Call Her Daddy - Anna Kendrick: Pitch Perfect, Twilight & Relationships (FBF)

Episode Date: January 23, 2026

Join Alex in the studio for an interview with Anna Kendrick. Anna discusses her iconic Pitch Perfect audition, how she low key forgot she was in Twilight, and how she survived an emotionally abusive and toxic relationship. She opens up about gaslighting, victim blaming, and learning to trust yourself again. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It is your founding father, Alex Cooper with call her. Anna Kendrick, welcome to call her daddy. Hi. I'm so happy we're doing this. Me too. We've never met. Wait, is it tacky? Should I get rid of my phone?

Only, you can put on silent. Yeah, no, I think it's not tacky. Whatever, but no, I'll just get it all of those. Okay, okay, okay. Sorry. Just in case you get, like, an important call. No. Who would be calling you?

No one. No one. No one. That's fine. Are you a big texter? Oh, yeah. I'm always like, if you need to get a hold of me, like, you're, you're going to have to text me. You're not answer.

back, you're going to have to wait like two weeks. You might as well send me a postcard in the mail. I'm so bad on my email. Are you one of those people that has like a thousand plus emails or are you like deleting? I think it was, you know that, okay, so you know that this is not interesting, but you know that period between Christmas and New Year's where you're like, where are we? And like time has no meaning. I was like, I'm going to clean out my email inbox because I did have one of those. Because it was like, well, what else are we doing? Right. Right. And I am one of those people. And I hate that about that I'm one of those people that has like two thousand. I have the same thing.

And if anyone calls me, I immediately don't answer. Well, I'm like, did someone die? This is bad news. This is terrible. I don't like confrontation. No. I don't like communication. People, I don't know.

No, that's not true. Mostly. Yeah, no, yeah, you have to text me. Okay, obviously, like being an actress now, like, obviously director, but like, what is your, like, day off? Like, what are you up to when you're not working? I'm trying to get mint. to grow in my garden.

I'm trying to really, like, be a homemaker. Not a homemaker, that's not what I mean. I mean, I'm trying to, like, do something physical and tangible that I can go, like, wow, and I grew this mint, and now I'm putting it in a cocktail, because that's as close as I'm ever going to get to cooking. And I don't know, there's something about, like,

devoting your entire life to this very weird thing of, like, pretending to be another person, and, you know, like, crying on cue in front of a room full of people you met three days ago and whatever, that you're like, I don't make anything physical. You know what I mean? Like, so I feel like I'm always trying to find, like, I should really take up knitting or something. Like, I just want to, like, make something that I can hold and go, like, I made this. Okay. To give you a little bit more credit, you are making something that, I mean, like, it's not like it's not real, but there is just something like fleeting.

about it or I don't know. Are you having an eccentric crisis right now? Always. Constantly. This whole episode is us just trying to figure out like what is the meaning of being an actor and life. No but I get what you're saying you're like I want something tangible aka mint. It's a little odd that mint is the one thing in your garden.

It goes in a lot of cocktails. Are you making good cocktails? I'm trying. Yeah. Yeah, when I moved I was like I want to be able to like have people over and be able to offer them a refreshment but like I'm never going to gonna cook. That's never gonna happen.

Okay, pretend I come over. What are you making me for a drink? Well, do you have like a specific? I like tequila and vodka, so I'm kind of like, I can go either way. I like a Moscow mule. I like a Margarita. Well, Moscow meals are super, super easy, so we love that. Okay. But there's like a watermelon vodka

cocktail that I like. I also feel like people tend to come over and say that they drink anything but gin, but gin makes great cocktails. Like drinking gin straight is for crazy people. I don't know what that's about. But it makes really great, like, cocktails, especially if you want to serve something up. And also, if you, like, want to commit to doing an egg white foam, it gets, it's really easy. And people are, like, absolutely blown away that you've created something

that has a foam on it. We, an egg white foam. Yeah. The key is doing a dry shake in your shaker with the egg white before you add ice. And then it will really, and then you add all the other ingredients and then at ice and then it will actually like stay foamy and you know just put a little like sprig of lavender or something on top and like people are like oh my god how did you do this me i'm the dumb bitch that's like whoa then that's what i would make me so that so that you find me impressive yeah that's okay that's good to know what is one thing you can't leave the house without um oh god um probably chapstick like i'm one of those people that i have like a i have like a drawer full of chapsticks.

And yeah. Same. Yeah. And I like all the different flavors and the different. Oh yeah. What's your go-to? I really like the Burt's bees. There's like a pomegranate one.

Are you fucking with me? No, you're fucking with me. No, what? No. No, you fucking talk to someone. Are you doing a bit? On my life. On my dad's sold.

No, absolutely. Wait, what is happening? Anna. You are not about to do that to me right now. You don't understand. That's sick. No, you don't get it. I might have it in my fanny pack.

I'm not joking. You brought a fanny pack. You know what? I'm doing a lot right now. Don't make fun of my fanny pack. Hold on. First of all. That's it. Now I feel like you're fucking with me.

No. That's crazy. Okay. I have a bowl. I feel like you just, I feel like you're like the mentalist. Like you're Chris Angel and you're like, you mean this pomegranon. Whichever one you said. You're like road lipstick.

I'm like, boom. Because I also like the sweet violet, but I was like, well, that's not really, I guess that's a tinted lip ball. I don't know. That's something else. So I was like pomegranate too because it gives you that a little bit of a tin. The tiniest. The tiniest. The tiniest, yeah. I? What's happening? We. I'm not kidding. I thought you were doing a bit where you were like fucking with me. Wait, have you like talked. Am I an idiot? Have you like? No. Everyone that like really, really knows me. Like, you know the Arthur meme where he's like got the fifth? Yeah. I always have this in. And anywhere you look like any interview I'm doing, I have it somewhere in my body.

and I have an entire bowl in my house in every single sweatpants. You have a bowl? I have a bowl in my house of all the pomegranate next to my bathroom sink. And I just pick one up every day and I open a new one and I use it until I lose it. And then I go back. I love it. This is weird. This is weird.

I don't like it. Creepy. It's really creepy. But I think the reason I love chapsic so much is because I have this feeling. It's like the ick of myself is if I don't have my lips somewhat moisturized. I feel like that is goes and is like almost contingent with having bad breast. Like I feel like when you see someone with chapped lips, you're like, they must have bad breath. Ooh, yeah.

I don't know. No, I think that, yeah, I haven't thought about it, but like subconsciously, yeah, you're just like there's, I'm just gonna lean away. Okay, so you're a chapsic girl. Yeah. Good to know, so you probably have good breath. Haven't gotten close enough to you today, but we'll see later. What is the most high maintenance thing about you?

