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Likelihood is, you’ll acknowledge Katie Lowes from any variety of exhibits, motion pictures, or musicals she’s been in over time: As Quinn in Scandal, as Rachel in Inventing Anna, or from her stint within the Broadway musical Waitress together with her husband, fellow actor Adam Shapiro. Evidently, she’s had her fair proportion of juicy roles, and is now within the midst of the sixth season of her Shondaland-produced parenting podcast, Katie’s Crib.
It additionally so occurs that Lowes is a 40-year-old mother of two, a soon-to-be-kindergarten-bound son named Albee and a 2-year-old daughter named Vera, so she’s actually, in lots of extra methods than typical, similar to us. So, being an enormous Scandal fan, I believed I’d attempt my luck getting Katie to speak with Scary Mommy about, effectively, every part. I had a hunch that she’d have some enjoyable issues to say about being a mother, about Scandal, and about being a baby of the ’80s like me. And I used to be proper! After we chatted by way of Zoom lately, she was as disarmingly candid as I’d hoped. Seems, she’s only a mother attempting to determine it out like the remainder of us.
SM: I’m taking us again for a second. Watching that supply scene in Scandal was terrifying. Had you already had your first baby once you delivered your Scandal child?
KL: No, I had him three weeks later. Shonda is such a champion of motherhood, nonetheless you get there. We had accomplished six seasons of Scandal and [Shonda and I] had been hanging out and he or she was form of like, “What are you doing?” And I simply was like, “What do you imply?” And she or he was like, “Do you need to have a household?” And I used to be like, “I believe so.” In fact, my husband and I had been collectively for a billion years already, and I simply was terrified. I’m petrified of change. And she or he simply was like, “Nicely, I need to let you already know that Scandal is not going to be round endlessly. I positively know the ending – I all the time have since I began it – and it received’t be round endlessly. And if you wish to get this accomplished on my watch, you already know I’ll care for you.” And I actually ran residence and informed Adam to take off his pants. After which it was a magical expertise the place I acquired to be pregnant on set. I had the belongings you would by no means dream of taking place in Hollywood.
They constructed me a whole porch outdoors of my trailer as a result of nobody needed me to be taking the steep steps out and in in case I slipped. After which I had the newborn.
I introduced my child daily to set. They gave me an entire different trailer with the entire nursery arrange. I imply, Shondaland had entire rooms that had been cribs and play toys and all these items for Viola’s daughter and Kerry’s youngsters. And it was simply, like, I don’t perceive why it’s not like that in all places else.
SM: So how did Katie’s Crib come to be?
KL: Shonda was like, “I believe it’s best to have a podcast. I believe it needs to be referred to as Katie’s Crib.” And that was six years in the past. I actually am so fortunate as a result of I get to apply it to a private degree; I’ve used it for each avenue of once I’m stumped, which is very often. And we do every part from C-sections and hypertension, gestational diabetes, to a whole lot of work on postpartum melancholy as a result of I had that. After which additionally when George Floyd was murdered, speaking about race together with your youngsters or speaking about actually, actually attempting to make modifications within the ways in which we will. However I’ve to say the Katie’s Crib group is like — I get approached by followers they usually’re rabid and superior. Scandal followers are one of the best. However there’s one thing about Katie’s Crib followers the place the world stops and we hug one another.
SM: So I lastly simply watched Scandal all by way of for the primary time — I do know, I do know. It’s soooo good.
KL: It’s so good. I’m watching it for the primary time. I really feel so fortunate that I am internet hosting the Scandal rewatch podcast with Guillermo Diaz, who performed Huck. And I had pitched the thought a pair years in the past, principally as a result of Guillermo Diaz is my greatest buddy… However in all honesty, I used to be like, “The one factor I don’t need to do is return and watch the present. I don’t actually like watching myself, blah, blah blah.” And I used to be like, “You recognize what? I’ll recover from it. Let’s simply watch it.” And I began watching it, and the best present has been I didn’t actually watch it when it was on. We needed to stay tweet each episode. So I actually didn’t focus. And on the time, you’re so involved about what you appear like and the way your efficiency was and what they edited out or what they stored in or no matter.
