July 16, 2026 • 38 mins
This week, Tommy is joined by actress Avantika Vandanapu, who is currently starring in Mindy Kaling’s Not Suitable for Work, a series about five work-obsessed twenty-something professionals living in New York City as they balance the chaos of their professional and personal lives. Today, Avantika opens up about how her life changed after the 2024 Mean Girls musical adaptation of the beloved classic, how Reneé Rapp helped her navigate the musical numbers, why leading Disney’s Spin will forever be meaningful to her, what she’s loved about being part of Hulu’s Not Suitable for Work, how she landed a role that wasn’t originally written for her, whether she wants her character to end up with Kel, why it’s important to take up space even when you feel like you might not belong, how she’s handled heartbreak in her career, the type of film she dreams of starring in, the advice she wants to ask Mindy Kaling, why Off Campus got its casting right, why she sometimes worries about sharing too much, and so much more.
And be sure to catch the mini rapid-fire "Hot Takes and Hangouts" interview with Avantika out next Thursday, July 23!
Subscribe, rate, and leave a written review if you enjoy this conversation! Tune in every week for new episodes of I’ve Never Said This Before.
Executive Producers: iHeart Media and Elvis Duran Podcast Network
Producers: Andrew Pugliese, Stephanie Lane
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Hey, guys, welcome to I've never said this before with me,
Tommy di Dario, I feel like anything Mindy Kaling touches
turns to gold. And that includes her latest series, which
is called Not Suitable for Work, that I absolutely devowored.
I couldn't get enough of it. I watched it in
like one or two sittings. It was so great. And
my guest today is Avantika, who is a standout in
(00:23):
the series. So she plays a character named Abby who
is one of five work obsessed twenty something year old professionals,
a living in New York City balancing the chaos of
her personal and professional life. And there is a lot
of chaos. But what's cool is she plays a character
that I think a lot of us can see a
little piece of ourselves in at some point of our life,
(00:43):
maybe in our early twenties. Now. You may also know
Avantika from her breakout role as Karen in the twenty
twenty four musical adaptation of Me and Girls that was based,
of course, on the Broadway musical, or you may know
her from some other great standout projects that we're going
to get into. So let's dive in and see if
today we can get Avantika to say something that she
(01:04):
has never said before. Avantika, how are you, my friend?
Speaker 2 (01:11):
I'm good, Tommy are you I'm good.
Speaker 1 (01:13):
I'm so happy you're here today too.
Speaker 3 (01:15):
As you told me, this is our first time seeing
each other after two three years.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
Yes, yes, the Mean Girls jun kick God, it feels
like forever ago.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
I know it does, it really does.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
And so much has happened for you since then, right, yeah, Well,
we have a lot to get into today, and I
guess to kick it off speaking of Mean Girls, we
talked during the press process for that. Right then the
movie came out. It was a hit. People loved it,
They loved your character. Was it a big adjustment for
you in terms of how your life changed once that
(01:45):
movie came out? Because I feel like, yes, you did
a lot of great work prior too, but people really
were like, oh my god, like we love this girl,
we know this girl.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
Yeah, it did a lot. I mean it was a
big adjustment, but entirely in a positive way. I don't
any part of it felt too and that won't always
be the constant, and I recognize that, But no part
of it felt too overwhelming because I was just so
excited by all these doors opening, and I was like,
it's so exciting to finally not have to like aggressively
(02:17):
fight to be in these rooms and to be like welcomed,
and to get to talk to directors and go out
for projects that I never would have been able to otherwise.
I was so consumed by the excitement of the adjustment
that it was entirely positive.
Speaker 1 (02:30):
Do you feel like you got the singing itch after that?
Speaker 3 (02:33):
You know I did, But also I'm I did that
movie with Renee rap with how Lee Crabalio, like their legends. Obviously,
I was sort of like, it's like when you think
you're a good singer and you show up to karaoke
and someone completely blows you out of the water, and
you're like, okay, Like it contextualized my space in the
music world. There's definitely time for that. But I yeah,
(02:54):
I loved singing with them, and I remember when we
I don't even know what number it was, but Renee
had just finished up in the studio and she stayed
an extra forty minutes to give me notes and help
me warm up in this in the sound studio, and
so you know, I have a lot of great memories
related to music with that movie, and I definitely would
(03:14):
love to.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
Explore that either Broadway or a movie musical.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
Sometime in the future, or do with Renee. We want
to be mad at We wouldn't be mad, of course,
wouldn't be mad. I think I saw her actually on Broadway.
Speaker 3 (03:26):
Too, what you saw in Girl?
Speaker 2 (03:28):
Yeah, how was that?
Speaker 3 (03:29):
Like?
Speaker 1 (03:30):
Unbelievable?
Speaker 2 (03:30):
I mean she missed.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
She's unbelievable.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
She is unbelievable.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
She's incredible at whatever she does. She just has great
stage presence and she I say, to this day, she's.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
Like one of the hardest working people I know.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
Yeah, it seemed like you guys were all like such
a close group of friends doing that movie. R.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
Yeah, we really are.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
Well then, well, no, first I want to talk about
how you are also a trailblazer, oh thinks and you
are because of the Disney Channel movie. Right, So it
was twenty twenty one and you were the first South
Asian lead Yeah, for the Disney Channel.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (04:02):
Did you feel the weight of that responsibility when you
were doing that knowing that information?
Speaker 3 (04:08):
I I did, But I also had a lot of
faith in the script and the director, and.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
I felt like people were gonna love it if they
watched it. And I still get told.
Speaker 3 (04:21):
All the time by like parents where they're like, my
kid loved this movie. My kid loved you in Spin,
I get if I ever get stopped in the airport,
usually it's by like a mom who's like, my kids
loved Spin.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Can I get a picture? I would love to show
my daughter?
Speaker 3 (04:34):
And so those were one of the movies where I
read the script and I was like, I just don't
see kids not liking this, and I feel like people
will really fall in love with like children will really
fall in love with this movie, and so.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
I feel like kids, I don't know.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
I just don't feel intimidated by that demographic. And I
wasn't very nervous going into it, which was a good thing,
but I generally on a grand scale, I'm not super
nervous ever, because I'm sort of like, well, anybody even
watch this?
Speaker 2 (05:03):
Like is anybody ever going to watch it?
Speaker 3 (05:05):
And then it starts to come out and I'm like,
oh oh, I'm like okay, I'm like people have like
people are putting money into marketing, people are seeing this,
and so I try not to think about millions if
people are going to watch this and there's all this
pressure on me. I just feel like if I constantly
thought about that, it would be really exhausting.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
Yeah. No, one hundred percent. You're kind of like, I'm
gonna focus on the job and whatever happens happens. Yeah.
Well that's healthy too, especially when you are someone who
has become like a beacon of you know, hope and
inspiration for so many people. I think that's really cool
when artists can be that, and when you do have
people looking up to you, it's it's a cool thing.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
Yeah, well, I love you and not suitable for work.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
Love love, love love than you were watching. I'm so
glad you're watching.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
Oh my god, well I finished it, like obsessed with it.
So you play a stylist, right, Her name is Abby.
She's a go getter for sure, like an overachiever, wants
this job and things to work out so so much.
Like she's like gripping at this job, right, as.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
Are most artists in New York.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
Yeah, so I was going to say, can you relate to.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
That styling, especially though I think is an industry where
people and seniors really expect you to like slave away
and put your put your do your hours do your
ten thousand hours. And I think that's tough because I
think there's a lot of young, talented people and you know,
hair makeup, styling in these industries that are sort of,
(06:30):
you know, having to take a backseat because there's this
seniority in the industry that I don't think I've experienced,
acting wise, right, because there's always going to be.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Roles for young people for old people.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
So I've never felt that, but I've seen a lot
of my like my friends in the industry, in the
glam industry, as we would put it, in the styling industry,
face that, and so it was really interesting to kind
of live that in the show.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
And she had a pretty tough boss for sure.
Speaker 3 (06:59):
I mean, and most successful stylists are they run they
run their shit like the navy. Yeah, they do, because
it's such it's a very demanding job and there's so
much you have to coordinate, and you know, talent can
be very picky, clients can be picky, they can have
you know, things change on a whim, and so I
get it. They're they're tough, but as they should be.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
Have you ever had to experience a difficult boss?
Speaker 3 (07:24):
Of course, of course, Yeah, who has it, you know,
who has it. And I'm grateful I didn't experience it
in a world like detail or something like that, because
I think I actually would have just not been able
to tolerate or deal with it. But I think movie sets, especially,
they directors really set the tone. And I've worked with
(07:46):
my fair share of directors who have you know, had
a tough time with the crew and it's affected morale
and and you've had.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
To work past that.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
But the good thing about a movie set is there
is sort of a very big team spirit that I
would have assume you wouldn't have in a job like
retail or even a job like styling, because you know,
the assistant team is very limited. So I'm grateful that
if there ever has been a bad boss, I've always
had like hundreds of people to kind of be united
(08:14):
with on the opinion.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
You know, I've never been alone on that take.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
Yeah, we've all gone through that in some degree. And
a Mindy Kaling show is like the golden ticket. I
feel like in showbiz the book right, everybody wants to
be on a project of hers. She has such incredible
success on what she's put out. Did you think you
were going to book this.
