Bella Thorne: Disney, Dating, & Reclaiming Her Story

Summary

Call Her Daddy — Bella Thorne: Disney, Dating, & Reclaiming Her Story

Host: Alex Cooper
Guest: Bella Thorne
Release Date: August 5, 2026

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Episode Overview

This deeply candid episode features actress, producer, and now director Bella Thorne sitting down with host Alex Cooper to discuss her journey from Disney star to Hollywood multihyphenate, including her struggles with family dynamics, public perception, reclaiming agency over her sexuality, and the importance of boundaries and healing. Bella gives rare insight into the darker side of child stardom, the pressure of supporting a family at a young age, and her recent growth as an artist and woman. The conversation is raw, vulnerable, often hilarious, and incredibly relatable to women navigating identity, trauma, and power.

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Key Themes & Discussion Points

1. Reflecting on Bella’s Many Eras

• Nostalgic Photo Game: Alex and Bella review photos from key periods—“the glitter queen,” the “Filthy Fangs” era, Bella’s art-filled homes, and her original Disney “Shake It Up” days.

• Quote:

  "I genuinely feel lighter on my feet... At one point, I was doing four movies a year, and I think I really burnt myself out... It's hard to work on the mental as well as be actually working all the time every day."
  — Bella Thorne, 05:13

• Key Memory: Bella dyed her hair red again herself, symbolic of returning full circle to her original self:

  "I woke up one day and was just like, I don't want the brown anymore... From the tip, just like, yes."
  — Bella, 03:27

2. Disney Fame, Pressures, and Mental Health

• Dance Trauma: Bella recounts landing Shake It Up without being able to dance, crying after rehearsals, and learning under pressure.

  "I had two left feet... I would cry a lot afterwards. I was in a room full of amazing dancers... It was horrible."
  — 21:49

• Early Adultification:

  "You're also spending all of your hours a day on set with adults... You're expected to be a child, but working adult hours. When you fuck up, it's your bad, like you're an adult."
  — 25:21

3. Friendship and Competition with Zendaya

• Being Pitted Against Each Other:

  "Why can't we accept both of us? People can't. We have to make you guys all beg for one spot so we can have the 80 million ones... The patriarchy has been doing it forever. But God damn, they were 12."
  — 27:49

• Private Reconciliation:
  At 14, Bella and Zendaya sneaked away from set during a crossover to hash things out:

  "We escaped to another set... We got into it, hashed it out, and it was so beautiful... My first experience, woman to woman, where you can both be heard."
  — 29:13

4. Family Struggles and Becoming the Breadwinner

• Financial Hardship:

  "When we moved to LA, my father died... no life insurance... My mom was working, four kids. We just knew all the time… if we didn't get that job..."
  — 32:36

• Adult Responsibilities at 13:

  "I couldn't afford to make a mistake... I was the breadwinner at 13."
  — 31:54

• Mother-Daughter Dynamics:
  Bella candidly describes how being managed by her mother blurred lines; her mom prioritized survival and work over Bella's emotional needs:

  "There was so much pressure... a lot of that period of my life is blocked out."
  — 41:54

• School Struggles:
  Bella struggled academically and cherished a rare supportive teacher:

  "I just wanted to be good at something... I try and take some of that pressure off myself now, but it's kind of beaten into me."
  — 42:48

5. Rebellion, Relationships, and Sexual Agency

• Reacting to Hypersexualization:

  "You want me to be that? Then I'll be it and I'll be it even more... You want me in my whole phase? Watch."
  — 61:41–63:13

• Cheating & Toxic Relationships:
  Bella retells the story of an ex who cheated on her repeatedly, leading to therapy and ultimately a breakup:

  "He wrote me a letter—he was always cheating, but never with the same girl more than once... That's the respect he had for our relationship."
  — 81:01–82:19

  On her response:

  "Cheating... It's not true. You haven't done anything wrong... Ridiculous."
  — 79:57–80:22

• Humor and Healing:
  Bella is hilariously frank about her vibrator ("I was never alone. I always had my vibrator." 65:50) and reflects on nonstop relationships and learning to be alone.

