Former teen icon turned multi-talented artist, Molly Ringwald, discusses her early days in Hollywood, global stardom in John Hughes movies, and her current projects including Feud: Capote vs The Swans. She reflects on her acting career, personal growth, and challenges in the industry. An insightful and humorous conversation about navigating fame and finding creative fulfillment.
Molly Ringwald's desire to escape the pressures of Hollywood led her to move to France and explore other passions like jazz singing and French literature.
Living abroad in France allowed Molly to find love, immerse herself in a different culture, and step away from the Hollywood scene for personal growth.
Molly Ringwald's transition into writing personal stories reflects on past experiences, relationships, and self-discovery, highlighting the emotional risks and rewards.
Deep dives
Early Career in Hollywood
Starting with roles in Annie and The Facts of Life, the podcast guest recounts her early experiences as a child actress in Hollywood. Despite significant success at a young age, she felt the need to move to France to escape the pressures and to discover herself away from the spotlight.
Transition to France and Falling in Love
After moving to France, the guest found a new love for the country and eventually fell in love with a man there. This experience of living abroad and immersing herself in a different culture was transformative and allowed her to step away from the Hollywood scene for a while.
Maintaining Love for Acting and Challenges in the Industry
Upon returning from France, the guest continued her acting career with notable roles, including films like Stand, King Lear, and a Gene Luc Godard project. She discusses the simultaneous love for acting and the challenges of navigating the industry, from dealing with predators to exploring new roles and experiences.
Writing and Memoir Project
In more recent years, the guest has delved into writing, contributing essays to the New Yorker and working on a memoir focused on her years spent in Paris. Through writing, she reflects on her past experiences, relationships, and personal growth, offering insights into her life beyond the screen
Challenges and Rewards of Writing Personal Stories
The podcast delves into the challenges and rewards of writing personal stories, highlighting the emotional risks and complexities involved. The discussion includes the impact of sharing personal experiences, potential repercussions on relationships, and the importance of considering others' perspectives when writing about them. It explores the fine line between honesty and respecting others' privacy, shedding light on the process of navigating personal narratives.
Navigating Comedy, Stage Fright, and Emotional Vulnerability
The episode also explores the personal experiences of comedians, specifically addressing the nuances of stand-up comedy and emotional vulnerability on stage. It delves into the fears and courage associated with performing comedy, emphasizing the connection between comedy and personal experiences. The conversation touches on the evolution of comedy, the empathy required in acting, and the significance of sharing authentic and relatable narratives through humor.
There was a time when Molly Ringwald knew she had to get out of America for a while so she didn’t have to be That Girl anymore. Now, with a career that includes being a jazz singer, a novelist, and a translator of French literature, Molly is much more than That Girl. Molly and Marc talk about her early days on The Facts of Life, her global stardom in the John Hughes movies, and her current day projects, including the recent season of Feud: Capote vs The Swans.
