Reign with Josh Smith

Hold on to your tissues because you might shed happy and sad tears because in today's episode we are joined by the star of It’s A Sin, Callum Scott Howells! ***And before we go any further, if you haven’t watched It’s A Sin yet, be warned there are serious plot spoilers in this episode***It’s A Sin - which is nominated for a whopping 11 awards at this year’s Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards - is the definition of a game changing show. Created by the iconic, Russel T Davies (the man behind the likes of Queer as Folk, Years & Years and Doctor Who) the show explores the lives and loves of group of queer youngsters beginning a new life in 1980s London and soon find themselves struck by the HIV pandemic, ignored by most of the world at the time. In his Virgin Media BAFTA TV Best Supporting Actor nominated performance, Callum plays the much loved Colin, a young Welsh lad who moves to London to become a tailor and experience queer life for the first time but is eventually devastated by the virus. Colin’s diagnosis scene (it makes me cry just thinking about it ANYONE ELSE?!?) which shows him flanked by allies and his mother is also nominated for Virgin Media’s Must-See Moment Award at this year’s Virgin Media BAFTA TV awards, too. The award celebrates the diversity of British TV, and the moments that got our nation talking, tweeting, laughing, crying and so much more in 2021 and Callum’s first ever on screen performance defines exactly that. As we get ready for the Virgin Media BAFTA TV Awards - which you can also tune in and watch on BBC One on 8th May - in today’s episode we talk about the mental and emotional impact filming Colin’s diagnosis scene had on Callum, the resulting positive impact that It’s A Sin had on the way our society views HIV and Callum reflects on growing up in Wales and reveals how High School Musical helped find himself! WE LOVE TO HEAR IT, plus so much more! Callum is just as loveable in real life as he is on screen so I hope you love listening to this episode and I also hope you continue to listen and find the power to Reign in your own lives. If you love this episode, please get in touch (follow me across social media @joshsmithhosts), I love hearing from you. Love, Josh xxxP.S. I can’t really believe that this and you will have heard all about it in the podcast but this very special episode of REIGN is brought to you in partnership with Virgin Media – proud sponsors of the British Academy Television Awards. Virgin Media brings together all your favourite entertainment under one roof. And, as the only award at the Virgin Media BAFTA TV Awards that’s voted for by us, the public, Virgin Media’s Must-See Moment represents real TV fans and the moments we love! It’s down to six unmissable TV moments, including Colin’s devastating AIDs diagnosis in It’s A Sin, which we’ve discussed in this episode. But there can be only one winner.So who’ll be crowned Virgin Media’s Must-See Moment of 2021? You’ll have to tune in for this year’s Virgin Media BAFTA TV Awards on 8th May at 6pm to find out! I’ll be joining you on the sofa in my evening wear finest! SEE YA THERE! XP.P.S. I AM SO EXCITED THAT WE ARE PARTNERING WITH ONE OF MY FAVOURITE SKINCARE BRANDS, KIEHL’S, FOR THIS SERIES OF REIGN!I created Reign to celebrate women and start important conversations about equality and I am proud to partner with Kiehl’s who have done the same for over 170 years by supporting local communities through multiple charity partnerships.In the spirit of feeling like our best selves, Kiehl’s have introduced a new cream formulation of their best selling Midnight Recovery Oil! Say hello to the Midnight Recovery Omega Rich Cloud Cream, which will not only help your skin look plumped, nourished and radiant, it will empower you to feel FABULOUS and take on anything!It’s rich in Omegas 3 and 6 which help replenish... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

‘Sabrina’ fans, ‘Mad Men’ fans, and fans of a great convo, prepare yourselves because in this week’s episode we are joined by Kiernan Shipka. To say Kiernan Shipka started acting early would be an understatement. She made her acting debut as a baby on ‘ER’ before going on to win the role of the sassy Sally Draper at just eight years old in the iconic show about the 1960s world of advertising, ‘Mad Men’. (If you missed it the first time around, it's on Netflix now!). Kiernan starred opposite her on-sceen parents January Jones and John Hamm and the likes of Elisabeth Moss and Christina Hendricks for all seven seasons of the show, and even picked up a SAG award for Best Ensemble in a Drama series, TWICE! Kiernan went on to be the darker version of Sabrina in ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ on Netflix for four seasons, which I was OBSESSED WITH… anyone else? And now at 22 years old, Kiernan is starring opposite former Reign guest Diane Kruger (check out her episode, it’s number 35 and dripping in tea!) and Donald Sutherland in ‘Swimming with Sharks’ which is available now on the ROKU channel. The