Dove Cameron: Toxic Patterns, Engagement, & Entering 30's

What is up, daddy gang? It is your. founding father, Alex Cooper with Call. Her Daddy. >> Dove Cameron. Welcome to Call Her Daddy. >> Thank you so much. >> It's so nice to meet you. >> It's so nice to meet you, too. >> Um, you just turned 30. >> Yeah. >> How are we feeling? Honestly, I feel. great about 30. I looked right down the. barrel of the lens. I was like, I feel. great about 30. I don't really have any.

like hang-ups about it as far as I can. tell so far. Like I feel like I have. always felt older than I was. And I. think in a lot of ways I was like. waiting to be in my 30s because I feel. like for me at least when I was younger. I was really like wanting to be heard, wanting to be taken seriously, wanting. to be respected at a younger age than. people were willing to give that to me.

And so I've always felt like the older I. got, the closer I got to feeling like. the world was perceiving me in the way. that I perceive me. I think that is so. real because I feel like the society. makes us feel like, oh my god, your 20s. are going to be the best years of your. life. You're going to have so much fun. And like I feel like I've been so. fortunate to sit with women on this show. who are in their 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s. I. just sat with Michelle Obama and she was. like, "Wait girl, this is the decade.

60s are the shit." And I'm like, "Okay.". So, I do think we kind of are. brainwashed almost to think specific. eras of our youth are going to be. incredible. >> What do you think you're personally. excited to leave behind in your 20s? >> God, just feeling not so like like. feeling like I don't deserve a seat at. the table yet cuz like I really gaslight. myself and I have crazy imposttor. syndrome around like what I deserve, what I have earned, if I'm good at.

something. Do I know enough about this. to call myself by this title? And I feel. like in my 20s, it was so much like. self- sabotage and second-guessing and. hiding away because I didn't take myself. seriously. And then there's something. about late 20s to now 30 that I feel. like. even I can't really tell that I don't. know what I'm doing in this in this area. of my job. Like I feel like I've well. and truly earned some things that like. in my 20s I was a little more reticent.

to give myself credit for. So like. that's something I'm really looking for. I also just think like in general I know. this is really surface level and kind of. easy but like people pleasing in general. >> yes. >> was something that I was so guilty of. and so uh under the influence of like. and it wasn't it wasn't because I wanted. people to like me. It was coming from a. place of like I just don't want to upset. anyone. so real and so unrewarding. because actually what you're saying is. we actually start to clue into I don't.

need to people please as much. I. actually don't need to dress for the. male gays or I don't need to do these. things. So we're actually getting wiser. and that's terrifying to the society. that we live in of oh my god a woman in. her power dare she actually use her. use her voice and stand up for herself. And so it's a whole thing to repress us. But then I I'm speaking to all these. women recently and they're like, "Wait, it's amazing." I'm like, "Why does it. always feel like we grow up as these. young girls and we're like so terrified. of aging because there's so much.

rhetoric around you basically disappear. and and your worth is essentially gone. if you're not like a fresh 21-year-old.". >> And that's why I love these. conversations. We're like, "Guys, again, I'm sitting with a woman who's like, I'm. feeling better." What a concept. >> Yeah. I think like I think that. I mean if you look at the who would. benefit from the messaging of you're. only valuable when you are barely legal, you're only valuable when you don't know.

yourself yet. You're only valuable when. you're body still has like leftovers of. looking like a child. Like if you look. at those things and you ask yourself. like what is the demographic that. benefits from that messaging? It's not. us. Like it's women aren't pushing that. being like being you know there's a. there's a vested interest in. >> highlighting those years that truly in. my experience were the worst [ __ ]. years. Like my 20s were the worst. So I. think there's a vested interest in. glorifying that because then it sort of.

keeps us in a position of yeah. disempowerment. I do think also. something interesting you just said is. you've always kind of felt older and I. think there's a beauty yes of getting. older but then we also. we have to talk about our looks right. where it's like it can feel great but. then there's this standard that we feel. pressure especially in this industry. Have you ever felt pressures around. Botox or fillers or um editing and all. of that that comes with our job to.

maintain your stance in this industry? >> [sighs]. >> Yeah, I mean that's a really good and I. think like. I had think I have a complex answer. around that. When I was younger, I had a. really intense uh. sort of set of like rules and. strictctures about like what I was. allowed to be and who people wanted me. to be and how I was going to represent. that, dive head first into that, always. be that, right? And a huge part of that was like an.

infantilization. And like I was just so. scared. to not be 18. Like that was something. that was really scary for me. Not. because I believed it, but because the. culture was so loud about it. And. especially my position in the culture, starting out on Disney Channel being. blonde and being so bubbly and open with. with the world in a way that was not. healthy for me. Um, and so a couple. years ago, I had this big reckoning.

with myself. I had like finally let my. body just be what it is. Like I stopped. doing all the things to my body that I. was doing before um that were really. selfharming. And so I processed a lot. and I wrote a lot and I went to a lot of. therapy and I came out on the other side. of it like I guess sort of externally. unrecognizable. But I really feel like. I've bucked any sort of fear about aging. in that way. >> And it's beautiful to hear you say like. it's actually happened recently.

>> Well, yeah. I also think like this is. was sort of an accidental thing that. happened but like I think so much of. what I was doing to myself which is a. very broad umbrella because like I don't. want to trivialize any of the things. that I was going through experiencing. um doing to myself but under that very. broad umbrella of all of the things that. I used to do that I now no longer do. part of what made it really clear to me. that I didn't want to torture myself.

anymore. And for me it was torture. Like. for me it was torture. Anything. aesthetic or anything to do with food or. overex exercising, everything in that. genre of like shapeshifting I would call. it for me. was really selfharming because it wasn't. for me. It wasn't to feel beautiful. It. was in fact to to be to feel safe. Like. it I had it in my head that like if I. was physically perfect, no one would harm me. like in this. really weird kind of juvenile way of.

like maybe I'll be accepted, maybe I'll. be loved, maybe the bad bad things that. used to happen won't happen. It was like. this way of controlling the one thing I. could control to hopefully create an. environment where like bad things. wouldn't happen. I don't know if that. makes any sense, but I just I came from. such a crazy background. >> and like litany of experiences that I. was just looking for anything to grab on. to that felt like this is my choice.

>> Can we get into your background cuz I. want to get into all of this? like I. there's so many things that you're. talking about that I think are. unfortunately but realistically like. very relatable for a lot of women who. are going to be listening today. And so. I think kind of having a little bit of. your background and understanding where. you came from I think will also give. more context to then these themes that. we're going to talk about. Um okay let's.

go all the way back to the beginning. Grew up on a small island in Washington. What was your town like? Pick paint the. picture. >> Bainbridge Island. Shout out Bainbridge Island. A world. that only exists to the people that live. there. >> Like big population, small. >> Small. I mean like 20,000. Okay. >> So like for an island small, but for. like a town maybe medium. I don't know. I don't know. I've lost plot of the. scale. But Banebridge is. really idyllic.

It's like you So you're in Seattle. You. land in Seattle. You take a ferry boat, 20-minute ferry. boat ride. You can walk on or you can. drive on. Fits like 180 cars or. something. Someone's going to have to. back me up on that. She's like googling. >> Um, and it's super quaint. Like it's. very there's like no crime, you know? They like opened up a weed store like 10. years ago. Like if there's any crime, it. like rocks the [ __ ] It's like 10. years and then nothing nothing happens.

after that. It's kind of like the things. that you see on TV, like the small town, everyone knows everyone. >> It's very that. It's also like the. businesses are named after the family. that's been there for five generations. and they all like I went to school with. the same last names of my sister and my. mom and everybody, you know. >> Got it. >> It's like that. >> And what did you do for fun as a kid? >> Oh god, [ __ ] nothing. I mean, like, no, because it's it's No, because it's. it's such a beautiful place, but it's. like, you know, one of those places. where like the kids start like smoking.

weed really early cuz they're just so. bored. Like, it was like that. >> because. >> Was that you? >> No, it wasn't me. I mean, like I was. hanging out with those kids, but I was. like scared. >> Classic. >> Yeah. >> You're like pretending you're smoking, but you're like, "Oh my god, >> I was like, I'm a singer." [laughter]. >> I was like going to musical theater. being like, "No, [snorts] but I I. didn't. I didn't." Um, but I was in with. that. Like I got, you know, I got a. tattoo at 14 kind of kind of town. >> The Capricorn tattoo. >> Yeah. >> Um, community theater. What did you like.

about being on stage? Like were you. confident young girl like ready to go. and Okay. >> Yeah, I was. I was one of those like um. I think I was probably pretty annoying. like when I was younger. I was like I. was very confident. I was very friendly. I was very just personable. Like I was. very wanted to talk to everyone, wanted. to be friends. Um, very loud. Like I. don't know. I grew up with parents who. like were artists and so they were like, "Whoever you want to be, [sighs].

you be her." And I was like, "Great, got. it." Like written it down. Got it. So I. was very confident. I was very um for a. while. And then I I feel like middle. school kind of like beats it out of you. Like middle school on the other side. you're like, "Wait, >> I'm being perceived. People hate me." I. think um something that's really. relatable of the middle school. commentary is like and it makes me sad. for our younger selves is there's the. version of us before like you said being. perceived by your peers and there's the.

version of you at home that just has. >> this endless idea of who you can be in. the world that you want to be in and. then you start to interact and life. happens and horrible things happen and. then that starts to mold you which is. just life and I know obviously something. horrible able happened when you were 8. years old. Um, your best friend. was murdered by her father, which is. like saying that out loud. I I'm like. don't even know how to communicate how. sorry and I can't even imagine how.

painful that time was. And even still. decades later, how painful that must be. even to talk about it. Um, do you mind. though sharing like how you found out. this news and what happened during that. time in your life because 8 years old is. like life is great and then. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It was really Yeah, I. guess it was like that. We we had a very. sort of like a Yeah. idllic sort of.

foresty. um childhood. Haley was her name. She um. lived also on the island for the. majority of our childhood. And uh we had. met when we were two. Like it was just. one of those things where. you know like they're like some little. girls they meet each other and they're. like, "Oh, that's like you just Yeah. Um. and it's funny. I rarely talk about. this. not because it's like a it's a.

problem to talk about, but just like. it's so not the first thing that people. usually ask me. >> Um, but she uh her parents had gotten a. divorce and it was really um messy. and I. had stayed with her dad for like quite a. lot of the summer before this happened. And I think even at 8 I like. >> it was like a dark energy, right? like. he was a very angry man. >> Um,

and I was at home one day sick from. school. So, it must have been like third. grade. Um, and I. it was we had like landlines and it was. like that era where if you picked up a. landline like my parents were in their. office like uh in a different building, you know, nearby at home and I was at. home and they they had an incoming call. for their office and I picked it up cuz. I was just like a kid and I was just.

like listening in. Um, and it was actually our preschool. principal who was tasked with making the. call, Janice. Um, who was an angel, an. absolute angel, and that's where we met. Um, and she basically said like, "This. is going to be a really, really. disturbing call. Um, Haley and Kelsey. are gone. Steve is gone." And he took. the girls with him is what she said. Like just very quick. And I think my it.

was my mom on the phone. And I remember. her like decompressing, not knowing how. to handle it. And then I think they. heard me like express some sort of child. noise, whatever that was, like a gasp. And then I they came in and and then we. just like didn't get out of bed for like. two days cuz it was so impossible to. process. and 8 years old. like why I. wanted to ask you about that more is. because I think. that is so formative for everyone around.

you, but it's like that's something that. like stays in your body because I feel. like at that young of an age and I'm. sure a lot of people can relate to. trauma at young ages. not that exact. trauma, but like there's something as. human beings where when it's that young, you probably don't talk about it that. much at that young age cuz like what is. mental health and how do you even speak. about these things? So, you internalize. it in your body and then it sticks with. you. >> Yeah.