Now I simply sit again and it was 10 years in the past, and I don’t keep in mind something. It’s simply lengthy sufficient that Quinn comes right into a scene, and I’m like, “What am I doing right here?” I get to look at these actors and writers who’ve change into my greatest associates, and we’re such a detailed household they usually’re so good…
I’m so uncomfortable by Fitz and Olivia’s chemistry as a result of they’re such good associates of mine, and I can’t imagine how sizzling it was. It was insane. They usually’re not like that in any respect. In any respect. They’re dorky. It’s weird. And it’s the most well liked factor ever.
SM: OK, on to some parenting questions. The very best and scariest a part of parenting is watching your youngsters develop. What’s stunned you?
KL: Albee was actually my shocker. Nothing may evaluate to that first child. I imply, I’m such a folks pleaser, and I actually am battle averse. And my son was that child on the general public playground who was hitting infants for no cause. This can be a nightmare for me. I needed to actually come to phrases with understanding my child just isn’t a foul child and learn to advocate for him and what he’s attempting to precise. And likewise being courageous sufficient and powerful sufficient to, even when it’s a stranger mother, simply clarify that I’ll keep actually shut right here and if he begins actually wanting a toy, I’m going to be simply placing my arm up in between them. I might get actually good at catching it earlier than it could occur.
It was a part, and it ended, nevertheless it was such a lesson in “Wow, parenthood goes to result in all of your sh*t to the entrance.” This isn’t even about him… He’s a loud, dynamic, energetic child. And I needed to actually have a look at myself and be like, “Why am I so triggered by this?” I might lose nights and nights of sleep, Googling “Why is my child a hitter?” It was wild. That is going to be as a lot your journey as it’s his. And also you higher actually take a freaking exhausting have a look at your self and your individual f*cking points.
SM: Are you a child individual?
KL: I’m not a play individual. Infants actually rocked me. I don’t see infants and go “waaah.” I simply don’t. And I really like that I’ve associates which can be like that. A few of my most ice-princessy associates who’re powerful as sh*t turned out to be essentially the most child gushy folks I’ve ever recognized. I really like folks. I’m huggy. I’m sensitive. I really like all that. I used to be not a fan of infants.
SM: Inform me about having a child throughout the pandemic.
KL: I acquired pregnant per week earlier than shutdown, and Shonda was my first e mail as a result of I used to be capturing Inventing Anna. We had had lunch, and I had mentioned to her, like, “Hey, I believe I’m going to have one other child. However don’t fear as a result of it’s March — my character Rachel is completely wrapped by April. So if I begin messing round proper now and it really works, I’ll solely be 4, six weeks pregnant, and I’m going to be wrapped.” And I wouldn’t inform anyone anyway as a result of I’ve had miscarriages earlier than. So it wouldn’t mess up. I acquired pregnant March 8, 2020. March 13, it is shut down. She’s my first e mail….
I’m an extrovert. I like group. And I used to be alone with a 3-year-old who’s a brilliant, tremendous lively boy, and we weren’t actually letting him play as a result of everybody was scared about me getting COVID. So I used to be his sole individual, and I hate taking part in. I’m an actor, however I hate this. I hate it. I really like organizing and making… The best way I present love is their lunch packing containers and that every part’s organized and deliberate and brought care of. And naturally I really like bathtub time and bedtime and singing songs and studying books and issues like that. However if you wish to cover and search and like that or construct a volcano, I’m simply… oh, my God. I used to be a nanny for 10 years, and I used to do this stuff, however I acquired paid for it.
SM: What are your loved ones’s guidelines for telephones and social media?
KL: Monday by way of Friday, you’re allowed to look at some TV, however the TV has to have a story: starting, center, and finish, like a narrative. And solely on weekends are you allowed to look at [YouTube]. After which he desires to make it. We go to Goal, and he’ll ask Adam, my husband, he’ll be like, “Can you are taking me?” And he’ll be like, “Yo, what’s up YouTube?” Sure. And generally, I’m like, “Ought to I simply stop every part?” And we could possibly be making $40 million a 12 months.
SM: Did you watch a whole lot of tv rising up?
KL: Oh, I watched a lot tv. Oh, my God. My husband [didn’t]… He acquired paid 100 {dollars} a 12 months if he solely watched one hour per week. I do know. I watched tv from 3 to 7 Monday by way of Friday, child. [I had a] Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle tv tray. And I had dinner in entrance of the tv each night time, and it’d both be Ellio’s frozen pizza or hen nuggets the place my mom talked on the cellphone “like this” [fakes deep Queens accent] to her mom. And my brother and I are high quality!
