Dakota Johnson | Good Hang with Amy Poehler

Hey everyone, welcome to another episode. of Good Hang. Very excited to introduce. my guest, Dakota Johnson, just an. amazing actress and truthteller. And. this is actually the first podcast she's. ever done that she told us. So, we're. very honored to have her here. We talk. about a lot of fun stuff today. We talk. about analyzing her dreams. We talk. about her receiving the Rzzy for the. movie Madame Web. Um, we talk about her. new movie, The Materialists, coming out. with Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal. So,

we really get into it. A bunch of great. stuff. And we always like to start these. interviews with um with a with a Zoom. from a friend of our guests or a fan of. our guests, someone who's going to give. me a question to ask them. So, joining. me now is Blake Lee. He is an actor. You. may recognize him um from uh uh Parks. and Wreck. He played Derek, the. boyfriend of April Lgate, who also had a. boyfriend. So, they were a threpple and.

that confused Leslie. Nope. Um, so, uh, Blake Lee is joining us. He is great. friends with Dakota, and he's going to. fill us in and get us ready for this. interview. Blake, hi. This episode is presented by Athleta. Summer is here. It's time to get outside. and get active. And Athleta has just. what women need to move the way they. want. That's shorts for every type of. run from a casual jog on the beach to a. competitive road race. There's squirts. for on the court and pants for cool. stretching. And there's always a.

matchback bra and top to complete your. outfit for stylish, innovative activew. wear. The choice can only be Athleta. power of she. Shop now at athleta.com. [Music]. I'm so thrilled you can do this. Hold. on, let me move my head. Can you see? Yeah. Wait, do you have my book behind. you? This is where it always lives.

For listeners, Blake Lee has very nicely. put my book behind him in his bookshelf. And I should say he's also my editor. Exactly. Exactly. You're welcome. Blake, let's talk for a second about how we met. because I think some people will. recognize you. Um, but maybe you can let. people know how how we're friends, how. we met. So, Aubrey Plaza and I were good. friends and she brought me to a dance. party at some random club in Hollywood.

and uh, she was working on this. It was. first season of the show of Parks, so no. one had seen it yet. So, you were all. out and I went dancing with you guys and. just instantly fell in love with you. And I don't know if you remember this, but do you remember Aubrey like smashed. a glass on her foot and was like gushing. cut her foot at this club? And so you. and I like took her into this bathroom. and we're giggling and we're like. putting her foot in the sink and we're. cleaning it and it was just like it was. so the one of those like magical nights.

And then like two weeks later Aubrey. called me and was like, "Hey, so that. show that I'm doing like my character is. going to have like a gay best friend.". And Amy was like, "What about your gay. best friend you brought dancing the. other night and then you changed my life. cuz I got to do the show for, you know, a handful of times and it was the best. It was the best." And it's like, yeah, truly. I feel like every time I see you, though, I'm like, "Thank you. You. changed my life." That was my first job, my first acting job. Yeah. And so it was.

so crazy to be like to have that. I feel. so lucky to that that was my first job. And like it's like wild. There's I. still random times people will like be. like, "Are you the gay guy from Parks. Reckons?" I it happened once like I was. I was peeing at a urinal and some like. stranger was just peeing next to me and. like looked over and he was like, "Wait, are you on parks and wreck?" This was. years after and I'm just peeing next to. him talking about parks. I have to say. I'll never as a as a woman with female.

parts, I'll never ever. understand the. etiquette of standing and peeing next to. someone. It's so intimate. It's really. intimate and most people are straight. ahead, you know. I feel like most that's. the edit, you know. Well, yeah, I don't. know. Most of the time it's like you I. think that that's like the universe. thing is like just straight ahead, but. every once in a while you get a how are. you doing? It's so weird. So weird.

because to be recognized in that moment, it's so vulnerable. I mean, it's just it's something else. It's funny. I know it's funny. Life is. funny. Okay, so um we're talking to. Dakota today and I got to tell you. between you and me, I'm a little nervous. because and excited because I don't know. Dakota that well, I am a huge fan of her. work. I think she's an amazing actress. She's so cool and and speaks so.

slowly and h has a vibe that I think is. very like mesmerizing, which is she. seems to not worry too much about. getting people's approval, but I might. be projecting that. Before we get to. your question, what do you think people. get wrong about her? I think that people. think she might take herself seriously. and she doesn't. She's She really is.

like so goofy and so silly. Ben, my. husband was like saying like he was like. when I was saying that I was doing this, he was saying how like I get to see a. version of her that not everyone gets to. see because we're I I I don't know like. I make I'm so goofy with her and like. we're just stupid and and I think it's. like I think that that's the thing. I. think people might think that she's like. this really serious person and she's. she's not. She's so goofy. It's so funny. you say that because I, you know, came.

up with all these comedians and sketch. performers and improvisers who everyone, you know, was like, "Are they just. hilarious all the time?" And you're. like, "No." Yeah. No. And then. conversely, actors, you know, like, you. know, serious actors, there's a lot of. people that assume like they're very. very introverted and take their. themselves and their work very. seriously. And that's not the case. often. No, it's not. And I have to say I.

went I think yeah, both times she hosted. SNL I was there and she I've never seen. her happier. Like she was like, "This is. the best thing on the planet. I never. want to do anything else. I want to be. here every day. And it's that like being. around funny. people. She just like gets off on that. I think she she like is energized by. like by funny people. I love that. Okay. Really helpful to know. So, um, what do. you think I should Do you have a.

