Not Skinny But Not Fat - Hot & Humble w/ Claire Holt

Episode Date: May 18, 2021

Actress, mom of 2, and angel Claire Holt shares about her family life, how she started acting in Australia, moving to LA, working on Vampire Diaries, her new movie coming out in June, and she navigates social media in heated times! Produced by Dear MediaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The following podcast is a dear media production. I'm Ariel Laurie, host of the Blond Files podcast where every Wednesday I cover all things wellness. After nearly dying from drugs and alcohol six years ago, I've been on a mission to live my best, most fulfilled life, and I'm sharing everything with you. From how to achieve optimal health, well-being, and fulfillment, to the best beauty tips and even cosmetic procedures, I cover it all with raw, candid conversations with experts and inspirational guests. Make sure to subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode. This is Amanda Hirsch from the Not Skinny but Not Fat podcast.

You might know me from Not Skinny Bonatha on Instagram, where I spend my time talking about reality TV, celebrities, everything happening, and pop culture. Every Tuesday, okay? I also talk to some of our favorite cele. and reality TV stars. We talk about what's going on. Tune in every Tuesday and just feel like

you're talking a shit with your best friends in your living room. Okay, you guys, it's been really crazy in the Middle East. So I brought on... I'm just kidding.

I brought on one of my favorite people, now in the world, which I'll go into it, but Claire Halt, actress, mom... That's it.

Stunning. No, that's it. That's it. Those are big things. Thank you. I would say unemployed actress or washed up actress slash mom. But thanks for the credit you gave me. I appreciate it.

Claire, you know, I wanted to tell you this. I don't think I told you this. I think I found you on Instagram. You posted something really funny when the reels were starting. You posted this thing that was like that you didn't get. it because like it started when real started on Instagram people were like doing most of the like pointing to different parts of the text do you know what I'm talking about yes yes yes and you put a thing and you did it funny you were like why are people pointing to things yes and that was

funny and I was like I like her she's so funny hey that's that's yeah I that's that well you're drinking him true and I was like she's so funny and then I really I really fell in love with you virtually because you have a way of being really good looking, seemingly, which I know like you're a normal person you go through things too, but like you have a beautiful family. Knock on wood. I'm Jewish. But you're not annoying. And you're funny. So why? How's that happening? Honestly, that's like the nicest thing anyone's ever said about me. I feel like I. really had to work on my sense of humor when I was in high school because my looks just weren't there. I often got mistaken for a small boy and no one was really into me. So I had to really try and woo people with my personality. And I've always really thought I was very funny. So I appreciate you saying that because not everyone has thought that in my life. But yeah, I mean, I'm the same. What did I find? Someone must have posted you. I don't know who it was.

Your mom. My mom. My mom likes to take credit for discovering you. Her mom. My mom. But yeah. And then I like obviously it's a massive love affair and I'm obsessed with you. It's weird. Like at one point I got a little creeped up because I was like posting too much about how I loved you and I thought I looked like a stalker.

And then you posted other people and I got jealous and then you were like I have to because then it doesn't look weird. But Claire, but you actually are in my heart. I swear. yesterday you were having a rough day because everything that's going on right now in the Middle East and you were wanted to talk about it a little bit and then you were kind of pressure into talking about it but then you did talk about it and I actually felt like like when I was talking you about it like I felt in my heart A like I knew exactly what you were going through because it's so hard to be on Instagram when anything happens in the world and if people you kind

of post you're not as crazy as I am but you are pretty active. like you share about your life like people know your kids exactly so people for some weird reason though still expected you and they expect to everyone with the platform to comment on everything so you were getting a lot of like messages from people that were like why aren't you talking about what's happening in Israel as what though as what so I was doing this photo series like a very lighthearted series what would you like to see you know desperate for validation from people like tell me what you want me to post so you keep following me, that type of stuff. And I kept getting a lot of messages like comment on this issue, like comment on Palestine, comment on Israel, comment on the

conflict, you're heartless, you don't care. And it's so hard to be able to navigate that stuff because obviously I care, but I'm not afraid to say that I'm not educated enough. I don't care to pretend that I'm a genius and I know everything about everything. And I don't want to talk on issues until I know enough about them. So I was really clear that, like, I wanted to take my time. I wanted to understand. It's a very complex issue. It's devastating.

It's divisive. Like, it wasn't something that I could just comment on in minutes or hours or even days probably. And people are really pissed. And it's so hard because, honestly, I'm a people pleaser in general. I know you are too. Like, I don't want people to be pissed off at me that I'm not being supportive and not doing the right thing. but it's such a hard situation to navigate and you were very helpful and like sent me the

sweetest voice notes and like helped coach me through the situation because you know we didn't learn how to deal with this. No one gave us a handbook and said like this is what you do with a big platform. This is how you speak. This is how you navigate situations. There was no like media training or social media training. We just had to figure it out or we have been figuring it out as we go. and it's like, you don't always get it right, but it's freaking hard. I was like, clear, delete it. Like, not a lot of people said, delete it. This was when the day was starting.

