February 6, 2025 • 32 mins
“Fast & Furious” franchise star Jordana Brewster opens up about her new genre-bending date-night slasher “Heart Eyes.” She talks about her own Valentine's Day horror story, and shares sweet memories from her “Fast & Furious” family. She also gets real about navigating love at any age, and how her relationship with her late co-star Paul Walker continues to influence her life today.
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
Hello Sunshine, Hey fam Today, on the bright side, Valentine's
Day is just around the corner, y'all. An actress Jordana
Brewster is here to get us in the mood. The
Fast and Furious star talks behind the scenes details from
the latest Fast movie, her own swoon worthy love story,
plus her new murderous brom com, Hard Eyes, which is
out tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
A murderous rom com feels like my love life. Okay,
it's Thursday, February sixth I'm Danielle Robe.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
And I'm Simone Boyce.
Speaker 1 (00:29):
And this is the bright side from Hello Sunshine.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
See money. We have a real life action hero on
today's show. Jordana Brewster has been lighting up the screen
in the Fast and Furious movies for over twenty years.
We all know her as Mia Toretto, the younger sister
of Vin Diesel's Dominic Toretto and the wife of the
late Paul Walker's character Brian O'Connor.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
These movies are huge.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
That's honestly kind of an understatement, because collectively the ten
installments have earned more than seven billion dollars at the
global box office. And the big news is that a
new movie is in the works.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
The hype is so real. These movies made me interested
in cars, right Like. There have been tons of headlines
coming out about the newest Fast movie, in particular the
return of Dwayne the Rock Johnson who stepped away in
twenty seventeen, so we had to ask her about that,
oh for sure.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
And this weekend, Jordiana's out with a brand new movie
called Hard Eyes. It's kind of this like genre bending
horror film that has rom com sensibilities.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
Okay, a lot of us don't put Valentine's Day and
horror movie together, but I have to be honest, dating
is very scary.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
This fits. Okay, you have to say more.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
And also I'm dying to know if you have any
Valentine's Day horror stories. You know, my love life is
very stable and boring, so.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
What a dream goals? Please literally share with me. Okay.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
The worst part is that I've had more bad Valentine's
Days than good Valentine's Days. You know, it's just there's
high expectations. It rarely turns out the way you want
it to. But probably the funniest one I've had was
in college. I was a sophomore and this really cute
senior that I had been so into for like a
(02:21):
year and a half finally asked me out. And in college,
you don't really go on dates, like you either meet
up at the library or like on someone's couch.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
There's no dating.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
And he asked me to go to sushi at this
nice at this nice restaurant in the capitol of Madison, Wisconsin.
And I got all dressed up, and I was so nervous,
and I think he was really nervous because we were
walking up the steps to the sushi restaurant and it's
freezing in Madison. It's the middle of winter, right, and
I guess there was ice on the steps, and he
face planted onto the stairs. His whole forehead was cut.
(02:54):
He was gushing blood and pretending like it's fine, it's fine,
I'm all good, because he wanted to get to dinner.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
No, oh my gosh, it's not him pretending like he
wasn't gushing blood.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
Like I was.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
Sitting across from him at sushi the whole time being like,
do you need to have your forehead's still bleeding?
Speaker 1 (03:13):
Oh my gosh, yeah, okay, Like I feel like that
could be a life threatening fall.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
I know he's married with kids now, so I think
it turned out okay for him. But yeah, literally a
horror movie Valentine's Day, gushing blood.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
He'll always think of you when he walks up a
set of icy stairs.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
Mmm, so that's how he'll remember me. Thank you.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
Well, hopefully Jordana's love life isn't as scary as yours. Danielle,
let's jump in Welcome to the bright Side. Jordana, thank you,
thanks so much for being here. You know, before you
came on, we were just talking about our own Valentine's
Day horror stories in honor of your new.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
Film Hard Eyes.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
Do you have any Valentine's Day or just dating like
true like horror stories.
Speaker 4 (04:00):
I guess my horror story would be I went to
a movie and it was like a first date, and
he chose Hotel Rwanda, huh, and we just sat there.
The tone was off. There was nothing romantic or fun
about it, clearly, and then he just like walked to
his car in silence, didn't talk the entire way when
we were back in the car, and then dropped me off.
(04:21):
And so it was just massively awkward, which like if
you know me, like I feel awkward all the time. Anyway,
so that just like it just it was just like
a giant ball of awkward myth.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
Wait me too, I feel very seen.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
Wait, I would never guess that you do not seem awkward.
I've never seen you have an awkward moment ever.
Speaker 4 (04:41):
Oh that's really nice, but no, I do feel awkward
all the time.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
Okay, we have to talk about your new movie, Hard Eyes.
It's out this weekend, currently has a ninety two percent
on Rotten Tomatoes.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
Casual congratulations. That's incredible you.
Speaker 4 (04:58):
I keep refreshing it and check because it's like it's
so validating and it makes me so happy. And I
wish I could say it didn't, but it really does.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
So you do kind of pay attention to that stuff
and it factors into your calculus.
Speaker 4 (05:10):
Yeah, I think it's I mean, if technology wasn't so accessible,
I think I would be able to control myself. But
it's right there, so it's really hard not to check.
So yeah, I'm a victim of that for sure. I
check like the comments on Daily Mail. I used to
check IMDb message boards. I'm not above it.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
But you've been a part of so many successful films
that I understand. It's like you don't want a loser
on your hands when you've had so many hits.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
I get it.
Speaker 4 (05:39):
I think I wish I could say I was that that,
that it was that healthy. I think it's more like
just a little bit masochistic. I just need to know,
you know. And then I think what I try to
practice is if there's like ninety comments and then like
five bad ones, to not give credence or too much
to not magnify though. And I'm trying to teach my
(06:01):
kids the same thing because I feel like those those
are like those are the sticky ones.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
It's so much easier to write a negative comment, uh,
you know, than it is to actually like gass somebody
up and be complimentary of someone.
Speaker 3 (06:17):
It's yeah, it's hoolicy out there.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
Okay, So let's talk about this film because it's it's
kind of genre bending. It's it's not a typical heartwarming
Valentine's Day love story. It's more of like a slash
or thriller with these rom com undertones. The tagline is
no couple is safe. What makes this the perfect date
night movie?
Speaker 4 (06:40):
Well, I think it's the perfect date night movie because
if you don't like horror and you're kind of you
don't you don't like being freaked out or scared, then
you can lean on the comedic aspect and the chemistry
between Mason and Olivia, which is so good. And there
are also lots of little like links to the movies
that came out in the nineties and the early two thousands,
like Scream and I Know What you did last summer,
(07:01):
And so if you enjoy like finding those easter eggs,
you can do that. But on the other hand, if
you do like horror, it get gets pretty gory and
they're very creative with the deaths.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
So when I'm on an airplane, I watch one of
two things, either a rom com or one of the
fast films. I can't watch that enough.
Speaker 4 (07:21):
Oh that's so good, Thank you. Which one's your favorite.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
I'm a sucker for the early ones, yeah, because that
was like my generation. I was born in nineteen ninety one,
and so that feels nostalgic almost for me. And I
like seeing what LA looked like at that time.