Speaker 3 (08:34):
No, No, I didn't think I was going to book it. Well,
the role wasn't originally written for me. It was just
so the role wasn't originally a stylist, and she wasn't
originally Indian, and so she was I don't even remember
what the original part was. But I asked to audition
because I was like, look, it's an ensemble comedy about
(08:56):
a bunch of young people in New York. It's essentially
my life, and I feel like you, if you liked
me enough, you would make space for me in this,
in this group, cast in this ensemble, And I really
asked casting to let me at least just audition for it,
and they did.
Speaker 2 (09:11):
But it's very rare that, like.
Speaker 3 (09:12):
If you don't fit a writer a director's vision, that
they're sort of willing to go out of their way
to carve out room for you. But you know, I
guess they liked my audition a lot, and so they
sort of rewrote one of the parts to fit me
a little better. And even when I still, even when
I booked, even when I booked it, I was actively
at lunch with one of my friends and was like,
(09:34):
this isn't gonna happen for me, Like.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
It was a great it was a great thought.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
I had a lot of fun doing the chemistry. But
I don't feel too strongly like they're going to compromise
the integrity of this ensemble that they've crafted carefully in
their writer's room for the sake of me, you know,
but I'm.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
Very grateful they did.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
Yeah, and clearly you there was something inside of you
that said, I'm going to advocate for myself.
Speaker 3 (09:57):
I always asked to be put in an audition room,
even if I'm not right for the role, even if
it's for like book adaptations or anything, because I just
you know, sometimes you kind of have to serve the
vision to the casting directors more importantly, to the studio
exact smunt of platter. You kind of have to show
them that like you're capable.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
Yeah, And what great advice for any kind of aspiring
artist or actor out there who thinks, like, oh, things
aren't being written for me or I don't fit any descriptions.
You're like, screw that, Like, go go do it?
Speaker 2 (10:27):
Any I always ask closed mouths don't get fed.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
Yeah, Yeah, that's so where did you get that from?
Like that mentality? Was that just ingrained in you at
an early age, or is it fighting in this business
to be seen.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
I think it's both, But I also think my parents
were very much so of that mentality. I think a
lot of immigrant parents generally are. I think, coming to
a country where there aren't community spaces or roles already
set out for you or places where you feel like
you belong, you kind of have to get scrappy and
resourceful and learn to ask for what you want and need.
(11:00):
And my parents were very anti feeling embarrassed ever since
I was a young kid, Like every time I went
to an event or like a local neighborhood party and
I was like, I don't want to ask to talk
to people. I want people to come up to me.
They were like, there's nothing embarrassing about going and asking, right.
And I've always had a big fear of not being liked,
(11:23):
And my mom used to always say, like, you don't
like everyone, so not everyone is going to like you,
and it's unfair to hold the entire world to this expectation.
And she was very pro kind of walking into rooms
even if you don't feel like you belong, and just
at least asking, oh my god, yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
What a great way to live and grow up.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 1 (11:42):
And do you feel like you've now adapted that, like
you really live your life like that.
Speaker 3 (11:46):
Maybe not entirely, but at least when my jobs dependent
on I'm like, I will put my dignity side and
go and ask.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:55):
It's so hard.
Speaker 3 (11:56):
It's like a lot easier said than done. Yeah, And
in an indus where you're like constantly scrutinized for your
personality and things that you say and the things that
you do, I think it's a very conscious decision you
have to make constantly to be like I'm okay taking
up space here even if I don't necessarily belong.
Speaker 1 (12:14):
Yeah. Yeah, I'm sure. Mindy was like, who is this
girl fighting for this role coming on in here? Demanding
that we take a look at her, right, Like, Yeah,
did you ever have a conversation with her about that,
Like I thought for this.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
Role, Mindy, I honestly now that you're saying that I
never did, and I should have and I should have
she knows. She knows, because I mean she's sort of
like setting the tone for the characters and whatnot, so
I'm sure she knows that, Like we changed the role
for this girl, But I've never actually asked for her
thoughts on it. But I met her first when I
(12:48):
was sixteen seventeen, and this was the first interaction I
had had with her in years probably the show.
Speaker 1 (12:56):
Yeah, what a pinch me moment.
Speaker 3 (12:57):
Yeah, absolutely, that's so cool.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
It was so cool. I love that your character Abby
had to do things throughout the show that really she
didn't need to be doing, like write a cat eulogy, yes,
and all sorts of things that are not that were
not in her job description. Right. Were you the type
of person that coming up as an actress you were like,
I'll do whatever you need me to do just to
like be seen or be taken seriously or whatever. I like.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
Absolutely, And I think most actors will say that that
we've all fed a bit on our resume and said
that we're pro figure skaters and speak five languages. Because
so much of the arts is the extra credit work,
you know, like it's earning brownie points with people and
with higher ups that you can sort of go out
of your way to go above and beyond and do
(13:46):
extra things just so that they can give you a
chance to dive into your craft or dive into your art.
So It's not a foreign thing to me, and.
Speaker 2 (13:54):
I don't think it's exclusive to even just actors. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:57):
Yeah, Well, when you want something bad enough, you're going
to figure out to get there. Absolutely, yeah, And I
love well, I don't love. But the moment that I
got fired was like heartbreaking because I damn, we've been there,
like so many of us have been there, I know,
and it's like, oh my god, you were trying so hard.
Speaker 3 (14:12):
I know. It's also it's not malicious, right, Like she
didn't she didn't set out to poach another client. And
it really gives you perspective that a lot of I'm sure,
even like these sensationalized headlines about actors leaving these sets
or people leaving these jobs, like they're really they're really
one sided. And I think that that episode gives like
(14:35):
an interesting sort of perspective into somebody who really tried
not to who really tried not to poach another client,
but felt like her you know, arms were being twisted,
and that she kind of needed to do this if
she wanted better for herself. And I think it's really
cool that we get to empathize.
Speaker 2 (14:55):
With someone like that.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
Could you bring anything from your life to that moment, like,
have you had a heartbreaking moment in your career that
you were like, oh my god, I remember being that girl.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
Yeah. Absolutely. I think it's really hard. Within the industry.
Speaker 3 (15:11):
The audition process is so rigorous for so many movies
and TV shows, and oftentimes for really big projects, it's
like six rounds of auditioning, or it's like seven rounds
of auditioning, and you make it to the final part
and you're about to screen test for something and you're
one of two people. I think being told that you
didn't get the job when you're so far in and
(15:33):
it's just been enough time that you've entertained every fantasy
about what your life is going to look like if
you book this job is really really tough. But I
just recently worked with someone who's like, I'm such a big,
big admirer of and she was like a VANTAKA. Like
what I learned and what most actresses learn after enough
years in the industry is that if your number two
(15:54):
or number three enough times.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
Like your sort of.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
Success and your soaring is inevitable. And I think that
helps for a lot of people because there's so many
talented people in this industry that are this close to
making it, and they've been this close so for so
long and for so many times, and they're constantly grappling
with should we leave?
Speaker 2 (16:18):
Is it finally time to call it?
Speaker 3 (16:19):
And I think it's nice to know that even the
biggest of stars have sort of been in that position
too and have just stuck it out for long enough.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
Yeah. Yeah, And it's not always talked about. So it's
cool when somebody at that level actually can put ego
aside and pride aside, like no, no, this happened to.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
Me and be like this is who I lost it to.
Speaker 1 (16:39):
Yeah, So how do you pick yourself up when you're
heartbroken over being one of two people to get that
life changing role? Like? How do you move on from that?
How have you been able to be like? Okay, I'll
be okay.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
My parents have always said that I've been very good
at it because I also feel like my life is
very full outside of my job. I love my job,
and my job is in a lot of ways my life,
and I've been doing it for so long that I
feel like every time every conversation I have somehow loops
back into work. But I have a lot of friends
(17:15):
that I really love and I have things that I
like to do outside of work, too, And I think
in this industry, especially in film, there's so much focus
put on output and put on like how many movies
are you in a year? How many shows are you
in a year? How many episodes are you doing? That
there's not enough emphasis. And I recognize that it's a
privilege and a luxury to be able to have time
(17:37):
and resources and money to pour back into yourself and
pour back into classes and learning. But it's really important,
and it's the emphasis isn't placed enough in this industry
or in any industry, right. I think that is the
nature of hustling and capitalism, and so much emphasis is
placed on productivity and output, and so it's really good
for me to remind myself when I lose a job
(18:00):
or lose a role that like, this isn't this role
wasn't the only way for me to be able to
be an actor, right, Like I can go back to class,
I can take a screenwriting class, I can take a
film class, I can go to scene study. Like there
are other outlets, even though they might be less dignified,
for me to be an actor. And reminding myself of
(18:20):
that constantly has been very helpful.
Speaker 1 (18:30):
God, that's so important because, like you said, it's applicable
to so many industries. Yeah, and it's it's easy to
get wrapped up in it, and it's easy to make
decisions and choices based on how will people perceive me
or not pursue me if I do or don't do this? Right,
And to stick to like what you know is true
for you and to keep yourself grounded by having a
(18:51):
full life is so important.
Speaker 3 (18:53):
Yeah, And like you're still an artist even if no
one else is watching you be when you know.
Speaker 2 (18:58):
It.
Speaker 3 (18:59):
Being in this you feel like everything you do has
to have an audience in order to be validated and legitimized,
and that's just not true.