Um, probably my hair. Um, I, because I have, I'm like a secret curly. What? I'm like a secret like, like, like, like, like, Carrie Russell's. and Felicity level curly. You have gorgeous hair. Well, you know, it's not really what my hair looks like. Yeah, and I've been like, I haven't like, I've, I've, I started, I was on like a natural,

like, you know, curly hair, um, journey. Like, I let my therapist see me with my, like, real hair. Oh, that's big steps. And like, like, two of my best friends in my house have, like, come over and I'm like, I should let you know that I have let my hair dry naturally. and I'm in a very vulnerable place. Because I just, it was one of those things that I always felt like,

messy. Because I think like, when I really started to be like, oh, I need to like start learning how to like blow out my hair and whatever was when like pin straight hair was it. It was when like tiny butts and super straight hair was the height of female attractiveness. So I just felt like, yeah, I don't know,

almost like the chap lips things where I was just constantly like doing that, you know, just trying to, like, make my hair be, like, flat. And when it would get, like, frizzy if I would go to a concert or whatever, I would just be, like, freaking out about it, like, humiliated. But you're like, I have to leave. I have to leave the concert. And I was thinking about, like, like, all the fucking energy and time that I think we all spend without even thinking about it about, like, okay, well, okay, if I wash my hair at this

time and then how long is I going to take to do my blowout? And if I shave my legs on this day, I'll have stubble for that. well but like and just it's always just running in the background it's exact it's exhausting it's so exhausting and it's so dumb because we notice so much more about ourselves like I bet if you had your curly hair here I'd be like oh I love your curly hair we what did your therapist say to you when did you do like a big reveal like I'm gonna I'm gonna show you now yeah was it on zoom or in person it was on zoom oh um and I think it I think it was like I was still like this is so boring But I was still like self-conscious about it.

So I pulled back like, you know, I did like a half up, half down thing. And so she was sort of like, oh, where are you going? Like that it was, you know, that it was like, it just looked different because I usually just like wear it in like a bun and a headband. Right. So I think she thought that I was like going somewhere. So I was like, well, that's encouraging. She wasn't like, what happened?

But yeah, I'm still like, I'm still on a journey. Well, you know what? We're going to support you on that journey. Your hair looks amazing today, but I bet it would also look amazing if it was curly. Okay. Anyways, you've been making movies for two decades. What do you think you would be doing if you hadn't pursued acting?

Oh, God. God help me. I don't know what. I really don't. I mean, I feel like, obviously I didn't get into show business because I hate attention. So there's that piece. Like, when people ask me that question, I feel like I'll usually just say,

like, oh, I'd have a bakery or something. But like, I don't know. I would be so screwed. Like, I actually remember when I was 17, 18, whenever I, whenever I, like, moved to L.A., I was really, really jealous of all my friends that were going to college. Number one, because I felt really insecure about not going to college. I have a whole, you know, complex about it. but I was also, you know, on the phone, like hearing about this exciting new chapter that was sort of laid out for them and, you know, going to classes and joining a sorority and, you know, having this like immediate community.

And I was in L.A. I was like 17 or 18. It's really hard to make friends in L.A. because of like the way the city is laid out. but especially when you don't have a fake ID. And even if I did, I looked about 12, so that wasn't going to work anyway. And I was just like absolutely terrified and really wondering if I was like making a huge mistake. And then the weirdest thing was that when everybody entered their sophomore year, I was, I was still like just, you know, trying to get in the door and all that. But I then noticed that when I would get on the phone with friends of mine who were in college, they were suddenly all of them, sophomore year, having a total crisis. Because freshman year was like, this is so exciting and there's this new chapter.

And like my whole life is ahead of me. And I'm making these friends. And in sophomore year, it felt like, okay, I'm back with the same people and that's great. And I'm picking my classes for this year and that's great. but what do I want to do with my life? Like there's no longer just the excitement of like, oh my God, frat parties and, you know, the college experience. It's like, oh, I have to figure out what I want. And so even though the thing that I wanted felt like a total pipe dream and like what am I doing?

This is a disaster. It's so hard to carve out a space for yourself in this industry. but on the other side of it, holy shit, I did not think, like, what a blessing to just know what I want. And I was like watching all my friends go, oh my God, I don't know what to what I want, what to do. It's so interesting, like, because I went to college and I remember from a young age, I like knew I wanted to be in Hollywood. Like I knew I wanted to create. I knew I wanted to do something in this industry. But my mom kept just being like, no, you have to do school.

You have to do school and then you can do it later. And I resented that so much for a while. But hearing like the difference, like, again, everyone wants what they don't have of like being in college wishing by sophomore year. I was like, get me the fuck out of here. I know exactly what I want to do. But you being like watching all the kids in college and you being like that was a big insecurity of mine. Like why was it an insecurity though? Because you were like, I don't have an education technically of.

Totally. Totally. So I think my family really values like traditional education. you know, for good reasons, bad reasons, whatever. And so I was like the first person to not go to college. And my dad was a teacher and everything. So it was like very black sheep behavior to not go to college. Were they okay with you not going to college?

Yeah. I mean, I think they knew I was going to do what I wanted to do. But I think there was always that sense of like, well, if things maybe don't work out that first year, It's not too late to just, you know, so I think that was always like something that they had in mind. But I don't think they were thrilled, which is understandable. But yeah, I then like just worried about like, oh my God, I didn't go to college. You know, I don't know. It's like.

I get it. I think it's like in a great way. I do think like the concept of education now is becoming a little bit more lenient where people are like, you don't need to go to college to be X, Y, Z. And it's interesting because you were on the right path, but because of like societal standards of like, if you're smart, you go to college, it probably felt so disorienting when you're watching all these people do like

the natural next step. Really, you just skipped a big step and then you got ahead on your career. But it doesn't mean you can't still feel insecure about it of like in conversation and having to be like, oh, I didn't go to college. Like I get that especially if your family was like, go school, go school and your dad being a teacher. Totally. And I think now that I'm like older, it's less of a thing, but like early 20s, you know, that's like part of the conversation is like,

oh, where'd you go to college? Yes. I didn't. Like, how, oh my God, I have to say I didn't? And by that, at that point, like, you know, like 21, 22, I didn't really have much to show for it yet. You know, like, then some things happened and, you know, it was less of an issue, but you're like, oh, I didn't go to college because I wanted to become an actor.

And it's like, how's that going? Well, you know, I think I got to, someone's, I'm hearing my phone ring. So, yeah. Right. They're like, what are you in? You're like, be back soon. Got to go. I get that.

Talking about your family, though, you were raised in Maine, right? Born and raised in Maine. What were you like as a kid? I think I was really, like, hypervigilant. Like, I was really in everybody's business a little bit. But I think that I was even thinking, like, a couple weeks ago about how I do, one of my many toxic traits is, I do kind of walk around with like a little bit of a, all right, who's trying to fuck me over?

You know? And I was like, I don't know, there's a chance that it's like, oh, oh, you're spelling bedtime. You think I don't know. You think I don't know what's happening here. You know, like just, I don't know, just being real aggressive about like how I wanted things done and like very opinionated. But I don't, I can't really tell if that comes from childhood. or from like working in an industry where I'm sure you've experienced it's like you agree to certain things and then it's like oh and can we also do this thing that would be really humiliating

for you and not like pay you any extra money or check with you in advance and ask you in front of a group of people so if you say no you'll look like a bitch you know so I'm just always like all right who in this room is trying to fuck me over that's so interesting that you're like did that happen when I was young or is it just like something I can't not remember because you started in the industry at what, like, 10 you started really getting into it? Yeah, I started kind of auditioning for things when I was 10, and I booked my first gig when I was 12. So, but I mean, I wasn't auditioning all the time because I lived in Maine,

and so either one of my parents had to drive me to New York City for like a 15-minute audition, and they were like, well, sweetie, we love you, but Jesus. So eventually my brother and I would take a Greyhound bus from Maine to New York. And that's one of the situations where we were in that I auditioned for this show that I ended up getting. And we were in New York and they asked me, are you cool to like stay for a callback tomorrow? And I was always just told like, we'll just say yes. You'll figure it out later. So I was like, absolutely, I will see you tomorrow.