Speaker 4 (07:34):
Too, totally.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
But they're all really good, Like there's not you know.
Speaker 4 (07:39):
You know, they've aged really well, they really have.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Yeah, what made you excited about filming a horror rom com?
Speaker 3 (07:48):
This is such a departure.
Speaker 4 (07:50):
So I've been in horror before, and horror can be
really fun because it's just like it's all out there,
you know, and it's very like cathartic and that you're
streaming and running and and it's just it's a fun exercise.
But what I loved about this one was the comedic aspect,
because that's something I've been It's like, I love watching comedy.
I love like my favorite shows are The Office and
(08:12):
thirty Rock, And I love Tina Fey. I think she's
a genius. And I have a very dark sense of humor.
So when I saw Josh Rubin's films, I was like,
this guy's really funny and quirky and and I feel
like he would get me. And when we when we
started talking about the project, he just he had such
a vision and so I was just really really excited
(08:34):
to get on board.
Speaker 1 (08:37):
Okay, I feel like we do need to talk about
Fast and Furious a little bit more because there's been
some big news lately. We've heard that Dwayne the Rock
Johnson is returning to the franchise. He appeared briefly after
the credits the most recent Fast film, kind of teasing
his return to the story, Gosh, what does that mean
(08:58):
to you to have him back?
Speaker 4 (09:01):
I mean, Hobbes versus Dom was like one of the
best showdowns. So I feel like it's really the more
the merrier at this point, you know. And I love Dwayne.
I respect his career and I think, I mean, soon
we have to finish it out. So I feel like,
so I feel like we got to go out with
a bang, and he helps us do that for sure.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
Did filming this franchise make you fall in love with
cars the way it makes me love them?
Speaker 4 (09:29):
Well? I grew up in New York, and so I
never like, I wasn't interested in cars. I took the
subway or buses everywhere, and I was always made fun of.
Like Paul used to make fun of me because they
he'd be super into cars and then I'd roll up
in my minivan. He's like, I wasn't even a mom
at the time, and I was driving like a really
(09:50):
lame faith car. But now I appreciate that a car
can be very sexy, and I do love my car.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
What is your favorite memory of a night out with
the fast casts? Like, what's the what's the one that
stands out in your mind.
Speaker 4 (10:09):
So people think that, you know, the shooting of the
movie is the best part and like, and that's super fun.
But the promoting of the film, when you're getting paid
to travel the world and like get up and promote
the film all day and then you blow off steam after, like,
that's really the most fun. So I remember on a
(10:30):
certain press tour, uh, Paul and I were paired off
and then Vin and Michelle were going to other areas
and basically we were up all night dancing in Madrid
and then we had to like catch a very early
flight like Amsterdam the next day, and we were all
we were all hurting, and so that's that's one of
that's one of my my very favorite memories. And then
(10:51):
of course you know the fact that twenty years into
this franchise, my whole Fast family showed up for my
wedding like nobody said no. And that goes from like
Natalie Emmanuel to Chris Bridges to Vin, who showed up
like sort of in the middle of the ceremony and
he was like, so was so much traffic and I
(11:12):
was like I get it.
Speaker 3 (11:14):
So that mean, wait did you see him walking in like.
Speaker 4 (11:18):
Because he has a very distinct silhouette. So I saw
walking sort of like mid vows. But it was this
was perfehilarious.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
When you think of the legacy of this franchise, I
think Paul Walker is has such a foothold in it.
And I think it's so beautiful the way that all
of you have celebrated him, but you in particular seemed
like you had a really special bond. In the years
(11:49):
since his passing, how has your relationship with his memory evolved?
Like do you feel his presence in unexpected ways?
Speaker 4 (11:57):
Ever? Yeah? Always, even yesterday I was listening to there
was There was one day Paul gave me this like
CD back in the day of amos Lee and I
would play it over and over and over again. And
I was listening to it on my way to drive
my son Rowan to school, and he was really quiet,
(12:21):
which is which isn't He's just usually not a quite kid.
He's usually very talkative. And I was like, Hey, do
you know why I'm listening to this? And and I said,
Paul gave me this, you know, many years ago, and
and so it makes me think of him. So it
makes me like really happy but also sad at the
same time. And he just sort of like to have
my eight year old who's also named after or in
(12:43):
honor of Paul, like it just that was that was
a really wonderful. So he comes up in different ways,
and sometimes he's like it's his presence is very very
very vivid and visceral, and sometimes it goes away and
then comes back and so but he's never totally gone.
Speaker 2 (12:59):
You honored him at your wedding, which I thought was
really cool. You drove off in the same accurate accura
that you and Paul raced in the very first film,
which was such a beautiful wink. How did that idea
come to you?
Speaker 4 (13:15):
So that was my husband's doing, and I like, I
fought it, and I was like, babe, I don't like
because Mason has a very like cheeky sense of humor,
and there weren't completely different industries, so he gets he
sort of like finds this our industry like super amusing,
(13:36):
and I'm curious about his industry. But anyway, he was like,
I'm going to get the cars, and I was like, no,
we're not. That's more defying. We're not doing that. And
then he's like, no, no, just come on to be
open to it, and then I reached out to Song
who then had a friend, and before I knew it,
it was all happening. And then before I knew it,
there were pictures out it like it turned into this
whole thing. But ultimately I'm really happy that it was
(13:59):
a part of the world wedding.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
We have to take a short break, but don't go anywhere.
We'll be right back with your Dana Brewster. And we're
back with your Dana Brewster.
Speaker 3 (14:19):
All right, Geordana.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
Well, this episode is coming out around Valentine's Day and
you mentioned your husband, Mason, and I want to share
with our listeners how the two of you met. I
read your essay that you wrote for Glamour about thank you, Yeah,
about how you two connected, and I just thought it
was so honest and touching and sweet.
Speaker 4 (14:42):
It was like love slash chemistry at first sight. It
was like and the fact that it happened at forty is,
I think is so awesome, you know, because we expect
that to happen to us in our twenties. But really,
I found the love of my life at forty.
Speaker 1 (14:58):
I am constantly reminded of just how hard it is
to start over, start over with anything you know, but
particularly with love. Was it scary to open yourself up
to love again or did it feel just seamless and natural.
Speaker 4 (15:15):
I have to say that it felt in some ways,
not to disparage any relationship I had in the past,
but it didn't feel like starting over. It felt like, Oh,
this is what it's supposed to be. Like, That's what
it felt like to me.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
Okay, I needs you to be real with me for
a second. When I see a second marriage, the love
is bursting, and I feel like the two people get
to be so themselves and are fully actualized and appreciate
each other, and there's like less bickering.
Speaker 3 (15:46):
It's so beautiful.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
And then I see some first marriages and there's a
lot of stuff going on, and partly I think it's
because you're raising children. It's a different time of life,
there's different stress. Do you think it's possible well to
have second marriage love in a first marriage.