question you want me to ask her today? Okay. So, my question is, what actors. did she look up to that she wasn't. related to? Ooh, very good. Yeah, cuz. you know a lot of people you know you. know may not know that she comes from. very successful talented parents that. we'll talk about grandparent and. grandparent stepparent. Yes, let's just name it real quick. Tippy Hendren, grandmother, Melanie. Griffith, mom, Antonio Banderas, stepdad, Don Johnson, dad. That's a.

that's that's a lot. So, yeah. Other. than them, other than them, who as a kid. were you like, I want, you know, who did. you look up to? All right, that's. perfect. That's all we need. I hope that. helps. I hope that helps. So, so good. You're going to love her and I'm so. excited to hear it. I am so excited to. do it. Okay, thank you so much. I'm so. much fun. Thank you so much, Blake. You're You look so cute. Is this is that. bookshelf behind you real or are you.

Can you imagine this is just like a. Yeah, I'm in my It's wallpaper. Is this. bookshelf wallpaper? It's just flat. It's flat. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. I love. you. I love you. I'll see you soon. Okay. Take care. Bye. Thanks, Blake. This episode is brought to you by Uber. Eats. Summer is here and you can now get. almost anything you need for your sunny. days delivered by Uber Eats. What do I. mean by almost? Well, you can't get a. summer Blockbuster delivered, but you.

can get a block of cheese. A cabana, that's a no. But a banana, that's a yes. You know what I like to order from Uber. Eats? Batteries. Don't eat batteries, but I often need batteries. And you can. get batteries from Uber Eats. Get almost. anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order. now. For alcohol, you must be legal. drinking age. Please enjoy responsibly. Product availability varies by region. See app for details.

This is so fun. [Laughter]. Oh my god. Dakota is listeners. Dakota. brought a puppy in. First time we've had. an animal in the studio. Tell me about this animal person. She's. um my. dog. And then bye. New dog. Yeah. We rescued her on. Saturday from the Santa Barbara Pound.

I didn't plan on it. How many dogs do. you have? Well, I had a dog for 17. years. He was 17. Oh, no. And he died in. Yeah. There you go. Oh my gosh. She's a. performer. Tokyo is checking out the. mic. He died in December and I was like, "Oh, it's going to be a while." But then. I saw her and I just She's like an. angel. What kind of dog is she? She's really cute. Wow, you are being.

amazing. Tokyo, if for listeners, Tokyo. is trying to. um get up on the mic and also lick a. little bit of the. water maybe. Oh, look. He's getting some. of the. water. Wait. Let's get this ASMR. She also hasn't peed in hours, so brace. yourself. Okay. Well, we can always just. hold her over the table and squeeze. That's normally what I do over tables.

I'm happy that you brought, by the way, hi. Hi. Thank you for coming and doing. this. I'm so thrilled that you're here. And um I was just saying to saying that. like you and I have seen each other at. different places. We know a lot of the. same people, but we've never actually. been able to have a you chat. No, I. know. I'm thrilled that it's this. Me, too. I actually was I've never done a. podcast and I only wanted to talk with. you cuz I feel quite safe. Yeah. I'm not.

going to I'm going to take very good. care of you. Yeah. This is This podcast. is should be for the listener and for. the guest very stressfree. That sounds. ideal for me. and Tokyo. And Tokyo. She. is a honestly. She has come alive on. camera. Yeah, Tokyo knows how to find. the lens. She normally hides in the back. of her crate. She's really timid and now. she's like, "Here I am." She's a show. dog. She's ready to work. You're an.

actress just like your mom. But you grew up with animals all the. time, everywhere, right? Like your mom. is a big animal person. Your grandmother. was like a huge animal conser would you. say conservationist? I guess you could say that. She rescued. lions and tigers and elephants at one. point. Um did you have lions and tigers. around? She did at her house. Yes. Did. you? My mom did growing up as well. Yeah. You did not. I at the by the time.

I was alive there was more safety Mhm. involved in general in the world. Well, yeah, sort of ish. Yeah. Is certainly at. my at Marmar's house, they were no. longer inside the house. They were in. they're in still they're she's 95. She. turned 95 in January and she still had. Excuse. me. She's. Tok Tokyo is chewing the end of the.

She's teething. So I mean this is why. sometimes well I. mean I don't allow pets at in my office. and it's caused a problem I think with. some of the younger Jen. Why do you hate. animals? I don't I love I love them, but I don't have a pet. And um I don't. like pets at work. But tell me why, Amy.

Okay. Okay. It It's actually We're. That's actually a really good question. I feel like it's just a little too. distracting when you're working. Okay. And I feel So you're like a drill. sergeant. Do you also keep the AC on. full blast? Like really cold? Yes, of. course. It's 65° in here. To keep. everyone awake? Yeah. To keep everybody. up above so they can produce, produce, produce. Do you not do that?