No problem. And my brother and I, like, then are just like, okay, we need to find a hotel in New York City. Anna, what are you 11? I'm 12. He's 13 or 14. And so we found a hotel. And my parents called the hotel and faxed a credit card and told them like,

yes, yes, we'll be along shortly. And they're in Maine. And so I, like, wash my underwear in the sink. And then just, like, put on this. I mean, luckily. there is like a thing where if you get a callback you're it's kind of conventional wisdom that you should wear the same thing. So that didn't seem like I was the gross kid with one pair of clothes. Same underwear. But so then the next day the same thing happened and again it was like, no problem.

I will see you again in the morning and had to do it again. And then they, oh, that's right. they did ask me because I was wearing combat boots and they were like can you because the part was for like a little rich girl. Okay. So they were like, could you like wear something like, you know, we just love to see you in more of a kind of Sunday best outfit. And specifically someone mentioned my shoes. So I was wearing this like ratty cardigan and like ripped jeans and these like combat boots. But I was like, ah, the solution will be to go to. to the nearest payless and find like white church strappy sandals. And so like with like the last

$20 that we had, I like bought this pair of sandals, like dress sandals and wore those with my ratty cardigan and jeans. And, uh, and then like wandered in and I think they were just like, oh for fucks sake. Yeah, fine. Whatever. Great. Um, and then we were on a Greyhound bus home and we had this phone for emergencies and that rang. And it was like, hey, you're. going to be on Broadway. I'm like trying to picture 12 year old me walking around in New York City with my brother who's two years older than me. I'm like how the hell were you not even scared? I think that we just thought it was like such an adventure. And I think we also like wanted to be like cool New York City kids so fucking bad that we were just like yeah, this is so normal.

I can't remember if we were like low key freaking out or not. But we, I know that, I know that, I mean, even when I went there at 17, I did this show at New York City Opera. And I remember, like, riding the subway to work and seeing, like, oh, my God, you know you see those gorgeous girls who were, like, going to American ballet. Yes. And being like, and, like, looking at them and being like, we're really doing it. Oh, my God. I'm in New York and I'm going to work.

And I'm going to work on the subway. And it's, like, not a big deal at all. Which, if you're thinking about it like that, it's a huge fucking deal to you. It's true. I had no chill. But that was the vibe. But that's sweet. Yeah.

Okay. All of this is happening. I know that you were nominated for a Tony Award when you were just 12. So it came from that. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay. What did kids in school think? It's weird.

Again, like, I don't know if you've experienced something like this, but there were several moments where it felt like if I mentioned anything to the kids at school, they, don't get me wrong. Understandably. sort of thought I was like talking about something else. Like, like, in the same way that if someone in my school, in like middle school or high school had been like, oh yeah, I'm going to Olympic trials, I would be like, so there's some kind of like local, like, oh, it's the Olympics. You know what I mean?

I would just be like, no, you're not. Like, because that just doesn't make sense because we're from Maine. Like, what are you talking about? I remember having like a really little. indie film in the Sundance Film Festival when I was 16, 17, and going to Sundance. And I remember one of my close friends, one of my, like, best friends called me and was like, that's so weird. There's something on the news about, I think it was, I could be getting this mixed up, but I think it was like the year that Britney Spears and like Fred Durs went to Sundance together. There's

something, maybe I'm, maybe I'm hallucinating. It was some other story. I don't know. But she called me and she was like, yeah, they're at like the Sundance Film Festival. And isn't that so weird? Because you were just saying that you're doing something called Sundance, but it's like happening at the same time. And I was like, I'm at Sundance. I'm at the Sundance. I'm at the Sundance film. That's why I was so fucking excited about it.

Right. You're like, I'm here with Britney Spears. Yes. And like she was like a close friend. So I think like there's an understandable thing that happens where you're just like, not you. They just didn't get it. They didn't get it. And you didn't talk about it.

over the toply where like people would even have a concept of it? No, no. I mean, even I think there was a hopefully very brief window where it was kind of like a teasing situation. So it was like I knew better than to be like running my mouth about it too much. Because people would make fun of you. Yeah. Isn't that so weird.

Meanwhile, it's like everyone wants to be a movie star. I don't know. I think just drawing any attention to yourself in middle. Like particularly this was like in middle school like right after I did the Broadway show. it's like you just want to disappear. Like I think people talk about high school as being cutthroat. Middle school was so much scarier to me. It was so horrible.

I completely agree. High school is actually like I started to get my shit together. Middle school I was terrified. Yeah. I remember feeling like just like trying to be like a moving pile of laundry. You know, just wearing like the biggest clothes and just trying so fucking hard not to draw any attention to yourself. Yes.

So you obviously start to become so successful. Like was your family? Like, oh, this is normal? You know, I found some success. And then I think this is pretty typical for entertainment stuff that like the money really follows like several years later. There's that period where you're like, okay, I'm like low key a little famous, but I am so fucking broke. it would make you tear up how broke I am. So you're kind of trying to fake it till you make it.

But like I had brought my family to the Oscars and, you know, there was a really interesting moment a few years later when I like bought my first place and I had them at my place and it was like you could feel the energy, particularly for my mom and dad, of like, oh, okay, okay. Okay, okay. And it wasn't a mansion, but it was just like, oh, you're going to be okay. Because they were obviously like very proud. But there's things with like awards and reviews where that's great, but it's still really abstract. And to just see something solid where it was like, okay, our crazy, you know, daughter who didn't go to college, like has managed to buy a home. You know, it was like I could feel not so much like pride, but that they were actually.

like, oh, you made it. We're relieved. Okay. Okay. Okay. Yeah. It all worked out. Like, we don't have to worry about now her, like, going back to college and trying to figure out something else. Completely. She's not going to move in with us and, like, drain us right. Love. Love. Um, you've been in so many great movies. I want to talk to you about a few of them today. We got to start with pitch perfect, obviously.

We got to start with pitch perfect, obviously. What was that audition process like? Well, you know, I think that the most interesting piece or the piece that, you know, the piece has certainly followed me around is when I auditioned, they needed you to just prove that you could sing. And I was like, well, I know how to do this thing. There's a cup and there's this song and I could do that. So it was just because I was like, well, where else am I going to do it?

Because I was like lame enough and dorky enough to have bothered like learning this thing. And so I did it for my audition and they were like, we should put that in the movie. And originally in the script, like Becca, my character's audition song, was I'm a Little Teacup, which I keep meaning to ask the writer K. Cannon, like, was that meant to be like funny? How would that have worked? How was I supposed to play that? I don't know what I was supposed to do.

Would you have gone like chill? Was I supposed to like a Christina Aguilar, a version of I'm a little teacup? Or was it supposed to be like, like, oh, I like resent that I have to do this and, you know, but I sound fine. How do you think you would have done it? I guess like that. I mean, I would have been relying on somebody to tell me what the vibe was supposed to be.

But luckily I didn't have to figure that out. So they were like, well, let's do that for Becca's audition. And I was like, great, making use of a useless skill. And then people, when they saw the movie, like, would ask about it and stuff. And so then the studio was like, we should release this as a single. And I was like, what are you fucking stupid? Marley's this is a single.

