Our June cover star is the same in real life as she is on Instagram.
Im sparkly, she says, explaining how she got into college.
(She delivered her app by hand.)
WILLIAMS + HIRAKAWA; STYLING BY LAURA SOPHIE COX
We agree theres something fizzy and lovely and dazzling about her.
She deftly embodies Summer, one quarter of an aggressively clueless quartet in the sitcomGirls5eva.
Except shes anything but clueless.
WILLIAMS + HIRAKAWA; STYLING BY LAURA SOPHIE COX
Philipps found us a spot outside instead.
I love bright light, she says.
It just has to be superbright wherever I am.
REAL SIMPLE: We have to start with your Instagram.
Its famous, andThe New Yorkereven called you the breakout star of Instagram Stories.
What do you think draws people to you and your account?
With Instagram, I was able to show all sides of myself, and it was incredibly freeing.
I also found so much connection.
RS: How do you approach something you’re not good at?
WILLIAMS + HIRAKAWA; STYLING BY LAURA SOPHIE COX
BP:With a lot of curiosity!
Im not good at math, and I choose to not do it.
Its not my journey.
WILLIAMS + HIRAKAWA; STYLING BY LAURA SOPHIE COX
I started playing tennis when I was 40.
I realized, when it was challenging, that I would grip too tight.
Its an ongoing lesson.
RS: Thats such a great metaphor!
What do you say to yourself when your inner critic isnt being super kind?
That being said, its hard.
And its important to remember that were always evolving.
That seems like an impossible way to live.
RS: How do you deal with theexternalcritics?
BP:I know people get really bogged down by what others think of them.
The truth is, other people arent actually really thinking that much about you.
And if they are, what they think about you has to do with them, not you.
I did a weeklong therapy retreat in 2021, and theres this exercise they do.
I was dreading it.
I said to my teacher, I dont want to do this exercise.
It’s going to really bum me out; everyone is going to have something about me.
Im a lightning rod!
It did hurt my feelings.
But then it was fascinating.
RS: Say more therapy things.
BP:Well, theres a lot of work on patterns.
RS: A personality hangover!
BP:Its a Paula Pell phrase, and its so genius.
Should I have been quieter?
RS: Speaking of friends, Paula Pell is onGirls5evawith you.
You seem to be the kind of person who collects friends from every chapter of your life.
What is so hard for people to understand?
What is so hard about people maintaining friendships?
And, I dont know, Im just not afraid of that.
I also like listening to people, so I ask questions.
Im always astonished when people dont ask more questions.
What do you want to say to our readers?
It feels so overwhelming.
Then theres all this nasty rhetoric, and were just inundated.
It doesnt matter what any of us do.
Its just going to be terrible.And I think its important to remember thats not true.
Its important what we do.
Its the small things.
Or paying attention to who your comptroller is.
Or how the districts are being drawn in your cities.
All these things are super importantnot just the presidential candidates.
You judge a society based on how they treat the most vulnerable among them.
Credits: Getty Images (4), Paramount Pictures
RS: Right.
And how are we doing?
BP:Were doing the worst job right now.
Its not how I want to live, and its not how I want to raise my children.
I cant shut off the fact that we live in a society where everyone needs to be participatory.
You cannot be singularly focused on yourself, and you have to be tolerant of other peoples beliefs.
RS: You talk a lot about the importance of sharing our stories.
BP:Peoples hearts and minds are changed by storytelling.
Theyre changed by hearing other peoples experiences.
Storytelling engenders empathy and the ideathe correct ideathat we are more alike than we are different.
I really believe that it ends up being beneficial for everybody.
RS: Your kids seem amazing, by the way.
Whats something youve learned about them or as a parent?
BP:Theyre awesome.
Birdie is almost 16.
And Cricket is 11.
Im learning that I dont have all the answers.
Im definitely adifferent kind of mom.
Im a little weird, and Im just trying to figure it out as I go along.
Most parents dont do what I do for a living.
My kids have a wildly different experience from their friends, and sometimes they hate it.
And I dont blame them.
RS: Youre now on QVC+ with a new late-night show,Busy This Week.
Its still a struggle for women in late-night television, huh?
Its annoying that theres not a seat at the table.
But listen, weve got to find ways to build new tables.
And QVC was very down to try something new, which is rare in this industry.
RS: Love that.
First: being busy!
How do you prioritize your time?
BP:I dont know if Im good at it, honestly.
I used to be really inflexible about certain things.
This morning, I woke up early and got coffee.
I decided to give myself a break and do that.
Second: What kind of shopping are you best at?
BP:I love all kinds of shopping.
RS: Same, Busy.