SM: Inform me about your first R-rated film. Mine was Working Woman and I used to be positively too younger to look at it.
KL: That is horrible. Once I was 13 years previous, my greatest buddy’s dad and mom for her birthday took us all to see the film Seven. Are you kidding? That’s not applicable. Am I unsuitable? So I don’t know if that was my first, nevertheless it was… terrible. That’s not OK.
I used to look at Soiled Dancing. [I used to] dance once I was like 6, 7, 8, 9. However I might simply… I keep in mind fast-forwarding the abortion half or the woman crying within the kitchen. As a result of I didn’t perceive what the hell was happening anyway. I simply preferred seeing tremendous attractive dancing, which clearly was giving me the feels. However I didn’t know what was happening.
SM: What about TV exhibits?
KL: Nicely, rising up I used to be an enormous 90210 fan. I used to be an enormous Dawson’s Creek fan. I beloved Saved by the Bell. Seen each single episode. So each single time, I’m all the time interviewed by AC Slater. Oh, I’m all the time interviewed by him.
SM: Do you ever name him AC Slater to his face?
KL: Oh, yeah. On a regular basis. On a regular basis. On a regular basis.
SM: So I simply turned 40 final 12 months, and I do know you probably did, too. Speak to me about your birthday.
KL: I simply preferred the ramp-up. We went all out too. However I really feel just like the ramp-up was so big. And you then simply get up once you’re 40 years previous in someday and also you’re like, “Oh.”
SM: So what do you concentrate on your 40s to this point?
KL: I had my first mammogram, and now I’ve to return, they usually want extra imaging and all this. And I’m like, “Right here we go. I’m in it. I’m within the vortex.”
I had heard from a whole lot of ladies that it’s one of the best decade. They know themselves. You unapologetically take up house, ask for what you need, aren’t bothered by the little issues anymore. And I positively see that for positive.
However I additionally really feel prefer it’s simply going by so quick. And the factor that freaks me out essentially the most about your 40s is coping with the true grownup stuff. My dad and mom’ associates are sick, and that’s not stuff that you simply’re speaking about in your early 30s. I’ve a gaggle chat with my 10 greatest girlfriends that is referred to as “Bear in mind When We Used To Speak About Dick?” Sorry, I don’t know if I am allowed to say that. It would not actually say that — it’s referred to as RWWTA, after which all of us needed to guess what we thought it was for… These are my greatest girlfriends from school 20 years in the past the place all we talked about was relationship and intercourse and what their penis was like or not like or no matter. And now it’s like, “Oh, my God, that dialog is simply… Thus far out the window” and it’s speaking about mammographies. Somebody’s sick or somebody’s not doing effectively or somebody’s in monetary bother. That is the true life sh*t.
SM: I do know you journey quite a bit with your loved ones. Any ideas?
KL: Touring is my favourite factor to do on this planet. It’s like the place I really feel essentially the most related to what I’m imagined to be doing… I simply love going locations the place persons are totally different from what I’ve skilled, wherever that’s. And my son’s been to fifteen nations and he’s 5, which is loopy…
Persons are simply so anxious about touring on planes with youngsters. I believe it’s a lot about mindset. It’ll finish. It’s not endlessly. Whether or not the flight is 2 hours, 4 hours, eight hours, or I’ve accomplished 27 hours. But it surely ends, and there’s ups and downs; my youngsters have puked on me. I’ve sat in throw-up; I’ve caught his throw-up. You carry a whole lot of modifications of garments. You carry a sh*tload of snacks. And the opposite factor I did, which was the best factor that I’ve accomplished, and I don’t know the way I did this, and I believe it should change in all probability, however my youngsters watch tv, however they’re solely allowed an iPad on travels. So planes and lengthy automobile rides are limitless iPad time. So my youngsters’ habits on planes is unbelievable. Actually, it’s simply survive and check out to not management it. My associates who’ve the toughest time are those we need to have them get their nap and this, that, and I’m like, guys: Throw it the f*ck all out the window. Simply survive. It’ll finish. And you bought to have a glass of wine that can in all probability be knocked over onto you and simply go journey by… Get the crappy seats subsequent to the bathroom the place you belong.
This interview has been edited and condensed for readability.
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