That's so embarrassing. I'm so embarrassed for us. So they had me like go into the studio for like 20 minutes, a hit that was made in 20 minutes and just like sing the rest of the song. And I was like in there with a stool and a cup doing the cup in this weird studio. And then they were like, what if we did a music video? And again, I was like, are we, what's going on? This is so, you guys, I'm so embarrassed for you. Like I just was like, there's no way anybody would care about this.

Like, whatever. And so we like make this music video. And then it like, which is, by the way, why am I saying this phrase? Why is this phrase coming out of my mouth? It started climbing the charts. Like, why is this a part of my story and my life? Like, I was just like, what is fucking happening? This is so out of the realm of anything that's supposed to be happening.

And I always thought, like, because I was in the middle of making this, like, indie film. And I'd be getting, like, texts from people going, like, it just, like, got into the top 10 of, like, Billboard's top 100. And I was, like, in the basement of some church, like, shooting this tiny little indie film. Meanwhile, I think it was, like, I think it was, speaking of the times. Miley, Cyrus and McLemore was, like, also in the top 10. And so I always just think like, they must have been like, what the fuck is this shit? Literally what is. Like who is this girl?

What is this? How dare you? I'm out here like busting my ass on Good Morning America, putting on a live performance. And this like freak show, whatever this fucking is is in the top 10. How dare I? What on earth? Anna. I would hate me.

I would hate me. Did you ever learn to be like, damn, that shit's good? They did send me a. platinum record and that was pretty cool. That was pretty ball. You're like I guess it was kind of good. Oh, I guess what I got my platinum record. That's insane that you're like, this is so fucking embarrassing, you guys. And meanwhile, it's like the entire world learned this shit. I remember trying to learn it, Anna. Okay. No, you didn't. Oh, I tried. Of course. I did everyone. Oh, I tried. Shut your face. I couldn't really do it. You shut your face. You fucking invented it. It's so crazy that you brought that to the movie and they were like, yes. Okay, I just realized also while you were talking, which is fun, is I have had on you, Britney Snow, Adam Devine, and I have had on Rebel.

Oh my God. I have almost had like the entire cast on. You're like collecting all the Pokemon. Yeah, yeah. I'm kind of having a good time. How would you describe your guys' friendship on that cast? Honestly, I use this word in the truest sense of like we are a family, like truly in the sense of like we didn't choose each other.

Like we didn't ask to be in each other's lives in this way and we're so bonded and it does feel there's something really, not to be lame, there's something really magic about it because so often like you'll do a big job and they'll be like one or two people maybe that you keep in touch with and they're the people that are like the most similar to you. And we're all really, really different. and after like three movies you're like I think this is like a not getting rid of each other kind of situation I think the entire world is happy it's a not getting rid of each other situation and also I think that I'm I'm very avoidant so like actually like cracking that shell and like being in my life like it takes some persistence it's a big deal so like Britney's always joking that her she's like well your phone is all all white or whatever the you know the blue text Yeah, you get it, you get it.

Yeah, yeah. Because she's, like, always texting me and just being like, I know you're not going to reply, but, you know, I think that I'm kind of, like, certainly the curmudgeon of the group, but it is, like, almost like everybody has a role. Yeah. And, you know, like, you know, Brittany kind of, like, brings the party. And I bring the grumpiness, I guess, I don't know.

But I am, like, it's really interesting, because even the girls that are not like one of the closest girls. Like when they're going through something, I get the call. And it makes me feel so good because I do feel like that's kind of my role in the group is like if you're in jail, like my shoes are on. I'm going to, we're getting you out tonight. I don't know how, but we're going to figure it out. Whereas like if you need help with like party invitations, like I'm going to freeze up and be like, I don't, I don't know. I don't know.

I don't know what to do. I don't know. I have to leave the room right now. Call Brittany. Yeah, call Britney. Please call Britney. It's so fun to know that you and Britney Snow are so close because it, I don't know, it like sets something right in the world. Like I like that you guys are friends. I think it also is nice because obviously as like consumers, we know that sometimes on movie sets, like people don't get along. And there's something oddly satisfying about how amazing those movies are and knowing you guys are so close. Like it's just a fun thing for fans.

It makes me really happy. I saw some of the girls from the movie, the original The Craft, having dinner once. And I was like, you guys are friends in real life. It makes you happy. Oh, my God. It made me so fucking happy. So I would be like, oh, I wouldn't think anyone would like care. We care.

But seeing the craft girls. I was like, this is so beautiful. It means so much to me. So now when people are crying when they see you guys out together, you get it. Totally. Are we getting a fourth one? Oh, I have no idea. I'm always like, I'm always like,

Rebel is kind of like the steam train of the group. Come on Rebel. Like she's always like, I think we should do it. And I'm like, well, then great. We should, I agree. I'm just here for, I'll just be backup, I guess. We need it. I would love that because like we're all so busy.

And I'm so happy that everybody's so like busy and successful and doing so much that actually getting like whatever, you know, the 10 of us in a room is like impossible. So it's usually like maybe six of us at a time, you know, trying to like, have a little reunion. So it does feel like the thing that would actually get us all in a room again is like the movies. So that's my best reason. I will watch. So let us know.

Twilight. Can you believe? Can you believe? I mean, what? Okay. So someone was just asking me about like a while ago I had, you know, done a silly funny tweet where I just said like, holy shit, I just remembered I was in Twilight. And people were like, but you didn't like forget, you didn't forget that you were in Twilight. And the answer is truly, truly yes and no.

Because obviously, obviously, I didn't forget the experience of making the movies. I didn't, you know. But those movies, like especially at the time, took on such a life of their own. And like they were such a kind of like, for better or for worse, like a kind of touchstone. Like such a reference that, you know, everybody would talk about like trying to find the next Twilight or. whatever. And I would find myself in like business conversations talking about, oh yeah, I've heard that there's a book series that just got optioned, you know, that maybe want to try and make it the next twilight. And then I would be like, oh my God. I'm in, oh my God. I'm in the movie. Oh,

my God. Because I was also so on the, just on the outside. I had a front row seat, but was just on the outside of the madness of it. And I was really like lucky to not be dealing with the eye of the storm really you know um i think that like a lot of the folks that were in the movie even in the later movies where they are playing like as long as you were a supernatural character if you had one line you like couldn't leave your hotel room people were crazy and and you know people were criticizing like oh but she has green eyes in the book or whatever and i just didn't have to deal with any of that so so on the it almost feels like I didn't really have to run the gauntlet that some of the other, I mean, most of the other people

did. I just had to like show up and say dumb, funny shit and just be like, what are you guys talking about? Because they're fucking acting weird. Okay. Everybody's really serious. Bye. Like that was the, that was the gig. It was awesome. Jessica. Oh my fucking God, Jessica. Being like, what's so great about Bella? Like, I don't get it. Like, what's going on with Bella? Which is also crazy because when I auditioned for that, I was like, yeah. I think in the book, she's like the blonde, athletic, volleyball captain, popular girl. So I was like, well, great. I'm not getting this job.

