totally scared.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
I don't know if I can do this, you know.
Speaker 4 (04:52):
And then that's what then, of course, you have to
So whenever I feel that way, it's really a reason
to jump right in. And sometimes you feel like sometimes
I don't feel that way. I just feel like, oh,
I know what this is, and this will be really
interesting and fun to dive into. Like with the Christmas movie,
I knew that this character was really you know, she's
(05:16):
going through a lot. There's a lot for me to
chew on. She seems like she's kind of unhinged at times,
and that's fun. So you know, as long as there's
a lot to sink your teeth into, then I'm interested
and engaged. But yes, I do really like stretching and
growing all the theater experiences I've had.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
You know.
Speaker 4 (05:36):
The first time I did a play on Broadway was
with Kathleen Turner and she I mean I remember twenty
when they would call they do a thing where they
call like thirty minutes, right, and then every time they
called it, I would just start screaming. And I was
twenty five, and Kathleen came in and she was like,
what's going on?
Speaker 3 (05:56):
And she tried to calm me down, and.
Speaker 4 (06:00):
I really and it was a scream of excitement and
fear and all the things like I cannot believe I
have to go on stage and do that, but then
you know, nine months later, I was sobbing when it
was over. And every time I do theater, I think
I feel that for many different reasons. But most theater
(06:21):
experiences have been incredibly challenging and stretching and wonderful.
Speaker 3 (06:26):
I mean, I did One with Laura.
Speaker 4 (06:27):
Lennie on Broadway with Daniel Sullivan directing and Donald marg
Lees wrote the script, and it was just so of
the play and it was so challenging and exciting.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
So I don't know, they're all Those are the time.
Speaker 4 (06:43):
Those are the most juicy times is when you feel challenged,
for sure, And.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
It's so cool to see your face lighting up as
you talk about all of this because I genuinely see
you reliving it and reflecting on it in such a
beautiful way. Would you say you still have the same
passion today in this industry and doing the work that
you do that you had as young Alicia pursuing the
Hollywood dream.
Speaker 4 (07:09):
I do because I was never pursuing the Hollywood dream.
So I think I was pursuing because I didn't know
what that was, right, So now I know what that is,
and it's a different thing to be a grown up looking.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
To still engage in this business.
Speaker 4 (07:27):
But when I was a little girl, I just wanted
to act and I just wanted to work on interesting things.
And you know, The Crush was my first film, and
that was a very juicy, challenging role. And so I
started doing really interesting things. And I feel very lucky.
(07:49):
And there's been times where it didn't feel like that.
So that's why I would step back right and then
sort of start all over again. And I do feel
very lucky that I get to work with great people.
And right now I feel, yes, I still love telling stories,
and I'm really inspired by people like your Ghostlanthemos and
(08:13):
the Stone Jesse Plemmons. I mean, and when you get
and even working on the Christmas film, getting to work
with like I had really great scenes with Oliver Hudson
where we were so locked in with each other and
he's so He's very good and very good in this film,
and I think, yeah, I love it.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
I love it.
Speaker 4 (08:37):
I love that I get to show up and really
chew on something and play with people in a creative way.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
And it's my favorite.
Speaker 4 (08:47):
When I'm being led by people I'm so inspired by,
that's my favorite. And yeah, like the play I did
with Laura. I remember every time she would go to
the bathroom, I would go to the bathroom when she
went to the bathroom because I didn't want to miss
a moment of rehearsal, do you know what I mean.
I didn't want to miss a moment of that conversation
because I was so inspired that what was happening with
(09:09):
these people, because it was only six of us at
the table, four actors and the director and the writer,
and this was I was just that is the most exciting.
So yes, I'm still hopeful for many more of those opportunities,
and I feel very lucky that I've had them very recently.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
So yeah, yeah, Well, one through line is your work
continues to bring so much joy for so many people,
and that includes this Christmas movie, which I know people
are going to fall in love with a very little
ex miss. I mean, when I think about my exes,
I don't want to be spending time with them. So
this is a very interesting concept. Why did you have
to be a part of this movie?