Speaker 2 (19:07):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
And you're sticking to who you are, which I think
is also a part of your success. And while you're
so accomplished very early in your life, right, because that's
hard to do, and you seem to be someone who
you know who you are and we're all works in
progress and we're all growing and changing, right, So, but
you do seem to have a good sense of self
and I think that will only continue to serve you.
I mean, why wouldn't it, Because you're sticking to like
(19:29):
your core values and.
Speaker 2 (19:31):
Morals, let's hope.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
So yeah, And if you don't, I'm going to find
you in ten years and be like, girl, remember, get
it together, right, right right? Get it together. That's funny,
but I will please.
Speaker 3 (19:45):
That's important people, be like bringing you back down is
for all of us, right, for all.
Speaker 1 (19:51):
Of us you. I always say when I see someone
as surrounded by only yes people, not not my vibe,
not my vibe, like, tell me I'm being an asshole,
or tell me like right like beyond.
Speaker 3 (20:02):
Liss is nodding behind the chair because she knows I like,
refuse to surround myself with just yes men. I think
it's really you feel itchy. You're like, damn, no one
had anything to say about what I've been doing this
entire week. No one had anything to offer. I feel like,
oh my god, someone tell me what I'm doing wrong.
Speaker 1 (20:22):
Yeah, well, good on you for knowing that. I think
that's a really cool thing. Back to the show for
a minute. Yes, I love the little can we call
it relationship brewing between Abby? Tell and right like, there's
something there? Do you want them to be endgame?
Speaker 2 (20:40):
I just feel like I can't.
Speaker 3 (20:43):
I just want to see Abby explore a little more
before I decide from like as a viewer, if I'm like,
that's endgame, you know.
Speaker 2 (20:51):
I feel like this season we.
Speaker 3 (20:52):
Got to see her really as like a career woman,
and I'm hoping next season we kind of get to
see a little bit more into her mantic tastes because like,
I just don't even what what does how you like
to do?
Speaker 2 (21:04):
When she goes out on dates? Like what's her favorite
date like? And is that Cal's favorite date to do?
Speaker 3 (21:09):
Too? Like what they she doesn't We haven't even had
a exposure into her tastes in that way that I
feel like it's a little preemptive to be like their endgame.
But I also feel like when you know, you know,
and sometimes there is just like a glimmer between two
people that are like they just you know, they just
(21:29):
have to be together.
Speaker 1 (21:30):
So I don't know, Okay, so we'll see, we'll see. Wait,
the glimmer into the glimpse into her taste. I will say,
is the pink Christmas tree we saw yes in her apartment? Yes? Wow,
you know not my Yeah, it's very.
Speaker 2 (21:47):
Specific, it's very specific. What's your what's your taste? How
does your Christmas tree look.
Speaker 3 (21:52):
Like like Ralph florade and Christmas.
Speaker 1 (21:55):
It's like, am I giving vibes?
Speaker 3 (21:57):
Like I just wouldn't be surprised if I walked into
your home and saw like a full, massive, like Christmas
tree with white ornaments and like a beautiful golden angel
up top.
Speaker 1 (22:06):
And I mean you pretty much to describe it. Yeah,
it's like a very like white and cream thing, you know,
little like bottlebrush animals on it, you know. But I
will say I was always a classical This is so
not relevant, but I was always a classical white Christmas
light kind of guy. But now I have one of
those trees. That's amazing that you can switch between white
lights and color lights and a combination of both. Wow,
(22:30):
you can like fit the mood. Because my husband loves
the colored Christmas lights. He calls them the Harry Potter lights.
So like we have a compromise.
Speaker 3 (22:36):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (22:37):
I like the ra and like chic vibe.
Speaker 3 (22:41):
The colorful ones just remind me of like when you're
like Suburbia, driving by Suburbian you see somebody's Christmas tree,
peek out of the window and it's like a bunch
of different colors, Like it just reminds me of that.
Speaker 2 (22:53):
But g I barely set up a Christmas tree at
my home.
Speaker 3 (22:55):
I don't know why I have this many.
Speaker 1 (22:58):
Because you're probably always on a set, right, So fair,
when are we getting more about season two? Do we
know a neat things?
Speaker 3 (23:06):
I just like I want, like I want the greenlight
just as quickly as the rest of the fans do.
And what I will say is like every view counts,
and like it's such an oversaturated market that it always
helps to have.
Speaker 2 (23:22):
People watch and spread the news.
Speaker 3 (23:24):
And I think the goal with the show is that
you watch it with your friends. So I really hope
that people can, you know, tell their neighbors and tell
their friends and tell their colleagues at work to be
watching this show. And the amazing thing is it's now
all out so you can just binge it. And my
guilty pleasure for the show is to binge it. I
(23:46):
think it's best binged.
Speaker 1 (23:47):
So I'll see, we'll say fingers crossed. There's so much
more story to tell.
Speaker 2 (23:52):
Right, so much more. We've just gotten to know these people. Yeah,
you know, it's been only nine episodes. We've just gotten
to know these people.
Speaker 3 (23:59):
So like, I really, I really hope that we get
a season two and are really able to dive into
these characters more because we all love them so so much.
Speaker 1 (24:07):
Putting good vibes out for you.
Speaker 2 (24:09):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (24:09):
I know that Mindy is someone that is very inspiring
to you. Yeah, right, and you got to work with
her on this. Of course, you are someone who loves
rom comms. Yes, your dream is to star in a ram. Yes,
I would love to write a com Yes, But you've
never asked Mindy for advice.
Speaker 3 (24:27):
No, I'm just a little intimidated. I feel like so
much about getting the right advice is also asking the
right question, and someone.
Speaker 2 (24:39):
Like crying, our time is very precious.
Speaker 3 (24:41):
It's not that I don't feel comfortable just asking, but
I also, you know, being me and kind of working
through my own things, I am always just like I
want to make sure I'm asking you in the easiest
way for you to formulate a good, good piece of advice.
It doesn't feel like generic or unrelated, but that feels
like it could help me too, And I honestly I
haven't quite landed on that. You know, I don't know
(25:04):
what to ask Mindy specifically, because I feel like her
breadth of knowledge is so so wide and her years
in the industry have been so long, but that is
my dream one day. And I'm sure my call to
Mindy being like, hey girl, I need some help over
here is very eminent.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
I'm sure.
Speaker 1 (25:23):
Okay, I love that, and I think that's really cool.
It is hard to ask someone that you admire and
that you're kind of in a professional environment with two
because you never want it to be taken the wrong way,
right exactly, And I did that. I wrote a rom com.
Speaker 2 (25:35):
Oh my goodness, I did.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
And then there's actually a part you'd be amazing for it.
There is, there is, and I'm in the process of,
you know, starting to kind of and how I brung
it out and interesting, very just like them this right,
but interesting. And I asked someone who I actually interviewed once,
who I so admire and respect, to read it and
it was very ballsy and they did. And it's Greg Borlancey,
(25:58):
who's an amazing, amazing visionary.
Speaker 3 (26:00):
It's amazing.
Speaker 1 (26:01):
He's kind of like been mentoring me and gave me
feedback and changes.
Speaker 2 (26:06):
Yeah, like that's amazing.
Speaker 1 (26:08):
The point is, like I was, like, I do I ask.
I don't wanted him to think I'm you know, using
him articulately right and was so gracious, so kind and
like totally made my script ten times better with his advice,
right to the point where I am now taking it out.
So yeah, I think it's it's a funny thing when
you want to ask someone a question who you're so inspired,
(26:28):
But that made me.
Speaker 3 (26:28):
Feel better, Like maybe I might just go and ask.
Speaker 2 (26:31):
M I just go work up the courage to you
should give her my treatment, like don't do what you think?
Speaker 1 (26:36):
Why rom com? Have you always loved rom coms?
Speaker 3 (26:38):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (26:38):
I just love I love love.
Speaker 3 (26:40):
I've always loved love. I also grew up on Bollywood,
and most of Bollywood is some version of like a
musical rom com. And some of my dad's favorite movies
were like you know, when Harry met Sally and Jerry Maguire,
and so I kind of grew up That's what I
fell in love with movies for.
Speaker 2 (27:00):
And I don't I don't think we get to see
enough of just.
Speaker 3 (27:03):
You know, women of color as leads in romance films,
and I think everyone deserves deserves love. And I would
also just be really excited to see the kind of
charm and whimsy and the spirit of like two thousands
rom coms be brought back.
Speaker 1 (27:21):
You know, I feel like it's slowly happening.
Speaker 2 (27:23):
It is, it is happening.
Speaker 1 (27:25):
I just finished Off Campus, yes, and I feel like
that gave me all the vibes of a nineties rom com,
right you saw it specifically because it wasn't toxic. So
much of what's on now is some toxic displays of
love like that has a place and it's entertaining and
yeah whatever. But I kind of like when it's a
little more you know, just happy and it's.
Speaker 3 (27:47):
A little more like, yeah, it's.
Speaker 1 (27:50):
Yeah, there can be drama, but not like awful toxic,
you know, crazy.
Speaker 2 (27:55):
I just when I like watch.