And the goal then becomes like, well, I hope I just like making an impression on the casting director and the director so maybe they'll remember me for something else. Right. And so I was like, well, I'm just going to like try to be like weird and funny because I don't know. And then they were like, oh, great. Yeah, let's do that. So there I am with like my headband because like in that humid weather they didn't

what to do with my hair, full circle. They were like, it just keeps getting bigger. So it was always, like, in a headband or pulled back, like, really tight. And, you know, in my, like, ratty little costume, like, you know, five inches shorter than Kristen going, like, I don't even get what the point is. Meanwhile, she's so stunning in real, like, you're like, oh, my God, I'm staring into the eyes of, like, Siberian Husky. She's so, like, I mean, she's gorgeous on screen, but, like, in person.

Have you met her in person? No. There's a quality. Let me tell you. Really. Oh my God. It's breathtaking. And she's obviously very beautiful.

And sometimes you meet certain people and you're like, what? How dare you? Right. Why are you doing this to me? Oh my God. So, you know, the audacity of me to be like, I don't see it. I don't get it. Right.

You're like, right, right, right. Were you ever like, I'm being annoying? Like, or you're like, it's fine. It's my role. Yeah, I guess it was like I'm being annoying, which means like, I'm doing your job. I'm doing what I'm supposed to be. You're doing your job. You're doing your job.

I'm obsessed with you being like, they're trying to put my hair down and I'm like, I don't know what to do. I know. It all comes for a circle circle. Okay, next movie, Alice Darling. This is like obviously a bigger shift and is a, basically is about a woman in emotionally abusive relationship.

When you're taking on a more intense role, like do you hesitate in those moments or do you enjoy those type of moments that are a little bit darker? It was a, oh gosh, that's weird. I'm about to use a phrase that I've been using in reference to directing. But it kind of makes sense because it's a similar thing where it was like pushing myself off of a cliff and not giving myself the time to go, is this a good choice? Because it was like it was really scary and personal and God, I'm just remembering like I didn't tell. I haven't thought about this in a while. I didn't tell anybody in my life, not my, like, well, this was also kind of COVID-y,

so I wasn't talking to that many people. So, again, I'm bringing up my therapist. But I didn't tell my therapist. I didn't tell, like, my closest friends that I was making this movie about emotional abuse because I had just gotten out of a relationship that was extremely similar to the movie. And I didn't want anybody to tell me to not do it. Like, I didn't want to get talked out of it. And I knew that there were good reasons for my friends and certainly my therapist to be like,

is this the best idea for you, like right now? So I just kept telling them it's about like three friends in a cabin and like it's about like their relationships, which in a way it is. Right. But yeah, I like didn't even when after the movie was wrapped, whatever, like they didn't even know that it was about emotional abuse until like the trailer came out. because I just didn't I just didn't want somebody to tell me well I don't know maybe this is the childhood thing of like I don't want you to tell me it's bedtime like I need to do this I'm gonna do this can I ask like how long did that

abusive relationship that you endured last um it was it didn't follow the traditional pattern which is kind of yet another reason why I was finding it really difficult to identify it and name it as abusive okay um because I was like reading all the articles and going Like this doesn't look like some of it looks like how they're describing it, but not completely. And so the relationship was seven years. Okay. But it was like an overnight switch. And that went on for about a year.

So it didn't follow that more traditional. It's like a frog in boiling water thing where it started slow. It came out of absolutely nowhere, but was built on this foundation of I had so much love and trust for that person. So I thought it had to be me. Like I if one of us is crazy, it must be me. So it was very, very difficult to actually go, no, this, I think this is, I think this is him. I think this is his stuff because I turned my life completely upside down trying to fix whatever was wrong with me. And, you know, it didn't help that for a long period of time,

our couples therapist, I think just bought his stuff kind of hookline and sinker. And I've had several sessions with him in, you know, the last several years where he's apologized to me because I think he realized what was going on, like right toward the end. But, yeah, that obviously made everything a lot more complicated.

We always have to remember, like, therapists are human beings too. And a lot of times they don't know. the inner dynamics. And if you are with a very manipulative person, though, that is good in crowds, like, they can mask it pretty easily. And you can be kind of painted to be the person that's, like, insane or you're unreasonable or you're, like, unwilling to make the relationship work. And when you have a licensed person staring at you next to the person that is abusive, because we project so much authority onto them, even though we kind of know intellectually,

well, they're just people. It's like, I just want, and it was also, I just want someone to tell me what's happening. Like I wasn't, I wasn't even thinking like, we're going to go into couples therapy and he's going to, you know, ream you out and it's going to, I was just like, will someone just explain to me what's going on? So, yeah, it was, it was full on, but it was also interesting that like I always felt like I was trying to stay so calm in couples therapy because I was like, fuck, in these sessions, he's so able to kind of stay calm in a way that he does not do when we're outside of therapy.

And then there was a day, again, toward the end where I really kind of like lost my shit. And I did think like, oh my God, like what have I done? Like, what have I done? Like, it's going to be so bad now. Like, what did I do? What do you mean? What do you mean? It's going to be so bad.

Like, if things, when I'm trying so hard to like appease this person, they're so fucking awful. So how bad is it going to get now? that I've like yelled it, you know? And I sent after that session, I, first of all, weirdly, he was fine, which was very weird, very interesting. Because I think he felt like maybe a little bit like calm because he was like, see, you're fucking crazy. So it was weirdly fine.

But I sent the therapist an email being like, I'm so embarrassed. I'm so sorry. Like, I, you know, I need to control myself or whatever. because I had yelled in this session. And he called me, which he hadn't done before, and was like, no, no, I'm so proud of you. And that's when I knew, like, oh, something has shifted, like something's changed. And then, yeah, things ended pretty quickly after that. I mean, I appreciate you sharing this just because I have so many women that listen that are like,

what are the signs? And, like, I appreciate you how you opened the conversation about this. topic about like it literally changed overnight and I was reading all the articles being like, is this me? Well, no, that's not me. You try to justify things. Like, do you mind sharing anything that maybe like my listeners could be like, oh, this, this is happening to me too, that like maybe doesn't present as like, this is abusive and

toxic, but the undertone is so there? God, it's so hard. It's so hard. And I, well, I don't know. Maybe I'll, maybe I'll think of. something but it's this conversation is even like really complicated for me it's like even talking about it I can feel like my my body temperature growing up because I think that sometimes the conversation around like red flags like those are important

conversations that we should be we should be talking about it like thinking about it looking for them sharing with each other and I think that even the most well-meaning conversation sometimes about like red flags is can be a little victim blamey and which is hard because I'm like well also I want to know you know and share red flags um because it does sort of put the onus on you to be able to identify something that by the way someone is working so hard to make sure you can't identify like I really started thinking about it like um like if someone was raised from birth as like a wilderness survivalist and they just dropped you or I mean I don't know maybe you maybe you have this in your background but if they dropped

you or me in the middle of the woods I would step into a booby trap within three feet yes because I don't know what to look for and it's like because I didn't spend my life learning how to build or identify traps like how is it that we're meant to like be inside the mind of someone who is working very hard to make sure that you feel very unsteady and are questioning yourself. So it's really, it's really complicated and it's, it's hard for me because there are even times when I talk about my situation where as I'm saying it, I will go, am I making that up? Am I making everything on? Like, I remember having a conversation with my therapist like a year after that relationship where I was constantly asking her to just diagnose me