Speaker 4 (16:04):
Yes, because I think oftentimes you know, and I did
this in my late twenties. I was like, Okay, marriage check, now,
let's have babies check. And you don't really stop and consider, Wait,
how am I going to How do I think I'm
going to parent because you really as moms, we don't
decide that, like our kid also dictates that. But just
(16:27):
to understand, like, Okay, well, are you going to keep working?
Am I going to keep working? Are you going to
like hold space for me when I work? And how
are we going to manage this? And how do you
deal with stress? And how do you feel about disciplining?
Like what do you think your style would be? How
are you raised? I feel like these are conversations that
people should have before they get married, because that can
be it's really stressful. Kids are kids are the best
(16:50):
things in the world, but they're also like massively stressful
as well.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
So I hear a lot of people say you should
have money conversations or love language conversations. I haven't heard parenting,
And I think that's so brilliant.
Speaker 4 (17:05):
Yeah, it's it's kind of insane that we don't, don't
you think? Yes? Because I think I was really surprised
by like once I had my babies, like how that
changed me? But then also how then I had to
work with weight? How am I gonna work? And what
does this mean for my identity? And it's such a
(17:27):
massive shift and you have to have a partner supporting
all of that or weighing in, or you just you
want to feel like you're part of a team and
that you're not doing it alone.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
You know.
Speaker 2 (17:39):
What did it shift? And did it shift the roles
that you choose at all?
Speaker 4 (17:44):
Yeah? Well, I had this false expectation that I was
going to be the most chill like hippie. I was like,
I'm gonna I'm gonna only have wooden toys for my
kids and it's going to be all montessory. And I
just I guess because like for nine months, and it
(18:05):
was different from me because my journey was through gestational surrogacy.
But for nine months, you envision this thing and then
the baby arrives and you're like, oh my god, what
is happening. I don't have control over anything. And I
think that was the biggest thing for me, is like
I'd hit my stride in my career. I was meditating,
I felt so calm, and then all of a sudden,
(18:26):
it's like, oh my god, this isn't. A baby is
not something that completes you. A baby's something you're now.
You have to just realign all your priorities, and sometimes
it doesn't happen naturally, it's something you have to work at.
So for me, I feel like for many years I
struggled with like mom guilt, and when I was at work,
I was thinking of my kids, and when I was
with my kids, I was thinking of work. And so
(18:48):
it's very hard to strike a balance. And I feel
like I'm only hitting my stride now, which my kids,
my kids eleven and eight. But it's like a it's
a constant process. And I feel like women don't tell
the truth about that often enough, and I feel like
it's I'd rather hear that than here, Oh girl, like
(19:10):
it's so easy, and you're just like, it's it's hard,
and women should be honest about that, because it's the
most rewarding thing ever, but it's also really really hard.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
Simone and I talk about this a lot because she's
a mom and I'm not a mom yet.
Speaker 3 (19:26):
I hope to be one.
Speaker 4 (19:27):
How many kids do you have someone, I have two.
Speaker 3 (19:29):
I have a four year old and a three year old.
Two boys. Boy, mom, yeah, boy, mom, it's not for
the week. I'll tell you that.
Speaker 4 (19:36):
Do they get along?
Speaker 1 (19:38):
They do, they do, But they also like scrap you know,
they're very scrappy. They're always beating each other up. The
older one cut the younger one's hair recently, so.
Speaker 3 (19:48):
That's cut interesting.
Speaker 1 (19:50):
Yeah, yeah, it was bad. Like the day before we
left on a family vacation, I was like, what am
I supposed to do now?
Speaker 4 (19:57):
Right? And I think that's I think the rules used
to be a little more clear, because now I'll like,
I'll I signed up for doctor Becky's newsletter, and I
you that, and then I and then I you know,
I mean, there's so many like however, I have to say,
this book is like one of the best.
Speaker 2 (20:14):
Oh my gosh, I'm obsessed with that book. Jonathan hates
amazing so good. Just for everybody, she's holding up the
coddling of the American mind.
Speaker 3 (20:23):
It's essential reading this is.
Speaker 4 (20:25):
Really because it's it's also it's not like I feel
like the other one, the anxious generation is a little
too lofty. I'm like, I mean I went through like
two days of like Okay, no more internet, no more this,
no more that, And then after like three days, I
was like, I can't, I can't, I can't do this, Like.
Speaker 3 (20:41):
Like, well, because it's no break for you, then you
don't get a break.
Speaker 4 (20:44):
Really. Yeah, And also I felt like I was stymying
Julian's social life because he's on a text chain with
his buddies and and I check what he's what he's
you know, texting, and I make sure that it's all appropriate.
But like you can't, I don't. I don't feel like
it and handicap your kids that much. But that's been
the most helpful book so far, because boys are also
(21:07):
super loud, and like I have to tell the neighbors,
like guys, nothing's like, nothing crazy is going on. They
just gere loud, they scream. We're a passionate family. And
that's that.
Speaker 3 (21:19):
I like that. I'm going with passionate. That's my new narrative.
Speaker 1 (21:23):
It's time for another shortbreak, but we'll be right back
with Jordana Brewster.
Speaker 3 (21:33):
And we're back with Jordana Brewster.
Speaker 1 (21:36):
Jordana, when I think about the things in my life
that get me through tough everyday stuff, whether that's like
challenges in parenting, challenges in marriage, it's my female friendships
who really support me and booy me and get me through.
And I know that you have a ton of friends.
I can tell friendship is so important to you as well.
When you think about the impact that your female friendships
(21:58):
have had on you, especially during periods of transition.
Speaker 3 (22:01):
What comes to mind.
Speaker 4 (22:03):
My rider died Max. Like we always talk about like
we're going to live in a retirement home together and
like do our thing and watch movies and eat pasta.
But we've been best friends since our twenties, you know,
and we've seen each other through a lot, and I
(22:25):
think having a friend where there's no agenda, there's no judgment,
and you're just there for each other no matter what
is super important. And I also think, I mean, I've
always been a girls girl. I've always felt super comfortable
with girls and haven't ever felt like, oh, well, you know,
(22:46):
we're in competition, so this is what this is going
to be like, Like that's that's super foreign to me.
So I trust with my whole heart, and I dive
in and sometimes I overshare and and but that's just
who I am.
Speaker 1 (23:00):
My girlfriend just came to stay with me at this
hotel that I'm at right now. And this is a
friend I've known for twenty years. We went to college together.
She's one of my best friends. And we had all
these big plans to go out, but every single night
all we did was put on Old Sex and the
City episodes, pause it debrief for like thirty minutes about
whatever it was that Carrie just did whatever messy thing
(23:22):
that she just did, and then we'd press again, and
then we'd keep y apping, and I was like, oh
my gosh, I didn't I don't.
Speaker 3 (23:27):
Need to go to therapy. I just need to do
this with my girlfriends.
Speaker 4 (23:30):
Yeah, totally. And then when you have kids, like Maxie
has one son and two daughters, and we were I
don't know, we were kind of like down on the
dumps over the holidays, and I was like, let's go
to Vegas with our kids. We went we Sufferno Mars
and it was so much fun because Max and I
have like a naughty streak, so we kept trying to gamble,
(23:53):
and we didn't have like babysitters, so we were like, guys,
just call I guess, so wall like just stand there
and gamble a bit. Security kept coming around being like, man,
kids are not allowed on the floor, and we're like, oh, sorry,
our badst It was so dysfunctional, but so fun because it's.