Speaker 3 (27:56):
I don't know when when I watch ten Things I
Hate about You, I'm not watching you know, I'm not
watching these charters the male character being like you know
what I mean, not entirely at least. And I do
think that that sort of the spirit of having all
these male leads and off campus who are all likable
and so all sort of charming and you know, had
their flaws, but we're still like these really lovable men
(28:17):
despite it. I was like, this is fairly refreshing.
Speaker 1 (28:20):
Oh my god, you know, yeah, well, I look forward
to seeing your movie or show out.
Speaker 3 (28:26):
Yeah, there will be an announcement too, Oh really yeah
about something you created?
Speaker 2 (28:31):
Yes?
Speaker 1 (28:32):
Ye really? So when should we look out for that announcement?
Speaker 2 (28:36):
You know, I am not good at answering.
Speaker 3 (28:38):
These kinds of us.
Speaker 1 (28:39):
Okay, don't be looking at pr just like I don't.
Speaker 3 (28:44):
Know, maybe in like a month and a.
Speaker 1 (28:48):
Half, Okay, any teas of what it is? Okay, all right, fine, fine, fine, okay,
month and a half.
Speaker 3 (28:57):
Well, what I am going to say is I think
you'll be really excited about it.
Speaker 2 (29:00):
Okay, what you've told me?
Speaker 1 (29:02):
Okay, great, Okay, I'll be really.
Speaker 2 (29:04):
Excited about who we're doing it with.
Speaker 1 (29:07):
Yeah, amazing. Do you ever have moments where you're like, damn,
I have achieved quite a lot, like so early in
my career. You're what twenty one.
Speaker 2 (29:15):
I'm twenty one, and you've achieved so much? Thank you?
Speaker 1 (29:19):
Like do you let that sink in for you? Or
are you just on the hamster wheel? Like, okay, what's next?
Got to keep going?
Speaker 3 (29:26):
I think I'm kind of on the hamster wheel. Yeah.
I Also, this is so like off a tangent. I
think there's so many young athletes right now that are
doing and accomplishing so much that oftentimes I watch them
and I'm like, God, I'm like.
Speaker 2 (29:40):
I'm kind of a bum.
Speaker 3 (29:42):
I'm like, I see like Aileen Goo and Alyssa Lou
and I'm like, oh my god. I'm like, I don't
know how they're doing all of this and all of
this plus physical exhaustion, and so I just feel like
there's so many young role models for people to look
up to right now that I think it's kind of awesome.
But I also am I feel like I'm at the
(30:02):
bottom of the total bne. I'm like, girl, I just
I say funny things on screen and hope you laugh,
and you know, it's kind of what I've been doing
since I was a kid.
Speaker 1 (30:11):
Well, that's why you're going to have a huge career
because you're so humble in thinking that, but you have
accomplished quite a lot and you are in the presence
of those athletes. I always say being an actor is
like an athlete, because you do have to be good
to your body, your mind, your spirit. You're disciplined, you're
up early. I mean, it's a very structured kind of thing.
I was a competitive gymnast and I did bars and
(30:33):
rings and horse cool and I had in college, I
did acting, and I saw a lot of parallels between
sports and that, So I do think it's a similar world.
I really do.
Speaker 2 (30:44):
That makes me feel better.
Speaker 1 (30:45):
Yes, yeah, don't be calling yourself bottom of the barrel. No,
that doesn't work here. Yeah, I know those athletes are
pretty amazing.
Speaker 2 (30:59):
Yeah, I mean they're I.
Speaker 1 (31:00):
Interviewed Alyssa not too long ago, and I'm like, really,
which she's just like magnificent. I know.
Speaker 3 (31:05):
I just am very flattered we're both from the Bay,
that we're both from the East Bay.
Speaker 1 (31:10):
That's amazing. What would you tell yourself as an actress
starting out in this business that you now know today?
Speaker 2 (31:25):
I think just to be less stressed.
Speaker 3 (31:29):
And to like let less of what people say get
to her. I don't know if I have any like
particularly poignant advice, because I feel like everything I've learned,
I've learned it at the right time, Like the universe
has sent it to me at the right time. So
the last thing I want to do is mess up
the you know, the flow, the quantum space time fabric
(31:50):
of all of that.
Speaker 2 (31:52):
But if I had to, it would just be to
like take a breath.
Speaker 1 (31:55):
Yeah, it's hard to remember.
Speaker 3 (31:58):
Its generic, but like I I was, I still am
like so wound up and like so nervous and anxious
that I think it would help for and so much
of the mentality like no one gets what I'm going through,
no one understood that. I think it would literally just
help to hear myself say it myself from the future
say you should just relax.
Speaker 1 (32:15):
Yeah. Yeah, when I get like that, I've had a
few people in my life tell me just remember like
one thing at a time. Yeah, like one thing out
of time, because I'm like, there's anything and I got
to tackle a little on this and that I'm feeling you're.
Speaker 3 (32:30):
Only going to be able to do one thing at
a time, right for sure.
Speaker 1 (32:32):
And it's like that's helped me definitely ease like anxiety
or stress or anything like that.
Speaker 2 (32:36):
Absolutely. At it's a lot.
Speaker 1 (32:39):
Yeah, oh my god. Okay, So I wrap up every conversation,
yes with a question based on the title of the show. Okay,
And as you know, I do a lot of red
carpets and junkets and all of that. And it's so
quick with people, right, It's like, I know, you don't
get enough minutes.
Speaker 3 (32:55):
And they're so as they're being dragged around like you never.
Speaker 1 (32:58):
Get a second like happening, Yeah, I love tapping or
like wrap up, like there's just a lot going on.
And I left a lot of those carpets being like, God,
I feel like the artists wanted to say something more
and I wanted to say something more right, and I
just wanted to create a show in a space where
people could come on and say something that means something
to them. So I end every interview with the question
(33:20):
of what is one thing you've never said before? And
that just means like, what is something that means something
to you that you want to say today?
Speaker 3 (33:28):
Oh wow, I did get I was told that you
were going to ask this, and I was like, I
don't know the framework, Like is it supposed to be
witty or is it supposed to be like heartfelt? This
is hard for me, and perhaps I've never said this before,
but I wish I said less publicly. You know, I
(33:50):
really respect, like I really understand this feeling of like
wanting to be understood and wanting to wanting everyone to
empathize with me and empathize with where I come from,
like comes from also the same place of why I
love being an actor because I love to put myself
in different people's shoes, and I love to feel what
they're thinking. I love to feel their spirit, and so
(34:13):
my desire always subconsciously is for everyone else to resonate
with me in that way, and you know, doing interviews.
Speaker 2 (34:19):
Since I was like eleven ten.
Speaker 3 (34:21):
I've always just said so much in hopes that like,
people will finally understand me and people will finally see
me see me, And I've realized that it's not always
the case, and that the people who do see me
for who I am exists around me and they're plentiful
and they're enough for me. And so on the note
of I've never said this before, like I wish I've
said less. I wish I wish the public knew less
(34:46):
about me, you know, because I don't think it eased
the scrutiny of anything I've I've faced and I and
I feel like I feel like ten year old, eleven
year old me would appreciate that. But who knows, Maybe
that also comes from a place of like I'm scared
to take up extra space in these environments and talk
a little too loudly or express things a little too animatedly.
(35:09):
But a small part of me always thinks when I,
you know, do interviews and press things of like I
wish I didn't say so much about myself, you know,
because I feel like it gives everyone.
Speaker 2 (35:23):
More things to use against me.
Speaker 3 (35:25):
Almost, But that's like a very you know, intimate peek
into sort of how I feel when I do these things.
But I always walk away like I've always been interviewed
by really great people and like yourself, and I always
walk away feeling very grateful for these conversations.
Speaker 2 (35:39):
But part of me is like, did I say too much?
Speaker 1 (35:43):
Yeah, you know, especially in this day and age with
social media and everybody having an opinion, Right, I get it,
Like I get how I get how that can kind
of be like a for lack of a better phrase
of mind fox, Like you know, it's like, oh my god,
I just I want people to just see me and
not misrepresent me.
Speaker 2 (36:01):
Yeah, exactly right. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (36:03):
Yeah, well that's interesting. I'm glad that you didn't let
that stop you from coming on the podcast.
Speaker 3 (36:07):
No, because I will always do it with people like
I feel like it is. Also, I can also recognize
that it's doing a diservice to myself to not let
myself have really great conversations with like people like you
that I trust, you know, to not misrepresent me or
whatever that is. And it's never been the people who
are speaking to me who misrepresent me, because I feel
(36:27):
like they see me right, like we look into.
Speaker 2 (36:29):
Each other's eyes, like we see each other.
Speaker 3 (36:33):
It's always someone who's in their basement, who doesn't know,
who doesn't warrior, who probably doesn't even watch the show, right,
And so some part of me is always like I
wish they liked me too.
Speaker 2 (36:46):
You know, you can't get them all.
Speaker 1 (36:48):
No, no, you can at least you know that too,
because that's a hard lesson to learn. Yeah, and it
definitely took me years to learn that. But that's the
great thing about growing, you know, older and going through
life is you start caring less and less about that.
You know, you want to be liked and accepted and love,
but you also know who you are, so like, if
that doesn't happen by somebody, it is what it is, right.
(37:11):
Oh my god, you were just the loveliest. Thanks. I'm
so happy I could have you on. I watched, like
I said, I watched the show and I loved it.
I'm like, I need to talk to you now I
have lots to dive into. Everybody can stream it still,
it's all out.