6. Reclaiming Power: The Nude Leak Incident

• Taking Control from a Hacker:
  Bella powerfully explains releasing her own nudes when blackmailed, to reclaim agency:

  "I was like, well, if I'm gonna lose my whole career and everything I've worked for, I'm gonna just say it all... so I'll just do it first."
  — 92:42

• Public Backlash:
  The internet accused her of wanting attention:

  "The worst part was people saying, 'You did this, you wanted it.' That really broke me."
  — 93:44

• FBI Involvement:

  "If I hadn't posted the screenshots, they wouldn't have caught him."
  — 95:12–96:18

7. Boundaries, Growth, and Self-Compassion

• What’s Changed for Bella:

  "I'm not as reactive... I have boundaries... Not having them before and having them now... can be such a beautiful and joyous experience."
  — 100:22

  Alex:

  "You can be proud of yourself now, but also have empathy for why it was so hard back then."
  — 101:12

• The Actor’s Dilemma:
  On reclaiming her body:

  "As an actor, you're taught to disassociate from your own body... so to reclaim it, piece by piece, is really... I feel like I've just recently gotten to be precious about myself."
  — 103:57

• Desiring Softness:
  Both reflect on the burden of being a "strong woman":

  "Stop making us be so strong. I want to be a weak woman. Can I be a weak woman today?"
  — 106:17

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Media and Sexualization:

  "People were debating if I was wearing a training bra or a bra... Can we think about it?"
  — 60:58

• On Crafty Cheating:

  "He thinks I'm not gonna translate it, but my assistant—yes... I'm Google translating with the photos, and it's not looking good in here!"
  — 78:46

• On Empowering Other Women:

  "To all the people and the women and everybody that hears themselves and sees themselves in this episode, I love you and you're beautiful."
  — 114:20

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Career Now & What’s Next

8. Directing, Writing, and New Projects

• Spring Breakers 2: Bella is writing, directing, and starring in the sequel, marking a major career milestone.

  "The original team is back...If you wanted to go to the theater and have fun, you gonna have fun with this movie. That's for sure... It's balls to the wall."
  — 110:44–111:18

• Feeling Happier, Embracing Joy:

  "A happier Bella. Getting to do something that I love, like directing... I hope I get to really enjoy continuing on this journey."
  — 113:06

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:11 — Bella on dying her hair, new beginnings
• 05:00 — Feeling lighter, burning out, learning self-acceptance
• 06:30–17:43 — Photo memories from various ‘eras’ (“Glitter Queen,” Filthy Fangs, Disney)
• 21:42 — Disney audition trauma, learning to dance
• 25:21 — Pressure, adult responsibility as a child, adultification
• 27:31 — Zendaya, competition, sisterhood moment
• 32:36 — Becoming breadwinner, family struggles
• 41:54 — Momager dynamic, school struggles
• 56:53 — Rebellion post-Disney, forming an adult identity
• 65:36 — Relationship hopping, fear of being alone
• 76:19–84:11 — Ex-boyfriend cheating saga ("Google Translate cheating")
• 89:06 — The nude leak, reclaiming agency, working with FBI
• 100:22 — Boundary setting & growth
• 108:48 — Spring Breakers 2 announcement
• 113:06 — Bella on happiness and her new direction

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Conclusion

This episode is equal parts therapeutic, revealing, and empowering—Bella’s story is a testament to perseverance, growth, and the often messy process of reclaiming one’s narrative. Both she and Alex create a relatable, judgment-free zone for discussing trauma, fame, sex, and healing, leaving listeners with empathy, laughs, and a deeper understanding of the cost—and the power—of surviving the spotlight.

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Final Thoughts from Bella:

"A happier Bella... Getting to do something that I love like directing... I hope I get to really enjoy continuing on this journey."
— 113:06

Alex’s closing words:

"Sitting here and even you being like, 'I have boundaries. I'm more patient now.' That is what happens with time. You are such a survivor in your own right... You did that yourself."
— 107:39–108:02

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For anyone navigating difficult journeys, this episode is a reminder: growth is possible, boundaries are powerful, and you’re not alone.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

Better.

[A]

Listen, when someone comes over to my house, I want it to feel clean. I want it to feel breezy, beautiful, gorgeous. And Clorox Toilet Wand. I'm telling you guys, it's. Let me just say, it saved me in a lot of moments, okay? It has really changed the game for me. The Clorox Toilet Wand kit comes with disposable scrubbing pads that are pre loaded with cleaner, a long handle so you can stay far away, and a storage caddy that keeps everything, everything together. It's literally perfect, you guys. Okay, the textured scrubbing pads foam on contact with the water to cut through tough stains for an easy, satisfying clean. No additional toilet cleaning gel needed. In fact, it kills 99.9 of viruses and bacteria. And when you're done, you just toss the used scrubbing pad away and you never have to look at it again. Okay, everyone, we have our dorm rooms. We have our apartments. We have our homes. I don't care where you live, Daddy gang. You need this. Throw away your gross toilet brush and join the million people Keeping their toilet clean with the Clorox toilet wand. Grab yours today on Amazon. Use as directed. What is up, Daddy gang? It is your founding father, Alex Cooper with Call Her Daddy, Daddy. Bella Thorne, welcome to Call Her Daddy.

[B]

Hi.