Speaker 4 (09:45):
Well, when I first read it, it made me cry,
and so I'm always a sucker for that. When I cry,
you know, it's just it's very heartwarming, and yeah, it's
very meaningful that I think many many people are challenged
by relationships, by marriage, by their family. I mean, that's
universal problems and the film really deals with that in
(10:10):
a fun way, and so it's very touching, you know,
to see people struggle and find themselves and lose themselves
in all of that, right, And I really liked I
thought it was a fun, challenging role because just maybe
not challenging, but super fun role that I could sink
(10:30):
my teeth into and do fun things with. And because
she's going through so much, you know, basically she's uncoupling
with her husband, she's having a conscious uncoupling, and she's
determined to have the last amazing, perfect Christmas together as
(10:52):
a family.
Speaker 3 (10:54):
But this gets completely derailed. And that's because.
Speaker 4 (10:59):
X husband shows up with a younger, very successful woman,
a new girlfriend, and this throws everything off.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
So it's really fun.
Speaker 1 (11:14):
And people have been there to your point. I mean,
it's a very relatable theme. And I love when movies
like this tackle relationship dynamics because they are so intricate
and there's not just kind of one format for how
things unfold. So I think people are really going to
connect and appreciate this. And you're now in the Netflix
Holiday family, which so many people you know are clamoring for,
(11:37):
which is so cool. Have you always been a big
fan of holiday movies?
Speaker 3 (11:41):
Well, my son and I.
Speaker 4 (11:44):
Before I had a kid, no, I never really watched
holiday movies. But when I had my son, we do
try to watch, you know, like the Bishop's is It
the Bishop's Wife? But now he's not as into the
black and white, but I like to get the Bishop's
Wife in there. We watch Elf, Home Alone, or some classics, right, A.
Speaker 3 (12:04):
Wonderful, a wonderful Life.
Speaker 4 (12:07):
Those are sort of the ones that we circle around,
but I'm always trying to introduce new ones. And it's
always fun. It's cozy to watch Christmas movies.
Speaker 3 (12:15):
It's nice. It feels like you're getting away with something.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
Yeah, yeah, it's true.
Speaker 1 (12:21):
It's one of the favorite, you know, pastimes of the
holiday season. But I think this is a cool movie
because there are different messages people can take away from
watching this. So what's one of the messages you take
away from this?
Speaker 4 (12:33):
Well? I kind of think this film is like a
romantic comedy and a Christmas moab if a romantic comedy
and a Christmas movie had a baby, you know, so it's.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
Not all Christmas, and but it is Christmas.
Speaker 4 (12:45):
It's completely a Christmas film, but it's that romantic comedy
element that is so nice mixed in. I think just
family relationship, you know, family. I think that's what you're
going to come away that yummy I think people are
gonna laugh, they might be moved by it. I certainly was,
(13:05):
and I think they will feel that yummy, warm holiday
spirit that you want.
Speaker 2 (13:14):
I think that's what they for sure.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
And your son Bear has a cameo in this. Is
it fun when he gets to step inside your world.
Speaker 4 (13:21):
Well, for me, it's a matter of getting to be
with him, you know, when it's being a mom, you know,
and working is tricky because I want to work, but
I want to be with my boy and I don't
want to miss any of it.
Speaker 3 (13:33):
And I want him to have me.
Speaker 4 (13:35):
So usually, you know, on some things like Irish Blood,
I was able to see every three weeks, they carved
out a whole week for me to take off to
be with my kid. This film, we couldn't do that
because it's only shooting for five weeks, so he came
in the middle for one full week, and I got
lucky that it fell on his holiday break anyway in
February from school, and so he brought because I was
(13:57):
going to be working the whole week, which is not
fun to bring your kid to work with you for
a whole week. For him, I brought his friend with him,
and Liam wants to be an actor and he was
really interested in what was happening. So I asked them,
can they be participating while they're here to make it
more fun for them, and so they let him them.