Speaker 3 (37:25):
It's all out on Hulu and Hulu on Disney Plus.
Speaker 1 (37:28):
Yes, and I can't wait for your special announcement.
Speaker 3 (37:31):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (37:31):
I can't wait. We might have to have you back
for it.
Speaker 2 (37:33):
You might have to, Okay, thank you so much, thank you.
Speaker 1 (37:39):
I've Never Said This Before is hosted by Me Tommy Didario.
This podcast is executive produced by Andrew Puglisi 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,
(38:01):
tell your friends. Until next time, I'm Tommy Diderio
Hey, guys, welcome to I've never said this before with me,
Tommy di Dario, I feel like anything Mindy Kaling touches
turns to gold. And that includes her latest series, which
is called Not Suitable for Work, that I absolutely devowored.
I couldn't get enough of it. I watched it in
like one or two sittings. It was so great. And
my guest today is Avantika, who is a standout in
(00:23):
the series. So she plays a character named Abby who
is one of five work obsessed twenty something year old professionals,
a living in New York City balancing the chaos of
her personal and professional life. And there is a lot
of chaos. But what's cool is she plays a character
that I think a lot of us can see a
little piece of ourselves in at some point of our life,
(00:43):
maybe in our early twenties. Now. You may also know
Avantika from her breakout role as Karen in the twenty
twenty four musical adaptation of Me and Girls that was based,
of course, on the Broadway musical, or you may know
her from some other great standout projects that we're going
to get into. So let's dive in and see if
today we can get Avantika to say something that she
(01:04):
has never said before. Avantika, how are you, my friend?
Speaker 2 (01:11):
I'm good, Tommy are you I'm good.
Speaker 1 (01:13):
I'm so happy you're here today too.
Speaker 3 (01:15):
As you told me, this is our first time seeing
each other after two three years.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
Yes, yes, the Mean Girls jun kick God, it feels
like forever ago.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
I know it does, it really does.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
And so much has happened for you since then, right, yeah, Well,
we have a lot to get into today, and I
guess to kick it off speaking of Mean Girls, we
talked during the press process for that. Right then the
movie came out. It was a hit. People loved it,
They loved your character. Was it a big adjustment for
you in terms of how your life changed once that
(01:45):
movie came out? Because I feel like, yes, you did
a lot of great work prior too, but people really
were like, oh my god, like we love this girl,
we know this girl.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
Yeah, it did a lot. I mean it was a
big adjustment, but entirely in a positive way. I don't
any part of it felt too and that won't always
be the constant, and I recognize that, But no part
of it felt too overwhelming because I was just so
excited by all these doors opening, and I was like,
it's so exciting to finally not have to like aggressively
(02:17):
fight to be in these rooms and to be like welcomed,
and to get to talk to directors and go out
for projects that I never would have been able to otherwise.
I was so consumed by the excitement of the adjustment
that it was entirely positive.
Speaker 1 (02:30):
Do you feel like you got the singing itch after that?
Speaker 3 (02:33):
You know I did, But also I'm I did that
movie with Renee rap with how Lee Crabalio, like their legends. Obviously,
I was sort of like, it's like when you think
you're a good singer and you show up to karaoke
and someone completely blows you out of the water, and
you're like, okay, Like it contextualized my space in the
music world. There's definitely time for that. But I yeah,
(02:54):
I loved singing with them, and I remember when we
I don't even know what number it was, but Renee
had just finished up in the studio and she stayed
an extra forty minutes to give me notes and help
me warm up in this in the sound studio, and
so you know, I have a lot of great memories
related to music with that movie, and I definitely would
(03:14):
love to.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
Explore that either Broadway or a movie musical.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
Sometime in the future, or do with Renee. We want
to be mad at We wouldn't be mad, of course,
wouldn't be mad. I think I saw her actually on Broadway.
Speaker 3 (03:26):
Too, what you saw in Girl?
Speaker 2 (03:28):
Yeah, how was that?
Speaker 3 (03:29):
Like?
Speaker 1 (03:30):
Unbelievable?
Speaker 2 (03:30):
I mean she missed.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
She's unbelievable.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
She is unbelievable.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
She's incredible at whatever she does. She just has great
stage presence and she I say, to this day, she's.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
Like one of the hardest working people I know.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
Yeah, it seemed like you guys were all like such
a close group of friends doing that movie. R.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
Yeah, we really are.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
Well then, well, no, first I want to talk about
how you are also a trailblazer, oh thinks and you
are because of the Disney Channel movie. Right, So it
was twenty twenty one and you were the first South
Asian lead Yeah, for the Disney Channel.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (04:02):
Did you feel the weight of that responsibility when you
were doing that knowing that information?
Speaker 3 (04:08):
I I did, But I also had a lot of
faith in the script and the director, and.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
I felt like people were gonna love it if they
watched it. And I still get told.
Speaker 3 (04:21):
All the time by like parents where they're like, my
kid loved this movie. My kid loved you in Spin,
I get if I ever get stopped in the airport,
usually it's by like a mom who's like, my kids
loved Spin.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Can I get a picture? I would love to show
my daughter?
Speaker 3 (04:34):
And so those were one of the movies where I
read the script and I was like, I just don't
see kids not liking this, and I feel like people
will really fall in love with like children will really
fall in love with this movie, and so.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
I feel like kids, I don't know.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
I just don't feel intimidated by that demographic. And I
wasn't very nervous going into it, which was a good thing,
but I generally on a grand scale, I'm not super
nervous ever, because I'm sort of like, well, anybody even
watch this?
Speaker 2 (05:03):
Like is anybody ever going to watch it?
Speaker 3 (05:05):
And then it starts to come out and I'm like,
oh oh, I'm like okay, I'm like people have like
people are putting money into marketing, people are seeing this,
and so I try not to think about millions if
people are going to watch this and there's all this
pressure on me. I just feel like if I constantly
thought about that, it would be really exhausting.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
Yeah. No, one hundred percent. You're kind of like, I'm
gonna focus on the job and whatever happens happens. Yeah.
Well that's healthy too, especially when you are someone who
has become like a beacon of you know, hope and
inspiration for so many people. I think that's really cool
when artists can be that, and when you do have
people looking up to you, it's it's a cool thing.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
Yeah, well, I love you and not suitable for work.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
Love love, love love than you were watching. I'm so
glad you're watching.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
Oh my god, well I finished it, like obsessed with it.
So you play a stylist, right, Her name is Abby.
She's a go getter for sure, like an overachiever, wants
this job and things to work out so so much.
Like she's like gripping at this job, right, as.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
Are most artists in New York.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
Yeah, so I was going to say, can you relate to.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
That styling, especially though I think is an industry where
people and seniors really expect you to like slave away
and put your put your do your hours do your
ten thousand hours. And I think that's tough because I
think there's a lot of young, talented people and you know,
hair makeup, styling in these industries that are sort of,
(06:30):
you know, having to take a backseat because there's this
seniority in the industry that I don't think I've experienced,
acting wise, right, because there's always going to be.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Roles for young people for old people.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
So I've never felt that, but I've seen a lot
of my like my friends in the industry, in the
glam industry, as we would put it, in the styling industry,
face that, and so it was really interesting to kind
of live that in the show.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
And she had a pretty tough boss for sure.
Speaker 3 (06:59):
I mean, and most successful stylists are they run they
run their shit like the navy. Yeah, they do, because
it's such it's a very demanding job and there's so
much you have to coordinate, and you know, talent can
be very picky, clients can be picky, they can have
you know, things change on a whim, and so I
get it. They're they're tough, but as they should be.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
Have you ever had to experience a difficult boss?
Speaker 3 (07:24):
Of course, of course, Yeah, who has it, you know,
who has it. And I'm grateful I didn't experience it
in a world like detail or something like that, because
I think I actually would have just not been able
to tolerate or deal with it. But I think movie sets, especially,
they directors really set the tone. And I've worked with
(07:46):
my fair share of directors who have you know, had
a tough time with the crew and it's affected morale
and and you've had.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
To work past that.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
But the good thing about a movie set is there
is sort of a very big team spirit that I
would have assume you wouldn't have in a job like
retail or even a job like styling, because you know,
the assistant team is very limited. So I'm grateful that
if there ever has been a bad boss, I've always
had like hundreds of people to kind of be united
(08:14):
with on the opinion.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
You know, I've never been alone on that take.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
Yeah, we've all gone through that in some degree. And
a Mindy Kaling show is like the golden ticket. I
feel like in showbiz the book right, everybody wants to
be on a project of hers. She has such incredible
success on what she's put out. Did you think you
were going to book this.
Speaker 3 (08:34):
No, No, I didn't think I was going to book it. Well,
the role wasn't originally written for me. It was just
so the role wasn't originally a stylist, and she wasn't
originally Indian, and so she was I don't even remember
what the original part was. But I asked to audition
because I was like, look, it's an ensemble comedy about
(08:56):
a bunch of young people in New York. It's essentially
my life, and I feel like you, if you liked
me enough, you would make space for me in this,
in this group, cast in this ensemble, And I really
asked casting to let me at least just audition for it,
and they did.
Speaker 2 (09:11):
But it's very rare that, like.