with like an egosentonic disorder so that I could just fix it and make sure that like oh this just won't happen again or something and there was a point where she was she was talking about my ex and she started to say something where she was like well you know when you're dealing with a wolf in sheep's clothing and I went, no, no, what if I'm the wolf? Like, what if it was me? Because I think that was the thing that I didn't expect was how totally convinced he was of his own victimhood. Like, I know him well, in spite of feeling like, well, I didn't know him at all. But I know him well enough to know, like, he's not an actor. He's not a performer. He, you know, not a great liar in a lot of ways. So I was like looking at someone who was actually kind of like suffering. And I thought like,

well, if he's being manipulative, I'll know it because, you know, I'll smell the bullshit. Like, I'll smell that this is kind of a performance that he's putting on. But I don't think he was putting on a performance. I think he genuinely believed that I was like torturing him. He told me one day I was terrorizing him because I was just crying because I couldn't pretend that things were fine anymore. And I just started crying and he screamed in my face, you're terrorizing me. But it was truly from the place of a person who believed that they were being terrorized. So I don't, I don't know if that would resonate with people, but it's like, even when I would watch these fucking videos, I would read the articles and watch the videos. And when like, Dr. Romney, who I love, like, you know,

she's doing like an impression of a fight where you know some abusive piece of shit goes Alex you're crazy but that's not how it actually sounds it's like it was like sometimes it was so emotional it was like Anna I'm begging you like you're ruining everything you're making like it was so real for him that it was like am I really am I doing something terrible and I think that you know especially with conversations about like we are always out with your friends. and trying to isolate you, those kind of things. Like, I think they're really convinced that you're doing something terrible to them. So, like, the pain place is real and that can be very, very misleading and convincing.

I just want to say the way that you, everything you just said. Yeah, did any of that makes sense? 100%. It made so much sense, if anything, it's probably one of the best descriptions of it because I really, really appreciate you saying, like, I still am uncovering some of the fucking red flags because I'm still even in my head being like, did that even happen? Am I, is it still some of it on me?

Like, I think that is a great message to just give to everyone listening is like, it is not normal. You should not be like, oh, that's bad behavior. And I recognize that you're being manipulative and gaslighting and blah, blah, blah. Like when you're with someone that you love for so long and it does turn into an abusive situation, it is so hard to see. And that's why ignorant people that, whether they don't have someone that they know or it never happened to them,

are like, why didn't you just leave? It's so. It's so much harder than that. Because even you to this day sitting here being like, I still in my head, I'm like, was that real? Like it's. And even sharing that, I'm like, fuck, should I even say that? Like there's something like that feels, I think incorrectly,

but feels like shameful about how am I not more solid in my, like healing recovery whatever how am i still but it's not that in it it's like you are present in your reality today but when you reflect back on that relationship and that inner dynamic with that person you are still perplexed by how the person sitting here today was in a situation and how that went like that i think is normal like i think that's what people struggle with and that's why i'm appreciative of you talking with me about this because like it is so weird when you're like i am happy and healthy now. So how can I still be affected by that? I think it would be weird to not be affected by someone that manipulated you in a way because it distorts your reality.

Completely. And so like you sitting here like I guess I could ask like how have you learned and I'm sure you're still doing it like to trust yourself again. Yeah, it's hard. I mean yeah, even even having this conversation, you know, like in the, I know we haven't like gotten there. But in the movie that I made, like something small, like, you know, there are all these different women in the film and they all have like very different personalities. And that felt important to me as like yet another kind of small reason why it feels like, hey, there's no, I wish there was, but there is no way to guarantee protection from someone who is determined to harm you. And that sounds grim and I guess it is. But surely like the least we can do when someone has harmed us when we come out of like a devastating situation is take off that top layer of shame where we go, well, I should have known. I should have seen.

I should have been different. I should have been the tough girl. I should have been the sweet girl. I should have done. And it's like none of that will save you. None of that will save you. And again, like I almost hate saying that because it's. so bleak, but I think I have, I did and still sometimes do so much self-shaming around like,

how did I, how did I find myself in that situation? Like, I'm a real asshole. So like, how did I, how did I not do the thing that I would have told you that I would do, which was immediately be like, throw a scarf over my shoulder and be like, have a nice life, dick. And, and like, it's, there's something like so vulnerable and kind of humiliating about the fact that like I just stayed and I kept thinking I'll I'll just try to be I don't know warmer or better or something I mean even when um this was the like our schedule was getting worked out to to come and record this um it was like the next day I went on social media and I saw a video of you talking about an experience you had where you were like why did I yeah not just leave and I was like girl I you were in a fond response yeah and like that's the whole like woman of the hour that's it's like all fawn response it's all just like what do I have to do to survive like you were doing what you had to do to survive thank you for bringing it up because I do now want to talk about the movie that's kind of what

we've been building to is like these themes of every woman listening yes I feel like we're both like pretty strong independent women that we've got like our careers and people could look at us and it's like wow like you guys have got it all figured out and we're both sitting here being like no no no like to this day i've been in weird work situations that i'm like wait like alex cooper the caller daddy person that just like signed her big deal and all this like no there have been still moments in this industry where i am having uncomfortable interactions with people and i'm like wait why didn't i just like yeah why weren't you just assertive right it's like it's not that easy and it's and i and i

I now want to talk about the movie because you're right. There are so many themes in it that are so brilliantly portraying what we as women go through every day. And then it also, women will be like, yep, I've been there. I've been there. And still to this day, like, I don't know if men completely understand what we have to go through and why we fawn instead of scream, kick, and punch in the face. Let's talk about the movie. Woman of the Hour, I, first of all, you were set to, you know, be the lead. Right.

And then you also directed. it. How did this come to be? Yeah, so I actually got the script for Alice Darling and Women of the Hour, like the same like month at least. Like I want to say the same week, but it might have been the same month. And, you know, certain movies just come together quickly and certain movies take forever. So I was attached as an actor for like two years. And, you know, you're just sort of like, well, I love this script. I love this story. You know, let me know. and that happens a lot in the industry. And the other thing that happens is that sometimes,

you know, something will just be kicking around for a long time. And then out of nowhere, it will be like, hey, we raise the money and we have a start date. So let's try to keep this train on the tracks because otherwise it'll probably like disappear again.

Right. And so we were like suddenly starting the search for a director. And I basically, had like 48 hours where it was like this voice going, Anna, you should pitch yourself. And me going, shut up. Absolutely not. Everyone needs to be quiet. We're not doing that. And it was that same feeling of like, oh my God, I'm going to push myself off a cliff. And so I pitched myself to direct the movie. because I felt like I had become slowly kind of obsessed with the script. And there was a little bit of me, like where I would give like ideas, feedback, whatever.

But, you know, it was, there were, you know, producers, cooks in the kitchen, whatever. And I was always a little bit like, well, you know, if it were my movie, I would probably do it like that. But it's not my movie. So whatever. And the idea of taking it and just tweaking it that little bit. was really exciting to me. So I pitched myself and I got the job. And then six weeks later, I was in Canada doing like hard prep for the movie.

And then we, and then we were like making the movie. And it really was like, I'm going to push myself off a cliff. And I guess I will find out on the way down if I packed this parachute correctly. Because like if it had been six months later, I would have panicked and backed out. I would have been like, you guys are right. We should find someone way more experience. It'll be great. But I had also, in the last like five years before that, started to have the experience of looking around a film set and going, huh.