You know, there's this moment with they're both talking to Pearson,
(14:20):
who plays Chet my boyfriend in the background, and you
can see that in one of the scenes and they're
going down the sledding, which is so fun for them
to do all day long. So I think they had
it really, I know they had a great time.
Speaker 2 (14:33):
It's always cool.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
Throughout your career, you've talked so beautifully about your relationship
with your sign, and you've shared really beautiful moments with
people on social media, and it's clear you have such
a special bond. What do you hope one day when
he thinks back to these years, that he's going to
turn around and say that he's proud of when he
thinks back in this time in your life.
Speaker 4 (14:54):
Well, it's tricky because there's so much I could say,
but I also want to respect him. And he's at
that age where everything I say, you know here gets
back to him somehow, So how do I say it
in a way that he wouldn't be annoyed? I mean,
I think that the most important thing for me is
(15:15):
just that he always feels like I was.
Speaker 3 (15:19):
I mean, I know he does.
Speaker 4 (15:20):
We're so deeply connected and me, I'm so He's my
priority no matter what, and I know he feels that,
and I know that that I get to experience the
rewards of that because he's so well adjusted and so
confident and comfortable in his skin and thriving.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
There's a lot I'm sure he's very proud of you
for and I think that's really sweet too. It's going
to be really sweet one day when he continues to
vocalize all those things.
Speaker 2 (15:58):
I have friends.
Speaker 1 (15:58):
I'm not a parent, but my friend to our parents,
some of their kids are starting to share those things
with them and it's like the most beautiful moment in
their lives. So I think that's really cool. One that
does happen and you have a lot to be proud
of for yourself.
Speaker 2 (16:09):
I imagine one of those.
Speaker 1 (16:11):
Things is this year was the thirtieth anniversary of Clueless,
and you created a pop culture iconic role.
Speaker 2 (16:17):
Not a lot of people can say that. I mean,
it's just fact.
Speaker 1 (16:20):
What are you the most proud of when you think
of that role of creating share?
Speaker 2 (16:25):
Hmm?
Speaker 4 (16:28):
Well, first, I'm just proud of everyone's work in the film,
because I think it takes so much to make that
magic happen. You know, you see so many films that
have wonderful actors or wonderful director or wonderful script, it
doesn't necessarily all come together that same way. And this one,
it's just that magic that happened with an incredible director,
(16:53):
Amy Heckerling, who you know, wrote a really brilliant script
based off of a really brilliant book called Sense I
mean Emma from Jane Austen. And then you have Mona
May's costumes, and you have all of these actors who
are so good, and and then you have whoever edited,
(17:16):
who did the editing, and the lighting and the set designs,
so all of it just came together so beautifully. And
when I think about my work in it, I don't know.
Speaker 3 (17:26):
I think I think I think I was.
Speaker 4 (17:30):
Channeling some things when I was doing that that I
think are really fun.
Speaker 3 (17:36):
What else I don't know.
Speaker 4 (17:42):
I think I think that it's at the time, I
assume people thought that that was just me or something,
but it wasn't.
Speaker 3 (17:49):
That's a character that.
Speaker 4 (17:50):
I, you know, embodied, and she was very different than
me and had very different sensibilities than I did.
Speaker 3 (17:58):
So it was really fun to There's little things.
Speaker 4 (18:01):
I do in the movie that I feel are you know,
like when I get out of the car with when
he's trying to kiss me, Elton is trying to kiss
Share in the car, and I do this sort of like, oh,
I really knew what I was doing that because I
thought that that was something that Lucille Ball would do
or that my mom would do.
Speaker 3 (18:21):
You know, and I was just little and I was playing,
you know.
Speaker 4 (18:25):
And then there's a moment where I do this like
hair toss when I'm in the thing with in the
shopping mall with Stacy Dash and those were things I
was copying. I was sort of embodying. I was making
fun of the people that I you know, I was
sort of making fun of what I'd seen and you know,
(18:45):
sort of and those kinds of things I think are
fun in it, But the whole thing is just it's
just I don't know what to say about it.