>> Um, how do you think losing her. kind of started to shift the way that. you saw the world? >> That's a really good question. Um. I think well my parents tried to put me. in therapy for a while because I think. even they knew like because it even at. the time like this was 22 years ago so. it's like mental health wasn't the. internet wasn't what it was. My parents. didn't really know like there was no. therapy speak in the way that we all. kind of can psychoanalyze each other and. like pop psychology each other now. Like.

they really didn't know. Um but they. knew enough to put me in therapy. like I. was very very very very very disturbed. by um knowing someone for all that time. and being like raised around them and. then realizing that they are capable of. doing something so harrowing. Um, and I think that that kind of like. fissured my psychology, like my brain. and how I process things, like kind of. like I don't want to be dark, but like. kind of forever. Like I still have uh.

issues and you know, there were more. things that happened that sort of echoed. that experience. Um, but I still have. experiences where I'm like, I'm grateful. for the relationships that I have as. long as I have them. I'm grateful for. the good things as long as I have them. because truly at any moment it can be. just an entirely flipped script, black. and white situation. Um, which I think I. have acceptance around because I've had. so much practice at it. But I also think.

like, you know, it is something that I I. think I forget is is playing is running. my brain so much like it's really the. source of most of my anxiety. I know in. the past you you kind of talked about. how this death accelerated. a darkness that was going on in your own. home. >> Yeah. >> Can you kind of explain what you meant. by that? [snorts]. >> Yeah. I think I don't actually know as. an adult like how to rationalize the.

correlation between this loss and then. sort of subsequently what happened with. my family. Um, but I think it was just. like my mom could probably tell you. better, but I think it was just sort of. an invisible. um chipping away at an already sort of. shaky foundation. Um, that was my. parents' marriage. Um, and I want to. state from the beginning like my mother. is uh my mother is totally okay with me.

speaking about this stuff. I would never. speak out of turn. Um, and I think my dad would be too, but. I think it was my parents were not um a. love match. Like my parents were not a. love match. My dad uh was at least at. the very least not straight. Um, they. got married because they got pregnant. and it was like my dad came from a. Catholic family and they had love for.

each other. Like I see home videos from. when I was little or before I was born. and like I think my dad truly loved my. mom just not as a husband and wife, >> right? Like romantic. Yeah. >> Yeah. And I I don't think he ever fully. accepted that about himself. Um. and so they just had this sort of like. they they both wanted something from. each other that the other person. couldn't give, right? and and I knew.

that there was something off. >> like your whole life. >> I think I would say right around eight. I would say right around that time. Um. [sighs]. [laughter] it's funny. Someone called me. out once for being like, "Damn, so much. [ __ ] happened to this girl when she was. eight." And I was like, "Actually, yeah, >> that was kind of the year banner year.". >> That was the big year. The big eight for. you. Some people it's like 21 or 18. You're like eight. >> My frontal lobe developed at. >> eight. Hey, try me. [laughter]. >> That's true. Call Her Daddy is brought.

to you by T-Mobile. Okay, Daddy gang. [music]. I am starting to think a night in may. actually be the new night life. Uh, where am I in my life right now? Okay, I. have been working so much lately that. all I want to do at the end of a long. day is hang out on my couch. There is. just nothing better than getting into. comfy clothes, pulling out some of my. favorite snacks, curling up with Henry. and Bruce and Matt. You can join too,

Matt. And doing absolutely nothing. And. on those nights in, T-Mobile has me. covered with value that keeps on. stacking up the more I use it. Like. streaming benefits and snack perks that. truly deliver. The math is mathing. With. so many perks and benefits, T-Mobile is. basically making staying in a lifestyle. So, you know what? I love you even more. now, T-Mobile. Okay, my go-to recently. has been popping on a reality TV show,

ordering a whole pizza, and hitting next. episode all night long with a side of. ranch. Okay. And if you have T-Mobile. like I do, you won't believe how good. staying in can be. Check it out at. t-mobile.com/magenta. Status. Disclaimer: Streaming benefits. included while you maintain a qualifying. line in good standing. In terms of your childhood in your home, um, your dad struggled with depression. and bipolar disorder and.

that that's a lot. That's a lot to as a. kid handle. Um, and I'm sure you're. sitting here today with a different. perspective on it. had I met you 10. years ago and then had I talked to you. 15 years to 20 years because I'm sure as. you become an adult you have a different. perspective and you're able to process. things differently and empathy comes. into play. Um but when did you realize.

that he was struggling with these. things? Like did your family have a. conversation about a diagnosis? You know, yeah, we did. Um, it was such a [ __ ] blur. Um, but. I knew. I knew that there was something cuz like. I said, I was a very precocious kid. Like I was not there was never a time. where I was sheltered and then suddenly. I was like big new world. Like I was at.

the adults you were clued in. >> table. Yeah. Um Yeah. In a big way and. not in a way that I regret either like. in a way that I actually think is what I. needed. Uh, I think the thing that I would say is. what I was the most aware of was that my. dad had really intense emotional swings. Like I knew that I knew how to be. prepared for that. Um, I knew how to. hopefully work around that, which also. then like obviously splinters off into.

like how your brain works as you get. older and affects who you date and what. you accept. Um, but that's not like I I. know this might be controversial. This. is just my personal opinion about my my. father, but I truly don't think it was. his fault. I think he was so traumatized. and so repressed. and he had a really really really really. rough childhood and life and all of. that. Um, and. I think that he was doing his best with. the tools that he had and he didn't have.

enough tools. And. you know, there were times when like if. something completely divorced from. something that I did or my my sister or. my mom did happen, but it was like we. were the person in the room. Not really. my sister. My sister and him were. [sighs]. were were better about this because she. was just less combative. Um, and I think. she would also be okay with me saying. that. like she was much more like um she. had learned to avoid his triggers in. like a different way. Um whereas I would.

try to avoid them and then if they. happened I would sort of like fight back. cuz I was like you I don't care that I'm. 12. You cannot talk to me like that. >> which was not something that worked well. not something that earned me gold stars. in the family household. Um my mom I. think loved it. My mom was always like. go baby but my dad really didn't like. being challenged. Um, and so we had a. bit of a tenuous. relationship as I got older. Um, but I, you know, I would come home and. something would happen and suddenly like. all the VHS would be in the trash and.

he'd be like, "You no more nice things. You cannot have this. Like you're being. punished for this thing." And it was. like for what? You know, it was just. something. it was something that was happening in. his brain purely for him that like he. had either. like mis uh labeled like something that. I had done wrong that was like I think. I've told this story before, but like I. had this Barbie bubblegum toothpaste. and one day he came home from the office. like really stressed and he used it in.

this kind of like aggressive joking way. like I'm going to take the toothpaste. and I like a 8-year-old was like no. that's my tooth Ew, germs, whatever I. said. And he heard that as like he was like, I. pay for everything in this house, you. know, like in this sort of like you. don't know how good you have it. And. then for like a week um like wouldn't. talk to me, wouldn't look at me, wouldn't tell me he loved me. like just. really.

just really strange like things that at. the time I didn't recognize for what. they were because now I it was strange. then it's not strange now um because I. understand it more now. you talking. about kind of being the defiant sibling. of the one that I I think that's also. very relatable of um. >> having different childhood experiences. with your parents than your siblings is. >> weird cuz then when you get older you're. like that's not how it happened and. they're like no that's not how it. >> or like mom and dad are like this or. this happened and it's like it's not.

even events it's like that's not who I. grew up with. >> oh how nice for you cuz that wasn't my. reality. >> um when you would be, you know, going. back and challenging your father and be. like, "No, I'm going to stand up for. myself as at such a young age." I'm. assuming though, when it got heightened. to some capacity, I don't know. I don't. want to speak for you, but like there. could be moments you had to dissociate. or go into survival mode cuz you're. like, "Oh my god, this is okay." the.

face. You're like, "Girl, little do you. know, >> what behaviors did you or you can now. look back and recognize you started to. lean into in these really heightened. traumatic moments with your father?". I actually just wrote a song about this. um called Silver Screen Baby uh and. about sort of my. desperation to escape to Hollywood. Um, I had this like very.

like bullish sort of headstrong. belief. that like my home was not ever going to. feel like home in the way that it felt. like to the other girls that I went to. school with. Um, because I'm going to be. honest, just like to a slight. delineation, but like my home was also. magical. Like that's the weird thing. about living with a parent who deals. with, you know, um, struggles with their. mental health. It's some days are really.

beautiful and some days some days are. weeks some days are long stretches of. time and you're like oh and then you. settle and then it's like you know. upended again. Um so I don't ever want. to make it seem like you know my. childhood was um only one thing. It was. also exceptionally beautiful and special. and my parents were great parents in a. lot of ways. Like my mom has always been. the perfect mom. Like I'm so big on. saying that. Um she just got saddled.

