Anna Faris recently opened up about the challenges and triumphs of becoming a stepmom. In a candid interview with Hoda Kotb and Justin Sylvester on the Today show on Monday, July 15, the actress discussed her experience ahead of her new film “My Spy The Eternal City,” premiering on Prime Video on July 18.
Faris, 47, married cinematographer Michael Barrett in 2021 and became stepmom to his two children from a previous relationship. She described Barrett’s kids, a 20-year-old daughter studying at Georgetown University and a 17-year-old son excelling in school.
Reflecting on her early attempts to bond with them, Faris admitted to stumbling in her new role. “When I first entered their lives, I had no idea how to relate to them,” she shared. She recalled trying to impress her stepdaughter by blasting music when picking her up, only to mortify her. “That’s one example of my stumbling through that position,” she noted, emphasizing that she eventually learned to take a step back and let the kids come to her.
Faris also spoke about her initial misunderstandings regarding her stepkids’ reactions. “I didn’t give them a ton of reason to cultivate a trusting relationship,” she said, acknowledging the different dynamics actors often face. Over time, she recognized the need to build a genuine bond, free from the inflated ego that sometimes comes with celebrity interactions.
Despite the initial hurdles, Faris expressed how their relationship has grown. “I have this special place in their life where I just get to be supportive,” she said. Faris also shares an 11-year-old son, Jack Daniel, with her ex-husband, Chris Pratt, and has been working hard to nurture her blended family.
As she looks forward to her film’s release, Faris continues to embrace her role as a stepmom, finding joy in the unique place she holds in her stepkids’ lives.
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