Speaker 3 (24:10):
Hard lucky in love?
Speaker 2 (24:15):
Are you lucky on the casino floor?
Speaker 4 (24:17):
Also, I actually didn't know what I was doing and
I made like three hundred bucks.
Speaker 2 (24:20):
Jordana, I'm curious about something because I can tell you're
such an avid consumer of art and film and culture.
Is there a type of project or role that people
wouldn't expect from you, but that you're dying to do?
Speaker 4 (24:35):
Yeah, I mean I want to be in something like
Big Little Lies or White Lotus. It's like raunchy and
fun and dark, and so I want to be in
something like that where I get to just like, I
feel like a lot of the time, I'm like the
good girl and the pretty girl and it's so boring,
and I just like, that's not my personality, and so
(24:56):
I just want to like lean into smart, dark humor.
So a show like that would be my jam for sure.
Or even like Carrie Russell on The Diplomat. I love
it because she's so smart and witty, but also she's
not like all good or all bad, and it's interesting
and I feel like roles get better as you get older.
Speaker 3 (25:17):
Something Danielle and I talk about a lot.
Speaker 1 (25:19):
Is that perception challenge that you just mentioned, Like, I
know what my value is, I know how I can
enhance this project, but for whatever reason, You've got a
block and you can't perceive me in that way. That's
something that has come up for me in my career
so much. What have you learned about.
Speaker 4 (25:36):
By the way, You're so lucky you know what your
value is because sometimes I don't. Sometimes like, yeah, I
think if someone plants a seed of doubt, I have
to be really I have a bumper sticker on my
car that says, don't believe everything you think and it's
really about the thoughts are all bs, they're popping up
all but you have to check in and go does
(25:57):
that resonate? Do I agree with? And I have to
I think I'm so used to like the good girl
thing where you're like, oh yeah, no, no, of course
I'll do that and sure and instead of just going
m I do really feel about that, And that's that's
a muscle that I had to train. So yeah, I
often have to be like no, I don't, I don't
(26:17):
agree with that, and that little seed of doubt like
I'm just gonna purge that guy. So but I think
it's really important to have that inner strength and I
still work on it, Like every day, I.
Speaker 1 (26:31):
Feel like you're inside my head because this is exactly
what I'm like dealing with and working through when it
comes to circumventing other people's incorrect or inaccurate perceptions of
you in your work and your career.
Speaker 3 (26:44):
How do you do that? What have you learned about
that process?
Speaker 4 (26:47):
So I play mojong sometimes and it's a total I
don't like. I like it for the social aspect because
honestly it's a little too complicated and I don't know
all the rules. But anyway, I was so, I was
in this group and there was this woman next to me,
and I could tell she just I don't think I
(27:07):
was making up a story. I irked her, like I
bugged her, and I straight up said, like, I can
tell you hate me, and she because I feel like
sometimes and I think it's part of being socially awkward.
It's like I don't like the nice cities, and then
where did you grow up? And it's like I'd rather
just get down to it, and I think it disarmed her.
(27:29):
But it also I just like said the unsaid, And
I think sometimes you have to and as long as
you're totally comfortable with what you're saying, it'll be received
in the right way, you know, So I think you
just have to address it. In a non address it
with humor, I think is the best thing to do.
Speaker 3 (27:51):
You're so right, that's such a good point, which.
Speaker 4 (27:53):
Is I mean, it's easier said than done.
Speaker 2 (27:56):
But yeah, do you yourself ever having to overcompensate in
social situations outside of work? Of course, because of your
position in life. I feel like it must be interesting
for people in amagen group to perceive you like you're
(28:19):
really beautiful. You have this beautiful career, beautiful family, Like yeah,
but do you ever feel like you almost have to
overcompensate and be like overly nice.
Speaker 4 (28:30):
I'm not gonna be really nice, but I do put
myself down and sometimes I'm like, wait, why am I
doing that? Like like if like sometimes I make the
mistake of not remembering, because again, if you're socially awkward
or if you have anxiety, you kind of you don't
black out during interactions, but you're so in your own
(28:52):
head and you're still thinking like, oh my god, what
am I saying? And da da da da da that
you're not fully present, so you don't remember the person's name.
And it's not because I'm a bee, It's because I
just was in my head. And so oftentimes you're like, yeah,
we met at this baby group like three years ago,
and I'm and then I'm like, instead of just saying, oh,
I apologize, I'll put myself down and say like, oh
(29:14):
I have the worst memory, or oh, I'm so sorry,
and like that's bes I shouldn't do that, you know,
I should just own it and be like, oh, I'm
so I'm not. I know I'm not a rude person,
and I know I'm not dismissive, so I shouldn't let
that person's in security make me feel ashamed. So that,
but like, how exhausting are all these dynamics.
Speaker 3 (29:35):
It's a lot.
Speaker 2 (29:36):
It feels like you've really lived the width of your life,
not just the length of it. You've had so many
interesting experiences. At the risk of sounding cliche, if you
could go back and tell Jordana, who had just embarked
on Hollywood something, what would you say to her?
Speaker 4 (29:58):
I would say it's something I'm still working on, which
is like you deserve to be there. Don't apologize for
yourself ever, and start writing like I think it's taken
me so long, and to go, oh I have something
to say, or oh, like even something as silly as
(30:19):
like recently I went to Golden Globes parties with my
with my husband and because he loves to go and
he's on a different side of the whole thing. But
I was like, I don't know, babe, Like I'm not nominated,
I don't know anyone. That's not like, why am I there?
It's silly. It's like going to the problem when you don't.
And he's like, you belong, and so I would just say,
like you belong, Get out of your head.
Speaker 3 (30:41):
That's really beautiful.
Speaker 2 (30:42):
I think that that is like the most basic human
need is to feel a sense of belonging.
Speaker 4 (30:48):
Totally.
Speaker 3 (30:48):
That's primal. It's in our dna.
Speaker 4 (30:53):
I also tell my sons all the time, like a
rising tide raises all shits, like you don't need someone
else to be that you feel better. I feel like
that's also something that especially amongst women, I just don't
think that's that should be a thing. And so I
would have told my little little Jordana that as well.
Speaker 2 (31:13):
Thank you so much for joining us, Jordana.
Speaker 4 (31:16):
Thank you, thank you guys. This was so fun.
Speaker 1 (31:20):
Jordana Brewster is an actor best known for her role
in the Fast and Furious franchise. She's starting in the
new movie Hard Eyes, which is out tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (31:33):
That's it for today's show. Tomorrow, we're popping off on
the biggest pop culture moments of the week with none
other than our showrunner at Tim Palizola. You don't want
to miss this.
Speaker 1 (31:45):
Join the conversation using hashtag the bright Side and connect
with us on social media at Hello Sunshine on Instagram
and at the bright Side Pod on TikTok oh, and
feel free to tag us at Simone Voice and at
Danielle Robe.