with a very difficult. um like workload and situation which. wasn't really her uh design. But but my. dad also was exceptional. Like there's a. reason that I have spoken so highly of. him and written so many songs about him. and and why I care so much about mental. health is because it is a. it's not in your character. It's an. affliction. >> It's it's something that there's a.

reason why we say people struggle with. mental health. It's chemical. It's not a. [ __ ] choice. And so like. >> I you know I I look at my dad as the as. the parts of him that were so so. magical, right? Like the parts of him. that. Sorry, I fully came in today and I was. like I'm not going to put [laughter]. [gasps]. fine. I um. so much of who I am is my mom, right? So.

much of who I am, but so much of who I. am and who I grow into now. I look back and I retroactively realize. was my dad. And. sorry, [snorts]. it's like the the parts of him that I. never got to meet as I got older, I get. to meet them as I become them, which has been like a really profound.

experience, you know, because I remember all these. things about him and as I get older, I see them coming out in my personality. like on accident and I'm. Oh my god. Like it feels like. getting a sort of a piece of closure is. is kind of like following a road map. that that um has been leading me towards. really feeling like his daughter, you. know, because I [ __ ] love him. He's.

so special and and it's such a shame to. never get to know your parent fully. I. think um. what I think a lot of people are going. to sit here and also cry with you as I'm. crying because I have someone so close. to me that has a very similar experience. to you um in with a father and losing a. father to bipolar and it's so. complicated and as we talk about it all. the time and our personal moments um and.

what I'm hearing from you which is so. helpful cuz it's like oh this is a. relatable feeling where it's like the. highs are so high and that doesn't mean. that they're not highs. Like and with a. parent, you need to hold on to those. beautiful moments. Like we can sit here. and of course it's like we're talking. about the really hard moments in your. childhood with this because we're not. saying your father intentionally hurt. you, but as a human being sitting in. front of me, we would be remiss to not. acknowledge that so much. Yeah, there.

was not intentional but it did form then. who you are as a human being or your. personality or your behaviors or what. then you went on to accept and so you. it's like we have to talk that through. also to acknowledge who how strong you. are but then. >> right there's the moments where you now. can look back at your father and be like. but then there was this creative side to. him and there was this like brilliance. to him and so bipolar is really [ __ ]. confusing to the people around people.

like that because you see two different. sides to someone and one day you'll wake. up and think about the good side and. then the other day you think about the. bad side and that's really confusing cuz. most people you're like this is who this. person is. >> Yeah. >> And you can kind of be like in one. sentence but with this you're like there. was a lot going on. I also will very. very earnestly say that the patterning. that my brain found around like.

there's the person who does the thing. and then the person who's there for. cleanup. >> that really [ __ ] me up in my dating. life. >> I cannot imagine cuz you're learning at. a young age because it's your blood and. your father to put up with and you're. innately seeking love from your parent. Yeah. >> Who you are half of but then when you. then are so used to something. more also like so used to Yes. But also.

like the thing that I could not let go. of in my 20s which is another thing that. we are leaving behind. [laughter]. >> The list is long. Um, one thing that I [ __ ] couldn't let go. of, I couldn't conceptualize was if my. dad could do those things, but I know he. loved me. Can I believe someone who can do those. things to me in a romantic relationship. who then tells me they love me? And they. almost went hand in hand for me for a.

long time. [snorts]. Um, and. you know, sometimes I look back and I. blame myself for staying in those. relationships. Sometimes I look back. with great empathy and I say, "I. couldn't have known better.". >> Sometimes my empathy even extends as far. enough to say that they couldn't have. known better, but then I dial it back. [laughter]. >> You definitely could have known better, >> right? >> Yeah. Um I found myself in a lot of. situations that accidentally mirrored um. >> your father and your relationship. >> completely. Did you ever have a moment.

in a relationship where. it got to those moments of the most. heightened where it was like scary where. you then look at yourself and you're. like, "Wait, how how am I putting myself. in danger?". >> Oh, yeah. No, I'm also I wrote a song. about that also recently. Um, which I won't share right now because. it's one of my favorite songs I've ever. written and I just want to like keep it. for the album. But. that was actually one of the reasons.

that the one of my relationships that I. was in ended was it it it came to a very. very not physical not physical but a. very very very very scary um moment that. I was like I'm going to document this. like I'm calling my mom right now. [gasps] I'm calling all my friends. Like. and it was but it was something it took. it took me it took me up until that to. be like okay wait this isn't love and.

it's your threshold though Dub. >> my threshold was high girl my threshold. was crazy high and I also I also it's. such a weird thing to try to explain to. people who have never been in this. position I loved. that person I was in love I was I was in. love and and it's hard to conceptualize. like people who are like. but how can you love someone who does. those things to you and yes I would say. now from a healed and healthy. perspective I would agree I would I. would also find it inconceivable.

>> but I was going to say but but I think. what we also have to have empathy with. ourselves and other humans when. everyone's like why did you stay and why. did you do this how would you know any. better of what you deserve when within. your own home there was a pattern and. there was a procedure essentially that. you all knew when this was happening. this is how you fall in line and then. he'll apologize and then we go back to. normal and then we try to pretend it. didn't happen and then another moment. happens and then we get through it. And. so it was like this cyclical situation. that you were going through that like. that was your life and you just survived.

and lived so that when you get into a. romantic relationship, how would it be. if someone had boundaries and treated. you right and was respectful, you'd be. like, when is the other shoe going to. drop? Because you had never seen. anything. >> like that in your life. And so then it. takes you actually learning and and. experiencing the world and talking to. therapists and licensed people who. actually are sitting there with you to. be like, "Let me walk you through. This. is not healthy. This is trauma.". >> Yeah. Yeah. Well, and also like huge. bouts of alone time. Like I I I had like.

a 2-year. dating romantic sabatical. Like I was. like or sabatical. That's where we take. time off. >> Hiatus. Yeah. >> Sorry. [snorts]. It's like not so sbatical. Um I just. disappeared off the face of the planet. Like I there was a while where I was. like, "Whoa, I'm broken." Like I'm a. broken I I don't want anyone. I cuz I. was just so disturbed. Like I was so. disturbed by the places I had like. gotten myself to and and what I had who.

I had chosen to love and who I loved. Like that's the thing is that. it's complicated, right? And when you're. speaking about these romantic. relationships, I and how you had said, you know, you have such empathy for. understandably your mother who you. watched in this relationship. >> I think about how hard it is to. leave something that is especially when. you have kids. >> Yes. Um and I know I I had read in an. article you had said somewhere that.

before your parents got divorced, things. were getting very real and very adult at. home. What was the breaking point for your mom. to get your family out? That's a really good question. Um, I think that. I think that my sister went away to. college and it was just me at home which. like left them with 50% less.

distraction, you know. Um, I was really. depressed. Like, you know how sometimes. there are those kids that go through. like puberty and they're like, you're. like, "Oh, god." Like, THAT WAS ME. I. WAS LIKE, I didn't want to be awake. during the night. So, I would like stay. up all night. I was being homeschooled. I would like just watch movies. And. hearkening back to the Hollywood thing, I was like, I I'm not supposed to be. here. I'm supposed to be among people. who are going to understand me. And like. in my mind, my like 12-year-old mind, I. was like, that's Hollywood. because.

these people clearly they have an. understanding for emotion and I felt so. close to these people in these movies. who are making this music and it all was. being done in this one big amorphous. town. They're all there like I was like. great [ __ ] get me there. Like I was. like that's where I'm supposed to be. Um. as a very childlike, you know, understanding of of the industry. Um, and so I was doing this thing where I. was not going to school and I was. staying up all night to watch movies and.

because I was terrified of [sighs]. the nighttime because I was just like. traumatized. I had a hairpin trigger for. any things that go bump in the night and. the house was in the woods and I was. like I don't know. I'd always been a. really anxious kid. I think ever since. Haley died, I was just like very easily. shaken. And my parents were just kind of. alone in the house and they ran a. business together and um. I don't know there was there was clearly.

uh. some form of adultery happening like. where both of them were just kind of. like. done done. Um and so it was it was just. time like I don't know how they could. have carried on honestly. And did you. were you sitting in that house and. feeling them both kind of doing. their own things? >> Oh yeah. No. Yeah. They were just a. terrible terrible match. Just like a. decade of them slowly burning out. >> So you eventually. get your dream. You are sitting there.

You're watching these movies. You're. dreaming about going to this land where. everyone is and everyone's getting to. act and perform and do all these things. And you've. >> watched this growing up for so long. And. then your parents get divorced and your. mom and you go to LA. And I remember. reading that uh you were going for. auditions and Disney said that you came. off as dark and offputting. [laughter]. >> That's still so funny. >> Like girl, you are too dark for Disney. >> They were like, "Please [laughter]. stop.". >> Smile.

>> Yeah. No, they literally asked my agents. to stop sending me. They were like, >> they were like, "She's it's never going. to be her. Like, give it up." Um, but we. came out and uh I was getting sent out. on all this Disney stuff and I [snorts]. remember saying to my mom like, "I don't. want to do Disney because I I felt like. it was going to be a lifelong. commitment." I felt like I had grown up. watching the girls try so hard to like. break away from it and be respected. And. I knew even when I was like 13 or 14, I.

was like, "This is going to be hard.". Like this is going to be something. really hard. That sounds so ungrateful, but like this was something before I got. the opportunity that I was like, I don't. know. I don't know because I really. wanted to do. >> um movies and TV shows that felt like. more adult, but the for that age bracket. like there were like, you know, you play. the daughter of so and so or. >> but it also makes sense and I get what. you're saying. You're grateful, but. you're also I this whole conversation. we've been talking about how you've. always felt older than your age and then. >> that was the other thing. So you're like.

Disney like I I've I've been watching. these movies and I'm seeing myself in. this older light and then to do Disney. and again Disney was established at this. point right like remembering when Hannah. Montana came out like that was that was. new. Everyone didn't know that this. could become this whole format. Hillary Duff, right? When you came into. it, you had these people that you could. look at and there was a blueprint. essentially laid out of like now we're. watching these people try to grow out of.

this persona and it's. >> stigma around it. There was a whole like. like people would write articles about. like so and so gets a tattoo to be a bad. girl. And I was like I was like I'm. already have a tattoo. Like I was like. [laughter]. >> I was like [ __ ] [ __ ] [ __ ] like this. >> I've been around smoking. I have the. tattoo. Like. >> I was like yes. I was like, there's no. part of me that is like sheltered, you. know? And I also was like, I didn't. think I could be funny at the time. Like. I I perceived myself already as like too. dark and too whatever for Disney. Everybody my life had been insane. Like.