No. I mean, I I I've thought about it. cuz the women at Paperkite at my. company, they have dogs. They have great. dogs. They want to bring them. And I'm. even more of a hypocrite. I've when I. had Suki, I was allowed to bring Suki. into when we were like writing our. sketch show back in the '9s. I got to. bring Suki into the Comedy Central. office, but. I'm I'm going to say no thanks. But. that's you. Um, dogs are allowed in my.

office. So, if anyone who works for Amy. wants to come to tea. time, bring your dog. Bring your dog. But wait, so you grew up but your Did. you just say more more because Swedish? Swedish. Yeah. Her her parents full full. Swed full Swedes. My brother lives in. Sweden and his kids speak Swedish and so. my nieces and nephews call their. grandparents more and more and more more.

far. And I got to meet your mom when I. feel like I'm sure you have. We got to I. got to see her at where a lot of blondes. meet which is at the hair salon and one. day. um well more than once actually I've. been on the same sketch as your mom and. she's so lovely and she did something. really generous that day. She was. talking to me about. um skinincare and then went home and.

brought back all this skin care like all. this cream and handed it out to everyone. at the. salon. It was really really nice. That. is so sweet. I know. It was really nice. It was very very sweet. She beats me. Yeah. Um that's so Is your mom a nice. person like that? a generous nice. person. She's extremely generous. She's. always been extremely generous. If you. said to her, "I love your shirt." She'd.

take it off to you. Mostly cuz she loves. to be. naked and has great tips. You California. kids are something else. I mean, I know. so many of you know, like Maya and Micha. and you, like people that grew up in. California. Where did you grow up? Like. outside of Boston. Okay. In a in a. suburb. And there was like something. about I used to watch movies like Karate. Kid and the kids would be in school in. California and it was like what the [ __ ]. is this life? Like their lockers are.

outside like it's sunny. Yeah. They walk. outside from class to class. So I didn't. fully grow up in California. I was. always like my parents divorced when I. was six and they were both actors or are. actors and um my so I'd spend the sort. of divorce deal was 2 weeks and 2 weeks. that was big at that time. Um so it. was I would do like two weeks on.

location wherever my mom was and then. two weeks on wherever my dad was and. that was a lot. He was living full-time. pretty much in Colorado just in Aspen. for a long time and then he moved to San. Francisco. So the first full year of. school that I did in a school, not like. traveling with a tutor was fourth grade. So when you think of your hometown, where do you think of? I think of Woody. Creek, Colorado. What was that like? The. best. Yeah, it was the best. We like.

rode dirt bikes all over and I lived on. in Woody Creek and there were two girls. my age that lived up the road. So, those. are the girls that I would know. Now, one of them I don't keep in touch with. as much, but if we saw each other it'd. be the same. And um but it's it was it. was just fun. We'd like ride horses to. each other's house and tie them up. outside or dirt bikes and we'd. snowboard. Well, I actually hated. snowboarding so much to grow up in.

Colorado and like hate skiing and. snowboarding is Yeah, I was just in. Colorado. Tina and I just did a show at. Red Rocks. Fun. So fun. Although it was. pouring rain and 32 degrees, but it was. still really fun. But everyone had like. everyone had their outdoor gear so set. like every single person had and it all. comes in like a tiny little bag. It just like folds up. And it was like. pouring rain and they were like, "Let's. just go to the rain." Like they knew.

exactly how to be outside. They love. outside. Yeah. I love outside. You love. outside, but no skiing. How come? Cuz it. sucks. Yeah. And it's cold and it hurts. Yeah. It really hurts. Mhm. I have. nightmares about skiing. Mhm. I had one. recently. I'm just remembering it now. Oo. Tell us about it. Well, no. That's not interesting. When people talk. about their dreams, people talking about. their dreams. It's like people talking. about their improv shows. You're like, Mhm. And then what happened?

Yeah. I'm fascinated by dreams because I. think we're similar in that I love. sleep. Oh god. So much. And I know you. do, too. And I've seen you talk about. it. And to get to dreams, you have to. get to sleep. Like like But I know that. that sounds stupid, but most people. don't dream. They don't sleep well. enough to even dream, which is very sad. That is really sad. Yeah. I actually had. a dream the other night. Sorry. That. Let's hear it. Let's hear it. I Chris.

was like, "That's a really good pitch. for a movie." So, Maddie Healey from the. 1975 Yes. Familiar was in My Dream. Great. And he was murdering people. Yeah. And he. was he was himself. He was Maddie Healey. as himself. And when the the people were. looking for him, they were cops maybe or. I don't know, he would turn into a piece.

of. [Laughter]. asparagus and and people would just run. past him like that kind of thing. They'd. just be like, it's really good. This is a really good. idea. It's like A24 would be all over. that. And I was trying to find him. I. was like, "Maddie, Maddie." And I just. saw like these two kind of poles in a. bed and I was like, "Maddie." And the sheets came down and.

it was him as an asparagus and Angelina. Jolie as an asparagus. What? She's in. this too? Let's They were getting. married. They were getting married. And then they. left in a helicopter together as a spare. guy. That is such a weirdass dream. No, you might be getting too much sleep. cuz you get a lot of sleep. Let's ask. America. Okay, so America, let's ask. Dakota. How much sleep do you get a. night? If I am not working, I can It's like.

somewhere somewhere between 10 and 13. hours. Incredible. Incredible. Incredible. But like 10 is normal for. me. And any sleep aids? Do you take. anything to go to sleep? No. Incredible. I That's aspirational. because you've traveled so much and been. around so much. You must have a good. sense of like how to acclimate quickly. to wherever you are. Do you think you. do? I try to just not think about it. I.

heard arnica is really good for jet lag. Smearing it where? Oh, as in your vagina. Put it right in your vagina. Mhm. Up your back. You wake up and you're in. another country. You don't even have to get on the plane. It's. crazy. Um, this is a new trick. But you. can swallow arnica. Little pellets. Yeah, like homeopathic arica. Yeah. Okay. Are you a homeopathic gal? Like, do you like Yeah. What kind of stuff do.

you like that is. pellets and creams and stuff? I mean I. feel like that again is and I mean I. don't mean to to generalize but it does. feel like when I move to California and. I meet California kids they love their. vaccinated and I yeah a lot of that a. lot of I never take and I don't believe. in medicine but I do think that you know. tea tree oil will get rid of my.

gallstones or whatever. but do you are you a homeopathic person? Do you do you take supplements? I take. supplements. Yeah, I take um. supplements like Xanax and. um just like natural just natural. things. Yeah. Um but uh did you like can. you I know this is a weird question, but. I wanted to talk about it with you. because what I love so much about you is. the way that you're able to like handle.

silence. Mhm. Yeah. How did you learn how to do that? I think I learned early on in interview. situations that if I speak out of. context or like it doesn't go. well. I think I just have been so scared. of saying anything but answering the. question or not or trying to not answer.

the question. very very like honest, upfront, and truthful when you do answer. questions. I don't I don't find you. evasive at all. No. Yeah, I'm not. So, was that always been your Although, you. know what? I did once do that lie. detector test for Vanity Fair. I'm doing. one again. Did you beat it? I lied and I. passed. Well, let's be honest. I mean, there not a professional person running. Do you think there's a real professional. person? I mean, they have them dressed. up as a suit, but we don't know. I've wa.

I've watched other people and they're. like, "That's a lie. That's a lie." And. you see the thing and I fully lied and. and they didn't catch you. No. Do you. think you have low blood pressure? I. really Yeah, I do. You could. That must. be it. Truly, like I would be a good. spy. You would? Yeah, I'll do that now. You heard it here first. You're in. Tokyo. You're in Tokyo out on the road. But it's true because there is some kind. of You're right. There's like a um an.

energy where I don't feel a grasping. energy from you ever. No, that's kind. Thank you. I don't want to have a. grasping energy. Well, a lot of people. don't want to have it, but they just do. Like they just can't figure out, you. know, it's like they're just managing. their anxiety in that way and it comes. out in that way. But I've always felt. that about you that you don't have that. or or you're really good at at managing. it. I definitely have anxiety. I But it.

makes me hyper present. So maybe that's. what it is. Oo, say more about that. That's cool. I don't know. It makes me. just like I'm so here. I'm so I'm not my. brain doesn't go to a million places. trying to figure out what to say next. I'm just like very present. And that. happens also on, you know, like talk. shows or things. I get nervous and I. have to go on stage. I have terrible. stage fight. You do? Oh my god. Shocked. Oh my god. Like an awards show is my.

nightmare. I have to do breathing. exercises before like if I have to. present something or give a speech. Thinking about it makes me what is what. what's the like what's the what would be. the nightmare you'd have about it? What's the fear? you'd uh say something. wrong. No, it's like a physical manifest. like my kneecaps start quivering and I. and my voice gets kind of shaky and I. get like. um I'm like say if I have to give a.

speech I'll be like I don't know how to. read like I'm so sorry I can't read. I. suddenly don't know how to read. So what. is it about the camera and acting in. front of the camera where you don't get. that feeling? I have no idea. Yeah. I feel like very very free. and safe. Mhm. It's really weird. Do you think it's like from growing up. on set? Like do you you you kind of.

explained that when you were a kid sets. were homebased? Yeah. I mean I saw that. I thought they were the most magical. places. I Oh my god. I loved being on. set. What did you like about it? everything. Like I just thought it was. the coolest. I loved the trailers. I. loved base camp. I loved set. I loved. like the the ring of when it would be. rolling. And I'd be so excited to go in. when it when the red light went off and.

go and see what my mom looked like and. what clothes she was wearing. And I. guess that's how it felt. It started to. build in my mind as a sacred space. It's. like a safe place to be wherever the. cameras were in the scene because it is. really it's like a beautiful. magical space if you want it to be. And. what was your first professional job? Well, I guess it was the social network. when I was 18, 19, but I did a part in a.

movie that my mom was in when I was. nine. Yeah. And I took that very. seriously. I was a professional. You did you. analyze your dreams? You I worked with a. dialect coach to have a little southern. accent. And did you what do you remember about. that? Did you feel like you nailed it at. nine? Um I think I nailed it. Yeah. I. think I felt like I nailed it as well. and I loved it. Yeah. So much. That's. cool. Do you feel like it was in your.

blood? Like do you always feel like ever. since you were a little kid like that it. was like inevitable that you were going. to be an actor? Yeah. Yeah, I think so. Mhm. Definitely. for me. And it's funny, I my. siblings, my oldest. brother acts sometimes and he went to he. studied acting and. um my one of my sisters is an amazing. sort of photographer and my other sister.

wants to be a director. So, it's. definitely in our family, but like my. mom, my dad, my grandmother, my. grandfather, they were all actors. Yeah. And like. working actors, all with their own. special magic sauce. I also am. remembering too that I met your mom. I. saw your mom again when your stepdad. hosted SNL cuz I was there. Antonio. Banderas, your stepdad. What year was. that? That was probably. 200. I'm pretty bad with this kind of.

stuff, but it was pre-baby for me. So, it was like 200 maybe four, five, six, something like that. And delightful. So nice. Um, smelled great. Yeah. Always. Yeah. And she wears moose dartier. Oh, I don't. know if they make that anymore even. Moose dartier. Mhm. Moose. That means. the the moose cart in English. And what did Antonio wear? Cuz he. smelled great too. Um, we don't know. I.

don't know. But actually now I think he. has his own cologne or like perfume line. and it's so cute and funny to me. It's. like Stallion by Antonio Banderas or. something perfect. Or like. um Dark Cloud. Yes. Sexy cloud. Sexy. Sexy dark cloud. Sexy stallion. Yes. He did a scene. I did a scene with him.

and Chris Parnell on SNL that I loved. where we were like describing wine and. just describing like the adjectives of. wine which is very similar. And there. was a line where he's like uh do I sense. a hint of sword play? It's so good. That's funny. You were so. great on SNL and I know you loved doing. it. What did you love about doing it? Oh, I love SNL so much. Well, you know, I. like I mean even moments sitting here. talking to you, I'm like I can't believe.

I'm sitting here talking to you. Come. on. I know. I'm serious. It's so It was. such a huge part of shaping like. my my wanting to work in comedy at all. And then the the fact that I've even. gotten to do it once but twice. So like. that is the it's my favorite place in. the world. It's that same kind of thing. of like I want to be in there. Yeah. But. are you nervous? You're not so nervous. Okay, great. So nervous but in like a.

fit of glee. Absolutely. I love it. What do you love about it? I think I. love how. um everyone is is just trying to make. the best thing and the funniest thing. and and everyone is so smart and the. energy there is. is like it's the most important thing. anyone has ever done in their lives and.

yet we're it's just funny. Yeah. It is. like a theater camp vibe. It's like oh. no we have a show we have to do it. Yeah. Yeah. And then I really like all. of the like behind the scenes gossip and. the like these people don't get along. and this is really hard and everyone's. really tired and drinking like going. when I I was there last year and going. around in like the first couple days and. meeting with all the writers and they. had it was like 8:00 p.m. And everyone. had just gotten there.

and like I can't imagine that like. everyone had really big iced coffees. that they just got just starting. I. knowing that was like the hours of that. show are like leftover. from cocaine days basically I think. But. they're just it's crazy that you don't. start writing or I mean some people do. but the the majority of people don't. start writing until Tuesday night. And. we even talk about there's this feeling. that happens sometimes on Tuesday.

nights, which is this panic and you. don't know where it's coming from and. then you're like, "Oh, this is just. writing night fear." Yeah. And you walk. around and everyone's pitching you ideas. that they haven't even written yet. Yeah. Yeah. But it's it's a magical. place. It's like Disneyland. It's my. most favorite place I've ever been. I. just I don't know what it is. I love it. so much. I watch it all the time. I go. back and watch your sketches. I wa I. watch it all. It's very weird. I should.

stop. I should go. Wait, is is Tokyo. asleep? Yeah, Tokyo is completely fallen. asleep. And I mean, listeners, you can't. see, but just the cutest dog in the. world. She's sitting on Dakota's lap. So. special. You really are making me think. that. Do you know what's funny is. animals should still not be allowed in. the workplace. Did you notice my nails? Oh, yeah. I have a French manicure, which is very not me, but Tokyo has one.

I thought it would be funny if we had. the same nail. Oh, yeah. Tokyo does have them. Oh, come. on. Come on. Oh my god. Oh, come on. I think it's. because she has a calcium deficiency. Yeah, but she has a little natural. French.

boy. She's cute. She's really cute. Anyway, so we do this thing where we. talk well behind people's backs and we. ask someone that knows our guest um you. know what they think I should ask you. and how to ruin their life. We ask Yeah. We all get all the dirt. And I talked to. Blake. Did he tell you? No. I But I.

heard you were going to do that and I. think he thought it was a surprise. Oh, so he didn't tell you. He didn't tell. me. He's such a good boy. I know. He's. such a nice person. What did you talk. about? So Blake wanted me to ask you who. besides your family when you were. growing up, who did you look up to as an. actor actor and actress? Like who did. you like what actor and actress did you. admire? Blake wanted to ask that. Yeah,

he's Did he Google like most basic. questions to ask an actress? That's the question. You can you can say. pass. Um, okay. No, I'll answer it. I. uh recently I actually exchanged texts. Well, I got a voice note from Sandra. Bulock. Wow. I know because I don't know. if you know but I won the Rzzy for worst. actress. Oh my god, you did. Congrats. That's a really good um There's a lot of.

good people that have won that. Mhm. Thank you so much. What did you win it. for? Uh this really good movie called. Madame Weather. Oh my god. Yes. I don't. know if you've heard of it. And you did. you accept the Rzzy? Oh yeah. I asked if. they'd send it to me. That's incredible. Um, but Sandra Bulock sent me a voice. note being like, "I heard you are in the. Razy Club and we should have brunch. We. should have a like a monthly brunch.". Um, because I guess she won that when. like the year that she won the Oscar as.

well. Are you kidding me? It was like in. the same year I think. But I freaked out. getting this message from her because. that's she's so iconic. Yes. To me as. like a movie star. I was like, "Oh my. god, it was just crazy." But but I I. don't know. Like I I grew up. being fascinated by first of all younger. actresses that worked with my mom. So. like Thora Burch, Christina Reachi, I.

was always like, you can do that as like. a teenager cuz I really wanted to. And. then Diane Keaton, I was obsessed with. um still obsessed with. Um, and then. like SNL, a lot of SNL, but. yeah, great question, Blake. I mean, can I can I talk about that. Razzie thing for one more second,

though? Because why I love talking about. that with you is because I think your. career is. so super diverse and always interesting. and you pick really big movies and you. pick small movies and it feels like you. pick what you want to do. like there it. feels like you really go with your gut. about what you want to make and I feel. like. you handling it that way is the most. powerful and like interesting way. because.

if we're lucky we're going to have a. really long career like that's the goal. right is to stick around. Yeah. So this. idea of like we have our had our last, you know, our last best thing or that. this thing didn't hit, but I don't know, how do you ride the wave of that? Like. you have a sense of humor, I guess, about your work that's important. Yeah, it's so it's I think about this a lot. because and I know you you have. experienced this because everybody is. going through it all the time now, but.

you you like we don't have control over. how something turns out anymore. No one. does. like very very few directors or. actors like Tom Cruz maybe does. Yeah. You know, like but I don't I've signed. on to a movie that is by the end of. shooting it a completely different. script than what I attached to. And that. is a wild thing to to like a crazy.

journey to go on as a as an artist. because you're like, "Okay, I'm doing. something like with my actual body and. my actual mind and my heart, my. emotions. I'm like using things and and. it's. just being. taken and [ __ ] with, but you can't do. anything about it. Like, what am I going. to do? [ __ ] cry about Madame Web? No. No. I'm gonna laugh. You're gonna go to. the Razies and you're gonna spike the. You're in person.

I wish they did. They should. Oh my god. I wish they did. That would be amazing. if you went there and then you just gave. an an epic speech and then you just. spiked the award and you just like God, you just threw it down. Sandra Bulock. said she asked for the award and like. picked it up and then they called her. and asked her to give it back because. they only had one. By the way, who who. is the Razzy committee? I know. I'd love. to I'd love to I'd love to hear I'd love. to have the Rzzy committee show.

themselves. I know. So, I'm going to do. a lip balm break. It's really a funny thing. But, um I. mean I feel like this probably you. probably had to figure that out with. Fifty Shades of Gray, right? Yeah. That. was another thing. It was like, okay, this project, it's a big project. I'm. signing on and now I have to give up. control and now I'm in this and this is. going to be a lot of years of my life. and I got to figure out how to Yeah, that was a wild. journey. Very very interesting. That was.

another version of signing on to. something that was one thing and it. turned out to be another but I'm so. grateful. I was going to say with time. how do you look at it now? I I mean I. I'm so grateful for that experience. The. first movie with Sam Taylor Johnson. directing was really extraordinary as an. as an experience. Extraordinary. And I. think the movie is as good a version of. it as it could be. Yeah. Um but it was. challenging. Like it was I signed on to.

a script that was different than what we. ended up shooting, right? Written by a. different person. Um it was, you know, and then you then. you're attached. You're signed a. contract, so you're in uh signed on to. do it with a different actor. It was. like a different thing and then it all. changed. and and I was just in it and.

um but it was so I was so young. I was I. think I turned 24 while we were. shooting. Wow. And I was so like brave. I just feel proud of myself for being. brave and being. um interested in like the I don't know. it just felt wild and and it also like. there were no intimacy coordinators then. or anything like that. That was not that. long ago too like that a lot has changed. and yeah and there was an expectation of.

just like figure it out yourself in real. time in front of everyone. It's intense. Mhm. Yeah, it was it was a lot. Who has. been your favorite director? Someone. that you just think when you know you've. worked with a lot of great directors and. a lot of great actors. Who's someone. that when you think about you think that. was just that experience was so good. I. loved it. I've had that a lot and I've had the. opposite a lot. Yeah. But I loved Selene.

Song. She is I love her. I'm so excited. about this. spectacular director filmaker. For. people who don't know, she she wrote and. directed Past lives with um Greta Lee a. few years ago and she is the Did she. write your new film or just she she. wrote and directed the materialist film? Yes. It's her second film and it is. coming out. It's actually I mean it's. the reason why you're here. Let's be. honest. Okay. That's true. It is June. 13th. Thank you. June 13th. I've been. trained. Tell me why you love Selene.

She's in She's an incredible director. She's amazing. She comes well her she. has a her background is she's a. playwright. Um and I think there's a. different sort of control that she has. over what she wants which is really such. a relief. Like it's nice to work with. somebody who knows exactly what they. want from every single frame of the. movie. I was like oh yes. So do you think she's.

you mean she's had it in her head? she's. like storyboarded it in her head or. she's just able to communicate what she. wants. She's able to communicate what. she wants emotionally. And we we spent a. couple months going through every line. of the script and she would she was like. this is what she means here is this and. yeah, what do you think about like we we. just talked about it. We talked through. everything and and then on the day we it. was like we had one brain. Have you ever. directed? I have directed a short that.

Blake was in actually. Um, do you want. to do more? I would. Yeah. Yeah. Do you. want to direct primarily? I like it. right now more than acting for sure. I. think about you for things all the time. Really? What should we work on together? I have a I have a I have something that. I think you would love. Email it to me. right now. I'll read it. Okay. I'll. email it to you later. Great. That would. be so fun. I would love to work with. you. I mean, I feel Well, we should talk. about Materialist because it is a movie.

about, you know, two. men being in love with you. Congratulations on your first. documentary. Thank. you. Well, what? Pedro Pascal, Chris. Evans, and you. What is the movie about? Um, the movie is about a woman who's a. matchmaker in New York City and she, which is funny cuz Seline was a. matchmaker in New York City for 6. months. This is where the movie comes. from. She did it on the side to pay the.

bills cuz she was like a struggling. playwright. So, I play Lucy, who's the. matchmaker, and she's just the best at. her job and really good at sort of. assigning people as mates. Um, based on. pretty surface level criteria like. height and income and um. hairline, like that's what people are. out there looking for. It's not about a. soul connection. It's about like do you.

do you tick my boxes of what I want what. I think my life should look like. And. um she then kind of goes on her own. journey of what what you would think is. that she doesn't really have she's not. really invested in people's souls, but. you realize she is and she cares about. these people that she's working with and. how their lives turn out and if they're. happy. And then she has to kind of. figure out for herself what is what is. more important really truly in this.

life. Is it to achieve the life that you. think you want or is it. to actually be seen and loved? It's. interesting you say that because it. feels like oh of course you want be. right. Of course you want to be seen and. loved. But there is something. about in life how relationships help you. get some get to be some version of. yourself that you want. Like whether. it's you want to be you want to have. kids or you want to be married or you.

want to live in France or whatever is. the version of the thing of of your. fantasy of your life. Relationships help. you get that. And you're right. Sometimes it's a trade-off. Like I get. this thing but I don't get this thing. Or I feel seen but and loved but the. person doesn't fit into some version of. my dream life. Yes. Yeah. Or my ideal. whatever. What do when you have to do. sex scenes like how do you psych. yourself up for that? Amy I don't have to. You don't. I'm like.

always psyched up for sex. You're. psyched? Yeah. [ __ ] yeah. Psyched up. Is that a thing? What do you mean? You have to like feel. like I'm psyched. But you know, like. psych today, you're like 7:30 a.m. Let's. do it. Like that's a lot. Let's go to. pound town. Let's go to pound town, everybody. Let's get the lights in here. It's a lot. Oh god.

I recently did a movie a few months ago. and we had an intimacy coordinator on. set and it was the first time I've ever. worked with one. Mhm. And she was really. great. Great. It was so cool. It was. like cuz I'm so used to I'm so used to. just, you know, like it's a sex scene. It's not like No, I don't like sexy. It. doesn't feel most people don't know. I'm being serious. Like I'm not like No, a sex scene is a sex a fake sex scene is.

a It's like being an astronaut. Like so. few people have done it. That's really. true. You're right. I'm sorry. It's. okay. It's not, you know. Okay, let me. You want me to explain? Of course. Okay, so a sex scene. Hold on. I got to write I got to get. this down. You going to take notes? I'm. going to take notes. Go ahead. When two. actors. pretend, right, that they're having sex. Yeah. And you do all the things except.

have sex. Right. And that's important. for people to know. Make sounds like. you're having sex, right? And you're not. yet yet. Um, so when you approach a scene, you're. like, "Today is the day." You don't feel. stress, you feel like, how do you feel. about it? And then what was the. difference with this coordinator? What. made it different? Um, cuz you're right, you've done a lot. and you know how to handle yourself. during it, I guess, is what you're.

saying. Yeah. Well, first I think it. depends on like who is the character and. who's the character supposed to be to. the audience. Is she like a super. idolized hot girl? Is she like a. housewife? Is she lonely? Is she scared? Is she Is she uh conservative? You know, like it doesn't So that's obviously. character work, but then so like certain. prep, I guess, would go into it. Like I. I want to feel good in my body. Yeah. If.

I'm showing my body, I've never felt. felt. um like my mom raised me to be really. really proud of my body and and love my. body. So I've always felt so grateful. for that, especially in my work because. I can use it and it feels like real. H. how did she do that? Because I think a. lot of mothers want to make sure they do. that for their daughters, but they don't. know how to do that in practice. Would.

it be the way she would speak about it. with you, or was there other ways that. she made you feel that way? I think it. was the way. she spoke about it with me. And also she. was very like honest and open about. um body stuff and and like getting my. period, you know, like really good about. it. And like I have friends whose. mothers never spoke to them about that. stuff and it's so hard and sad. Just got.

very warm on my lap. She may have peed. on me. Oh my gosh. But I don't think so. It's okay. And listeners, Tokyo, not me. I just If you're not watching, I just. got very warm on my lap. Amy, it was not. me. Um, so Okay. So, uh, she also talked to. me about sex and like how precious and. important and to, you know, whatever. So, I guess in my in my work, I I.

it's something that I feel brave with. and that I feel when it's when it's used. the right way in a story, it's. important. Mhm. So, I've always just. like done the simulated sex scene, but. now with the int the intimacy. coordinator was like, "Do you want a. Pilates ball between you guys for the. thrusting. movement just to get some core workout. in?" And I was like, "What?" But then. we're going to be like so far away from.