Speaker 2 (32:00):
Follow the bright Side on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts,
or wherever you get your podcasts.
Speaker 3 (32:05):
See you tomorrow, folks. Keep looking on the bright side.
M
Hello Sunshine, Hey fam Today, on the bright side, Valentine's
Day is just around the corner, y'all. An actress Jordana
Brewster is here to get us in the mood. The
Fast and Furious star talks behind the scenes details from
the latest Fast movie, her own swoon worthy love story,
plus her new murderous brom com, Hard Eyes, which is
out tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
A murderous rom com feels like my love life. Okay,
it's Thursday, February sixth I'm Danielle Robe.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
And I'm Simone Boyce.
Speaker 1 (00:29):
And this is the bright side from Hello Sunshine.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
See money. We have a real life action hero on
today's show. Jordana Brewster has been lighting up the screen
in the Fast and Furious movies for over twenty years.
We all know her as Mia Toretto, the younger sister
of Vin Diesel's Dominic Toretto and the wife of the
late Paul Walker's character Brian O'Connor.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
These movies are huge.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
That's honestly kind of an understatement, because collectively the ten
installments have earned more than seven billion dollars at the
global box office. And the big news is that a
new movie is in the works.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
The hype is so real. These movies made me interested
in cars, right Like. There have been tons of headlines
coming out about the newest Fast movie, in particular the
return of Dwayne the Rock Johnson who stepped away in
twenty seventeen, so we had to ask her about that,
oh for sure.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
And this weekend, Jordiana's out with a brand new movie
called Hard Eyes. It's kind of this like genre bending
horror film that has rom com sensibilities.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
Okay, a lot of us don't put Valentine's Day and
horror movie together, but I have to be honest, dating
is very scary.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
This fits. Okay, you have to say more.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
And also I'm dying to know if you have any
Valentine's Day horror stories. You know, my love life is
very stable and boring, so.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
What a dream goals? Please literally share with me. Okay.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
The worst part is that I've had more bad Valentine's
Days than good Valentine's Days. You know, it's just there's
high expectations. It rarely turns out the way you want
it to. But probably the funniest one I've had was
in college. I was a sophomore and this really cute
senior that I had been so into for like a
(02:21):
year and a half finally asked me out. And in college,
you don't really go on dates, like you either meet
up at the library or like on someone's couch.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
There's no dating.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
And he asked me to go to sushi at this
nice at this nice restaurant in the capitol of Madison, Wisconsin.
And I got all dressed up, and I was so nervous,
and I think he was really nervous because we were
walking up the steps to the sushi restaurant and it's
freezing in Madison. It's the middle of winter, right, and
I guess there was ice on the steps, and he
face planted onto the stairs. His whole forehead was cut.
(02:54):
He was gushing blood and pretending like it's fine, it's fine,
I'm all good, because he wanted to get to dinner.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
No, oh my gosh, it's not him pretending like he
wasn't gushing blood.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
Like I was.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
Sitting across from him at sushi the whole time being like,
do you need to have your forehead's still bleeding?
Speaker 1 (03:13):
Oh my gosh, yeah, okay, Like I feel like that
could be a life threatening fall.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
I know he's married with kids now, so I think
it turned out okay for him. But yeah, literally a
horror movie Valentine's Day, gushing blood.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
He'll always think of you when he walks up a
set of icy stairs.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
Mmm, so that's how he'll remember me. Thank you.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
Well, hopefully Jordana's love life isn't as scary as yours. Danielle,
let's jump in Welcome to the bright Side. Jordana, thank you,
thanks so much for being here. You know, before you
came on, we were just talking about our own Valentine's
Day horror stories in honor of your new.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
Film Hard Eyes.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
Do you have any Valentine's Day or just dating like
true like horror stories.
Speaker 4 (04:00):
I guess my horror story would be I went to
a movie and it was like a first date, and
he chose Hotel Rwanda, huh, and we just sat there.
The tone was off. There was nothing romantic or fun
about it, clearly, and then he just like walked to
his car in silence, didn't talk the entire way when
we were back in the car, and then dropped me off.
(04:21):
And so it was just massively awkward, which like if
you know me, like I feel awkward all the time. Anyway,
so that just like it just it was just like
a giant ball of awkward myth.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
Wait me too, I feel very seen.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
Wait, I would never guess that you do not seem awkward.
I've never seen you have an awkward moment ever.
Speaker 4 (04:41):
Oh that's really nice, but no, I do feel awkward
all the time.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
Okay, we have to talk about your new movie, Hard Eyes.
It's out this weekend, currently has a ninety two percent
on Rotten Tomatoes.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
Casual congratulations. That's incredible you.
Speaker 4 (04:58):
I keep refreshing it and check because it's like it's
so validating and it makes me so happy. And I
wish I could say it didn't, but it really does.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
So you do kind of pay attention to that stuff
and it factors into your calculus.
Speaker 4 (05:10):
Yeah, I think it's I mean, if technology wasn't so accessible,
I think I would be able to control myself. But
it's right there, so it's really hard not to check.
So yeah, I'm a victim of that for sure. I
check like the comments on Daily Mail. I used to
check IMDb message boards. I'm not above it.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
But you've been a part of so many successful films
that I understand. It's like you don't want a loser
on your hands when you've had so many hits.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
I get it.
Speaker 4 (05:39):
I think I wish I could say I was that that,
that it was that healthy. I think it's more like
just a little bit masochistic. I just need to know,
you know. And then I think what I try to
practice is if there's like ninety comments and then like
five bad ones, to not give credence or too much
to not magnify though. And I'm trying to teach my
(06:01):
kids the same thing because I feel like those those
are like those are the sticky ones.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
It's so much easier to write a negative comment, uh,
you know, than it is to actually like gass somebody
up and be complimentary of someone.
Speaker 3 (06:17):
It's yeah, it's hoolicy out there.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
Okay, So let's talk about this film because it's it's
kind of genre bending. It's it's not a typical heartwarming
Valentine's Day love story. It's more of like a slash
or thriller with these rom com undertones. The tagline is
no couple is safe. What makes this the perfect date
night movie?
Speaker 4 (06:40):
Well, I think it's the perfect date night movie because
if you don't like horror and you're kind of you
don't you don't like being freaked out or scared, then
you can lean on the comedic aspect and the chemistry
between Mason and Olivia, which is so good. And there
are also lots of little like links to the movies
that came out in the nineties and the early two thousands,
like Scream and I Know What you did last summer,
(07:01):
And so if you enjoy like finding those easter eggs,
you can do that. But on the other hand, if
you do like horror, it get gets pretty gory and
they're very creative with the deaths.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
So when I'm on an airplane, I watch one of
two things, either a rom com or one of the
fast films. I can't watch that enough.
Speaker 4 (07:21):
Oh that's so good, Thank you. Which one's your favorite.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
I'm a sucker for the early ones, yeah, because that
was like my generation. I was born in nineteen ninety one,
and so that feels nostalgic almost for me. And I
like seeing what LA looked like at that time.
Speaker 4 (07:34):
Too, totally.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
But they're all really good, Like there's not you know.
