I really like talking to people and I will pretty much enjoy a conversation with anyone so long as the talk is big not small. I think my curiosity is all wrapped up in being an actress and a writer and the child of two journalist and just being super interested in people and where they come from and how that shapes their point of view.

I’ve had people say that talking to me is like being interviewed so it’s very exciting to present this little passion project, a Q & A series I’m doing for LA Mag.com where I interview people in the entertainment world that I admire.

The adorable Mae Whitman was my first victim. Mae dazzled me years ago when I saw her at a screening for Thief, a short lived FX drama that my father wrote for and Mae starred in. I was just starting out as a professional actress at the time and was feeling overwhelmed and more than a little terrified to be in Los Angeles period (I had a brief bout with anxiety attacks that specifically took place on American Airlines flights from JFK to LAX in 2005). Mae rolled into the Thief screening with a pack of guy friends, wearing a printed maxi dress and flip flops and all I could think was “gosh she is so self possessed and cool, I hope I can be an actress like that one day.”

Flash forward ten years and I feel like I’ve learned what Mae knew back then, the art of being yourself in this business. Mae’s still killing it and making her star turn in The Duff which hits theaters everywhere this Friday.

xx