show follows Kiernan’s character, Lou, who starts an internship at Fountain Pictures in Hollywood, and whilst she may seem a little naive and awestruck by the studio’s notorious CEO, Joyce - played by Diane (who has the sassiest power bitch wardrobe known to mankind) - landing the internship was no happy accident. The drama is intense, and it even sees Kiernan’s first foray into intimate scenes on screen - powerfully led by the female characters (and it’s about time too!) - which not only sees her kissing Diane, but also had a strong impact on Kiernan as she tells us in this every episode! Kiernan also talks about dealing with ‘nos’ for the first time after eight years on ‘Mad Men’, and she opens up about finding herself and her defining her idenity away from work after ‘Sabrina’ finished last year. Plus she reflects on her journey with mental health and what therapy has helped her to process. I love what Kiernan has to say about not waiting for a moment to define your happiness and ensuring you have ‘a person to come home to within yourself,’ (what an epic quote about self love that is!) so I hope you find some inspiration for your own self love journey in this episode. If it’s your first time here, WELCOME TO THE QUEENDOM BABES, and I hope you continue to listen and find the power to Reign in your own lives. If you loved this episode, too, please get in touch (follow me across social media @joshsmithhosts), I love hearing from you. Love, Josh xxx P.S. I AM SO EXCITED THAT WE ARE PARTNERING WITH ONE OF MY FAVOURITE SKINCARE BRANDS, KIEHL’S, FOR THIS SERIES OF REIGN!I created Reign to celebrate women and start important conversations about equality and I am proud to partner with Kiehl’s who have done the same for over 170 years by supporting local communities through multiple charity partnerships.In the spirit of feeling like our best selves, Kiehl’s have introduced a new cream formulation of their best selling Midnight Recovery Oil! Say hello to the Midnight Recovery Omega Rich Cloud Cream, which will not only help your skin look plumped, nourished and radiant, it will empower you to feel FABULOUS and take on anything!It’s rich in Omegas 3 and 6 which help replenish and rejuvenate skin, and with it only taking 7 nights to younger looking skin - I’ll race you to the nearest Kiehl’s store! Or you can shop on kiehls.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can you hear Lady Whistledown’s quill quivering? Because this week we are joined by Bridgerton’s leading lady, Simone Ashley! Simone first hit our screens in 2019 when she took on the role of Olivia, a key member of Ruby’s Untouchables clique in the hit Netflix show, ‘Sex Education’ where she starred alongside Reign favoruite, Aimee Lou Wood (scroll back to episode three to listen to her epic episode) and featured in that now iconic bus scene. But Simone truly hit the big time this year when she starred as Kate Sharma, the new leading lady of the ton, in ‘Bridgerton’ season two, which had the biggest opening weekend audience figures for an English language show on Netflix, EVER! Like me you may have been OBSESSED with the love triangle between her diamond of the season sister, Edwina (Charithra Chandran) and Lord Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and the electric on-screen chemistry between Simone and Jonathan which has had us all fanning ourselves, let’s be real! To quote Queen Charlotte herself, Simone has been, “flawless my dear,” and next year she will also appear in the Disney remake of ‘The Little Mermaid’ in a yet to be disclosed role. Joining me from the floor of her LA hotel room Simone - amongst the post Bridgerton whirlwind - talks about *THAT* electric chemistry she shared with Jonathan, and how their friendship helped one another during filming. Simone also reveals how the show’s sex scenes ultimately empowered her and how she wants to explore the intimate relationship between the two characters through Kate’s eyes in season three! Plus Simone talks about the show’s game changing representation of the South Asian community.Simone also opens up about how landing the role of Kate helped rebuild herself and her self-worth following a tough period with her mental health and reflects on her journey to the TON - which included moving to LA as a 15 year old, on her own! Simone is the queen of determination and I hope you will be just as inspired by her drive as I was. I also hope you continue to listen and find the power to Reign in your own lives. If you love this episode, please get in touch (follow me across social media @joshsmithhosts), I love hearing from you. Love, Josh xxxP.S. Whilst you are here I have something epic to tell you about which you will have heard about on today's podcast! For a limited time only, get your own life-changing PopGrip from PopSockets with 20% off using code REIGN20 at the checkout. Shop here now: go.popsockets.co.uk/joshsmith I am obsessed with their PopGrip - which simply pops out the back of my phone and helps me hold my phone more comfortably, gives me a steady hand when I'm recording