And honestly, like, I was, I was starting to say, like, you actually entered into my heart. And I feel like you're such a good person. And I just have a feeling about people. Like, I feel like you're such a good person, like, that you're so pure and that, like, it was so undeserving for anyone to come at you as what? Like, yes, I admitted to. today. Like I was checking Galgadot's

Instagram. She's Israel's biggest export, okay? And she has in the past been very vocal about her being Israeli. She has a thick accent. She's always talking about Israel and as her home. So I was checking her Instagram and then I was like, wait, I'm one of those

people now. I'm like checking to see when she's going to say something. But there is more of a reason for that than like Claire Halt, Australian non-Jewish. I mean, you're married to to a Jew, right? Yeah, but honestly, like, I just, I'm not educated enough to be able to talk on such

complex issues. And I think that's what people have to understand. Like, and even if I do have personal opinions about things, I don't have a responsibility to share that. I don't. Like, my responsibility is being a parent, being a mother, being a wife, being a great family member, you know, trying to do good with my platform. And, and honestly, not spreading false information or not saying things until I,

know what I'm speaking about. And I think it's happened a lot over the last year. Like it started early last year and it's every single global issue. Someone comes and says, speak on it. Why aren't you speaking? Your silence is deafening. And it's really frustrating because obviously I try to be person. I don't want to upset anyone. I don't want to say the wrong thing. I want to be supportive. I care about social issues. But it's tremendous pressure. And it's just not something that I have much experience navigating and so I just finally said like you can't expect this of me I have to take my time I have to be responsible I have to understand and even when I do get to a point where I do truly understand it is not I'm not obligated to share you're not obligated no because I'm I'm gonna get

I'm damned if I do and damn enough if I don't if I support one side then I'm going to get hate and threats from the other if I if I support them vice versa like it's an and if you're in the middle. And if you say you support both sides, then that's not okay, too. I've been reading a lot, a lot today. It's like, everyone who's sick. So that's what I told you too. It's like, if you say something, you're damned if you do, damn if you don't. What's in that cup, Claire? Is that wine? No, it's coffee. Oh, I wish. No, it's coffee. I probably need wine. Yeah. Panicked about offending someone doing the wrong thing. I know. It's very stressful. I mean, people go through media training. Obviously, Bella and Gigi Hadid are very, very vocal.

their dad is, is Palestinian. And it was funny because today Ken, like, I wish I could just comment on that aspect, like, which celebs are speaking out? Like, that's my shit. You know, that's what I would want to. I'm like, oh, Vanessa Hudgens, thanks for your, you know,

that's who I go to for my news, Halsey. Right. Right. But, and Kendall Jenner shared something and it was so funny because I I screenshot and posted it. It was a very, you know, she posted one of Gigi Hadid's post. and 10 minutes later it was gone.

You know Chris Jenner does not stand for that shit. She's like, you, no. It's just really difficult. And honestly, I feel for everyone in this situation, I feel for everyone who is trying to navigate it and trying to do their best and doesn't know the right thing to say or do. And really, it doesn't feel qualified.

Like, I'm not qualified to talk on this. No, it's so wild. In Australia that I feel like I'm really qualified. qualified to talk about. There are things that I've studied pretty extensively. I feel good about talking about, like, you know, telling people to wear a mask during COVID, I felt good about talking about that because I felt comfortable, like, trusting the experts. But this is something so complex. And I'm not going to just jump and say something because people are pushing me to. And it's really hard because then when you say that, you get push back, right?

I just saw somebody post something so true. And I wish I was better with my word. So I would say that. Somebody legit said, this issue is. far more complex than you are able to summarize on Instagram. You know what I mean? Or explain or that's what's so wild because like that's so true. Like people expect you to come on Instagram and, you know, use 15 seconds in your story or whatever or have a frame of some picture and text. But it's like this issue goes back so many years and there are so many layers to it.

People are dying. Like do not come to me from my commentary on it. You like, you're like, I'm an idiot. Why are you coming to me? I don't, what the fuck do I know? I don't read books. I read Twilight was the last book I read, okay? I can't really spell my name some days.

I kid you not. Like, I don't, my babies took my brain away. I'm not qualified. And I'm sorry, and I wish I were. And it would be so lovely if I could be an expert on everything and talk about everything. But I'm just not. And again, if you don't want to share, even if you had a strong opinion, then you don't. And also, I do think that if you expect something, like, it shouldn't be of every single person,

especially if they have no connection to at all. Like, if you were Israeli born and raised, I'd be like, wait, and you have nothing to say. Hence me. When people came to me, I was like, okay. And yeah, it's easier to play it safe and stay quiet and have no one say anything and whatever. But it's complicated. Everyone, be patient with people. And guys, we're sorry, okay?

We don't want to piss you off. none of like we're not trying to do that just give us a break like we're just doing our best one am I supposed someone literally like swears at me and threatens my family and then I'm supposed to just go like flip pancakes for my kid it's hard and you know I try and connect with people so I want to go into my DM sometimes and I want to like write back and thank people for support and like I really do try and and you know appreciate the good messages and but then there's so much hate there as well. It's hard not to see it. So do I just ignore everything and not respond to anyone and not use Instagram as the like beautiful connection tool that it is? Or do I go in there and like play with

fire and step on a landmine because I'm, I'm, it's just, it's awful. You know, it's like I, and I, just such a freaking horrible situation. Like I feel so sad about it. Okay, Claire, I was kidding when I said I brought you on as a correspondent of the. It's very. I don't know. You can tell like This is a thing. Like, I freaking care. I know, I know. I'm telling you, you guys, I'm telling you she's the best person. I share her heart is so big.