Speaker 3 (09:12):
If you don't fit a writer a director's vision, that
they're sort of willing to go out of their way
to carve out room for you. But you know, I
guess they liked my audition a lot, and so they
sort of rewrote one of the parts to fit me
a little better. And even when I still, even when
I booked, even when I booked it, I was actively
at lunch with one of my friends and was like,
(09:34):
this isn't gonna happen for me, Like.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
It was a great it was a great thought.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
I had a lot of fun doing the chemistry. But
I don't feel too strongly like they're going to compromise
the integrity of this ensemble that they've crafted carefully in
their writer's room for the sake of me, you know,
but I'm.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
Very grateful they did.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
Yeah, and clearly you there was something inside of you
that said, I'm going to advocate for myself.
Speaker 3 (09:57):
I always asked to be put in an audition room,
even if I'm not right for the role, even if
it's for like book adaptations or anything, because I just
you know, sometimes you kind of have to serve the
vision to the casting directors more importantly, to the studio
exact smunt of platter. You kind of have to show
them that like you're capable.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
Yeah, And what great advice for any kind of aspiring
artist or actor out there who thinks, like, oh, things
aren't being written for me or I don't fit any descriptions.
You're like, screw that, Like, go go do it?
Speaker 2 (10:27):
Any I always ask closed mouths don't get fed.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
Yeah, Yeah, that's so where did you get that from?
Like that mentality? Was that just ingrained in you at
an early age, or is it fighting in this business
to be seen.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
I think it's both, But I also think my parents
were very much so of that mentality. I think a
lot of immigrant parents generally are. I think, coming to
a country where there aren't community spaces or roles already
set out for you or places where you feel like
you belong, you kind of have to get scrappy and
resourceful and learn to ask for what you want and need.
(11:00):
And my parents were very anti feeling embarrassed ever since
I was a young kid, Like every time I went
to an event or like a local neighborhood party and
I was like, I don't want to ask to talk
to people. I want people to come up to me.
They were like, there's nothing embarrassing about going and asking, right.
And I've always had a big fear of not being liked,
(11:23):
And my mom used to always say, like, you don't
like everyone, so not everyone is going to like you,
and it's unfair to hold the entire world to this expectation.
And she was very pro kind of walking into rooms
even if you don't feel like you belong, and just
at least asking, oh my god, yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
What a great way to live and grow up.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 1 (11:42):
And do you feel like you've now adapted that, like
you really live your life like that.
Speaker 3 (11:46):
Maybe not entirely, but at least when my jobs dependent
on I'm like, I will put my dignity side and
go and ask.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:55):
It's so hard.
Speaker 3 (11:56):
It's like a lot easier said than done. Yeah, And
in an indus where you're like constantly scrutinized for your
personality and things that you say and the things that
you do, I think it's a very conscious decision you
have to make constantly to be like I'm okay taking
up space here even if I don't necessarily belong.
Speaker 1 (12:14):
Yeah. Yeah, I'm sure. Mindy was like, who is this
girl fighting for this role coming on in here? Demanding
that we take a look at her, right, Like, Yeah,
did you ever have a conversation with her about that,
Like I thought for this.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
Role, Mindy, I honestly now that you're saying that I
never did, and I should have and I should have
she knows. She knows, because I mean she's sort of
like setting the tone for the characters and whatnot, so
I'm sure she knows that, Like we changed the role
for this girl, But I've never actually asked for her
thoughts on it. But I met her first when I
(12:48):
was sixteen seventeen, and this was the first interaction I
had had with her in years probably the show.
Speaker 1 (12:56):
Yeah, what a pinch me moment.
Speaker 3 (12:57):
Yeah, absolutely, that's so cool.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
It was so cool. I love that your character Abby
had to do things throughout the show that really she
didn't need to be doing, like write a cat eulogy, yes,
and all sorts of things that are not that were
not in her job description. Right. Were you the type
of person that coming up as an actress you were like,
I'll do whatever you need me to do just to
like be seen or be taken seriously or whatever. I like.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
Absolutely, And I think most actors will say that that
we've all fed a bit on our resume and said
that we're pro figure skaters and speak five languages. Because
so much of the arts is the extra credit work,
you know, like it's earning brownie points with people and
with higher ups that you can sort of go out
of your way to go above and beyond and do
(13:46):
extra things just so that they can give you a
chance to dive into your craft or dive into your art.
So It's not a foreign thing to me, and.
Speaker 2 (13:54):
I don't think it's exclusive to even just actors. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:57):
Yeah, Well, when you want something bad enough, you're going
to figure out to get there. Absolutely, yeah, And I
love well, I don't love. But the moment that I
got fired was like heartbreaking because I damn, we've been there,
like so many of us have been there, I know,
and it's like, oh my god, you were trying so hard.
Speaker 3 (14:12):
I know. It's also it's not malicious, right, Like she
didn't she didn't set out to poach another client. And
it really gives you perspective that a lot of I'm sure,
even like these sensationalized headlines about actors leaving these sets
or people leaving these jobs, like they're really they're really
one sided. And I think that that episode gives like
(14:35):
an interesting sort of perspective into somebody who really tried
not to who really tried not to poach another client,
but felt like her you know, arms were being twisted,
and that she kind of needed to do this if
she wanted better for herself. And I think it's really
cool that we get to empathize.
Speaker 2 (14:55):
With someone like that.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
Could you bring anything from your life to that moment, like,
have you had a heartbreaking moment in your career that
you were like, oh my god, I remember being that girl.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
Yeah. Absolutely. I think it's really hard. Within the industry.
Speaker 3 (15:11):
The audition process is so rigorous for so many movies
and TV shows, and oftentimes for really big projects, it's
like six rounds of auditioning, or it's like seven rounds
of auditioning, and you make it to the final part
and you're about to screen test for something and you're
one of two people. I think being told that you
didn't get the job when you're so far in and
(15:33):
it's just been enough time that you've entertained every fantasy
about what your life is going to look like if
you book this job is really really tough. But I
just recently worked with someone who's like, I'm such a big,
big admirer of and she was like a VANTAKA. Like
what I learned and what most actresses learn after enough
years in the industry is that if your number two
(15:54):
or number three enough times.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
Like your sort of.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
Success and your soaring is inevitable. And I think that
helps for a lot of people because there's so many
talented people in this industry that are this close to
making it, and they've been this close so for so
long and for so many times, and they're constantly grappling
with should we leave?
Speaker 2 (16:18):
Is it finally time to call it?
Speaker 3 (16:19):
And I think it's nice to know that even the
biggest of stars have sort of been in that position
too and have just stuck it out for long enough.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
Yeah. Yeah, And it's not always talked about. So it's
cool when somebody at that level actually can put ego
aside and pride aside, like no, no, this happened to.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
Me and be like this is who I lost it to.
Speaker 1 (16:39):
Yeah, So how do you pick yourself up when you're
heartbroken over being one of two people to get that
life changing role? Like? How do you move on from that?
How have you been able to be like? Okay, I'll
be okay.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
My parents have always said that I've been very good
at it because I also feel like my life is
very full outside of my job. I love my job,
and my job is in a lot of ways my life,
and I've been doing it for so long that I
feel like every time every conversation I have somehow loops
back into work. But I have a lot of friends
(17:15):
that I really love and I have things that I
like to do outside of work, too, And I think
in this industry, especially in film, there's so much focus
put on output and put on like how many movies
are you in a year? How many shows are you
in a year? How many episodes are you doing? That
there's not enough emphasis. And I recognize that it's a
privilege and a luxury to be able to have time
(17:37):
and resources and money to pour back into yourself and
pour back into classes and learning. But it's really important,
and it's the emphasis isn't placed enough in this industry
or in any industry, right. I think that is the
nature of hustling and capitalism, and so much emphasis is
placed on productivity and output, and so it's really good
for me to remind myself when I lose a job
(18:00):
or lose a role that like, this isn't this role
wasn't the only way for me to be able to
be an actor, right, Like I can go back to class,
I can take a screenwriting class, I can take a
film class, I can go to scene study. Like there
are other outlets, even though they might be less dignified,
for me to be an actor. And reminding myself of
(18:20):
that constantly has been very helpful.
Speaker 1 (18:30):
God, that's so important because, like you said, it's applicable
to so many industries. Yeah, and it's it's easy to
get wrapped up in it, and it's easy to make
decisions and choices based on how will people perceive me
or not pursue me if I do or don't do this? Right,
And to stick to like what you know is true
for you and to keep yourself grounded by having a
(18:51):
full life is so important.
Speaker 3 (18:53):
Yeah, And like you're still an artist even if no
one else is watching you be when you know.
Speaker 2 (18:58):
It.
Speaker 3 (18:59):
Being in this you feel like everything you do has
to have an audience in order to be validated and legitimized,
and that's just not true.
Speaker 2 (19:07):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
And you're sticking to who you are, which I think
is also a part of your success. And while you're
so accomplished very early in your life, right, because that's
hard to do, and you seem to be someone who
you know who you are and we're all works in
progress and we're all growing and changing, right, So, but
you do seem to have a good sense of self
and I think that will only continue to serve you.
I mean, why wouldn't it, Because you're sticking to like
(19:29):
your core values and.
Speaker 2 (19:31):
Morals, let's hope.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
So yeah, And if you don't, I'm going to find
you in ten years and be like, girl, remember, get
it together, right, right right? Get it together. That's funny,
but I will please.