those all-important Insta stories & it's so handy for propping up your phone when you are watching TV shows - like Bridgerton - on the go, too. Don't forget to tag me in those selfies showing off your latest must-have accessory, your PopSockets, too queens! P.P.S I AM SO EXCITED THAT WE ARE PARTNERING WITH ONE OF MY FAVOURITE SKINCARE BRANDS, KIEHL’S, FOR THIS SERIES OF REIGN!I created Reign to celebrate women and start important conversations about equality and I am proud to partner with Kiehl’s who have done the same for over 170 years by supporting local communities through multiple charity partnerships.In the spirit of feeling like our best selves, Kiehl’s have introduced a new cream formulation of their best selling Midnight Recovery Oil! Say hello to the Midnight Recovery Omega Rich Cloud Cream, which will not only help your skin look plumped, nourished and radiant, it will empower you to feel FABULOUS and take on anything!It’s rich in Omegas 3 and 6 which help replenish and rejuvenate skin, and with it only taking 7 nights to younger looking skin - I’ll race you to the nearest Kiehl’s store! Or you can shop on kiehls.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we are joined by one of my faves, actress Lucy Boynton!Believe it or not, Lucy started acting at the age of 12 alongside Renée Zellweger as a young Beatrix Potter in ‘Miss Potter’ - god, that film made me sob, YOU? She then went on to star in Kenneth Brannagh’s reboot of Poirot, ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ next to Judi Dench, Olivia Colman, and Michelle Pfieffer. She then stole the scene as Astrid in my fave Netflix show, ‘The Politican’ next to Gwyneth Paltrow, and played the girlfriend and soulmate of Freddie Mercury, Mary Austin in the Oscar winning ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ next to her real-life love, Rami Malek. ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ also became the highest grossing biopic movie of all time too, casual! Lucy is now starring as the stunning sixties spy, Jean, alongside Joe Cole in ‘The Ipcress File’, the television remake of the classic Michael Kane Cold War movie of the same name, which is on ITV Hub. She’s also starring alongside Will Poulter, Emma Thompson and Jim Broadbent as the sassy heiress turned amateur sleuth Frankie, in Hugh Laurie’s adaptation of the Agatha Christie classic ‘Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?’ which is on BritBox. And if she wasn’t busy enough, Lucy will be back on our cinema screens later this year playing Marie Antoinette in ‘Chevalier’, a film about the composer, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, played by Kelvin Harrison Jr. Chevalier was the ‘illegitimate’ son of an African slave and a French plantation owner who rose to the heights of French society as a violinist, composer and a champion fencer. But after an ill-fated love affair with a French noblewoman and a falling out with Marie Antoinette and her court, he suffered a downfall from favour. With all of that to talk about, Lucy joins me for a very open and honest conversation. In the episode Lucy talks about her journey with mental health, just how game changing going to therapy was for her and the lessons she has learnt from her therapist. It’s advice I think we could all do with taking TBH! Lucy also talks about defining our self worth away from external sources of validation, and calls BS on outdated sexist stereotypes, namely the idea of the ‘angry woman,’ who's with us?!? I hope you take just as much away from this episode as I did and I hope you continue to listen and find the power to Reign in your own lives. If you love this episode, please get in touch (follow me across social media @joshsmithhosts), I love hearing from you. Love, Josh xxxP.S I AM SO EXCITED THAT WE ARE PARTNERING WITH ONE OF MY FAVOURITE SKINCARE BRANDS, KIEHL’S, FOR THIS SERIES OF REIGN!I created Reign to celebrate women and start important conversations about equality and I am proud to partner with Kiehl’s who have done the same for over 170 years by supporting local communities through multiple charity partnerships.In the spirit of feeling like our best selves, Kiehl’s have introduced a new cream formulation of their best selling Midnight Recovery Oil! Say hello to the Midnight Recovery Omega Rich Cloud Cream, which will not only help your skin look plumped, nourished and radiant, it will empower you to feel FABULOUS and take on anything!It’s rich in Omegas 3 and 6 which help replenish and rejuvenate skin, and with it only taking 7 nights to younger looking skin - I’ll race you to the nearest Kiehl’s store! Or you can shop on kiehls.