And there's something else I wanted to talk about is that you're jealous of my relationship. Oh, you bet. No, because I have an update. I have a Sophie Turner update. Oh. Okay, guys. I love partnering with companies getting sponsored here on the podcast by companies. brands, whatever, that I know and love and already use. And honey is one of them. I was like,

hell yes, I use honey. I want to tell everyone about it. So, you know, when you go to a website, you add stuff to your cart and you pay full price, wouldn't it be so nice if there was like an extension on your thing already that, you know, did a like little like little analytics of everything, every possible deal, coupon, promo code going on on the interweb. that could probably, possibly, most definitely get you a discount on that cart. Oh, it exists. It's called honey. It's a free shopping tool. It scours the internet for promo codes and applies the best one it finds to your cart.

It supports over 30,000 stores online. And it is legit a must have on your browser. Like, I don't get, why not? Why not save? Do you not want to save? You guys, you have to download. honey and get it for free because of me. So you go to honey.com slash not skinny.

That's honey.com slash not skinny. Okay. To get honey for free. It installed in a few seconds. You'll be doing yourself a favor and supporting this podcast. So I don't get what ends up saving my like just just go. Just go to join honey.com slash not skinny. I have a Sophie Turner update, everyone, aside from the fact that Sophie Turner follows me

and she does not follow Claire. More so she unfollowed, meaning she followed, saw the content, wasn't impressed? Yes. So I'm pretty sure she followed me. To be fair, it could have been like a fan account with the same name at some point. Maybe she didn't. She might want to like clarify, come aboard. But I'm a huge fan of her and I just, I'm pretty sure she unfollowed me.

And I don't know why. What have I done wrong to you, Sophie? I mean, you never know. It is kind of hurtful when you get unfollowed by anybody. But the reason I wanted to say something about this is because today she posted, she posted like a story, a series of stories where she's saying that. Because she, what I do like about her is like, if you decide to show your kids, show your kids, if you don't want to show your kids, don't show your kids.

I respect that. I don't like the emojis on faces, the toes, like the backs. like those things I'm lessened to. So Sophie and Joe Jonas don't show their baby at all, Willa. Like we've never seen even like the hair on her head by their Instagrams. Like she doesn't exist, which I respect if that's what they want to do. So she put up a story today and it was so creepy because she was in the dark and she was like, I'm not going to try to do the accent.

But she was basically saying that someone got photos of her kid. She was saying that paparazzi are creepy. They were trying to get photos of her baby. And they did. and then got photos of her baby and she's asking to stop trying to get these photos that these paparazzi

are sickos and blah blah blah so I'm like have to worry about my good friend Sophie you know that's really sad so it is so in my head I'm like okay

this is what went through my head first of all I wanted to go find the picture right that's human nature that's human nature she just said there are pictures I didn't know before there were pictures

but she fucking just said there were pictures I know and you've been a huge fan and you want to know what's going on with the family. I get it. So I wanted to go see. And then I was like, wait, if that's my human nature, that's everyone's human nature.

And she's basically set up a pit for herself because she just is telling people to go search for the photo. Oh. It's so hard, right? I think about that all the time. So I de-empt her. You did? She wrote back to you?

Of course she did. She calls me queen. No, she does. Yeah, she does, Claire. Instagram is such a crazy place because I was literally like, I don't know why I think I'm a social media expert. I'm really, really not.

But I was just like, oh my God. Sophie deleted because people are going to go search for it. Oh, she deleted because you told her. Well, no. She was like,

oh my God, my husband just told me I'm an idiot. Thank you, Queen. I'm just going to put that out there again. I just deleted it like anyway. So like saying don't think of an elephant. Exactly.

Exactly. And then, oh my God, I feel like this is where my friendship with her ended because I wrote back. Yeah, not a smart move. No, you didn't.

I did. Why? Because she said my husband said I was an idiot. So I said, she told you clean and then you wrote back, yeah, not a smart move. Yeah. Do you think it's over?

I think so. I think he's going to unfollow you too. Oh my God. Oh, I have to be honest with my friends. Yeah, no, that's true. But you could have done an emoji after, like a, leh or like a. No, but seriously,

Isn't that scary? Like, she posted that 10 minutes it was up. How many people went and found the picture of the child? But your kids are so freaking cute, Claire. And I usually, like, isn't it weird? Like, I just put up of Noah yesterday. And I really feel like, honestly, I don't deserve that he's cute because I've talked shit about babies before.

I've said, like, that baby's ugly, you know? And my mom always be like, I mean, I don't talk about other babies. Like, knock on what all this shit? And I'm like, what I could objectively say? a baby is ugly or baby is not ugly. So Claire's kids are objectively so cute. I really am obsessed with them, but I also think like I'm that person

that thinks their kids are cute and maybe other people are saying like, ooh. But isn't that so scary that you can't know because you're so in love? Like my college boyfriend was so disgusting and smelled bad. And my roommates would be like, Amanda, he literally is stinking up our entire dorm. And I'd be like, no, he's not.

And he literally was. and I was so in love with them, I didn't smell it. I mean, I'm saying my kids. I do smell them, but I really still love them so much. And I think about that all the time too, right? Like, I'm constantly worried I'm posting them too much. And, like, are they going to hate me when they're 15? And I've, like, blown them up and, like, nonstop posted them.

But I also just had to, like, let go, right? Because it's the same thing with what if you overanalyze everything, you're screwed. Like, I'm going to be in. in a ball in the corner, in the fetal position, in a black room, like banging my head on the frigging wall for the next 10 years if I start doing that. So I have to just go, okay, like, that's my choice. I'm showing my kids. I love them. They're part of my life. I'm sharing my life with people. The majority of people are like very nice and respectful. So I'm going to lean

into it, you know? Yeah. I, there are people that don't and the reasoning is like without their, like, I get Sophie Turner's thing, right, which is like, I don't want paparazzi and like privacy and whatever. That I can respect. I don't less like the like, I don't know. There's something very weird about the whole like they need to consent because then what happens? You sit down when they're six and you're like do consent. And since when do we ask our kids for like consent for anything? I don't get it. There's a new style of parenting where you do like my sister. I fucking hate it. I don't know. Do you parent that way, Claire? I see. I give choices. You give? Yeah, I give choices.

So I'm like, do you want to wash your hands in one minute or three minutes? I don't like, so like he thinks he has control of a situation, but really on the boss. But it just avoids like tantrums nine out of ten times. Is that something you learn? Is that like in the new handbook? Really? I mean, there are like a bunch of parenting experts that I really love and like follow. But I think in general it's like pretty common these days for people to like promote.

that style of parenting and, you know, acknowledge feelings because you don't want to shut down a kid's melt down, but you just don't change the course of action. And if your kid is like, I don't want to sit here, I want to sit there, do you move? Or I want to sit on, I want mom to push me. No, I want dad to push me. No, I want to sit there and move again. I don't flip back and forth. So, like, for example, if he's got a show on his iPad and he's like, Mommy, I want to watch a

different show. I'll be like, no, you've made this choice. This is a show you're watching, right? But in the beginning, I gave him the choice. So I see. I want, like, beans or pasta. I want pasta, and then if he switches back and says beans, I'm like, no, you choose pasta. Okay, I see. And he seems like a pretty good kid. Like, he doesn't seem wild.

He is. I mean, listen, like the last few weeks have been pretty nuts and everything's like meltdown city. But I just think, listen, I'm not a freaking expert, as I said in anything, but I just think consistency is the most important thing. Like, you pick one method and you stick with it and you don't change. And like, then they know what to expect and they feel a sense of security. You guys, before Claire popped out babies, she was, was the character's name Rebecca? Yeah. On vampire diaries. Yep.

Which I was obsessed with. In college, I waited for my roommates to leave so I can. You did? Watch it by myself, like a creep. I had a thing for vampires. Didn't I say Twilight before? I had a thing. I was like very into like vampires.

And I feel like I need to. re-watch it now because I need to like remember. I don't remember anything. It's funny. I was just talking about it last week and with two of the writers and they remember everything about every episode and every name and whatever. I can't tell you anything. Nothing. I never really watched it. Like I watched a couple of episodes, but I always have this weird thing that I'm like so uncomfortable with watching myself on screen and I like, you know, per my personality overanalyze everything. So I'm better off if I just don't watch it. Okay, guys, my mind. mom is so freaking jealous that I am partnered with seed because she is obsessed. And so as my little

sister, they both love researching, you know, health supplements and vitamins and things that are good for your gut. So I was so excited to get it and use it because, listen, at the end of the day, everyone has some sort of stomach situation, whether you don't go to the bathroom or you get stomach aches after you eat certain foods or you blow. We all freaking deal. We all freaking deal with it. And we should be taking a daily probiotic, but not all probiotics survive the trip to your gut. But seeds, daily symbiotic can and does. It's a broad spectrum, two and one probiotic and prebiotic. And it benefits beyond just the gut, okay? Like gastrointestinal function, skin health, heart health, gut immune function, gut barrier integrity, and micronutrient

synthesis of vitamins B-9 and B-12. Most people taking seed see improvements in digestion within 24 to 48 hours, which can include bowel movement, regularity, and ease bloating, which is so freaking important, so freaking stoked to be giving guys 20% off, which I have to text my mom that she can get 20% off by going to seed.com slash not skinny. That's seed s e-ed.com. slash not skinny so seed s eed dot com slash not skinny and you get 20% off your first month of seeds daily symbiotic get on the road to better gut health to more regular bowel movements less

bloating go to seed s eed dot com slash not skinny and use code not skinny to redeem 20% off your first month so seed dot com slash not skinny and use code not Skinny for 20% off. Do you guys want a little boost of caffeine, but you don't want a coffee makes you anxious, but you also want something to eat, but you don't want a big snack. Okay, I'm not saying a freaking songwriter,

but verb just brings that out in me, you guys. So verb, if you don't already know it, it is a 90 calorie, caffeinated little snack equivalent to an espresso, except the caffeine is from green tea extract. So it doesn't give you that and see, jittery feeling that coffee does. They also have delicious flavors, the snack bar, like vanilla latte, double chocolate, which is my favorite flavor. They're also compact and small and so easy to throw in your purse and freaking delicious.

delirious. It's deliciousous, you guys. It's 90 calories. It's gluten-free. It's plant-based. And it has as much caffeine as an espresso without the freaking jitters. I cracked the afternoon slump for you guys. It is verb energy. They have an amazing deal, which like you guys aren't going to believe this, except you are because I'm telling you. So you're going to believe me. They're offering an exclusive deal to my listeners. They'll ship you four of their best-selling flavors for free. You just pay $9.5. cents for shipping. 95 cents. So to claim this deal, you go to www. www.orgenergy.com slash not skinny. It's not on the regular website and there's new discount code. You got to go to verb, V-E-R-B energy.com slash not skinny. So today when I, when I was thinking about our episode and preparing for it extensively as everyone can hear, I Google dear vampire. By the way, we just go back to the back that you shut down the parenting talk really quick. This is not going to keep people listening. My producer just said in the ear, like, this is not good.

No, no, no, but Claire, now you're like, this is what I do. I kind of jump around and I talk about whatever I, like, feel like hearing. And also there's like a time thing, so I'm like trying to get a lot of the things. And you have... I'm not offended. I know. It's fine. And your parenting tips suck.

no um i so i googled rebecca your character to see when she died or like when she would what happened so to remind you was something weird like you died but your soul like something and like this whole vampire thing i mean many things happened over the seven years that right you were telling me so so wild we don't know this as non actors that when you signed on for vampire diaries you sign out a seven-year contract. It was filming in Atlanta. In general, yeah, it's like a six, seven-year deal in general. So, like, this was a different situation because I originally just signed on to guest star as his character for three episodes. So, like, I never knew it was going to be this long-term thing that it was. Obviously, I'm, like, so grateful they got to do it

for so long. But usually if you're a guest star, like, they don't pay you as much. And then you guys, you have more sort of ability to say yes or no. Whereas if you sign on to a TV show, obviously like it's more money and it's you know more security but you have to sign a really long contract so in general it's like a six seven year season contract was that the start of your career i know you started in like australia where you're from was yes i played a mermaid on a kid's tv show with phoebe tonkin phoebe tonkin yeah that you're still bff and people are obsessed with your friendship yeah i mean we met each other when we were so young. Like, I was 16. Wild. And we've been so lucky because we've done

three shows together now. That's amazing. Yeah. So the vampire iris and then the spin-off. So, I mean, we've just been in each other's lives so long. We know everything about each other. And I think, like, people love the fact that we've had these, like, work experiences together, but we're actually really good friends. It's so cool. And so you were in Australia, you knew from a young age that you wanted to be. First of all, I want to go back for a minute where you were like, I was a tomboy, so I had to be funny and like I was ugly. Are you lying? Are you like my metabolism is fast? Like pulling one of those? No, yeah, my metabolism was fast, but I really was not cute. I'll pull out pictures. They're quite

scary. Literally not a person, not a boy was interested in me, I think, until I turned 16 maybe. And then when it happened, I was like, wait, what is this world? Like, no one would even talk to me. I swear. So you just all of a sudden got hot and you weren't hot. I grew my hair. I always used to have this like pixie cut. And I, I need to see. I need to judge for myself. I don't know if I have a picture. I have to text.

No, you can find a letter. Final letter. So it was, it was like a, like a, at first I had this like side part like Cape Gosland. Like the side part spiked up. Well, maybe that's good.

Maybe that's why you're so humble. Maybe you need to like be ugly for a while. You know, what if? I really felt it. I tell you. Like I would get like, can I take your plates, sir, in a restaurant? No, stop.

Stop, Claire, stop. I swear to God. Or I broke my leg once and I was like crutching down the hallway. And this little old woman was like, slow down. He's going too fast. Right, no. And then whatever. I didn't care.

Like, obviously I chose that style. But that was me. So anyway, I finally decided in the 11th grade, I want to say, that maybe I should try like a little bit of a bob. Maybe I should grow it out of it. And then all of a sudden, like, boys kind of started talking to me more. and so obviously I was like desperate to keep that up so I kept growing it but in this time so I was working for my dad what you know like filing typing making five bucks an hour and I was like this is bullshit like I need to find a better way to make money than this so I started doing I did this like

screen acting course to do TV commercials I did like a sizzler commercial where I ate cheese bread and drank pink lemonade like as a kid and then the commercial agent that I had came to me and said, look, there's this audition for a TV show, it's to play a mermaid, I know you don't really know how to act, but you play water polo, you're a swimmer, maybe you should try out for it. So I barely scraped through the acting round. It was absolutely atrocious, but made it through to the swimming round. And then I held my breath for a 50-meter swimming pool, an Olympic swimming pool, and came up, and they, like, gave me the job. So that's how I got my start in acting.

For the show, you had to be underwater. Like, you had to... So much swimming. Tons of it. We did it all us out. We played mermaids. So sometimes we do 10 hours a day, three weeks straight in the water. Yeah, it was a lot.

I am shook right now. So you weren't one of those kids that was like, it was obvious. She was going to be, you know, an actress. She was, wanted the cameras since she was, too. It came up because you were, like, wanting money and thought it was, you were that. I mean, that was an attention seeker. so maybe a little bit, but I just wanted to make more than five bucks an hour.

And I heard these kids doing TV commercials made a thousand bucks. And to me, I was like, well, I'm a billionaire. Why'd you need your own money at 16? I don't know. I think,

I mean, my parents didn't give me stuff. Like you wanted, like pocket money, like kind of like spending money. Yeah, I wasn't paying the phone bill, I don't think.

Wait, so Phoebe was doing that too. She, so she holds her. She was more into acting. She was. doing theater and she was very much more experienced than I was. It was her first show go as well, but I think she got the role more because she was

an actress and not. I need to YouTube. I need to YouTube this. So does that have anything to do with the fact that you got 47 meters down with Mandy Moore? Maybe. I'm like type cast as an aqua actress. Did you have to swim with sharks for real?

In some of sharks. No, it was all the effects. But we were underwater for eight weeks. Was that horrible? Yeah, it was rough. You're like prunes, your hair falls out. I got all kinds of weird diving issues. Like one time my air supply wasn't attached and I like dropped to the bottom of the tank.

I didn't get to equalize my ears. And then I flew on the plane home from London where we were filming. And like I got really weird decompression stuff because I'd gone from low to high. It was intense. But I met the amazing, wonderful Mandy Moore, who I know you love and are obsessed with. And she's as good as you think she is. She's really awesome. She's really sweet.

That's why no one believed that she blocked me because such a sweet woman would obviously have done it by mistake. Yeah, never. Well, thank God she unblocked me because I would have had to ask you to ask her to unblock me. And then you would have been in a weird position in your life. I want to have asked her. You would have? Thank you. Yeah, Sophie.

I'm sorry to interrupt you guys now. Don't do it. I'm sorry to interrupt you guys. This episode of Not Skinny When Up, that was brought to you by Noom. Noom, you know, good transition really helps you have a good positive relationship with food. No more looking our whole lives for how to lose weight, another diet to start.

This is a solution that will work. for you because it's worked for so many people. Over 80% of Numerus finished the program and 60% stuck with their goals for at least one year. Isn't that what we always say? It is not as hard to lose weight, but it is hard to maintain it. And there's a science to getting healthier and it's called Nume. Based in psychology, Nume teaches you why you make the choices that you do and gives you the better tools to replace your habits with healthier ones.

They make sure that you're not only losing weight. you're building habits that you need to keep it off for life. It's a lifestyle. Don't you is hear that? It's a lifestyle. How to frick do I get to that lifestyle? Noom will help you. You guys should check Noom out. It's literally a commitment of 10 minutes a day. It is super easy. It is flexible. You'll learn about food. You'll get examples that are social, physical, psychological. And you'll just learn how to eat better, to feel better. Understand your cravings, know how to shop, knowing that no food is bad, okay? With New, we're going to pick the health goals that are right for you and personalize a weight loss program to help your

aspirations become a reality. So sign up for Noom today, you guys. Learn how to eat again, enjoy eating and just, you know, get on a better, healthier lifestyle with Noom. So that's newm.com slash not skinny sign up today. It's N-O-O-O-M dot com slash not skinny to learn how to live healthier. Noom.com slash not skinny. N-O-O-M dot com slash not skinny. Wait, but Claire, okay, so you do the mermaid thing in Australia. Then you get like the, how long were you on that show? I did two seasons and Fib did three. So is that two years or two? Yeah, it was a little around that. Like, It's one season a year. It doesn't take that long to shoot, but I think it was kind of like seven or nine months at a time.

And then did you, so it was during high school, if you were 16. And last year of high school, I was filming. And then you moved to America? Then I moved to America when I was 20. And I thought for sure that I was just going to be a massive star, like a movie star. It was going to happen immediately for me because I booked my first job in Australia. And I was like, oh, that's how it works for me. I just get every job I want.

And, uh, nope. I did. I think I did 142 auditions before I got my first job in America. And you counted. No, I didn't count. My manager counted because I, at one point I turned down an audition. I was like, I don't really want to go to that place. She was like, Claire, you've done 142 auditions.

Beggars can't be choosers. That's why I did it. Are you still with that manager? No, she's the best though. I do love her. Yeah, it was. 142 auditions. Yep.

It was... In person. Not like today where you can maybe go on a Zoom. You're showing up. You're going to driving all over L.A. I've been like, it was really scary, to be honest. And by yourself?

By myself. I had no friend. That's wild. Didn't know anyone. But you had an agent to start. I had an agent. One manager. One manager.

And she was amazing and really helped me sort of navigate it. And she let me live in her house and all of those things. What? Yeah, I know. She was awesome. But. I was just young and inexperienced and I didn't know what I was doing

and it was really scary there was one day where I was up for this job and I was sure I was going to get it and it must have been like audition 100 and I came second and I was on Sunset Boulevard and just like sat down and started bowling my eyes out of the bus stop no one stopped obviously that's a common thing

in Hollywood just a crying young girl dreams crushed yeah and I just was like Can't do this anymore. I'm never going to be where I want to be. I'm not going to get a job. I've been trying so hard for, you know, the last year and nobody's interested. I should just go home. And I want to say, like, maybe a few weeks after that was when I, like, got my first job. And thank goodness, was working up until I had kids. And now I'm never going to work again.

What was the first job? I did. This is so impressive. I didn't want to say it, but you're going to go on, like, Google it. I did the... What was it porn? What's happening? No, I did the critically acclaimed highly successful sequel to mean girls called Mean Girls, too.

Yes. Oh, my God. Yeah, because I saw that and I was like, Claire was on Mean Girls? And then I was like, oh, Mean Girls too. Yeah. And now we're going to look at it, babe. No, do. No, please.

Listen, it was my first job, thank God, they took a chance on me and they gave me a shot because then I had the confidence to get more jobs. Yeah. And then after that, I booked pretty little eyes for a guest star, and then we, yeah, it sort of kept rolling. I mean, it was never, never, like, super consistent bang, bang, bang, one after the other, but it was enough that, like, I felt like I had a really good career that I was happy with and, you know, who was flowing. Why are you talking about it in past tense, Claire? Because I had babies.

What? So what? Honestly, there's always this weird thing. Like, when you're an actor or I guess in any kind of like industry, you're always afraid that you're never going to work again. Someone's going to figure, like for me, I'm constantly worried someone's going to figure out that I'm actually shit and I'm not good at what I do and I'm a fraud. And they're like, oh, look at all these years. We've wasted on this one. And I'm never going to work again.

this is that weird. I don't know if it's Australian or it's just because I was beaten down for so many years, like auditioning. And now that I've had kids, obviously, like, I've taken some time out to be with them and I love and obsessed with them. And I can't imagine packing up and going to Albuquerque, New Mexico for five months at a time and bringing them with me and disrupting their lives and their schedules or, like, leaving them behind. You know, it's like a hard thing to navigate and understand. So I'm still not there yet, which is why I talk in past tense. But if it's, so if it's a show and you signed for seven years, like you were saying, Vampire Diaries, and then you have to live in Atlanta, whatever. And if you're young, that sounds

so fun. It sounds like a college experience. Everyone's probably hooking up, right? Yeah, it is fun. Honestly, there's, you live in a bubble, right? Because you're working so many hours of these people and you don't know anyone in the city that you've been plopped in. And And so you just like spend all your time with them because that's what you know and that's what you're comfortable with. And yes, a lot of people do hook up. I can see you fishing. No, you didn't, you didn't hook up with Ian or Paul.

No, I mean on the show I did, but not in real life. Not in real life. Did you have a boyfriend the whole time? Yeah. Oh, no, not the first year. The first year I was like, I think I was really into a dude, but he wasn't that into me. and yeah that is actually the truth and so I was like pining for that

and I didn't I should have gone out and got my freak on but I wasted my ear I should have I know and then I had a boyfriend after that and then yeah I just I've never actually hooked up with anyone I've worked with because I'm scared of the repercussions

when it goes bad why you've seen something from up close like for example if you're dating someone and you're a love interest with them on a show or something that's like long running and then you have a bad breakup and you have to continue to make out with them and

that happens a lot though It's really rough were Nina and Ian dating while they No I swear I can't I think it's very common knowledge They were together No I know it's common knowledge

But I don't remember if it was while filming Yeah while filming And they broke up while filming I was on the originals at that point So I don't know the timing But yeah I guess I imagined so But honestly they were really like they kept it super professional it never got weird like props to them if they did a great job

at like managing that but it's hard like for a lot of people it's really tough and also sometimes you just you don't like the person that you're meant to make out with like it's it's yeah it gets weird so i kind of made a rule early on that i was not going to do that and i'm stuck to it how would your husband be like now if you had to like have a love interest and like make out all day he's fine with it which is so annoying to me because I'd love for him to be jealous. He's never jealous. No. Never. It's so annoying. You don't give him shit to be jealous about. No, I dangling his head face. I'm like, I've got to kiss someone today. How do you feel?

He's like, fine. Really? He doesn't care. One of the things I found most attractive about him when we met is that he's like the most secure person I know. Just like so comfortable and confident with who he is. and that's like so attractive. How did you mean? We, I had just gone through a pretty awful breakup

and my dear friend, well my friends Kevin and Kristen in LA were like there for me and wonderful and they had said, look, come out and have drinks with this guy. You don't, you just like get out of the house, you're in a funk, whatever. And I was this close to canceling. I actually drove up to my sister's house

to drop something off and I was crying. I was like, I can't do this. I don't want to go out. I'm having the worst day. Like, it's really awful. I just need to go home. And she was like, you look cute. You've put your makeup on.

You've done your hair. Go have a drink. If you don't like it, you can go home. And so I did. And I met my husband. There are two things that are so important what we just talked about. Everything is really important. But one, don't give up on your dreams.

Because I feel like there are so many stories and it's probably annoying to people who haven't reached that point. But like that I was just about to give up or like, you know, whatever. and then something good happened. So like perseverance in anything that you want to do if it's a, you know, uh, uh,

being a art director for an advertising cut. Whatever it is, if you persevere and you keep out what you love. Like success will come in some shape or form. And second of all, don't cancel plans. Like go out. Don't cancel.

I also always said this to me. She's going to love that I'm mentioning her in the pod. She's such a big fun. Oh, she doesn't. listen to the pot. Don't listen. We'll give her credit. I'm sure she doesn't listen to the pod. I don't know. I have to ask her. But she used to say to me when I was a kid and it was the same type of thing my sister said to me, get up, dress up, show up. Go for one drink. Go for one coffee. Have that one meeting. What's the worst that can happen? You're like annoyed and you go home.

You never know what relationship or what person is going to come into your life. Just do it. Just go. You know what else? I don't know. There are a few things that help me when I don't feel like doing something. A, like you'll sleep when you're dead and be like, yes, so many times it's like more attractive for you in the moment to stay on your couch, watch TV. It sounds so much more appealing than getting dressed, making an effort. But like you can do that all the time. Like you can do that all the time.