each other and I was not and we didn't. end up using that. But a lot of it also is like there are. times when I've done a sex scene where. I'm by myself cuz I'm only in the frame. So I'm just like like gyrating on my own. and a tennis ball off camera. Yeah. Exactly. Or like slamming myself into a. [Laughter]. headboard and then on the other side of. the camera is like just a bunch of crew.

guys. Just a bunch of dudes. Yeah. with. their heads down. Okay, but I'm going to. ask you a bunch of things very quickly. This is like a speed round and I want. you to tell me your thoughts. Okay, Tokyo has woken up. Oh, wait. Tokyo's. coming. Oh, hi. Okay. Um, Olivia Coleman, the best human. on the planet on the planet. Yes, that. the the film you guys did together was. isn't so good. Lost so great. She's. amazing. Just seems smart and funny. She.

is the funniest person and so much fun. Yeah. So much fun. Okay. Um, and you. love reading. I love reading. I do too. How do you have a number of books you. try to read a year? Like do you try My. bedside table right now is maybe 27. books. It's ridiculous. It they're just. piles and piles of books that I'm trying. to get through. A lot of them are like. therapy books and then Stop it. Um, and. then.

I'm fired. I don't work for you anymore. I mean, this is exact. I mean, this is. what always happens, right? Is like. animals are super cute and. then they're animals. They can't help. it. I mean, look how cute this dog is. I. think you should get a puppy. Absolutely. No. Done. And then, oh, Tokyo, you are very cute.

though. You're very cute. I talked to. you about Olivia Coleman. I have I have. written down here work life. balance. Right now, I'm just scratching. Tokyo. Okay, this dog is winning me. over. This This dog is really nice. I. know. She's very nice. Go wee weeze. Don't. tell her to go wee wee wee on.

[Laughter]. Um, what are you listening to right now? Watching uh checking out. That's like. when you want to check out and laugh, what do you where do you go? What do you. listen to? This is a very weird thing. that I've been doing. Great. Love it. I. don't watch reality television. Same. I. barely watch it. But I have found a show. called Farmer Wants a Wife. [Music]. Have you heard of it? No. Oh my god.

It's a nightmare. Please tell me. It's a. nightmare. A farmer like scrolls through. a list of women and picks eight of them. They all come. There's four farmers. Okay. Eight women per farmer. Eight. women per farmer. Yes. Then they go on a. The odds are stacked. 10 minutes per. woman. Okay. And do they speed date on a. farm or in like a studio? in like a far. in like a barn set. Yeah. And then they. see if they have a connection and then. he has to choose five women to bring.

back to his farm and date them all for 6. weeks. Oh my god. It's insane. First of. all, I'm just horrified by the amount he. gets to pick from. He gets to pick from. five. It's ridiculous. And do they And. is a lot of his choosing about what kind. of like how is she going to help me with. the farm? That's the crazy thing is he. makes them do a lot of manual labor. This is nuts. And I'm like, what is. going on? Well, he wants a wife. Farmer. wants a wife. Farmer wants a wife. And.

they're like, you know, I really like. that she's from the city, but I don't. know how she'll do out on the. tractor. So, I don't know what accent. that was. I don't know where that. farmer's from. Reminds me your dialect. coach back your 9-year-old to call her. up. Yeah. Whoa. Okay. And what do you. like about watching it? Are do you like. cuz you're outraged by it or Yeah. And I. can't stop. I feel really uncomfortable. Like deeply uncomfortable, but then I keep going. And do you get.

invested like who is he going to pick? Yeah. And is there ever been drama. between the girls? Of course. Yeah. Do. they sabotage each other at all? Like. they definitely talk some [ __ ] and they. like gang up on each other and some of. them are just they're just nuts. Yeah. And some of them are like I'm like, "Oh, they'd be a good match. They really get. along. Do you ever get a vibe like, "Wow, they're going to be together.". Like sometimes like it's a good it's a. good match. Yeah. Farmer wants a wife. Okay, Dakota, thank you so much for. doing this. Thanks for having me. Thank.

you for coming on your first podcast. That means a lot. You are so great and I. just so appreciate you coming. Thank you. for having me. And Tokyo, thank you for. coming. You're our one and only dog. Because we have to put a sign up outside. after this. This is. She is. I'm so There's a lot going on. Um, girl, Dakota, thank you again. Thank. you. I loved spending the day with you. Thank you. Loved it. Yay. Let's do it. every day. Woohoo.

Okay, that was really that was a great. interview. Dakota is so fun and funny. and she did bring a dog. And I just I I. I just want to say I love animals. I. think you should adopt animals from. shelters. I had a dog for a long time. So, don't let my uh resistance to having. a dog on the podcast lead you astray. And speaking of strays, there's a lot of. strays to adopt. Um, so please adopt an animal today. Um,

but maybe just check with your boss. about whether or not you should bring. that animal to work. Um, because you. know, the answer might be no. Um, but uh. just please no. I just love. animals. and and Tokyo, thank you for coming on. the podcast and um we'll check in with. you next time. Bye. You've been listening to Good Hang.

The executive producers for this show. are Bill Simmons, Jenna Weiss Berman, and me, Amy Polar. The show is produced. by The Ringer and Paperkite. For the. Ringer production by Jack Wilson, Cat. Spelain, Kaia McMullen, and Aia Xenerys. For Paperkite production by Sam Green, Joel Levelvel, and Jenna Weiss Berman. Original music by Amy Miles. Good. Hey.