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get ready to hear from the epic actress-turned-philosopher (I am not joking - she is beyond wise about life), Mackenzie Davis! Mackenzie’s CV is dripping in credits, having starred in the huge blockbuster franchises The Terminator and Blade Runner next to Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford, respectively. She also starred in the blockbuster hit, The Martian next to Matt Damon, and stole the show in cult hits like The Happiest Season, where she played the girlfriend of Kirsten Stewart and Tully, opposite Charlize Theron.Now Mackenzie joins me as she takes on one of the most intense roles of her career, in the TV show, Station 11 - based on the huge book of the same name by Emily St. John Mandel - which is now streaming on Starz Player (an add on to Amazon Prime FYI) or HBO Max. The show follows Mackenzie’s character Kirsten, a child actress who survives a pandemic flu that wipes out 99 percent of the world’s population. It’s dark and intense but you will be as obsessed as I am. In this episode Mackenzie talks about how her relationship with mental health changed both during and after the real-life pandemic - something I’m sure we can all relate to - and shares some incredible observations on the boundaries between soulmate friendships and relationships. Not only did that really speak to me, it was a light bulb moment! Mackenzie also shares some amazing advice about dealing with failure, success and rejection - particuarly not basing our self esteem in our work - which I think so many of you will want to hear. And as Mackenzie is totally off social media, we also look back on the simpler times of dial up internet and life pre mobile phones - remember those? Mackenzie is very philosophical, and listening to her really reframed my thoughts and approaches to those topics and so much more, so I hope this episode invites you to challenge your outlook in places where it’s needed. I hope you continue to listen and find the power to Reign in your own lives and if you love this episode, please get in touch (follow me across social media @joshsmithhosts), I love hearing from you. Love, Josh xxxP.S I AM SO EXCITED THAT WE ARE PARTNERING WITH ONE OF MY FAVOURITE SKINCARE BRANDS, KIEHL’S, FOR THIS SERIES OF REIGN!I created Reign to celebrate women and start important conversations about equality and I am proud to partner with Kiehl’s who have done the same for over 170 years by supporting local communities through multiple charity partnerships. In the spirit of feeling like our best selves, Kiehl’s have introduced a new cream formulation of their best selling Midnight Recovery Oil! Say hello to the Midnight Recovery Omega Rich Cloud Cream, which will not only help your skin look plumped, nourished and radiant, it will empower you to feel FABULOUS and take on anything!It’s rich in Omegas 3 and 6 which help replenish and rejuvenate skin, and with it only taking 7 nights to younger looking skin - I’ll race you to the nearest Kiehl’s store! Or you can shop on kiehls.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I am BEYOND excited for you to hear this week’s episode with quadruple threat, Nicôle Lecky, who not only stars in the BBC hit show, Mood, she also wrote the script, wrote the songs and sings them too. The show which truly is like nothing you have ever seen before, and it’s based on her 2019 one woman theatre show, Superhoe which received incredible reviews at The Royal Court in London. Mood is a drama-musical that explores Only Fans culture and sex work through the main character, Sasha Clayton, an East London wannabe singer-songwriter who’s forced to fend for herself when she’s kicked out of her family home. After she meets party girl Carly, she’s introduced to the world of social media influencers, and the divide between becoming a singer and maintaining an online persona grows. Mood is an incredible look at mental health, sex, abuse, drinking culture, and the issue with ‘hidden homelessness.’ In this episode Nicôle talks about the stories she heard and experienced herself when she was researching the show, and reflects on the ‘grey area of sexual abuse,’ she witnessed at school - which I really think will have many of us looking back and questioning some of the things we saw and accepted as ‘normal.’Nicôle also talks about her own journey with mental health, antidepressants, and working out what is best for her mental wellbeing. AND, she shares some amazing tips for stepping into your power when pursuing your dreams and pitching your ideas - whether they are creative OR business ideas - which I know so many of you will love! I know I will be taking a lot of confidence tips from her! This is an incredibly open and honest conversation so I really hope you love this episode as much as I do. I hope you continue to listen and find the power to Reign in your own lives and if you love this episode, please get in touch (follow me across social media @joshsmithhosts), I love hearing from you. Love, Josh xxxP.S I AM SO EXCITED THAT WE ARE PARTNERING WITH ONE OF MY FAVOURITE SKINCARE BRANDS, KIEHL’S, FOR THIS SERIES OF REIGN!I created Reign to celebrate women and start important conversations about equality and I am proud to partner with Kiehl’s who have done the same for over 170 years by supporting local communities through multiple charity partnerships.In the spirit of feeling like our best selves, Kiehl’s have introduced a new cream formulation of their best selling Midnight Recovery Oil! Say hello to the Midnight Recovery Omega Rich Cloud Cream, which will not only help your skin look plumped, nourished and radiant, it will empower you to feel FABULOUS and take on anything!It’s rich in Omegas 3 and 6 which help replenish and rejuvenate skin, and with it only taking 7 nights to younger looking skin - I’ll race you to the nearest Kiehl’s store! Or you can shop on kiehls.