I was just not I was not going to be the. girl who came off like freshfaced off. the the you know the uh the what is that. like the. >> the Greyhound bus being like here I am. Like it was not a charming story. I was. like here because I was deeply. disturbed. Yeah. I was already deeply. disturbed and so I was like they're. never gonna pick me. Like [ __ ]. >> Okay. They did. So Liv and Maddie then. you get the show. >> Yeah. They called me and they were like. nine months after we shot the original. pilot they were like hey your show's. getting picked up. I'll see you on. Monday. Like but by the way you're.

playing twins. >> You're like cool. >> I was no I was like I was on the 405 or. something. My and it was like they. called from like an anonymous number. which they always do. Like they call. from this like no caller ID. >> Oh my god. like the Disney Pentagon. [laughter]. >> Literally. >> Yeah. And it was like my mom's cell. phone at the time and it was like no. caller ID and we were on the 405 and we. were like, >> "Oh my god." You know, cuz we were like. we were like we had my mom was melting. down gold to pay for our rent like based. on her own personal jewelry cuz she was. a jeweler, not cuz she had loads of.

gold. >> Um and so we were like, "Oh my god." It. was like the call that changed our. lives. Yeah. Um, and I took it and it was just such a. beautiful experience. Like to hearken. back to the thing where I sound like. massively ungrateful, Disney was some of. the most fun and joyful times of my. life. Like I I had a great [ __ ] time. on Disney Channel, which is why like. you'll see me talking about it still cuz. I'm not I know what it was. I know that.

that's not who I am. I know that it was. like a thing that I did when I was a kid. and when I was a teenager and it's. something that like I look back on and I. appreciate it for what it is. Like we. recently rewatched all the Descendants. films and I was like these [ __ ]. movies are so insane. that like I can't believe they got away. with it. Like like CGI Dragons and like. [snorts] it's like a it's like one long. acid trip for kids. Like you know what I. mean? Like I was I'm behind it. I love I. think it's beautiful though that you're. able to enjoy it because again I think.

maybe because of I don't know why like. maybe like you said like seeing people. in the comments and still remembering. it. I think it's okay that like it's. like that was a version of you and I. think sometimes understandably we try to. grow up quickly and we're like I don't. want to be my younger version of myself. but how beautiful that that was such a. huge part in your life and don't forget. like you just said that you and your mom. on the 405 and you needed this job and. it changed your life. >> Oh my god, Disney really like changed my.

whole [ __ ] life and they supported me. so much too. Like that was really the. thing. I had great relationships in. there. Like you know there was the there. was the thing that like is very expected. which is just like I came into Disney. yes with a tattoo at 14 and I was you. know swearing as much as I swear now and. I was a full adult and I had all this. trauma like full adult but like you know. for that age. Yes. um and I had all this trauma and. basically they were like in like the. friendliest way possible they were like.

okay so um we love you not relatable and. I was like. >> right that's fair and I believe you and. so like they did everything they could. to make me more relatable like god bless. them they were like they were like uh so. we want to make like a music video and. have your best friend in it but like you. know they wanted to make me more like I. guess age appropriate um and so they did. that um they were always very upfront. about communicating about that and I was. very team player with like when I would. do interviews, you know, I would give.

the answer that you would give if you. were talking to kids. Like that's really. the thing that I think a lot of people. get confused about with like who I was. when I was on Disney and who I am now. They're like, there's a crazy contrast. And it's like, but no, because I walked. into this contract being like, I'm on a. children's network, >> right? You knew the formula. If I went. on and did an interview for Tiger Beat. or Teen Vogue and I was talking like how. I do now where I'm like, "Fuck you.". Like, that would be stupid and also. inappropriate. Like, I'm 30 now. I can.

do it now. I could do it when I was 25. and forward. It's like I I am no longer. on a children's network, even though. they're syndicated forever. >> Of course. Of course. >> But it's like I think people think that. it was like this crazy switch up when in. fact I was just like a good employee. >> This is the job. >> This is the job. Yeah. Uh, it was never. a lie. I'm just like not going to swear. or be naked or like I remember the first. time I posted a picture in a bikini and. the like the internet lost their minds. and I was like, "Okay, not yet.". >> Yeah. They're like, "Never mind.

>> We're not there yet. >> See you in 4 years. We'll try it again. next year.". >> Really? Which is why like it's funny. because I still sometimes get asked. about like, "How did you break out of. your Disney role?" Or, "There she goes. trying to break out of her Disney role.". And I'm like I literally. I actually I think I try super um I. wouldn't say super hard but like I I. have no interest in bursting any sort of. Disney bubble because I truly believe. like that's over there and those shows. and movies live on forever that's not me.

and I'm over here doing this and they. don't really cross for me and so I don't. have any like desire to burst any. balloons or illusions. I also think like. there I see so much like someone will. bring up like a song that I've released. and they'll be like that's Dove Cameron. and I'm like great. So this these people. are over here knowing this and these. people are over here knowing this and. that's okay. You've grown and you've. evolved and you've changed. >> You have the version of me that that you. want. Absolutely. That's for you. Call. Her Daddy is brought to you by Into It. Turboax.

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when you were. on Disney, obviously moving to Los. Angeles, kind of also circling back to. the conversation of you move away from. home. Did you have a relationship with. your father when you moved to LA and got. this role? That is a very good question and a very. complicated answer. Um, my dad and I, so my parents had split, but not not for very long before we. moved to LA. And we,

my mom lived in like the tiniest. apartment on Bainbridge and my dad still. lived in our family home. And. I wanted to go live with my mom in the. new apartment because it was like really. close to the ferry boat. And if I'm. being honest, I could sneak out of the. house and go see my friends. Like I was. like sliding screen door. It was. [snorts] it was in like our little like. town area, you know. >> Um, >> so I was staying there a lot. Uh, and I. think probably retroactively like my dad. felt like I was taking my mom's side,

but then my sister kind of came home. from college cuz she was like, I don't. love this college. I want to be home. Um, and there was a day. where. I was in my room at the family home. asleep and I was 13, 12, 13, like right. before I moved to LA. Um, and my dad. wanted me and my sister to like come eat. breakfast in bed and listen to the radio.

or watch a movie or something, which. like we were a very cuddly household. like it was very like come down in your. PJs and be half asleep and like I made. eggs kind of thing. Um, and he was like, "Chlo, come down." Um, and I was like, "No, I'm sleeping." You. know, whatever 12-year-old answer you. give. And he was like, "You can be. sleepy. Just like come down and be. sleepy down here cuz you're never here, so like come be with us." And I was. like, "Okay." And I came downstairs and. I got in the huge bed and I went to. sleep and I got woken up because he had. thrown me out of the bed. Um,

and. he was starting on some monologue about. like, you're so ungrateful. You you don't even want to be here. You. are trying everything you can to get. away from me. Like, get out. Get out of. the house. Um, and I think that was a. really important moment for me because I. had finally had it confirmed for me that.

I was not the thing that was making my. dad upset. because when I was younger, I really. really blamed myself for anytime my dad. would get upset, it was my fault. That's. what you naturally think as a kid. And. in this situation, I was asleep, right? Um, [snorts]. I don't think I've ever told this story. actually. I don't know. I can't. remember. But, um, I it sounds like. nothing, but for me it was a really big. deal because it I was woken up literally.

by like hitting the floor and hearing. all these things. And so, my brain was. able to like through adrenaline process. like. I couldn't have done anything to cause. this because I was asleep. He told me I. could come down and be asleep. This is. all happening in his brain. And so I rather than leaving, I went. upstairs to my room. I packed a little. stupid bag of like any suitcase that I. had. And I was like whatever 12-year-old. language I had that was the equivalent. of like actually [ __ ] you. And [gasps] I.

went downstairs and I called my mom on. my like $20 flip phone that I had. because I went to theater camp and I had. to like be I had to call them. I didn't. have, you know, but I called her and I. was out sitting on my suitcase and my. dad came out and was like, "Wait, no, sorry, sorry." And I was like, "No, absolutely not." Like, "I'm cool on. this. I'm good on this. I'm not going to. be talked to like that." I I think I. remember saying something to him that. like I wish I didn't say but was like,

you know, like we're blood, we're. family, but like I didn't choose to love. you and like I choose to separate from. you. because this is not healthy for me. You. don't do it to mom. You don't do it to. Claire. And clearly I'm not doing. anything to cause it. So like I'm not. going to be your outlet. Um, and so I went to go live with my mom. And then when we finally I finally. convinced her to move to LA, like the.

crazy, you know, 12 13 that I was, I was. like, "You're not going to start over. again. Like, you just got divorced. Like, you know, there's so many more job. opportunities." And I love making [ __ ]. up, right? I was like, "Please.". >> Um, you know, we said goodbye. We were like, "We're just going to do this for 6. months and then we're going to come. back." Like my dad was super concerned. about he was like, "I'm really scared. Hollywood's going to chew you up and. spit you out." Like whatever idiom he. used. And I was like, "No, Dad. I'm. going to be fine.".

Uh, and then I started booking things. Um, and my dad came out to LA to visit. because he had some like a trade show to. do because they were wholesalers. And so. he brought like all of his stuff out and. he stayed on our floor because again, not really making any money. Um, and he. stayed on like a blowup mattress and uh. I remember I think I have spoken about. this but I came out to be like like. snuggle him and say good night. Um, and.

he like rolled over and turned his back. and was like, "Good night, Chlo. Like I. I think you should go to bed." And I was. like, "Something bad's going on there." But. like I genuinely I thought it was my. fault. like I genuinely just thought I. had upset him by moving to LA. Like I. didn't know what was happening or that. he was like purposefully distancing. himself in that way. Um [snorts]. so I went to bed and I tried my very.

best to like. spend extra time with him and like lots. of hugs, lots of kisses, lots of like. you okay like kind of stuff. And um and. then he went back to Washington and it. couldn't have been that many months. after that that we got the call that he. had Yeah. taken his life. Yeah. So it was a bit of a like a blurry.

weird time to say the least. >> [sighs]. >> I'm so sorry because even hearing from. the bed incident to then you trying to. connect with your father like there was. so much. clearly between the two of you how. you're describing it never really. happened to your mom and your sister. where you really were. >> putting out bids for connection with him. >> and in moments he would take it in. moments he wasn't capable right of. taking it because of where he was at. mentally.