Oh, oh, God, I'm the most experienced person here. Oh, oh, no. I'm the most experienced person here. And I'm an idiot. This is a nightmare. Like, it wasn't like, ooh, hot shit. It was like, oh, no. but you are like oh wow I've been I've been doing this a long time um so yeah it felt like okay

it's kind of a now or never thing um and I was absolutely terrified um but I was trying to kind of just like make it right I'm the super confident leader I should be in charge of things um and again like I don't know about you but like I absolutely overthink things and I can get paralyzed in perfectionism, all that stuff. And then when, like, my back was against the wall or, like, things were really running behind and you don't really have a choice, but to be running on, like, adrenaline and instinct, there were even things in the edit where, you know, you're looking at, like, the stuff in between takes where I would see myself, like, run into the frame and, like, give the actor a note

and like adjust a piece of set deck. And I was like, well, that lady seems like she knows what she's doing. She's like, damn. Okay. Like when I'm in a blind panic and you don't really have a choice, I was like, she seems like she's an authority figure. How about that? I mean, it's an incredible movie and you should be so proud of yourself.

I know you are. But like to know that I didn't realize it was that where you're like, should I pitch myself? Should I pitch myself? Thank God you pitched yourself because it's awesome. Like it really is amazing. Coming from someone that gets so fucking scared from movies like this. Oh, I know.

I know. And I did tell you, I was like, well, if you made it through the first five minutes, it's all, it's like, it gets easier from there. It gets easier. But before, like, for people who haven't watched it yet, the movie is based on an insane true story. Can you give just like a little bit of a bite for them to understand what's going on? Yeah. So it's based on the true story of a serial killer in the 1970s who went on the show The Dating Game. And it moves around through time.

So it's kind of following this like more than a decade long period where he was really operating without consequence because nobody was really looking for him, which is another interesting. And by interesting, I mean enraging aspect of the story. But I play The Bachelorette who's on the dating game. And that some of that footage exists online, but the full epaulet. like all the footage appears to have been kind of like lost to time. So the the screenwriter kind of used that vacuum as this opportunity to, it's almost like a fantasy section of the movie, except the fantasy is, what if a woman stood up for herself? Can you imagine?

But it's like, it's interesting because speaking of like asserting yourself, it's a really fun section of the movie. It's a, you know, it's a, it's a, it's a really tense movie, but like that section is kind of fun. But as the viewer, it's complicated because you know that, okay, she's been shrinking herself and in a fond response and she's like standing up for herself, which is so fun to watch. But we know she's getting herself closer and closer to danger. And it's complicated. Like, there are times where you go, why don't I just assert myself? And it's like, sometimes it's not that's simple. Women will understand those moments where you stroke the ego or you actually are like so fucking nice in situations that you're so uncomfortable in because in your head you're like,

the only way I'm getting out of the situation is to be so appeasing and so nice and work it. And then all of a sudden I know I'll be able to get out at some point. But to a normal person that's never been in that situation or isn't a woman is like, wait, why don't they just like scream and run? And you're like, first of all, if I tried to scream and run, I'm dead, bitch. So fuck you, okay? Like, clearly we're not that dumb. I think that was like something very interesting in the movie. Obviously, I talked to you earlier before we got out here about like that parking lot scene just like struck me because I think every woman, anytime you were in a dark area and you are walking anywhere, your senses go up where you're like, what the fuck is going to happen to me?

What the fuck is going to happen to me? Am I going to die? Am I going to get murdered? how do you think this movie like what do you think it says about how women are preyed upon in society? Yeah, I mean, well, first of all, I just want to say like it's so interesting that you use the word like your senses go up because even the way that like that scene was kind of the first scene that I could like visualize. And I imagined it in kind of mediums and close ups. And then when that thing happens where we've all been there where you're like an interaction is perfectly pleasant. and then 10 seconds later you're like, wait, 10 seconds ago, everything felt fine and now

like something feels very fucking dangerous. It almost is like your entire, like you're hearing, your peripheral vision is just like, okay, where do I see movement, where do I hear movement, how unsafe am I? And so that's when like the camera jumps wide because it's like, oh, that's when you would be aware of like, oh, this parking lot is empty. Like there's not a maintenance man. There's not a passing couple. Like all I can hear is the buzz of the streetlights.

And it really is like in those moments in your own mind, you're like, oh, I can almost hear like the ringing in my own ears because like there's nothing. Fuck, there's nothing. That is so interesting stylistically. Like you having the decision making around the camera angles and how different. Not that like we love men and we love male directors, but I'm just like so curious to know like how a man would have directed that scene where you're directing it like so in the presence of your own body and how you would feel in that moment. And there were times when people were talking about like when we were on set,

people were talking about me as like, oh, I'm so glad a woman's directing this. And there were times where I was like, is it making that much of a difference? I can't really tell. And then there were like, you know, there were a bunch of examples. like this, but there was a, there's a moment where, like, the girl in the New York City apartment, when she kind of realizes, like, oh, something's wrong. I don't know what's wrong, but something's wrong. And she doesn't even drop her smile, and you can just sort of see it in her eyes. And when we were shooting that, one of my producers was like, should we just do another take where it's just

more clear what's happening? And I was like, it will be very clear to women what's happening. Like, I think it will be clear to most men. But I was also like, if, there's like 20% of men who are like, I don't understand what's happening in the scene. Fine. Right. That's okay. That would be fine. I would much rather like actually be like, no, this is how you would handle this. Like you wouldn't let on at all. No. Um, so interesting. So, yeah, it was like, oh, I wasn't really sure how, um, like being a woman director would really show up in the movie. But then, yeah, there were a bunch of things like that where I was like, oh, no, that's not even what the scene's about. Like, what? No, I love it so much. And I, I think, again,

And the themes are so important for people in society to just like grasp on to and understand. And I think this is like a very accurate depiction. Obviously heightened. Like we're not all not like dealing with like a murderer, serial killer. You know, there are so many stories that I hear where I mean, even your story where you're like, why did I, why didn't I just whatever? It's like you did what you had to do. Are you kidding? I know.

Are you kidding? It's just so weird. Daddy Gang, we're talking about the Paris episode, the Paris story. if you haven't listened, go listen. But, like, yes, that story, I remember being so even anxious to tell the story online at first because I was like, oh, God.

Everyone's just going to say, like, well, girl, what were you thinking? Like, why'd you get on a plane? Like, why'd you go? And I'm like, because I thought that he was a normal, nice man. Like, I think that's what we all go into it. Like, unless you are burned so deeply

from a young age, which is horrific and you have those, like, guards up from a young age, you go through life for a while until you hit a point where you are fucked over in a way that, like, will stay with you for the rest of your life. And we wish that wouldn't happen to us. But when it happens, you can't unsee it. But before it happens, you're trusting people.

You're like, I want to trust people. Yeah. I want to have a good time with someone. And like, isn't it interesting that we're so easily induced to go like, well, what were you thinking? Like trusting someone? Thinking other people are good. But then, by the way, if you're like, oh, I'm kind of cagey about.

dating and stuff right now it's like well you got to open yourself up you're like all right me oh oh oh oh this is a setup this is a trap oh I see I see there's no winning got it there's no fucking winning we're speaking of dating as we're wrapping up I promise oh no are you are you dating are you single what's going on are you dating are you single what's going on no no I'm I'm I'm single but it is funny I was like I was thinking the other day I've I've been single for a while and and I was like oh god I'm this is very me I'm very avoidant and I have all these kind of um uh like little traps uh in in my head or like escape hatches or whatever and uh I think like for a long time now I've been like uh nope no prospects meanwhile I'm like you know every time your

phone buzzes it's someone being like oh I know this guy who writes on this great he's on that show that's so great that everybody loves and he like really wants to meet you so just let me know and like I just put it back down and go no prospect for old Anna. Poor Anna. Nobody wants me. Like, it's like such a game that I'm playing with myself where I'm like, oh, I'm not wanting to go there. So I just like don't see what's happening. Like people like, like, I'd love to take you out for a meal and me going like, oh, he wants to be buddies. Like, that's not even a euphemism. That's just like how people ask you on dates.

And it's just amazing the way that I'm like, oh, no one for poor Anna. It's so pathetic. You're just not in the mood. Yeah, basically. Well, and also, like, I made this movie about, like, the most dangerous, violent man. So there might be some bleed over there. No, I think it's, I love when people are like, no, I'm not dating. I think, like, we can normalize that when people are like, you're not seeing anyone. I hate those friends that are like, come on. It's like, first of all, shut up. I'll do it when I want to. But clearly, like, yes, you went through something with someone and you made this movie. And now it's like, you're going to get back out there when you want to get back out there. Is there anything that's like a non-negotiable. for you in a relationship. Oh, well, in spite of my not great experience with couples therapy, I was like, first of all, I'm never getting involved with a man, meaning like, we're not even kissing. We're not even, like, I'm not even, we're not even going to, like, have a real conversation

unless you are in or have been in therapy. And if we're actually like, oh, okay, maybe this is a relationship, we're getting a couple therapist from jump, from jump. And like, by the way, that guarantees nothing. Like even that. But yeah, I love that. A man that's in therapy, I know. It warms my heart.

It's a good time. And it is not a guarantee of anything. You're right. It's not a guarantee, but at least it's like a little bit more like, it's a little bit more in the right direction. Completely. Because a man that's like, I would never fucking go to therapy. I'm like, what's wrong with you? You're the one that has the most fucking trauma.

Totally. Like not a good time. And can I say, I mean, even. Even the kind of going back to the red flag thing that, like, I'm aware that, you know, I love that there is a bit of a community and women wanting to share like, ooh, this turned out to be a red flag. And, like, you know, we should know those things and know that, like, it doesn't necessarily protect us to look out for those things. But I was like, I was thinking about how, you know, a classic one is like any guy that says, like, oh, all my exes are crazy. That's a red flag. I was like, you know, all of these guys have access to the same internet and the same

culture that we do. So I don't think that they're rocking up to first dates and going, oh, all my exes are crazy fucking bitches. They're like, it was a messy situation. It was, you know, and I've been burned. And look, I probably contributed in some ways too, but like, I'm like, as we're learning it, they are too. not to be like oh they're like and I don't even think they're doing it on purpose.

No you're right. It's just happening subconsciously. No like those little fuckers are fully learning off of this episode being like, don't say this do this. No, you're right. You're right. They're taking notes like they're not idiots. I had a guy tell me about an ex where he was doing like it was almost like he was

getting me to collude with him by being like no, she was a great person. But then would tell me things about her that would make me go, that's not okay. That's awful. And he would sort of be like, oh, wow, really? Do you think it was? And then it was all bullshit. It was all full on fabricated crazy. But like it is like, oh, oh, oh, they're learning. They're like velociraptors. My God. Okay. So on a first date, what do you want to be doing on a first day? Are you going to a dinner? Are you doing a coffee? Are you doing a fucking Zoom meeting? Oh my God. What are we doing? What's your ideal first date? I know. I'm like, is there a way to just like have it like at my house in my pajamas? I mean, like you have to look nice and I will be like recording it for the authorities so don't

try anything. But yeah, I am like, what, leave the house? Dinner. Alex, that's disgusting. Why would you say that? You'll do a FaceTime date. But go to a movie? What? Oh my God. Your movie? How iconic. Yes. Kind of iconic. Okay. Last two questions. What is your best thing? What is your best thing? quality that you think you bring to a relationship. Oh, God. Oh, sometimes when I feel like I've seen like memes and stuff online about like the girlfriend that will be like, this isn't what he ordered. You know, how like some men are like, oh, that's, well, this isn't, but that's okay.

And I'll just eat it. Like, I'm very much like the bodyguard. Like I think I'm compensating for how short I am. I'm always like, wait, wait, now hang on a second. which is weird because I'm the person where if the wrong thing comes, I'll just eat it. But when it's somebody else. And it's the same thing with friends where I'm like, where are they? No, no, no, no, no.

Who said that to you? No, no, no, no, no, I just want to talk. No, no, I just want to talk. Like, I really talk crazy to people. It's a lot. But I don't know. I like that. I don't know if you find that.

It's way easier for me when it's somebody else. Of course. And then to stick up for yourself, you're like, oh, no, no, no, no, never, never. But to someone else, I'm like, oh, I got you. you, bitch. I'm coming in full swinging. Like, let's go. No. I'm like, they're already dead. I don't, we don't even have to worry about it. I slept through throat last night. It's fine. That's a good friend to have. This is good to know about you. Brittany's lucky, but you're also lucky with Britney. I am very lucky. Um, last question. What do you think is like the biggest misconception

about you? Oh, God. I don't know. I don't know. I mean, sometimes, okay, sometimes, I don't know if this counts as like a misconception. But, um, sometimes I truly don't realize how dry I'm being. I have like such nervous kid sister energy around um like real like comics. Um, and, uh, so I'll try to like be funny. Like even, even if someone's just funny. Like I'll be like, oh yeah, I have to like keep up. And I'll go so dry that I think sometimes I don't realize it comes off like I'm being dead serious. I saw a video of my, I saw a, I saw a, TikTok of myself once. I was at this party and this guy like, you know, just got me to do like a video with him.

And I was joking that he told me that he'd been like filming me from across the party. It was fine. It was fine, whatever. But I was like, oh, we're doing a bit about how like, oh, you were secretly filming me, motherfucker. Like, so, okay, we're doing, like, I'm like, yeah, we're doing a bit. And then I see the TikTok because it like went viral. And I was like, oh my God, it seems like I'm, it seems like I'm, it seems like I'm ready to kill this man.

Which like, look, mostly am I ready to kill men at any given moment a little? But I was like, I'm being so funny. And then I saw it back and I was like, oh my God. And all the comments were like, wait, is she being serious? And I was like, I don't know. Am I being serious? My God. And it really, I'd never like seen just a video of me doing a bit that wasn't like coming across as a bit.

Right. So I was like, oh my God, how many times? How many times? Because this is like the tone that I snap into when there's like a comedy director or something like where I was like, oh wow, there have got to be so many situations where they're like, I don't know. I thought we were getting along fine. And then she like she like went like dead eyed on me or something. Meanwhile, I'm like I'm being so funny.

It's going great. Okay. Like I'm nailing it. Anna, you're nailing it. And that is the end of the episode. And that concludes today's session, ladies and gentlemen. Anna, thank you so much for coming on CollarDady. This was so fun.

You're amazing. This is the best. Thank you. Thank you so much for everything. Thank you. Thank you.