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Outlander fans prepare yourselves as this week we are joined by the show’s star, Sophie Skelton! If you aren’t one of the MANY Outlander Fans already, it is part period drama, a little sci-fi, with some time travelling, and there is some seriously hot and heavy romance, too - wink wink! The hit show follows Claire Randall - played by Caitrona Balfe - a World War Two nurse who time travels back to Scotland in the 1700s where she meets a HOT AF highland warrior, Jamie played by Sam Heaghan, and their daughter, Brianna - a fellow time traveller - played by Sophie herself. If that doesn’t entice you to watch - Sophie shares her very entertaining Sparknote version of what you have missed so far in this episode! As the show heads into its sixth season on Starz Player, Sophie joins me to chat about the plot spoiler in season six that shook her *you have been warned - SPOILERS* and reflects back on the show’s powerful and nuanced exploration of sexual abuse, and the mental health impact on victims. Sophie also shares the eye opening research she did and how filming a rape scene in season four affected her own mental health. Sophie also talks about the need for messy sex scenes on screen - we all know sex is not always glossy, and the internet lies! How being a ballerina from the age of two has affected her body image, and the everyday sexism she faces, most notably when she’s walking her Great Dane. I think so many of you will find what Sophie has to say so relatable - especially about appreciating our bodies in a new way post-Covid - so I think this episode will speak to all of us! I hope you continue to listen and find the power to Reign in your own lives and if you love this episode, please get in touch (follow me across social media @joshsmithhosts), I love hearing from you. Love, Josh xxxP.S I AM SO EXCITED THAT WE ARE PARTNERING WITH ONE OF MY FAVOURITE SKINCARE BRANDS KIEHL’S FOR THIS SERIES OF REIGN! I created Reign to celebrate women and start important conversations about equality and I am proud to partner with Kiehl’s who have done the same for over 170 years by supporting local communities through multiple charity partnerships. In the spirit of feeling like our best selves, Kiehl’s have introduced a new cream formulation of their best selling Midnight Recovery Oil! Say hello to the Midnight Recovery Omega Rich Cloud Cream, which will not only help your skin look plumped, nourished and radiant, it will empower you to feel FABULOUS and take on anything!It’s rich in Omegas 3 and 6 which help replenish and rejuvenate skin, and with it only taking 7 nights to younger looking skin - I’ll race you to the nearest Kiehl’s store! Or you can shop on kiehls.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a little mini break we are BACK BABES with some super empowering episodes for YOU! This week is all about shutting down your imposter syndrome and learning to be a little more present, as I am joined by the star of my new fave TV show, The Gilded Age: it’s Louisa Jacobson. If you haven’t watched The Gilded Age yet (new episodes drop every Tuesday on Sky Atlantic and NowTV), it follows Louisa’s character, Marian Brook, a rural gal who moves to New York after her father's death to live with her aunts, Ada played by Cynthia Nixon, and Agnes - who is the queen of a one line put down - played by Christine Baranski. It’s costume drama is at it’s best from the creator of Downton Abbey, Jullien Fellows. Bustles get rustled by the new money family on the block, The Russels. Drama ahoy! In this episode Louisa talks about her very first TV gig in The Gilded Age, the perils of wearing a corset all day long (especially after spending so long in lockdown in joggers - I think we can all relate in our own way!) and how she rebelled against her family by choosing a life in advertising before finally taking the risk of pursuing a career in acting. Louisa also shares some amazing advice for remaining present and dealing with imposter syndrome - which I know, like me, so many of you suffer from - so I hope Louisa’s words of wisdom help YOU as much as they did me! I hope you continue to listen and find the power to Reign in your own lives and if you love this episode, please get in touch (follow me across social media @joshsmithhosts), I love hearing from you. Love, Josh xxxP.S I AM SO EXCITED THAT WE ARE PARTNERING WITH ONE OF MY FAVOURITE SKINCARE BRANDS KIEHL’S FOR THIS SERIES OF REIGN! I created Reign to celebrate women and start important conversations about equality and I am proud to partner with Kiehl’s who have done the same for over 170 years by supporting