Speaker 3 (18:51):
I'm grateful that people like it.
Speaker 1 (18:53):
Yeah, yeah, And it's cool how those memories come right
back to you as if no time has passed, which
you know, shows that it was a very important part
project to you. Do people quote the movie to you
all the time?
Speaker 4 (19:03):
Still, yes, but I've even started doing it, which is weird.
Speaker 2 (19:08):
What do you mean, like, oops.
Speaker 3 (19:10):
My bad is coming up for me a bit in
my life.
Speaker 4 (19:12):
It's because every once in a while that just feels
fun to say. Or these shoes, you know, you see
how picky I am about my shoes and they only
go on my feet? I think that sometimes, But that's
that's happened later in life. I never thought about it
for years until you know, everyone kept asking me what's
your favorite quote and what and hearing other people say it.
Speaker 3 (19:35):
So now it's sort of in my mind. I guess.
Speaker 1 (19:37):
That's so funny how life can be so full circle
like that?
Speaker 2 (19:41):
Did you?
Speaker 1 (19:41):
Like, you probably never imagine at this point you would
be thinking of share lines in your mind, right, No,
that's absolutely amazing, you know. I mean, people are literally
salivating for a follow up film. It would break the
world and the internet. Why has there never really been
conversation about that.
Speaker 3 (20:02):
I don't know.
Speaker 4 (20:03):
I always just thought, I mean, from my end, I
always thought, and I might not be right about this,
I'm probably very wrong about this, but I just in
general thought the sequels were never going to be as
good as the original, So I never thought about doing it.
And then Amy Heckerling herself didn't want to do it,
and I always felt that that would be her who
(20:24):
would be the instigator of that. She did a television
show of it afterwards. But yeah, so I just never
really thought about it, and I was busy doing other things.
Speaker 2 (20:37):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (20:37):
Yeah, I mean, you've had so much happened since then.
I'm seeing now floating around online. I don't know if
you've seen it, but people are like, oh my god,
what if Alicia has a daughter and that could be
a great sequel.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
Have you been seeing those?
Speaker 4 (20:49):
No, but that's very interesting given that we are working
on a clueless show right now.
Speaker 2 (20:56):
So we'll see, Okay, we will see about that. I
love that so much.
Speaker 1 (21:00):
You really seem to be somebody who protects your peace.
Speaker 2 (21:04):
And I imagine that's not easy.
Speaker 1 (21:06):
As a working mama and being in a business that's
very public facing. So how do you nurture your mind, body,
spirit and protect yourself when you're in such a public
facing job.
Speaker 4 (21:19):
Yeah, that is a constant, everyday journey of taking care
and gosh, I think self care is the most critical
thing we can do everyone, and it is sort of
a full time job. But the easiest hack to it
is plant based food. That is like, because when you
(21:42):
eat clean, healthy food, your body feels so much better
that you're not fighting and working so hard to process
all that. So that makes you happier, your mood is better,
you sleep better. So that's my number one secret, is
my plant based diet.
Speaker 3 (21:57):
If LLLSE fails, if.
Speaker 4 (21:59):
I don't get to work out, and I don't you know,
do all the things that we need to do to
take care of ourselves, then that is the biggest foundation
for me. And I see the rewards of that immensely.
You know, from in the beginning when I first when
(22:20):
I first went plant based, when I was twenty one,
I you know, I had an asthma hailer, I took
allergy shots twice a week. I was larger, my skin
was full with acne.
Speaker 3 (22:35):
What else?
Speaker 4 (22:35):
I got bronchitis all the time. So once I changed
my diet, literally I transformed and everything was better, and
my nails got so strong. I no longer needed asthma
and hailer, no longer needed allergy shots, and I just
never really needed.
Speaker 3 (22:51):
Medicine again very much.
Speaker 4 (22:53):
I can't remember, you know, maybe here or there, but
mostly no. So it's been incredible, And so that's number
one for my piece, because that's that's really affects body,
mind and spirit, but always just sort of you know,
you're it's constantly prioritizing, constantly having to go back to
(23:15):
because the overwhelm is incredible.