>> um. >> you were always in the same place. mentally. >> Yeah. >> So, you were always waiting and it kind. of was always on his timeline and it was. >> That's true, right? >> Yeah. I've never thought about it like. that. >> Like, you were there always with waiting. for your dad and sometimes he would show. up. Oh my god, I'm going to cry now. [laughter] And sometimes he wouldn't. And so to have that last moment with him. where you really tried and then to get. that call, I. I can't even imagine who who did you get. the call or did your mom? like how did.

you handle that? >> Um, thank you for that by the way because I. actually very rarely have people be able. to tell me something new that I haven't. thought about. So that's really like. really helps me put it into perspective. Thank you. Um. cuz that's so the feeling, right? And. it's like it's actually really hard to. articulate that. Um so thank you. >> Um. >> you were the constant. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Which is exhausting. >> Yeah. Yeah. And I think like you you. know that's something that I really like. I'm really happy that I grew out of. Um.

but it still shows up for me. thematically. So like you kind of. synthesizing that for me so perfectly is. going to help me be able to tackle that. is like not always feeling like it's my. job to be the constant. [snorts] Um yeah. it's a good one. >> [laughter]. >> Like the constant constant 2026. >> stop being the constant leaving it. behind. [laughter]. >> Be inconsistent. >> No. >> Give them nothing. >> Yeah. Exactly.

>> [ __ ] constant. Yeah. I don't know how. to do that. Um. >> no, but. >> basic [ __ ] Yeah, dude. Bring it back. [ __ ] um we found out in in a really. weird kind of layered way because um. again tight-knit community there was a. woman who was like a kind of a like a. lynch pin like a like a sort of a. connection between um my mom and my dad. who knew the whole family and she had. messaged me on Facebook like that's how.

long ago this was [snorts] and she was. like she'd never messaged me before. Right. Um, and she goes, "Hey, is your mom around?" And I was like, stomach sank. And I just knew. I can't. tell you why I knew. Um, but it was not. a normal. interaction. She had no reason to be. talking to me. I was, however, I was 15, you know, um, at this point.

And. when I I responded like, "No, but she's. going to be home soon." And she said, "Okay." And then it was like typing went. away. Typing went away. And she was. like, "Uh, please tell her to reach out. to her brother or something like that.". Like, "Please tell her to it wasn't. called her that person. It was like. someone in the family." And my my. childhood best friend at the time, my. other childhood best friend Carla was. living with me. And we were like.

watching cartoons. And I was like, "Oh. my god, I'm going to remember this. moment forever." Is the moment that my. dad died and we were in my bed laughing, watching. cartoons. Um, and my mom came home and. she talked to her brother. Um, and she. put him on speaker. Um, and he was really breathless and like.

sounded like, you know, he was running, but I'm sure he was just like having a. panic attack. And he was like, um, I. just went to the house. Um, I can't even remember what he said. before he said the last bit, but Phil is. no longer with us. Um, and. I. had a panic attack. Like I don't know. like I I had a panic attack because I.

it's the most out of control feeling you. can have is like the phone call. Um, and. actually all three of my big losses have. come via phone call, you know, like. which I guess is pretty standard cuz. like what's you're going to have it. happen in front of you, it's a different. thing. Um, but I have like uh yeah, major phone anxiety I think because of. stuff like this. Um, not to like get off. topic, but I. >> it's such a alien thing to.

learn about something so like there's a. before this and then there's an after. this over the phone and like what the. [ __ ] is he going to tell us? Like what. how is he going to phrase that in a way. that like he can get through? And then. my mom having to like look to me and. then my best friend who's there living. with us looking to me and I'm looking at. them and like I I think I ran out of the. room. I think I like I couldn't breathe. Like my the brain just breaks. Like. that's really the thing they don't tell.

you about trauma. actually. like I think that's part of um. like people people when they watch. movies I think they get so accustomed to. like oh when someone dies you're like oh. my god they p you go into this like. animal mode like you you are fight. flight or freeze you feel like you're. going to vomit your soul like I don't. know how else to describe it it's it's. like this horrible. inexpressable. fiery painful knifelike thing and you're.

all you're trying to do is like purge. it, purge it, purge it and it's. impossible to purge. I um. I think that feeling is again like. something a lot of people are going to. relate to because I think like yes, death is inevitable, but you've. experienced such sudden and unexpected. loss that I'm not saying one or the. other is easier. It's just when. something happens so unexpected, like.

there is the shock and grief that are. warped and wrapped together and not. having time to say goodbye and and. >> oh my god, the worst. >> Oh, like you're you're riddled with like. so many emotions that you don't even. know which one to tap into. So then. you're just like you just you're just. there. You're just there and you're. existing and it's a horrible feeling in. the days and and weeks. Um, after you got this news, what do you. think for you was the hardest thing to.

wrap your head around? Um, honestly, the way it happened like. cuz he took his own life and um I. I wanted like I kept imagining because. no one would tell me how he did it. Like. I know that's really morbid, but I I. think I wanted to know. I needed to. know. and. and then it was worse when I knew and. and they were right, but like I wouldn't.

I would have I was torturing myself like. trying to imagine and and like I think. honestly. and I'm going to honestly try to stop. crying because it's like it's a lot. Um, but but I think honestly like the thing. that still plagues me, like the thing. that I'm still like cuz I can mostly for. the most part talk about my life with a. sort of a distance at this point. Like I. can be like this is what happened. This. is how old I was. This is how I. processed it. This is the good things. that came out of it. This is how it. evolved me in this way. This is what I.

can be grateful for. Whatever. Like I. have enough distance. And also the body. and the brain just shut down. Like I. don't know if anybody who's listening to. this can [snorts] attest or relate to. the fact that like. the body does not want to process. everything at once. And so sometimes. like your emotions the valves just don't. feel like they're on. So like I can talk. about this like it happened to someone. else. Um, but sometimes the thing that. like like I really wake up in the middle. of the night like a like catch my breath.

kind of thing is is just imagining. like his final moments alone where he. was like do I do it or not, you know, and like the he didn't leave a note, you. know, like what's that thought process. like? or like you know did he think like. if someone had called if. [sighs and gasps]. you know it's that kind of thing where. you're just like. could it could it have been different.

and and what did that feel like for him. and and did he know how loved he was? Did he feel loved? Was he was he. mentally there? Like dude, it's [ __ ]. [laughter]. [snorts] it's [ __ ] dude. It's it's. really [ __ ] And I joke about my. trauma because it's like what else are. you going to do? But like, oh god, it's. really the thing that like it's really. the thing that [snorts].

it really brings you back to to earth. and to what matters and like it puts. everything into perspective cuz. I am so marked by death and I'm so. marked by loss. And. there's a big part of that that I really. appreciate cuz I I feel closer to the. people that I love and and I love. differently and I I live my life. differently and I I'm not so scared. about things that I might be scared. about had I not had like the you know.

the comparison of the Mount Everest of. loss, right? [laughter] Like I um. there's beautiful things that come out. of everything. Does that mean that I. wouldn't change them or take them all. back? Like no. I would much rather have. these things had not happened, like have. had these things not happen. Um, but. but I. I do think that like, you know, part of the things that I really love. about myself and my life now are marked. by just the sort of deepening that.

happens with grief and like. the level of fascination and love and. appreciation and bonding that I have. with humans in general. Like I think. it's given me a kind of a a. comfortability with with strangers and. with people that I. truly don't know or have no context of. Like I think that there's a certain like. veil that drops when you realize. how deep.

how deeply humans can feel pain. like to. to know that there is someone that you. look at like a hero or or a complex. character and and someone that you love. and you worship. The fact that they can be so sad and so. lonely and so empty that they make the. you know the ultimate decision is is. something that. it just everybody's so fragile and I. really walk around the world feeling. that way. Right. I agree. And I also.

think that's why like even speaking you. to you right now, it's like. why I'm so appreciative of my job is. like I get to sit with people like you. who I only have had at one point the. privilege of watching on TV or listening. to your music and you can get. >> so much from it and and we're going to. get to all of it in the new show and all. of it. But what I think makes you then. feel more connected to those people,

especially with the internet now, is. like when people do have the. strength to share these kind of things. This isn't easy. Like we're not like. sitting here and it's like, oh, this is. let's just tell this story so people can. get to know you better. It's like I'm. also crying cuz I'm like this is. bringing up stuff for me, right? And. it's like we're all so connected when. you're saying these things. It's like. everyone watching this will will yes. feel more connected to you, but also.

it's therapeutic to hear other people. talk about the heavy [ __ ] [ __ ]. because we do convince ourselves in. moments that maybe this is an isolated. experience and maybe this is and yes, all of our experiences are unique to us. But the themes and what it brings up and. the emotions that human beings. experience of anger and loneliness and. grief and. >> happiness, sadness, all the things we. all go through it. So it it's um it's.

helpful sometimes to talk through things. because. you are on a at a different place in. your life right now when you're speaking. about it, right? Like I said, if I. interview you in five years from now, we. may have a different conversation about. this because you're going to live and. you're going to experience and you're. going to meet more people and you're. going to then have a different. perspective on life. But, um, >> to kind of close out that chapter. because I think. loss is something that people don't talk. about enough and I do think the way.

>> completely agree. >> Right. And the way you just talked about. it, I literally felt like I was just. sitting with my friend cuz I've had I've. had conversations like this of the. whatifs and had they not or what would. and all these things. Um, this is the. real [ __ ] And I get movies have to do. it a specific way, but this is. >> this is it. This is years later and this. is how we're feeling here and we're. still grieving and and grieving isn't. for a year and you're done like this. >> Oh, dude, it's forever. >> It's forever. >> It's forever. Um, you legally changed.

your name. >> Yeah. >> From Chloe to Dove. And from what I can. understand, you tell the story, but the. why and where did Dove come from? >> My [snorts] dad used to call me Dove as. a nickname. Um, when I was a kid, Dovey and like, you know, little stupid. things like that. It was never like like. he would there was when I was really. young I think it was more of a thing. than when I got older, but it was. something that like always felt, you know, like a me and him thing, like. personal, sweet, intimate. And so I.

think when I. got older, I just wanted to feel like. even even. before he passed, I was wanting to feel. that connection with him. I was wanting. to feel like his daughter. I was wanting. a piece of him. Um, and so I did that in. honor of him and to feel more like. everywhere I went, everyone was calling. me what he used to call me. Is game day, Daddy Gang. The TV is on. Everyone's.

locked in. And the best part, the. Buffalo Wings are waiting on the table. with a side of ranch ready to go. Boom. I'm diving in head first because no game. day is complete without Hidden Valley. Ranch. Okay. Okay. It pairs perfectly. with all of your game day favorites like. veggies, wings, pizza, okay? And do not. let anyone judge you for dipping your. pizza in ranch. It is absolutely an. elite combination. At this point, my. husband knows the minute pizza arrives. at our house, boom, put the ranch on the.

table. You know, I'm not eating pizza. without Hidden Valley Ranch. Boom. Also, Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning. We got to. talk about this, okay? It is also my. go-to to take game day to the next. level, okay? Toss it on your favorite. snack mix. Sprinkle it on some chips or. try making a buffalo chicken dip with. it. Trust me, it's a game changer. Or. just buy the dip from the grocery store. It's a game changer when you sprinkle it. on. Listen, we know I'm not really here. for sports sometimes, okay? It depends. who's playing, but I don't know. Okay,

but Matt has learned I will happily sit. back and watch him yell at the TV for. hours on end as long as I have some. ranch snacks surrounding me at all. times. It's an easy win for both of us. Okay, you'll love how easy, versatile, and delicious cooking with Hidden Valley. Ranch seasoning and dip mix can be. Find. your favorite Hidden Valley Ranch. products at walmart.com/hidden. valley. Okay, shifting the conversation a little. bit. >> Let's get into it. You referenced how.

all of these things obviously can impact. your romantic relationships. And I. obviously know that there's a little. well a big um ring on your finger. You. are recently engaged. >> Yes. >> I need to know how through all of the. experiences and whether toxic or. traumatic or just not the right fit, how.

did you know he was the one? >> Oh god. Um, I knew really early. Uh, I knew like way. too early. Um, I wrote a song about. that, too. I was like, m like I hadn't. even told him I loved him. When I was. like, this is probably like if he's not the. person I end up marrying, that's going. to like really break my heart because my. body and my mind and everything feels. like that's what this is. Um, so I was. like super freaked out about that.

[laughter] Like naturally I was like. [ __ ]. >> [ __ ] Yeah, I really was I was uneasy. Um I was really uneasy. And he also was. in a very different place in his life. Like he was not um. I think he would feel comfortable with. me saying he was not the happiest, you. know, he was struggling um emotionally. and everything wise. Um, and so he was also not. like matching my level of like, oh, this.

feels like something really special. He. was still like. kind of an enigma. You know what I mean? Like he was kind of behind layers of. glass, but I was like, I just have this. feeling that whoever's behind these. layers of glass is going to be someone. very important to my life. Um, and so we. started dating in the most ridiculous. way. We met at the VMAs, >> which is like the stupidest way you can. meet your partner. Not because the VMAs. are stupid, but because it's like.

>> one night only. Like it sounds like a. book, like a fanfiction, you know? Like. it's like we ran into each other in. passing and it was like. >> it's so stupid. It's so dumb. >> Wait. And then what did you do? Just. like get each other's number? >> No. Okay, here's something I want to go. on the record. >> Oh, let's go on the record. >> And I want to clarify a couple things. All right, we're done crying with time. to be serious. >> Yeah, let's go. Let's go. >> It's time to be serious. So, we met for. I have to say if I were to accurately. estimate. >> 14 seconds.

at the most. >> Okay. >> At the 20 You go. >> I'm literally. >> She's like She's like, "I'm tapping in. I'm tapping in. I'm drying your eyes. Getting rid of the salt water.". >> I would say it couldn't have been more. than 14 or 15 seconds at the 2022 VMAs. They uh he is in a band called Monuskin. and they were up for an award. I was up. for the same award. What you do. cordially is whoever wins after you go. like, "Congrats, dude." So, I won. And. so, we're backstage and the backstage is. very small. It is It is the size of like.

a [ __ ] I don't know. It's like I. don't know what to compare it to. >> What accent are we going into right now? >> If I say what it is, everyone's going to. tell me it's not that. So, it's East. Coast. >> East Coast. >> Okay. Okay. [laughter]. >> So, [ __ ] um It's a small area. Like. it's like it's like the size of like um. >> it's tiny. >> like in front of a movie like in front. of a movie theater like the concession. stand. It's like that and like a little. bit of standing room and that's how. small it is. It's small. You've seen it. >> We're rubbing shoulders. >> It's small back there. Tiny. >> We're rubbing shoulders and there's four.

of them. >> So I just won the award. I'm like oh my. god I won a VMA. I come backstage and um. they're naturally like nice to meet you. Congrats. And I actually spoke with. Victoria his basist and she was like. congrats girl. And I was like, "Yes, girl. Like, you're amazing." Um, [snorts]. and then Ethan and Thomas were like, "Congrats." And then Damiana was in the. back, so he barely looked at me. Like, and he was also. not giving off friendly vibes. Like, he. was like I was like, "That guy [ __ ].

hates me. All right, swerve." Like, I. was like going to go on with my night. Like, I met a bunch of people. Everybody's like, "Congrats." And I was. like, I didn't think about it. It was. not. There's this whole conspiracy. online that I locked eyes with him and I. was like, >> I'm biting my time. And I waited like a. year and a half and then I like struck. Like, but that's not what happened. I. met him. I literally met him for no. time, guys. And then he was back there. >> like this and he was like, "Congrats.". And I was like, "Oh, weird vibe." And I. was like, "Nice to meet you." And later. I learned he was just like in a really.

bad place. Like it had nothing to do. with me, but I took it personally and I. was like, >> "Fucking weird. All right. Bye. >> Okay. >> And this is the other thing I have to. clear up. Dun. I'm like, "What's the. [ __ ] like cops music?" Like, "Dun. like.". >> Yeah. And I love the direct look to. camera. You're like, "Hello. >> Listen up, ladies and gentlemen." And. everybody listening. [sighs and gasps]. >> There was this interview that they did. where they were like, "What celebrities. have slid into your DMs?" And Damiano, before I had even like met him, I think.

I don't know what the timeline was cuz I. don't know when they did this interview, >> right? was like Dove Cameron and now. everybody's like she was trying for no. no. >> I looked back cuz I was like what is. this? I had posted and tagged them in a. video performance of them for the iHeart. Radio Music Awards and I was like cool. band. >> right and then. >> I was like the new queen. >> and then you slide and it looks like you. DM'd. >> but I think he was saying that's like. sliding into the DMs like I don't think. he thought it was like who's flirting. with you. He was like who tagged you?

Who interacted with you? Who DM'd you? That was it. Meanwhile, people are. thinking you're like, "Hey, babe.". >> Oh, god. Well, especially because first. of all, I am nothing if not practical. Even if I think someone is maybe cute, first of all, I have never slid into DMs. in a flirtatious way because I'm not. good over text. And also, what if I. don't like you in real life? What if we. have this whole thing over text and then. I meet you and I'm like, I don't like. you. Like, I'm not going to do that, you. know? Also, like you can look back on my. text record anytime someone has slid.

into my DMs, seen I'm not replying. It's. weird. Like, catch me in real life. I. don't know. Catch me in real life. Let's. see if we have chemistry. So, that. didn't happen. I tagged them in. something. And I tagged the band. >> So, is the internet like making it seem. like you're like you were like obsessed. with him for years? >> Not the whole internet, but there's a. small section of people that always. bring up they're like, "But she did. slide into his Dia." And I'm like, "No, guys. Please leave me alone.". >> I fully didn't. And I also looked back. cuz I was like, did I right? >> Cuz he said that before I like had.

really met him. So I was like, I must. have. And it was because I had tagged. them because I was so impressed by them. I was a fan of their music. And then the. 2023 VMAs roll around and we had a. reason to talk. And he was single and I. was single and he was in a better place. and I was in a better place and he was. like, >> I don't know if you remember me. I'm. Damiano. And I was like, yeah, I. remember you. Like you're so different. now. Like he was so friendly. And then. he was like, "Do you want to come to our. show at Madison Square Garden?" And I. was like, "Yeah." And then we just.

started dating and now we're engaged. Like, it's it's so so innocent and. simple. >> But it's amazing. And it's so cute to. It's really. >> It's really cute. It's really cute that. it started that way. Now to be like. you're fully engaged. Like. >> it's also so like I don't know like meat. cute. Like I look back and I'm like all. the different stars that had to align to. make that happen. >> It blows my mind. And it didn't just. happen overnight. It was this like like. low burn but first fully. >> Well, it was just like all these.

different ways that we almost. >> but then we didn't until it was right. Like that's what's mind-blowing to me. cuz if I had met him before I did in a. way where he was interested in me and. there was an opportunity for us to be. dating, I would not have been ready cuz. I was so depressed. So like. >> you weren't in a place to date. >> No, I was like celibate. I was like, >> that was the that was the um. >> satical hiatus that we discussed. celibacy era where I was like, "Don't. touch me. Don't look at me. Don't come. close to me. I'm not leaving my house.". Like, "I'm.

>> I was like dark night of the soul for a. year.". >> And then you were ready. >> I literally texted my friends. I was. like, "I think I'm ready to date." One. week later, he was like, "Nice to meet. you." I was like, >> "Oh my god.". >> Wait a minute. >> Wait. [laughter]. So then give us a little tidbit. How How did it go down? Give me. something. >> Okay. Give me something. >> Okay. So, it's actually very funny and. then like very sweet. >> Okay. >> Because So, >> I'm obsessed. >> It's honestly it's it sends me because.

[laughter]. if you knew him, this would be so so. cute and funny. But so, he's a. Capricorn, too. >> Okay. and he is like the most. uh regimented. like by the books guy like he's like. there's there's a way that things should. be done and if they are not done that. way then it's wrong and so. >> we had talked about the fact that we. wanted to get married like I knew it was.

not like this big like will he won't he. like I knew it was coming cuz he told me. like he was like I'm going to propose. >> and I was like. >> really and he was [clears throat] like. 100% %. >> So, you knew? >> Yeah, but he'd been telling me for a. long time, like I think he told me after. like six months of dating that he was. like, I'm going to propose, but but not. for a couple years. And I was like, >> great. >> Do you? I was like, love that. >> Also, I also was a little bit like, maybe he won't. Like, he says that now. It's only been a couple months. And then. at the top of like 2024,

he was like, "No, top of 2025, we were. in New York." And he was like, we were. both like crying and he was like, "I. want to marry you." And I was like, "I. know. Me too." And he was like, "No, but. I want to marry you." And I was like, "I. know. I we've spoken about this." Like, "Me too." Right. Same. And he was like, "I want to marry you as soon as. possible." And I was like, "Oh, okay. But like you have to go on your world. tour." And like at the time I was also. supposed to go on my world tour. And I. was like, "My my show is gonna come out. Like all this stuff's happening. We.

wouldn't be able to do it for two. years." He's like, "No, I think we could. do it next year." And so like all every. step of the way, I knew. >> you were speaking about this openly. >> Yeah. Because I don't think that that. thing in the movies is. >> I agree. You need to. >> You grow up and you're like, "Wait.". >> Well, and you should like be an active. participant in deciding if you like. >> want to get married or like what that. looks like or do your values align or. >> talk about it all before. >> the future. Like do you want kids? Like. what about how do you feel about where. do you want to live? like you can't a. >> like you you grow up with these movies.

as a girl and they're all like [gasps]. >> yeah they're like now I have to leave my. apartment and it's like wait but not to. say that you should always live together. but you should at least experience what. it's like to live with someone. >> and you should be in my opinion you can. be shocked by the. moment he decides to do it but you. shouldn't be shocked that he's doing it. >> I agree because like all in all these. movies it's like that's my boyfriend my. boyfriend my oh my god he chose me and. it's like. >> no [ __ ] being weird. I want to be in. on this. >> I said, "Dude, I did the same thing with.

my husband now." I was like, "I'm ready. You can do it." Cuz he had been like, "I'm ready when whenever you're ready.". And finally, I turned to him at one. dinner. I was like, "You can do it.". >> He had it in his pocket. >> No, I [laughter] was like, "I don't. know. I don't want to know when it's. happening, but you're you can do it.". Like, "I'm ready." And then we were both. talked about it for a long time before. then it happened. So, like I'm we're on. the same page. Again, everyone has. different ideas, but I'm on the same. page. >> For me, I just want to It's not that I. don't like being surprised. It's just. that like. >> Yeah. It's again, it just feels. practical. It just feels adult, right?

>> Okay. So, >> so I know it's coming, but I don't know. when. And he he's telling me things. like, "Oh, we're starting to design the. ring." And I was like, >> "What does that mean?" Like, "Does that. mean it's two weeks away? Does it mean. it's six months away?" Like such an. amorphous concept. >> And so I start like telling a couple of. my friend like I'm going into. songwriting sessions being like, "I. [ __ ] designing the ring." And they're. like, so we're like, I'm like, what's. the [ __ ] plan? Like, I'm not a girl. girl like that. Like, what are we going. to do? And they and they were like, you. have to wear white every [ __ ] day.

And I was like, you're so [ __ ] right, queen. Like, I got to order all this. [ __ ] white. And [gasps and laughter]. we were going on this vacation in August. to Pulya. Did I say that right, Italians? I really. tried. Um, and which is like a beachy. Italian getaway. And I was like, this is. what is going to happen. I was like, we're going away for 3 weeks. was exactly. I WAS LIKE, "WIPE FOR. BREAKFAST. WIPE FOR LUNCH WHEN YOU'RE. READY.". >> He's like, "Wow, you look so Somebody. said the [laughter] other day, it's not. funny." Someone was like, "Wow, babe. You look like you're about to join a.

cult." Like I was like, "It is true. It's so like it's so like. >> you open your luggage bag and you're. like, >> Yeah, dude. And also impractical for a. vacation. Like you're like everything's. [ __ ] dirty.". >> Um, >> but I was like trying my best like every. day I was like learning how to USE LIKE. BRONZER. LIKE I WAS LIKE I was like. going in the side and like doing like. extra like little braids. You can go. back and look at my TikTok. I was doing. it. >> Oh my god. >> People will be like, "Oh yeah, this is. when she thought she WAS GOING TO GET. PROPOSED TO." I WAS LIKE trying trying. to be girly.

>> vacation. No, we're on like the one of. the final nights and he goes like, "I. know I'm not supposed to say this, but. I'm just a little drunk and I can't wait. for you to see the ring. It's like a. ring for a princess." And I was like, >> "So it's not here." So I was like, "The. ring's not here.". >> Oh my god. >> And so I But I didn't have a problem. I. was just like, "I want to be at least. looking. cute. >> I get it.". >> So all this time's going by and I'm. like, "Maybe it's this. Maybe he's going. to do it here." And my literally like my.

manager who's in the other room, we were. like guessing being like, "Maybe it's. Japan. You guys love Japan." I was like, "That's true." But like, but he wouldn't. want to do it in public. Like we're. trying to crack this code. >> Like I have to stop wearing white. >> All the girls [laughter] I was like, "It's getting weird. I'm wearing so much. white. No, but but so all the girls were. like, "Huh?" And I was like, "Nah." So. So again, I was not in any hurry, but it. was just like. >> he'd been talking about it for so long. that it was like a six-month period that. it could have been any time, right? >> Okay. And so, so.

one day we're at home. and I had said, "Baby," we talked about. it like a year ago that he was like, I. always felt like it would be really. romantic to propose like doing something. normal so that it's like, you know, this. is like our life together. And I was. like, "Yeah, I'm not really one for like. big outlandish." Like, again, I'm a. Capricorn, so I'm like, "If you throw me. a surprise party, I'm going to be like, "Oh, thank you." But it's not like how I. would plan [snorts] it. >> And so I was like, "Yeah, something. lowkey. I agree, but like you do you.".

Like I want you to be happy. >> Yes. >> Basically, we were we were packing. >> and I was in just a big t-shirt, no. makeup, my hair was like damp. >> and it was so funny because he'd been. finished packing of course cuz I was. like I'm always like trying to pack like. a [ __ ]. >> I was like I've never packed before in. my life. And so I'm like running around. and I was in a particularly good mood. and he was in the hallway like watching. me run in and out of rooms like a. Tasmanian devil and.

he wasn't moving from that spot. And I. was like. I was like at this point he'd be like. playing video game or like something. right like I'm done packing. >> And so I came out again and I like gave. him a kiss on the cheek and he did that. thing. I don't know if your partner ever. does this, but you know, you know when. guys go. >> Yes. >> that look where it's like suddenly. you're like, >> "Oh god.". >> And and I and I knew and I [ __ ] knew. and I was like, "No, no, no, no, no, no, no." Cuz I was like, "I got to go put on. a dress. I got to go do my makeup. Like. I got to do something." Cuz I had made. him promise that like at least we would.

we would try to take a photograph of the. moment. And so I like panicked. [laughter] and I went into the other. room and I was like I like kept packing. and I was like, "No." Cuz I because I. told him I told him that I I wanted to I. wanted photographic evidence. So like. there's there's not a photographer here. And I was like trying to like and he. goes, "Babe." I was like, "Oh my god. Oh. my god." Cuz also just right before. someone proposes like your heart rate. just goes through the roof. And he was. like, "Can you come into the room, please?" And I went into the living room. and he got down on one knee and I dude I. swear I'm not going to cry. But I.

started crying immediately. I was like. because he it was so [ __ ] charming. and sweet and kind and moving cuz he was. like. he was like I I know that some girls. want like rose petals and these big. extravagant things but I wanted to do it. like this because I want you to know. that I the reason I want to marry you is. because I want this life with you. I. want dishes. I want laundry. I want. normaly. I want you in your big t-shirt.

and your no makeup and I want I want a. life life and I choose this. I choose. you. I hope you choose me. I hope you. choose this. And I. was like. >> you're like [ __ ] the white dress. >> [ __ ] THE WHITE DRESS, DUDE. I was like. >> I was so I mean what more could you ask. for? >> You can't that's it's it's the real [ __ ]. in life. And of course, and if you. choose to do a wedding and you want to. do all the pictures and that that's when. that can come and if you choose that.

>> But I was so wrong cuz it was so it was. so much more special the way that he did. it and like. >> and real. >> Yeah. And that's so like who he is as a. person. Like he's so. >> I don't know. He really is the most. normal, grounded, beautiful, smart. person. And like and it it's so the. funniest part was at the end when I go. cuz of course I'm like yes yes and I'm. crying and he shows me the ring and I'm. like gobsmack cuz wow. >> it's so beautiful.

>> I really couldn't have imaging. guy. >> It's perfect. >> And at the very end I go by the way I'm. downplaying it. I was crying a lot. >> Um. >> at the end I go wait but you said there. was going to be photographic evidence. and he picks up his phone and he's like, "I was videoing." And so now we have. this like minute long video of the. proposal in our living room and you see. me like this and you see me shaking and. him being like, "Oh no, it's too big.". And I'm like, "It's okay. They're always. too big." Like it's so beautiful. It's.

so beautiful too because again I think. every couple like. >> you he knows you and you know him and so. you look back on that and we again back. to the movies we have these specific. ideas and some people that actually the. over the top is right some people the. more quiet like it's it's you need to. know your person and the fact that he. knows you and he listened to you and he. actually almost knew you better than. yourself in that moment of exactly what. he wanted. >> did well he did because I was over in. the other room being like oh god thought.

I look like [ __ ] and he was there being. like I this is you I choose you know. >> it's it's so beautiful and I'm also. curious you know of everything we also. have been talking about today you've. been through so much in your life and I. think a lot of times when you meet a. partner romantically. at some point you need to share with. them what you've been through and who. you are and. >> how have you been able to. >> share with him the.

[clears throat]. moments in your life that have yes. shaped you and made you who you are in. the positives and also the traumatic. things that have happened to you and. like how has he met you where you needed. to be met essentially. weirdly with ease like I. I told him everything about myself that. I thought was make or break or that I. thought was educational or that I. thought was too much [sighs] pretty. immediately. Like I was like, I'm not.

going to be anything else for you. I've. done that before. Here's absolutely. everything, even the things I don't want. to admit to myself. Here's my mistakes. Here's the things that I wish I did. differently. Here's all the loss. Here's. my things I still struggle with, which. is like, do you sign on for this? And he. was like, yeah. Like, he just was like. picked it up and put it on his back. Like he was, oh my god, it was so healing for me. and. it continues to be right because like I. I'll never forget actually this was a.

big important moment for me. Um we were. watching Titanic for the first time cuz. I don't think he'd seen it weirdly. It's. like one of the classics he hadn't seen. and there's a moment at the very end. when someone commits suicide. Um, and I had forgotten about it cuz I. hadn't seen Titanic in so long. >> But that happened and I immediately. >> we were like lying in bed and this was. like month four, like early and we'd.

been long distance for the first two. months. >> And he had like his hand on my stomach. and I was laying on his chest and we. were watching this and it was too early. in our relationship for me to break the. chill, you know, to like show true full. trauma. But he just sensed my stomach go. [snorts]. at that and his brain went, "Oh, of course." And he changed his. entire posture. He didn't ask me. He. pulled me in. He like uh he started. petting me. And then he reached up.

without even seeing and started to wipe. away what he knew was going to be tears. And at the end of the movie, he like let. the air be open to be like, "Do you want. to talk about do you not want to talk. about that?" And I at the end I was. like, "I want to talk about it." And he. has always been so intuitive, supportive, um truly like unflapable, unshakable, and so ready to especially.

with this be like I do not know. I. cannot say the words that heal, but like. he's he's been he's like a big um I. think I've said this before, but like a. big basin for all of these things. And. because he only has the interest in not. carrying it for me because he knows he. can't, but like loving me through it. He's uh he's never wavered. Like I've. never once seen him be like, "This is.

too much." much. I've seen him get. frustrated when he can't help me where. he's like, >> "Of course, >> I wish I could lift this for you. >> and take it almost for you." Yeah. >> Yeah. But he's just the most evolved, beautiful young man. It's It really. still shakes me. >> No. Oh, and I I appreciate you sharing. cuz I do know you guys are more private, but I think to all the people listening. who've been on this journey with us. today, I think when you hear and you. know, you've been through so much in. your life and there's people that are. going to be like, "Girl, I can relate on.

so many of these topics and themes." I. think sometimes we can convince. ourselves we there's no way I'll find. someone who can the word would be handle. this, right? Handle it. And what you're. talking about actually, which is so. beautiful, is like. >> no, no, you don't need to push down your. the grief and the sadness and the. things. You actually just have to find. the right person who can be there to. support you through it. They're not. going to solve it for you or fix it for. you. And you are worthy of finding your. constant.

>> and that person that's going to be there. for you, which you have found, which is. so beautiful. And to everyone watching, if you haven't found that yet, it is. coming. And don't shrink yourself or. believe that you're too damaged or too. [ __ ] up that you can't find it. It's. just it really is about finding the. right person that can you can merge your. life with that can handle that with you. Yes. Yeah. I completely agree. I also. think like some of my previous. relationships were just bad matches. Some of them were trauma bonds and me. choosing to like continue on that path.

and not seeing all the red flags and. they were truly terrible. Um, and so like I was looking at that as a. sort of a proof that I was broken, right? Whereas and like I cannot choose. love. I cannot um I cannot. I'm not worthy of a real love and I am. always going to pick someone who's going. to harm me. Right? That was my narrative. and I know that's a lot of young women's. narrative, women's narratives, you know, people's narratives is that like I am. too broken to not only be loved but then.

accept it. And so my choices for partner. are always going to be um people that. that sort of mimic where I come from and. I won't know how to ascertain that. that's what's happening until it's too. late. >> That was what I had thought. And then I. spent some time alone and I was finally. ready to date someone. And when I say. some time, it was like two years. Like I. I spent like two and a half years being. not only not dating or seeing anyone but. like really working through my [ __ ] so.

that I felt okay being alone so that I. felt like I actually don't need a. partner. Um so it can fall into that old. sort of like just when you stop looking. it comes you know and it is true and it. is true but I think part of that rather. than like it is energetic for sure cuz. you're like I am fulfilled and so. someone's like h I it feels like it's. like an it's a it's a vibration that. attracts but it is also a bit scientific. like it's it's a bit more not scientific.

logical because it's like. I am not. trying to take from you. I'm not trying. to make you into a shape that you're. not. I am simply here. >> and if it works, it works. And what's. more attractive than that? You know, >> a thing. >> Um, >> for me, too. >> I also feel like let's talk about your. new show because there's like weirdly. some themes that we've like discussed. that you can like kind of tie to the. show. And there's there's.

>> a lot. >> Yeah. So 56 days, you take it away and. tell the people, give us a little just. like what this is about. >> So 56 days, [laughter] which no one. realizes it's a title cuz they keep. saying they keep thinking we're saying. it comes out in 56 days. It's called 56. Days and it is based on the novel by the. same name. Um it's a I guess I would. call it like a like a pseudosexual. thriller. Um it is a love story. Starts. out as a love story. Yeah, I was going.

to say it. >> starts out as a love story. It's a very. like meet cute like you know boy meets. girl in the grocery store and it's like. you go first. No, you go first. Let's go. for coffee. Um they have this very sort. of innocent chemistry. They have this. nice walk. Uh and it's like oh I do. this, I do this. Like do you want to go. for a date? Okay. Very charming. And. then somehow between that day and 56. days later, one of them. ends up dead in a bathtub melted by. acid.

>> Casual. >> So the whole Yeah. >> As it does, as it happens, >> obviously. >> as all the best love stories do. So. basically the the show takes takes place. over eight episodes and it is working in. it's a dual timeline. So, our story line. is progressing towards day 56 and the. the police who are trying to solve the. case are solving it all over the course. of I think like one or two days and they.

are retroactively solving the case. So, they're going we're going like this as. they're. meeting them. >> One, it's so fun and I also know you. were I think you kind of talked about. how you were torn like there's nudity in. this. Yeah. >> How did you decide you were comfortable? You know, it was funny. It's It's. something that I was always aware that I. was probably going to inevitably do. Um. I don't know why I always felt that way. It wasn't like an aspiration. It was. just like I grew up watching these. incredible actresses.

do nudity. And I remember being like, "Wow, that's so brave and cool. Like. that's got to be so you have to be so. courageous to do that." And I know. somebody in the comments is going to be. like courageous. And it's like, yeah, courageous. It's so vulnerable. Like, I. don't think I don't think people really. realize how vulnerable it is to be fully. naked, period, on camera, but then fully naked. simulating sex on camera in a room full.

of people. Like, it is harrowing. And. for you, rewind to what you said earlier. of the first bikini photo you posted. online. People were like, >> "Yeah, no, I thought that this is. crazy." So, it's like this to see Yes. as a woman to do this, it is I agree, courageous, on top of that, having the. Disney background, having people be. familiar with you in one light to then, >> you know, grow up essentially and try. something more adult. Like, it is.

>> it's. >> it's a kind of a crazy move. Yeah. >> Yeah. But I think I mean, if it felt. right, then that's all that matters for. you, right? I was like so down for it. I. was like, I don't really have any. hang-ups about my body or sexuality. Like I've never found nudity to be um. offensive or even objectifying. Like I. think that when people say that nudity. is lewd or crass or sinful or. objectifying. It's like I do find. there's a [ __ ] ton of internalized. misogyny in that. >> Yes. >> I don't care. Like I truly don't care.

>> Okay. >> No, I don't care. Like I see a naked. woman and I'm like, "Wow, what a. beautiful naked woman. What a piece of. art. I'm not like. >> she's cheapened herself or I'm not like. oh my god it's like all of these. reactions are so for me um. >> the reactions are actually the. objectifying part right it's not it's. not the actual act because naked bodies. are an innocent thing you are naked you. are naked under that. >> right and you are making it weird you. are making it sexual you are exactly.

>> what I will say about our show that I'm. really proud of and happy with. >> is that the sex scenes actually serve, they're much more tame, I think, than. than what I'm making them out to be, but. they serve as a storytelling device. because the sex scenes that are in the. first couple episodes are not the same. tone as the ones who are in the ones. that are in the following episodes. And. it's like you watch. >> their dynamic shift and change in this. very sort of intimate, vulnerable way. that is more storytelling.

>> than a lot of other devices for our. show. the Daddy Gang will love this. And. I think also the. >> deception as a viewer, it's like so fun. to be like, I don't know what's. happening right now and the world that. was created is so interesting. Um, and. so I'm very excited for everyone to. watch it and also support you. I think. I'm sure after. >> this interview, everyone that, you know, follows the show is going to fall even. more in love with you, whether they were.

a big fan or they're becoming an even. bigger fan today. Um, I think it's. really just exciting to hear where. you've come from, that young little girl. wanting to get into Hollywood, dealing. with so much, getting into Hollywood, maybe, you know, starting on one path. and then completely rebranding and. getting to grow into another version of. yourself that is different to the world. and reintroducing that part of yourself. to the world while also dealing with all. of the [ __ ] that you had to deal with as. a kid that then you have to conquer as.

an adult. and then meeting the love of. your life and finding your partner and. finding your constant and and having. just so many moments of human. >> experiences that I think is really. beautiful. And then now to see you as an. actress obviously and you taking on this. role, it's um it's really really cool to. have gotten to know you today because I. feel like I got to I hope it wasn't too.

all over the place, but I felt like in a. good way we were bouncing all around and. and learning about you um as a human. being, not just Dove Cameron, the person. that we have seen for so many years. online and on TV. And it was beyond a. pleasure. And I know we went deep and I. know we both didn't want to cry, but we. did. And I can't thank you enough for. going there. >> Oh, dude. I'm so pleased. I'm obsessed. with you. You're the second love of my. life. Yeah. My best friend's out.

[laughter]. >> We're done. >> [ __ ] you. >> 15 years of friendship over just like. that. No, >> this was really cool. >> No, you're so lovely. You're so smart. I'm really honored. I'm also like very. impressed by you. Like, and I'm not just. saying that because you're right here, but like I I don't know. You have such a. lovely energy. You're clearly so kind. You're so invested. And you must spend. so much time delving into other people's. psyches. And not only are you so good at. it, but you have this like well of. effervescent energy for it, which is. really generous. And I don't know, I was. really pleased. I really I think you're.

wonderful. >> Thank you. And I am so excited to. continue to follow your career and watch. what you continue to do. And on a. personal level, I can't wait to see if. there's a wedding. Whatever you share, I. will be following. And I will share. >> forever. No wedding. >> Perfect. [laughter] Done. Um, thank you, Dev Cameron, for coming on Color Daddy. >> Thank you. [music]. [music].

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