local communities through multiple charity partnerships. In the spirit of feeling like our best selves, Kiehl’s have introduced a new cream formulation of their best selling Midnight Recovery Oil! Say hello to the Midnight Recovery Omega Rich Cloud Cream, which will not only help your skin look plumped, nourished and radiant, it will empower you to feel FABULOUS and take on anything!It’s rich in Omegas 3 and 6 which help replenish and rejuvenate skin, and with it only taking 7 nights to younger looking skin - I’ll race you to the nearest Kiehl’s store! Or you can shop on kiehls.co.uk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week’s episode has it all: from tears to laughter as I am joined by the King of Joy and Strictly Come Dancing pro, Johannes Radebe. Born in the township Zamdela Sasolburg, South Africa, Johannes started dancing when he was 7, after discovering a love for sequins - who can blame him?! Johannes hit the big time on the dance floor after appearing on the debut season of South Africa’s Dancing with The Stars. From there, he headed to the UK in 2018 to feature in the pro line up for Strictly Come Dancing, and became a true game changer. After VOGUEING in heels, Johannes danced the first same-sex dance routine with fellow pro Graziano Di Prima and whilst some haters called Ofcom, it paved the way for the first all-male partnership in the show’s 19 year history, with baker, John Whaite. The pair not only came second but they won fans across the country and started important conversations in the process. Now as he is preparing for his first solo show, Johannes Radebe: Freedom, which will open on 16 March and run through to 1 May 2022 across the UK. It promises to be a celebration of music and dance, from African fusion to fiery Latin, classic dance arrangements and huge party anthems. So get your tickets NOW: https://www.johannes-live.com/I was obsessed with Johannes and John’s partnership on the most recent season of Strictly Come Dancing but get ready to fall a bit more in love with Johannes after listening to this episode as he opens up about how therapeutic the partnership was. He also talks about the tragic circumstances that led to him being honest about his sexuality with his mother, just a few years ago. Johannes is a true symbol of living truthfully as you - in spite of hate growing up and judgment even today - so I hope, like me, this chat inspires you to be more comfortable in your own skin. I hope you continue to listen and find the power to Reign in your own lives, too. And if you love this episode, please get in touch (follow me across social media @joshsmithhosts), I love hearing from you. Love, Josh xxx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week’s episode is all about embracing and being empowered by the ‘f**k you moments’ in our lives as I am joined by Hollywood goddess, Diane Kruger! Diane has became one of our most respected actresses since breaking out as Helen of Troy in Troy (alongside Brad Pitt’s stunning bob), before going on to star in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds, and later winning the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival for In The Fade, where she played a woman widowed following a terrorist attack. Now Diane returns with the high-kicking all-female spy thriller, The 355, alongside Jessica Chastain, Penelope Cruz and Lupita Nyongo. The movie sees five international spies come together to save the world from a mysterious cyber threat. Think of it as James Bond meets The Spice Girls - it’s right up our street! But for all the success on screen there have been moments of deep disappointment for Diane. After training at the Royal Ballet School, Diane had to shelve her ballet career as a teenager following a knee injury. And even when she finally hit the big time in Troy, the role left her pigeon-holed and out of work. As Diane reveals in this episode, even winning her role in Inglourious Basterds came after Quentin Tarantino refused to audition her - becoming one of the greatest ‘f**k you moments’ of her life. But sometimes other people doubting us can be the greatest fuel for empowering ourselves - am I right? Also in this episode Diane talks about how training for The 355 six months after giving birth affected her body image and how heartbreak and grief in her mid-30's led to her being more open and honest about her mental health. Plus, she opens up about becoming a mother for the first time in her 40's with her partner, actor Norman Reedus and the ageism that has come with being a mother later in life. I love what Diane has to say about staying true to your own narrative and never giving up on YOU so I hope this inspires you to make the right decision for your own life, be that in your career, or even decisions around parenting! I hope you continue to listen and find the power to Reign in your own lives, too. And if you love this episode, please get in touch (follow me across social media @joshsmithhosts), I love hearing from you. Love, Josh xxx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices