What I think I was most interested in, is why women in particular behave like this and feel this need to almost validate themselves through comparison with their peers. I think that is unique to women. Do you think that’s true?
It is. We live in a patriarchal society, and there is no other way around it. We have limited opportunities as women, and so there is this natural competitiveness. Amongst women, I think, that we’ve been conditioned to be competitive. It’s a reality for us. We have fewer opportunities. We are judged by men and women for having this or not having that, doing this or not doing that. I could never say it any better, or with any more clarity, or be any more articulate than good old-fashioned Margot Robbie in Barbie and the terrific monologue…
The grass is always greener, I think, for women. I just don’t think that men have that. It’s a privilege that men don’t have to look at that. I rarely hear men having these conversations, or these issues, or these insecurities, or these fears, or these comparisons. I think it is very unique to women because of the state of the world.
I completely agree. Was there anything that you learned about yourself through playing Jaclyn?
Well, again, as I was saying, this relationship is not completely unlike toxic relationships or that kind of toxic positivity that we’ve all experienced as women. Again, it made me hold a mirror up to myself, going, “Oh, gosh, am I gossiping? Am I perpetuating this? No, this is disrespectful, this isn’t how I would want to be treated.” Being able to see it, I think, and to obviously embody that is intense. I think to watch it back, you go, “Oh, gosh, yes.” This is something that resonates, and it’s very relevant for sure.
We’ve just seen in the last episode, Jaclyn betraying Laurie by sleeping with Valentin, what do you think was her motivation there?
Well, it’s funny. It’s really interesting, because I really don’t perceive it as a betrayal. Listen, I think an actor, you’ve heard this a thousand times, actors don’t judge their characters. Again, it’s very triggering for some people. I think Jaclyn has always been really authentic and sincere in the sense that she really wanted Laurie to hook up with Valentin. Like, this is the perfect… He’s single. You’re single.
I think she really was excited for Laurie to do that. I think simultaneously, what was happening is Jaclyn was getting a little bored. She has a lot of energy, she likes stimulation, she needs that external validation for better or for worse. I think she was feeling a little ignored at home. I think she went out to just have a good time and just create that fun, to create that energy. I think they had a wonderful time at the club, just letting it loose.
She went back and I think she thought, oh, gosh, all right, well, nobody hooked up. I guess maybe I will. I guess I’ll have some fun. I don’t think she meant any harm. I don’t think it was malicious, or manipulative, or intentional. I think it was a very impulsive decision. I think Jaclyn is an impulsive person. She kind of hit the fuck it button, and I think she’s probably excited to tell the ladies about it the following morning.
You’ve recently collaborated with U Beauty. Obviously, you’re a survivor of skin cancer, so why is it so important for you to partner with a skincare brand?