Speaker 4 (07:39):
You know, they've aged really well, they really have.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Yeah, what made you excited about filming a horror rom com?
Speaker 3 (07:48):
This is such a departure.
Speaker 4 (07:50):
So I've been in horror before, and horror can be
really fun because it's just like it's all out there,
you know, and it's very like cathartic and that you're
streaming and running and and it's just it's a fun exercise.
But what I loved about this one was the comedic aspect,
because that's something I've been It's like, I love watching comedy.
I love like my favorite shows are The Office and
(08:12):
thirty Rock, And I love Tina Fey. I think she's
a genius. And I have a very dark sense of humor.
So when I saw Josh Rubin's films, I was like,
this guy's really funny and quirky and and I feel
like he would get me. And when we when we
started talking about the project, he just he had such
a vision and so I was just really really excited
(08:34):
to get on board.
Speaker 1 (08:37):
Okay, I feel like we do need to talk about
Fast and Furious a little bit more because there's been
some big news lately. We've heard that Dwayne the Rock
Johnson is returning to the franchise. He appeared briefly after
the credits the most recent Fast film, kind of teasing
his return to the story, Gosh, what does that mean
(08:58):
to you to have him back?
Speaker 4 (09:01):
I mean, Hobbes versus Dom was like one of the
best showdowns. So I feel like it's really the more
the merrier at this point, you know. And I love Dwayne.
I respect his career and I think, I mean, soon
we have to finish it out. So I feel like,
so I feel like we got to go out with
a bang, and he helps us do that for sure.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
Did filming this franchise make you fall in love with
cars the way it makes me love them?
Speaker 4 (09:29):
Well? I grew up in New York, and so I
never like, I wasn't interested in cars. I took the
subway or buses everywhere, and I was always made fun of.
Like Paul used to make fun of me because they
he'd be super into cars and then I'd roll up
in my minivan. He's like, I wasn't even a mom
at the time, and I was driving like a really
(09:50):
lame faith car. But now I appreciate that a car
can be very sexy, and I do love my car.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
What is your favorite memory of a night out with
the fast casts? Like, what's the what's the one that
stands out in your mind.
Speaker 4 (10:09):
So people think that, you know, the shooting of the
movie is the best part and like, and that's super fun.
But the promoting of the film, when you're getting paid
to travel the world and like get up and promote
the film all day and then you blow off steam after, like,
that's really the most fun. So I remember on a
(10:30):
certain press tour, uh, Paul and I were paired off
and then Vin and Michelle were going to other areas
and basically we were up all night dancing in Madrid
and then we had to like catch a very early
flight like Amsterdam the next day, and we were all
we were all hurting, and so that's that's one of
that's one of my my very favorite memories. And then
(10:51):
of course you know the fact that twenty years into
this franchise, my whole Fast family showed up for my
wedding like nobody said no. And that goes from like
Natalie Emmanuel to Chris Bridges to Vin, who showed up
like sort of in the middle of the ceremony and
he was like, so was so much traffic and I
(11:12):
was like I get it.
Speaker 3 (11:14):
So that mean, wait did you see him walking in like.
Speaker 4 (11:18):
Because he has a very distinct silhouette. So I saw
walking sort of like mid vows. But it was this
was perfehilarious.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
When you think of the legacy of this franchise, I
think Paul Walker is has such a foothold in it.
And I think it's so beautiful the way that all
of you have celebrated him, but you in particular seemed
like you had a really special bond. In the years
(11:49):
since his passing, how has your relationship with his memory evolved?
Like do you feel his presence in unexpected ways?
Speaker 4 (11:57):
Ever? Yeah? Always, even yesterday I was listening to there
was There was one day Paul gave me this like
CD back in the day of amos Lee and I
would play it over and over and over again. And
I was listening to it on my way to drive
my son Rowan to school, and he was really quiet,
(12:21):
which is which isn't He's just usually not a quite kid.
He's usually very talkative. And I was like, Hey, do
you know why I'm listening to this? And and I said,
Paul gave me this, you know, many years ago, and
and so it makes me think of him. So it
makes me like really happy but also sad at the
same time. And he just sort of like to have
my eight year old who's also named after or in
(12:43):
honor of Paul, like it just that was that was
a really wonderful. So he comes up in different ways,
and sometimes he's like it's his presence is very very
very vivid and visceral, and sometimes it goes away and
then comes back and so but he's never totally gone.
Speaker 2 (12:59):
You honored him at your wedding, which I thought was
really cool. You drove off in the same accurate accura
that you and Paul raced in the very first film,
which was such a beautiful wink. How did that idea
come to you?
Speaker 4 (13:15):
So that was my husband's doing, and I like, I
fought it, and I was like, babe, I don't like
because Mason has a very like cheeky sense of humor,
and there weren't completely different industries, so he gets he
sort of like finds this our industry like super amusing,
(13:36):
and I'm curious about his industry. But anyway, he was like,
I'm going to get the cars, and I was like, no,
we're not. That's more defying. We're not doing that. And
then he's like, no, no, just come on to be
open to it, and then I reached out to Song
who then had a friend, and before I knew it,
it was all happening. And then before I knew it,
there were pictures out it like it turned into this
whole thing. But ultimately I'm really happy that it was
(13:59):
a part of the world wedding.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
We have to take a short break, but don't go anywhere.
We'll be right back with your Dana Brewster. And we're
back with your Dana Brewster.
Speaker 3 (14:19):
All right, Geordana.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
Well, this episode is coming out around Valentine's Day and
you mentioned your husband, Mason, and I want to share
with our listeners how the two of you met. I
read your essay that you wrote for Glamour about thank you, Yeah,
about how you two connected, and I just thought it
was so honest and touching and sweet.
Speaker 4 (14:42):
It was like love slash chemistry at first sight. It
was like and the fact that it happened at forty is,
I think is so awesome, you know, because we expect
that to happen to us in our twenties. But really,
I found the love of my life at forty.
Speaker 1 (14:58):
I am constantly reminded of just how hard it is
to start over, start over with anything you know, but
particularly with love. Was it scary to open yourself up
to love again or did it feel just seamless and natural.
Speaker 4 (15:15):
I have to say that it felt in some ways,
not to disparage any relationship I had in the past,
but it didn't feel like starting over. It felt like, Oh,
this is what it's supposed to be. Like, That's what
it felt like to me.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
Okay, I needs you to be real with me for
a second. When I see a second marriage, the love
is bursting, and I feel like the two people get
to be so themselves and are fully actualized and appreciate
each other, and there's like less bickering.
Speaker 3 (15:46):
It's so beautiful.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
And then I see some first marriages and there's a
lot of stuff going on, and partly I think it's
because you're raising children. It's a different time of life,
there's different stress. Do you think it's possible well to
have second marriage love in a first marriage.
Speaker 4 (16:04):
Yes, because I think oftentimes you know, and I did
this in my late twenties. I was like, Okay, marriage check, now,
let's have babies check. And you don't really stop and consider, Wait,
how am I going to How do I think I'm
going to parent because you really as moms, we don't
decide that, like our kid also dictates that. But just
(16:27):
to understand, like, Okay, well, are you going to keep working?