And oh, no, no, no. A, you can do it all the time. And B, you're not going to look back in 20 years and be like, remember that time? I sat and watched TV. That was crazy. You're not going to even remember it. You're going to remember the times you did things. Like, if I stayed home and felt sorry for myself and my sister then kicked my

ass and tell me to get out of the house, I would not have my babies. I think about that all the time. You're so cute. And you wouldn't have met, you know, your husband. He's like the most magical, wonderful. I'm so obsessed with him. It's annoying because I know. It's actually annoying to watch because I get pissed about my husband so often.

And you are like so annoying about how in love with your husband you are. him. You know why? Because he's he's such a good dude. Yeah, but mine is two and I'll only give him shit. Why do you get annoyed him? I don't know. Maybe I'm the problem. I think you're the problem. Maybe I'm the problem.

No, I think, no, it's postpartum rage. It's postpartum rage. Okay, that's fair. It's postpartum rage. I've been there. By the way, I had many moments at the first three months postpartum where I was like, you don't fucking get it. I might slip. Yeah. And right, because another thing I loved about you was that I saw,

when I started following you and I went back like a creep and I saw that when you gave birth you did such a similar post to mine which good thing we weren't following each other at the time because we would have thought we copied each other was that you posted like it was hard for something about your birth and then you were like

but of course it was hard Andy's doing fine you said something funny about it. My doula was massaging him in the labor and delivery room I had this amazing dealer I'm obsessed with her and if anyone thinking about getting a doula for their birth, I highly recommend because she saved everything for me and it was incredible. But she was massaging him. First time around, he was

totally present and there and rubbing me in like the whole time, this support person. Second time around, he's like, you're good, right? You've done this before. Slept for the first seven hours. And they're like, contracting no epidural at this point. He's just having a night. And then he wakes up and he's like, oh, the bed. I'm a little sore. My duel is like, massaging him. I'm like crippled with back labor. Yeah, the second time around it was a little different. But we're still together. I still like him. I got over my issues. Those first three months. And you live in Miami? So we do Miami in L.A. But you're most of the time in Miami now. Yeah, we're going back to L.A. soon. It's been, I guess, like, it was going to be six and six.

And now I think it's eight and four. But I love Miami. but L.A. is like my friends, my family, my sister lives there, you know, so I'll always want to spend time there. Spend time there. But Miami is amazing. Miami is amazing. People think it's like a party, you know, spring breaker place. It's actually such a nice place for families. You're so, homie. I'm really wholesome. You are. That's what you are. And okay, very, very exciting is that there is a movie coming out with Claire in it. in June and it's super cool concept. It's called Untitled Horror Film. Like a horror comedy. We shot it

during lockdown. So we shot it all separately over Zoom, filmed ourselves, lit ourselves. And basically the concept is a bunch of unemployed actors decide to get together on Zoom and like film their own horror film. So it's very madder. But it was so fun. Aside for the fact that I was six months pregnant and we were shooting through the night. And then I was like waking up with my toddler in the morning. So it was kind of tiring. But it was, it was awesome. I loved it. I think it's really funny. I hope it's. Where is it going to be, where is it going to be available to watch? There is a live stream on June 12th.

You can sign up for and buy tickets like a special premiere event. And then Amazon's on iTunes on June 15. So after the live stream on the 12th, which you can buy tickets for Amazon and iTunes. Yes. Do you get guest passes for? the live stream. Yes, obviously. I'll send you a free one. You love free stuff. I know that about you. Claire, I really... Did you pay for yourself? The ring I copied from Sophie Turner and like isn't as cool on me because I don't have finger tattoos and like my fingers are stupid and the ring is big on me because I measured my finger like a loser and a half. I learned very early on not to like get too many rings for myself. So I have the hands of an iron

worker. I love though that your nails aren't done. Like, you guys follow Claire Holtz on Instagram. Not that she needs my shout out, but you're seriously, I feel it in my heart and I swear on this. It's like, you're one of the best people. I feel so

about you. And she's like legit. And, and, oh, you know what I wanted to say about you? I feel like in this industry, because I'm, you know, just, you know, is people can be so fit and I'm one of them I can be fake to you guys alert I can be fake to is like it's it's not about fake it's about you make connections and talk to people and you're like ha ha and oh yeah we should definitely but like Claire is real she's a real ass bitch like she and it's so rare again in this industry which I've you know Hollywood is me me is Hollywood no I'm just kidding but even in this it's like you mean you people and it's not a bad way. You're like, yeah. Claire is like the real deal. You know,

when you came to New York, you're like, you to have lunch with me in real life. Oh, not only, yes, also because of that because I'm so used to the like, we should, we should. And I'm the same way. Like, I'll go with the flow. If you're like, we should and you don't, then I'll be like, fine. But the fact that you came to New York and you made time to meet me and you weren't. I don't. I don't. I told you. I'm sad to you. It's weird. You're my husband. I love you. She's so cute. Everyone follow Claire. She has the most beautiful family. She's funny and she won't annoy you even though she's pretty. And watch her, isn't that a good, that's like your bio.

And watch her movie on title horror film on June 12th or after that on iTunes or Amazon. Thank you guys so much for listening to this episode of Not Skinny, but Not Fat. Follow me on Instagram at Not skinny, but not fat. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss any episodes. Rate the podcast that you love so much on Apple Podcasts and write a little review.

If you tell me you did, I'll give you a big virtual smoocheroo. Thank you guys so much for listening and I'll see you next Tuesday.