Speaker 3 (19:45):
That's important people, be like bringing you back down is
for all of us, right, for all.
Speaker 1 (19:51):
Of us you. I always say when I see someone
as surrounded by only yes people, not not my vibe,
not my vibe, like, tell me I'm being an asshole,
or tell me like right like beyond.
Speaker 3 (20:02):
Liss is nodding behind the chair because she knows I like,
refuse to surround myself with just yes men. I think
it's really you feel itchy. You're like, damn, no one
had anything to say about what I've been doing this
entire week. No one had anything to offer. I feel like,
oh my god, someone tell me what I'm doing wrong.
Speaker 1 (20:22):
Yeah, well, good on you for knowing that. I think
that's a really cool thing. Back to the show for
a minute. Yes, I love the little can we call
it relationship brewing between Abby? Tell and right like, there's
something there? Do you want them to be endgame?
Speaker 2 (20:40):
I just feel like I can't.
Speaker 3 (20:43):
I just want to see Abby explore a little more
before I decide from like as a viewer, if I'm like,
that's endgame, you know.
Speaker 2 (20:51):
I feel like this season we.
Speaker 3 (20:52):
Got to see her really as like a career woman,
and I'm hoping next season we kind of get to
see a little bit more into her mantic tastes because like,
I just don't even what what does how you like
to do?
Speaker 2 (21:04):
When she goes out on dates? Like what's her favorite
date like? And is that Cal's favorite date to do?
Speaker 3 (21:09):
Too? Like what they she doesn't We haven't even had
a exposure into her tastes in that way that I
feel like it's a little preemptive to be like their endgame.
But I also feel like when you know, you know,
and sometimes there is just like a glimmer between two
people that are like they just you know, they just
(21:29):
have to be together.
Speaker 1 (21:30):
So I don't know, Okay, so we'll see, we'll see. Wait,
the glimmer into the glimpse into her taste. I will say,
is the pink Christmas tree we saw yes in her apartment? Yes? Wow,
you know not my Yeah, it's very.
Speaker 2 (21:47):
Specific, it's very specific. What's your what's your taste? How
does your Christmas tree look.
Speaker 3 (21:52):
Like like Ralph florade and Christmas.
Speaker 1 (21:55):
It's like, am I giving vibes?
Speaker 3 (21:57):
Like I just wouldn't be surprised if I walked into
your home and saw like a full, massive, like Christmas
tree with white ornaments and like a beautiful golden angel
up top.
Speaker 1 (22:06):
And I mean you pretty much to describe it. Yeah,
it's like a very like white and cream thing, you know,
little like bottlebrush animals on it, you know. But I
will say I was always a classical This is so
not relevant, but I was always a classical white Christmas
light kind of guy. But now I have one of
those trees. That's amazing that you can switch between white
lights and color lights and a combination of both. Wow,
(22:30):
you can like fit the mood. Because my husband loves
the colored Christmas lights. He calls them the Harry Potter lights.
So like we have a compromise.
Speaker 3 (22:36):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (22:37):
I like the ra and like chic vibe.
Speaker 3 (22:41):
The colorful ones just remind me of like when you're
like Suburbia, driving by Suburbian you see somebody's Christmas tree,
peek out of the window and it's like a bunch
of different colors, Like it just reminds me of that.
Speaker 2 (22:53):
But g I barely set up a Christmas tree at
my home.
Speaker 3 (22:55):
I don't know why I have this many.
Speaker 1 (22:58):
Because you're probably always on a set, right, So fair,
when are we getting more about season two? Do we
know a neat things?
Speaker 3 (23:06):
I just like I want, like I want the greenlight
just as quickly as the rest of the fans do.
And what I will say is like every view counts,
and like it's such an oversaturated market that it always
helps to have.
Speaker 2 (23:22):
People watch and spread the news.
Speaker 3 (23:24):
And I think the goal with the show is that
you watch it with your friends. So I really hope
that people can, you know, tell their neighbors and tell
their friends and tell their colleagues at work to be
watching this show. And the amazing thing is it's now
all out so you can just binge it. And my
guilty pleasure for the show is to binge it. I
(23:46):
think it's best binged.
Speaker 1 (23:47):
So I'll see, we'll say fingers crossed. There's so much
more story to tell.
Speaker 2 (23:52):
Right, so much more. We've just gotten to know these people. Yeah,
you know, it's been only nine episodes. We've just gotten
to know these people.
Speaker 3 (23:59):
So like, I really, I really hope that we get
a season two and are really able to dive into
these characters more because we all love them so so much.
Speaker 1 (24:07):
Putting good vibes out for you.
Speaker 2 (24:09):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (24:09):
I know that Mindy is someone that is very inspiring
to you. Yeah, right, and you got to work with
her on this. Of course, you are someone who loves
rom comms. Yes, your dream is to star in a ram. Yes,
I would love to write a com Yes, But you've
never asked Mindy for advice.
Speaker 3 (24:27):
No, I'm just a little intimidated. I feel like so
much about getting the right advice is also asking the
right question, and someone.
Speaker 2 (24:39):
Like crying, our time is very precious.
Speaker 3 (24:41):
It's not that I don't feel comfortable just asking, but
I also, you know, being me and kind of working
through my own things, I am always just like I
want to make sure I'm asking you in the easiest
way for you to formulate a good, good piece of advice.
It doesn't feel like generic or unrelated, but that feels
like it could help me too, And I honestly I
haven't quite landed on that. You know, I don't know
(25:04):
what to ask Mindy specifically, because I feel like her
breadth of knowledge is so so wide and her years
in the industry have been so long, but that is
my dream one day. And I'm sure my call to
Mindy being like, hey girl, I need some help over
here is very eminent.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
I'm sure.
Speaker 1 (25:23):
Okay, I love that, and I think that's really cool.
It is hard to ask someone that you admire and
that you're kind of in a professional environment with two
because you never want it to be taken the wrong way,
right exactly, And I did that. I wrote a rom com.
Speaker 2 (25:35):
Oh my goodness, I did.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
And then there's actually a part you'd be amazing for it.
There is, there is, and I'm in the process of,
you know, starting to kind of and how I brung
it out and interesting, very just like them this right,
but interesting. And I asked someone who I actually interviewed once,
who I so admire and respect, to read it and
it was very ballsy and they did. And it's Greg Borlancey,
(25:58):
who's an amazing, amazing visionary.
Speaker 3 (26:00):
It's amazing.
Speaker 1 (26:01):
He's kind of like been mentoring me and gave me
feedback and changes.
Speaker 2 (26:06):
Yeah, like that's amazing.
Speaker 1 (26:08):
The point is, like I was, like, I do I ask.
I don't wanted him to think I'm you know, using
him articulately right and was so gracious, so kind and
like totally made my script ten times better with his advice,
right to the point where I am now taking it out.
So yeah, I think it's it's a funny thing when
you want to ask someone a question who you're so inspired,
(26:28):
But that made me.
Speaker 3 (26:28):
Feel better, Like maybe I might just go and ask.
Speaker 2 (26:31):
M I just go work up the courage to you
should give her my treatment, like don't do what you think?
Speaker 1 (26:36):
Why rom com? Have you always loved rom coms?
Speaker 3 (26:38):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (26:38):
I just love I love love.
Speaker 3 (26:40):
I've always loved love. I also grew up on Bollywood,
and most of Bollywood is some version of like a
musical rom com. And some of my dad's favorite movies
were like you know, when Harry met Sally and Jerry Maguire,
and so I kind of grew up That's what I
fell in love with movies for.
Speaker 2 (27:00):
And I don't I don't think we get to see
enough of just.
Speaker 3 (27:03):
You know, women of color as leads in romance films,
and I think everyone deserves deserves love. And I would
also just be really excited to see the kind of
charm and whimsy and the spirit of like two thousands
rom coms be brought back.
Speaker 1 (27:21):
You know, I feel like it's slowly happening.
Speaker 2 (27:23):
It is, it is happening.
Speaker 1 (27:25):
I just finished Off Campus, yes, and I feel like
that gave me all the vibes of a nineties rom com,
right you saw it specifically because it wasn't toxic. So
much of what's on now is some toxic displays of
love like that has a place and it's entertaining and
yeah whatever. But I kind of like when it's a
little more you know, just happy and it's.
Speaker 3 (27:47):
A little more like, yeah, it's.
Speaker 1 (27:50):
Yeah, there can be drama, but not like awful toxic,
you know, crazy.
Speaker 2 (27:55):
I just when I like watch.
Speaker 3 (27:56):
I don't know when when I watch ten Things I
Hate about You, I'm not watching you know, I'm not
watching these charters the male character being like you know
what I mean, not entirely at least. And I do
think that that sort of the spirit of having all
these male leads and off campus who are all likable
and so all sort of charming and you know, had
their flaws, but we're still like these really lovable men
(28:17):
despite it. I was like, this is fairly refreshing.
Speaker 1 (28:20):
Oh my god, you know, yeah, well, I look forward
to seeing your movie or show out.
Speaker 3 (28:26):
Yeah, there will be an announcement too, Oh really yeah
about something you created?
Speaker 2 (28:31):
Yes?
Speaker 1 (28:32):
Ye really? So when should we look out for that announcement?
Speaker 2 (28:36):
You know, I am not good at answering.
Speaker 3 (28:38):
These kinds of us.