Am I going to keep working? Are you going to
like hold space for me when I work? And how
are we going to manage this? And how do you
deal with stress? And how do you feel about disciplining?
Like what do you think your style would be? How
are you raised? I feel like these are conversations that
people should have before they get married, because that can
be it's really stressful. Kids are kids are the best
(16:50):
things in the world, but they're also like massively stressful
as well.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
So I hear a lot of people say you should
have money conversations or love language conversations. I haven't heard parenting,
And I think that's so brilliant.
Speaker 4 (17:05):
Yeah, it's it's kind of insane that we don't, don't
you think? Yes? Because I think I was really surprised
by like once I had my babies, like how that
changed me? But then also how then I had to
work with weight? How am I gonna work? And what
does this mean for my identity? And it's such a
(17:27):
massive shift and you have to have a partner supporting
all of that or weighing in, or you just you
want to feel like you're part of a team and
that you're not doing it alone.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
You know.
Speaker 2 (17:39):
What did it shift? And did it shift the roles
that you choose at all?
Speaker 4 (17:44):
Yeah? Well, I had this false expectation that I was
going to be the most chill like hippie. I was like,
I'm gonna I'm gonna only have wooden toys for my
kids and it's going to be all montessory. And I
just I guess because like for nine months, and it
(18:05):
was different from me because my journey was through gestational surrogacy.
But for nine months, you envision this thing and then
the baby arrives and you're like, oh my god, what
is happening. I don't have control over anything. And I
think that was the biggest thing for me, is like
I'd hit my stride in my career. I was meditating,
I felt so calm, and then all of a sudden,
(18:26):
it's like, oh my god, this isn't. A baby is
not something that completes you. A baby's something you're now.
You have to just realign all your priorities, and sometimes
it doesn't happen naturally, it's something you have to work at.
So for me, I feel like for many years I
struggled with like mom guilt, and when I was at work,
I was thinking of my kids, and when I was
with my kids, I was thinking of work. And so
(18:48):
it's very hard to strike a balance. And I feel
like I'm only hitting my stride now, which my kids,
my kids eleven and eight. But it's like a it's
a constant process. And I feel like women don't tell
the truth about that often enough, and I feel like
it's I'd rather hear that than here, Oh girl, like
(19:10):
it's so easy, and you're just like, it's it's hard,
and women should be honest about that, because it's the
most rewarding thing ever, but it's also really really hard.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
Simone and I talk about this a lot because she's
a mom and I'm not a mom yet.
Speaker 3 (19:26):
I hope to be one.
Speaker 4 (19:27):
How many kids do you have someone, I have two.
Speaker 3 (19:29):
I have a four year old and a three year old.
Two boys. Boy, mom, yeah, boy, mom, it's not for
the week. I'll tell you that.
Speaker 4 (19:36):
Do they get along?
Speaker 1 (19:38):
They do, they do, But they also like scrap you know,
they're very scrappy. They're always beating each other up. The
older one cut the younger one's hair recently, so.
Speaker 3 (19:48):
That's cut interesting.
Speaker 1 (19:50):
Yeah, yeah, it was bad. Like the day before we
left on a family vacation, I was like, what am
I supposed to do now?
Speaker 4 (19:57):
Right? And I think that's I think the rules used
to be a little more clear, because now I'll like,
I'll I signed up for doctor Becky's newsletter, and I
you that, and then I and then I you know,
I mean, there's so many like however, I have to say,
this book is like one of the best.
Speaker 2 (20:14):
Oh my gosh, I'm obsessed with that book. Jonathan hates
amazing so good. Just for everybody, she's holding up the
coddling of the American mind.
Speaker 3 (20:23):
It's essential reading this is.
Speaker 4 (20:25):
Really because it's it's also it's not like I feel
like the other one, the anxious generation is a little
too lofty. I'm like, I mean I went through like
two days of like Okay, no more internet, no more this,
no more that, And then after like three days, I
was like, I can't, I can't, I can't do this, Like.
Speaker 3 (20:41):
Like, well, because it's no break for you, then you
don't get a break.
Speaker 4 (20:44):
Really. Yeah, And also I felt like I was stymying
Julian's social life because he's on a text chain with
his buddies and and I check what he's what he's
you know, texting, and I make sure that it's all appropriate.
But like you can't, I don't. I don't feel like
it and handicap your kids that much. But that's been
the most helpful book so far, because boys are also
(21:07):
super loud, and like I have to tell the neighbors,
like guys, nothing's like, nothing crazy is going on. They
just gere loud, they scream. We're a passionate family. And
that's that.
Speaker 3 (21:19):
I like that. I'm going with passionate. That's my new narrative.
Speaker 1 (21:23):
It's time for another shortbreak, but we'll be right back
with Jordana Brewster.
Speaker 3 (21:33):
And we're back with Jordana Brewster.
Speaker 1 (21:36):
Jordana, when I think about the things in my life
that get me through tough everyday stuff, whether that's like
challenges in parenting, challenges in marriage, it's my female friendships
who really support me and booy me and get me through.
And I know that you have a ton of friends.
I can tell friendship is so important to you as well.
When you think about the impact that your female friendships
(21:58):
have had on you, especially during periods of transition.
Speaker 3 (22:01):
What comes to mind.
Speaker 4 (22:03):
My rider died Max. Like we always talk about like
we're going to live in a retirement home together and
like do our thing and watch movies and eat pasta.
But we've been best friends since our twenties, you know,
and we've seen each other through a lot, and I
(22:25):
think having a friend where there's no agenda, there's no judgment,
and you're just there for each other no matter what
is super important. And I also think, I mean, I've
always been a girls girl. I've always felt super comfortable
with girls and haven't ever felt like, oh, well, you know,
(22:46):
we're in competition, so this is what this is going
to be like, Like that's that's super foreign to me.
So I trust with my whole heart, and I dive
in and sometimes I overshare and and but that's just
who I am.
Speaker 1 (23:00):
My girlfriend just came to stay with me at this
hotel that I'm at right now. And this is a
friend I've known for twenty years. We went to college together.
She's one of my best friends. And we had all
these big plans to go out, but every single night
all we did was put on Old Sex and the
City episodes, pause it debrief for like thirty minutes about
whatever it was that Carrie just did whatever messy thing
(23:22):
that she just did, and then we'd press again, and
then we'd keep y apping, and I was like, oh
my gosh, I didn't I don't.
Speaker 3 (23:27):
Need to go to therapy. I just need to do
this with my girlfriends.
Speaker 4 (23:30):
Yeah, totally. And then when you have kids, like Maxie
has one son and two daughters, and we were I
don't know, we were kind of like down on the
dumps over the holidays, and I was like, let's go
to Vegas with our kids. We went we Sufferno Mars
and it was so much fun because Max and I
have like a naughty streak, so we kept trying to gamble,
(23:53):
and we didn't have like babysitters, so we were like, guys,
just call I guess, so wall like just stand there
and gamble a bit. Security kept coming around being like, man,
kids are not allowed on the floor, and we're like, oh, sorry,
our badst It was so dysfunctional, but so fun because it's.