Speaker 3 (23:19):
And I think the.
Speaker 5 (23:20):
More you know, there's just there's so much, we have
so much access to so much that it's overwhelming and
you can't and you have to cut up what's like.
Speaker 4 (23:30):
The number one thing and be okay with failing at
all the emails and all the texts and all. You know,
your only can do so much, so sort of what
is the critical thing here? And often I really do
want to carve out that when my kid my favorite
days when I'm not working on a film are when
I can wake up in the morning, make my son's
(23:51):
food for you know, make his breakfast, in his lunch,
kiss him, send him off on his way, and then
walk the dog, do business calls while i'm the dog,
get home, do my work, and be ready for my
kid when he comes home with dinner or he'll kick
me out of the kitchen and he cooks.
Speaker 3 (24:08):
But being present for him, so try.
Speaker 4 (24:11):
My goal is always to get as much done so
I can just drop it all and be there with him.
And that's always been how I wanted it, so that
when we were together, we were together. And sometimes that works,
and sometimes I'm up late at night once he's gone.
Speaker 3 (24:26):
To sleep, trying to catch up.
Speaker 4 (24:27):
You know, it's you do the best you can, but
really prioritizing is massive.
Speaker 1 (24:32):
Yeah, that's all we can do, and to your point,
we all do the best that we can, so I
think that's super important. You know, this holiday movie is
coming out during your time where we're wrapping up the year,
and it always gets me thinking about a new year
that's coming up. So I like to ask my friends
this question, and I would love to ask you this
question as well. What is one thing that you want
(24:52):
to start, stop and continue doing as we enter a
new year.
Speaker 4 (25:00):
I guess just stop leaking energy where it's not needed.
That would be something I'm always working on and want
to continue.
Speaker 3 (25:07):
I want to stop that. It always gets better, But
that's that's important.
Speaker 4 (25:13):
Letting things, you know, being like like a ninja about energy,
don't get in here, you know, and and continue.
Speaker 3 (25:26):
Doing is the next one? Or or start start doing.
Speaker 4 (25:31):
I don't know about start doing because hm, I feel
like I've started a lot of things that I want
to do. Okay, Oh, maybe start looking for another place
to live as well.
Speaker 3 (25:43):
That would be nice to find another.
Speaker 4 (25:47):
Area to live in then where I live, like out
of California.
Speaker 3 (25:51):
Maybe that's one idea. I don't know.
Speaker 4 (25:55):
And then continue doing all the things I'm doing, continue
to be the best mom that I can be, to
continue to be working with people that I admire and respect,
and continue fighting for peace in myself and in the world.
Speaker 1 (26:16):
That's a beautiful thing. I love that very very much.
And I know you have to run so real quick.
Last question the show was called I've never said this before.
Is there something you've never said before? Whatever that means
to you that you want to share today.
Speaker 4 (26:28):
I think I've said a lot of things already that
I've never said before to you just now, so I
think we could go back and find many, but there's
nothing that comes to mind that I want to say.
But I do think I've said a lot of things
to you that I don't think i've ever said.
Speaker 1 (26:43):
Well, I would agree, So thank you for sharing all
of that today. Thank you for the gift of this movie.
It is so fantastic. People are going to eat it
up all week long on Netflix. So make sure you
watch this movie. And thank you, Alicia. I'm wishing you
an amazing holiday season. I love getting to.
Speaker 2 (26:58):
Hang with you.
Speaker 3 (26:59):
Thank you too, Thank you.
Speaker 1 (27:04):
I've Never Said This Before is hosted by Me Tommy Dedario.
This podcast is executive produced by Andrew Piblisi at iHeartRadio
and by Me Tommy, with editing by Joshua Colaudney. I've
Never Said This Before is part of the Elvis Duran
podcast Network on iHeart Podcasts. For more, rate review and
subscribe to our show and if you liked this episode,
(27:27):
tell your friends. Until next time, I'm Tommy Dedario.
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