Call Her Daddy
Call Her Daddy
"I think we are our only enemy and it goes down too far into a like a dark hole. Like, it is just you own it and you believe it. And it's like, how do you even begin to like unravel that because you have to live your day-to-day life." — Alex Cooper
"The one thing about like alcoholics that I love is like the rules that we, you know, only beer, only wine, only on weekends, only every other week." — Lucy Hale
"If that doesn't tell you everything right there, there is only one you. There is only ever supposed to be one of you, and that is so fucking cool to me." — Lucy Hale
The episode features an in-depth conversation between Alex Cooper and actress Lucy Hale, beginning with Hale's reflections on her upbringing in Memphis, Tennessee. She describes herself as a sensitive and misunderstood child, which fueled her desire to become an entertainer as an outlet. This feeling of being an "alien" and introverted persona, she notes, contrasted sharply with her public-facing career. Hale recounts moving to Los Angeles at 15, a significant sacrifice made by her mother, and the early success she found, which, while initially validating, also masked deeper personal struggles and an identity crisis, where she felt she was "running away from myself."
A significant portion of the discussion delves into Hale's long-standing battle with alcohol. She recounts her first experience with alcohol at a young age, leading to a blackout, and how this set a pattern of unhealthy drinking aimed at escaping her feelings. She details her journey through multiple attempts at recovery, including rehab at 23, before achieving lasting sobriety at 32. Hale candidly shares the shame she felt, the impact on her relationships, and the challenges of navigating a demanding career while battling addiction. She also touches upon her experiences with disordered eating, the pressure of body image in Hollywood, and the difficulties of forming authentic connections amidst the perceived competition among female actors.
The conversation further explores themes of people-pleasing, stemming from her parents' divorce at a young age, and how this translated into difficulties setting boundaries. Hale discusses the complexities of sexuality and intimacy, particularly how alcohol influenced her sexual experiences and her journey to feeling comfortable and present in her own skin post-sobriety. The episode concludes with reflections on the non-linear nature of recovery, the importance of self-compassion, finding joy in simple moments, and the newfound clarity she has gained, emphasizing that while life is challenging, listeners are not alone in their struggles.