Speaker 3 (24:10):
Hard lucky in love?
Speaker 2 (24:15):
Are you lucky on the casino floor?
Speaker 4 (24:17):
Also, I actually didn't know what I was doing and
I made like three hundred bucks.
Speaker 2 (24:20):
Jordana, I'm curious about something because I can tell you're
such an avid consumer of art and film and culture.
Is there a type of project or role that people
wouldn't expect from you, but that you're dying to do?
Speaker 4 (24:35):
Yeah, I mean I want to be in something like
Big Little Lies or White Lotus. It's like raunchy and
fun and dark, and so I want to be in
something like that where I get to just like, I
feel like a lot of the time, I'm like the
good girl and the pretty girl and it's so boring,
and I just like, that's not my personality, and so
(24:56):
I just want to like lean into smart, dark humor.
So a show like that would be my jam for sure.
Or even like Carrie Russell on The Diplomat. I love
it because she's so smart and witty, but also she's
not like all good or all bad, and it's interesting
and I feel like roles get better as you get older.
Speaker 3 (25:17):
Something Danielle and I talk about a lot.
Speaker 1 (25:19):
Is that perception challenge that you just mentioned, Like, I
know what my value is, I know how I can
enhance this project, but for whatever reason, You've got a
block and you can't perceive me in that way. That's
something that has come up for me in my career
so much. What have you learned about.
Speaker 4 (25:36):
By the way, You're so lucky you know what your
value is because sometimes I don't. Sometimes like, yeah, I
think if someone plants a seed of doubt, I have
to be really I have a bumper sticker on my
car that says, don't believe everything you think and it's
really about the thoughts are all bs, they're popping up
all but you have to check in and go does
(25:57):
that resonate? Do I agree with? And I have to
I think I'm so used to like the good girl
thing where you're like, oh yeah, no, no, of course
I'll do that and sure and instead of just going
m I do really feel about that, And that's that's
a muscle that I had to train. So yeah, I
often have to be like no, I don't, I don't
(26:17):
agree with that, and that little seed of doubt like
I'm just gonna purge that guy. So but I think
it's really important to have that inner strength and I
still work on it, Like every day, I.
Speaker 1 (26:31):
Feel like you're inside my head because this is exactly
what I'm like dealing with and working through when it
comes to circumventing other people's incorrect or inaccurate perceptions of
you in your work and your career.
Speaker 3 (26:44):
How do you do that? What have you learned about
that process?
Speaker 4 (26:47):
So I play mojong sometimes and it's a total I
don't like. I like it for the social aspect because
honestly it's a little too complicated and I don't know
all the rules. But anyway, I was so, I was
in this group and there was this woman next to me,
and I could tell she just I don't think I
(27:07):
was making up a story. I irked her, like I
bugged her, and I straight up said, like, I can
tell you hate me, and she because I feel like
sometimes and I think it's part of being socially awkward.
It's like I don't like the nice cities, and then
where did you grow up? And it's like I'd rather
just get down to it, and I think it disarmed her.
(27:29):
But it also I just like said the unsaid, And
I think sometimes you have to and as long as
you're totally comfortable with what you're saying, it'll be received
in the right way, you know, So I think you
just have to address it. In a non address it
with humor, I think is the best thing to do.
Speaker 3 (27:51):
You're so right, that's such a good point, which.
Speaker 4 (27:53):
Is I mean, it's easier said than done.
Speaker 2 (27:56):
But yeah, do you yourself ever having to overcompensate in
social situations outside of work? Of course, because of your
position in life. I feel like it must be interesting
for people in amagen group to perceive you like you're
(28:19):
really beautiful. You have this beautiful career, beautiful family, Like yeah,
but do you ever feel like you almost have to
overcompensate and be like overly nice.
Speaker 4 (28:30):
I'm not gonna be really nice, but I do put
myself down and sometimes I'm like, wait, why am I
doing that? Like like if like sometimes I make the
mistake of not remembering, because again, if you're socially awkward
or if you have anxiety, you kind of you don't
black out during interactions, but you're so in your own
(28:52):
head and you're still thinking like, oh my god, what
am I saying? And da da da da da that
you're not fully present, so you don't remember the person's name.
And it's not because I'm a bee, It's because I
just was in my head. And so oftentimes you're like, yeah,
we met at this baby group like three years ago,
and I'm and then I'm like, instead of just saying, oh,
I apologize, I'll put myself down and say like, oh
(29:14):
I have the worst memory, or oh, I'm so sorry,
and like that's bes I shouldn't do that, you know,
I should just own it and be like, oh, I'm
so I'm not. I know I'm not a rude person,
and I know I'm not dismissive, so I shouldn't let
that person's in security make me feel ashamed. So that,
but like, how exhausting are all these dynamics.
Speaker 3 (29:35):
It's a lot.
Speaker 2 (29:36):
It feels like you've really lived the width of your life,
not just the length of it. You've had so many
interesting experiences. At the risk of sounding cliche, if you
could go back and tell Jordana, who had just embarked
on Hollywood something, what would you say to her?
Speaker 4 (29:58):
I would say it's something I'm still working on, which
is like you deserve to be there. Don't apologize for
yourself ever, and start writing like I think it's taken
me so long, and to go, oh I have something
to say, or oh, like even something as silly as
(30:19):
like recently I went to Golden Globes parties with my
with my husband and because he loves to go and
he's on a different side of the whole thing. But
I was like, I don't know, babe, Like I'm not nominated,
I don't know anyone. That's not like, why am I there?
It's silly. It's like going to the problem when you don't.
And he's like, you belong, and so I would just say,
like you belong, Get out of your head.
Speaker 3 (30:41):
That's really beautiful.
Speaker 2 (30:42):
I think that that is like the most basic human
need is to feel a sense of belonging.
Speaker 4 (30:48):
Totally.
Speaker 3 (30:48):
That's primal. It's in our dna.
Speaker 4 (30:53):
I also tell my sons all the time, like a
rising tide raises all shits, like you don't need someone
else to be that you feel better. I feel like
that's also something that especially amongst women, I just don't
think that's that should be a thing. And so I
would have told my little little Jordana that as well.
Speaker 2 (31:13):
Thank you so much for joining us, Jordana.
Speaker 4 (31:16):
Thank you, thank you guys. This was so fun.
Speaker 1 (31:20):
Jordana Brewster is an actor best known for her role
in the Fast and Furious franchise. She's starting in the
new movie Hard Eyes, which is out tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (31:33):
That's it for today's show. Tomorrow, we're popping off on
the biggest pop culture moments of the week with none
other than our showrunner at Tim Palizola. You don't want
to miss this.
Speaker 1 (31:45):
Join the conversation using hashtag the bright Side and connect
with us on social media at Hello Sunshine on Instagram
and at the bright Side Pod on TikTok oh, and
feel free to tag us at Simone Voice and at
Danielle Robe.
Speaker 2 (32:00):
Follow the bright Side on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts,
or wherever you get your podcasts.
Speaker 3 (32:05):
See you tomorrow, folks. Keep looking on the bright side.
M
Hosts And Creators
Simone Boyce
Danielle Robay
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