Speaker 1 (28:39):
Okay, don't be looking at pr just like I don't.
Speaker 3 (28:44):
Know, maybe in like a month and a.
Speaker 1 (28:48):
Half, Okay, any teas of what it is? Okay, all right, fine, fine, fine, okay,
month and a half.
Speaker 3 (28:57):
Well, what I am going to say is I think
you'll be really excited about it.
Speaker 2 (29:00):
Okay, what you've told me?
Speaker 1 (29:02):
Okay, great, Okay, I'll be really.
Speaker 2 (29:04):
Excited about who we're doing it with.
Speaker 1 (29:07):
Yeah, amazing. Do you ever have moments where you're like, damn,
I have achieved quite a lot, like so early in
my career. You're what twenty one.
Speaker 2 (29:15):
I'm twenty one, and you've achieved so much? Thank you?
Speaker 1 (29:19):
Like do you let that sink in for you? Or
are you just on the hamster wheel? Like, okay, what's next?
Got to keep going?
Speaker 3 (29:26):
I think I'm kind of on the hamster wheel. Yeah.
I Also, this is so like off a tangent. I
think there's so many young athletes right now that are
doing and accomplishing so much that oftentimes I watch them
and I'm like, God, I'm like.
Speaker 2 (29:40):
I'm kind of a bum.
Speaker 3 (29:42):
I'm like, I see like Aileen Goo and Alyssa Lou
and I'm like, oh my god. I'm like, I don't
know how they're doing all of this and all of
this plus physical exhaustion, and so I just feel like
there's so many young role models for people to look
up to right now that I think it's kind of awesome.
But I also am I feel like I'm at the
(30:02):
bottom of the total bne. I'm like, girl, I just
I say funny things on screen and hope you laugh,
and you know, it's kind of what I've been doing
since I was a kid.
Speaker 1 (30:11):
Well, that's why you're going to have a huge career
because you're so humble in thinking that, but you have
accomplished quite a lot and you are in the presence
of those athletes. I always say being an actor is
like an athlete, because you do have to be good
to your body, your mind, your spirit. You're disciplined, you're
up early. I mean, it's a very structured kind of thing.
I was a competitive gymnast and I did bars and
(30:33):
rings and horse cool and I had in college, I
did acting, and I saw a lot of parallels between
sports and that, So I do think it's a similar world.
I really do.
Speaker 2 (30:44):
That makes me feel better.
Speaker 1 (30:45):
Yes, yeah, don't be calling yourself bottom of the barrel. No,
that doesn't work here. Yeah, I know those athletes are
pretty amazing.
Speaker 2 (30:59):
Yeah, I mean they're I.
Speaker 1 (31:00):
Interviewed Alyssa not too long ago, and I'm like, really,
which she's just like magnificent. I know.
Speaker 3 (31:05):
I just am very flattered we're both from the Bay,
that we're both from the East Bay.
Speaker 1 (31:10):
That's amazing. What would you tell yourself as an actress
starting out in this business that you now know today?
Speaker 2 (31:25):
I think just to be less stressed.
Speaker 3 (31:29):
And to like let less of what people say get
to her. I don't know if I have any like
particularly poignant advice, because I feel like everything I've learned,
I've learned it at the right time, Like the universe
has sent it to me at the right time. So
the last thing I want to do is mess up
the you know, the flow, the quantum space time fabric
(31:50):
of all of that.
Speaker 2 (31:52):
But if I had to, it would just be to
like take a breath.
Speaker 1 (31:55):
Yeah, it's hard to remember.
Speaker 3 (31:58):
Its generic, but like I I was, I still am
like so wound up and like so nervous and anxious
that I think it would help for and so much
of the mentality like no one gets what I'm going through,
no one understood that. I think it would literally just
help to hear myself say it myself from the future
say you should just relax.
Speaker 1 (32:15):
Yeah. Yeah, when I get like that, I've had a
few people in my life tell me just remember like
one thing at a time. Yeah, like one thing out
of time, because I'm like, there's anything and I got
to tackle a little on this and that I'm feeling you're.
Speaker 3 (32:30):
Only going to be able to do one thing at
a time, right for sure.
Speaker 1 (32:32):
And it's like that's helped me definitely ease like anxiety
or stress or anything like that.
Speaker 2 (32:36):
Absolutely. At it's a lot.
Speaker 1 (32:39):
Yeah, oh my god. Okay, So I wrap up every conversation,
yes with a question based on the title of the show. Okay,
And as you know, I do a lot of red
carpets and junkets and all of that. And it's so
quick with people, right, It's like, I know, you don't
get enough minutes.
Speaker 3 (32:55):
And they're so as they're being dragged around like you never.
Speaker 1 (32:58):
Get a second like happening, Yeah, I love tapping or
like wrap up, like there's just a lot going on.
And I left a lot of those carpets being like, God,
I feel like the artists wanted to say something more
and I wanted to say something more right, and I
just wanted to create a show in a space where
people could come on and say something that means something
to them. So I end every interview with the question
(33:20):
of what is one thing you've never said before? And
that just means like, what is something that means something
to you that you want to say today?
Speaker 3 (33:28):
Oh wow, I did get I was told that you
were going to ask this, and I was like, I
don't know the framework, Like is it supposed to be
witty or is it supposed to be like heartfelt? This
is hard for me, and perhaps I've never said this before,
but I wish I said less publicly. You know, I
(33:50):
really respect, like I really understand this feeling of like
wanting to be understood and wanting to wanting everyone to
empathize with me and empathize with where I come from,
like comes from also the same place of why I
love being an actor because I love to put myself
in different people's shoes, and I love to feel what
they're thinking. I love to feel their spirit, and so
(34:13):
my desire always subconsciously is for everyone else to resonate
with me in that way, and you know, doing interviews.
Speaker 2 (34:19):
Since I was like eleven ten.
Speaker 3 (34:21):
I've always just said so much in hopes that like,
people will finally understand me and people will finally see
me see me, And I've realized that it's not always
the case, and that the people who do see me
for who I am exists around me and they're plentiful
and they're enough for me. And so on the note
of I've never said this before, like I wish I've
said less. I wish I wish the public knew less
(34:46):
about me, you know, because I don't think it eased
the scrutiny of anything I've I've faced and I and
I feel like I feel like ten year old, eleven
year old me would appreciate that. But who knows, Maybe
that also comes from a place of like I'm scared
to take up extra space in these environments and talk
a little too loudly or express things a little too animatedly.
(35:09):
But a small part of me always thinks when I,
you know, do interviews and press things of like I
wish I didn't say so much about myself, you know,
because I feel like it gives everyone.
Speaker 2 (35:23):
More things to use against me.
Speaker 3 (35:25):
Almost, But that's like a very you know, intimate peek
into sort of how I feel when I do these things.
But I always walk away like I've always been interviewed
by really great people and like yourself, and I always
walk away feeling very grateful for these conversations.
Speaker 2 (35:39):
But part of me is like, did I say too much?
Speaker 1 (35:43):
Yeah, you know, especially in this day and age with
social media and everybody having an opinion, Right, I get it,
Like I get how I get how that can kind
of be like a for lack of a better phrase
of mind fox, Like you know, it's like, oh my god,
I just I want people to just see me and
not misrepresent me.
Speaker 2 (36:01):
Yeah, exactly right. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (36:03):
Yeah, well that's interesting. I'm glad that you didn't let
that stop you from coming on the podcast.
Speaker 3 (36:07):
No, because I will always do it with people like
I feel like it is. Also, I can also recognize
that it's doing a diservice to myself to not let
myself have really great conversations with like people like you
that I trust, you know, to not misrepresent me or
whatever that is. And it's never been the people who
are speaking to me who misrepresent me, because I feel
(36:27):
like they see me right, like we look into.
Speaker 2 (36:29):
Each other's eyes, like we see each other.
Speaker 3 (36:33):
It's always someone who's in their basement, who doesn't know,
who doesn't warrior, who probably doesn't even watch the show, right,
And so some part of me is always like I
wish they liked me too.
Speaker 2 (36:46):
You know, you can't get them all.
Speaker 1 (36:48):
No, no, you can at least you know that too,
because that's a hard lesson to learn. Yeah, and it
definitely took me years to learn that. But that's the
great thing about growing, you know, older and going through
life is you start caring less and less about that.
You know, you want to be liked and accepted and love,
but you also know who you are, so like, if
that doesn't happen by somebody, it is what it is, right.
(37:11):
Oh my god, you were just the loveliest. Thanks. I'm
so happy I could have you on. I watched, like
I said, I watched the show and I loved it.
I'm like, I need to talk to you now I
have lots to dive into. Everybody can stream it still,
it's all out.
Speaker 3 (37:25):
It's all out on Hulu and Hulu on Disney Plus.
Speaker 1 (37:28):
Yes, and I can't wait for your special announcement.
Speaker 3 (37:31):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (37:31):
I can't wait. We might have to have you back
for it.
Speaker 2 (37:33):
You might have to, Okay, thank you so much, thank you.
Speaker 1 (37:39):
I've Never Said This Before is hosted by Me Tommy Didario.
This podcast is executive produced by Andrew Puglisi 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,
(38:01):
tell your friends. Until next time, I'm Tommy Diderio
Elvis Duran and the Morning Show ON DEMAND News
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