[A]

Thank you for having me. Oh, my God, I am so excited to be here with you today. We kind of like, first as the world got to know you as Cece Jones on Shake it up, but you didn't let Disney put you in a box. You are now in the director's chair, and I feel like you have done so much in your life to just get to where you are today as the Bell Thorne we know and love. And so I am really excited to just learn more about you.

[B]

Oh, thanks.

[A]

The red hair is back.

[B]

It's. The girl is growing.

[A]

Is it true that you dyed this yourself?

[B]

I did original color myself. Yeah, I did.

[A]

What inspired the return?

[B]

Well, I woke up one day and was just like, I don't want the brown anymore. I did the brown to grow also grow out my hair. You know, when you have like red or as, you know, blonde every time with the six week mark, you're like, the roots and shadow roots don't really look amazing. Sometimes with red hair, it's just not as, you know, I like it like from. From the tip, just like, yes. And. And then I woke up in my. My fiance. I was like, you know, I really want to get this, like, product where, you know, it says no bleach. It's a high lift color, but, you know, it says no bleach. And I was like, it says they have it at cvs. And this little angel next to me in bed at 8 in the morning was like, you know, I'll go get it right now. And he went and got it. And. And then an hour later, my assistant Sam walked in. She, like, she looks at me, she's

[A]

like, oh, my God. Jesus. You're like, I don't know. CVS said it was gonna be. I feel like so much of what I talk about on this show is like, becoming an adult. It almost feels like we all go through that phase where you start to have, like, revelations of your past, and it's either traumatizing or it's healing or it's a little bit of both. And I feel like I'm meeting you at a very, like, reflective point in your life. Is that fair to say?

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

And so I kind of want to just go through it all today, Bella, because I'm fascinated.

[B]

Let's do it.

[A]

Okay. Just high level. What about your life right now feels different from, like, all of your past eras in your past.

[B]

That's a great question.

[A]

So much.

[B]

So much. I genuinely feel lighter on my feet. And I think, mentally, I. At one point, I was doing four movies a year, and I. I think I like, really burnt myself out as well as at a time where I also didn't know myself as much. And I feel like in life, we just keep learning about ourselves in that way, which is a really beautiful process. If you're not, like, finger pointing at yourself and talking down to yourself every time you make a mistake, then it can be a beautiful process. But it's. Yeah, it's. It's. It's hard to, like, work on the mental as well as be actually working all the time every day, you know, I feel like a lot of people can relate to that. Everybody out here be stunted. You know, we all got to be stunting all the time. It's exhausting.

[A]

It's like you get so burnt out, and then you still have to pretend you're stunning. You're like. You're like, I'm literally about to fall over.

[B]

No, literally.

[A]

Okay. Lighter. I feel like. And I bet if you said that to yourself, like, years ago, like, one day you'll just be sitting somewhere and be like, oh, I feel so much lighter. Like, that's the goal for all of us. Right? Because that means you're probably happier and you feel, like, alleviation from some of the pain that you were experiencing.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I saw that you posted a little recap of your just, like, over the years, and you called it the many eras of Bella Thorne. And so I want to play my own version with you today because I feel like this is a good way to, like, kick us off and get into if anyone forgot. Let's go down memory lane.

[B]

Oh, Jesus.

[A]

I'm gonna just show you a picture. You're like, is this a good time for me to leave the interview? Goodbye. I am gonna show you a picture, literally. Just tell me what you remember from that and what comes to mind.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Okay. Starting off strong.

[B]

Oh, Jesus. Starting off so strong. First of all, like, face is way too pale, and it's looking really weird. Matching my, like, lower chest situation. I know everyone's looking at the chest, and yes, it's very tan compared to my face. I'm gonna start with when I went to this thing. I was dating somebody we wanted to match. He didn't like his outfit right before, and so he changed his outfit, so I changed mine, like, an hour before going so that we could still match.

[A]

This is 2017. I also feel like 2017 is just like very nostalgic for everyone. It's like, you know, you where you were at 2017.

[B]

Uhhuh. This also felt like the glitter queen.

[A]

I was going to say glitter.

[B]

I was like, so. And I was glitter before this. And then this was also there. And a lot of people were like, oh, my God, she's on drugs because she's wearing glitter. Like, what the. And I was like, no, man. I mean, I do smoke weed, but not on drugs. Just love glitter.

[A]

Because I feel like every time I've ever heard people talk about glitter, a lot of them are parents and they're like, I think I have to move from my house because the glitter has just completely consumed my entire home. And I literally can't use a vacuum enough to get it out. Was it just all over your house and you just kind of were like, in your glitter era, it's everywhere.

[B]

It will never leave the house. I found it in places you don't want to find it.

[A]

It's like in your vibrator, you're like, oh, yeah.

[B]

In your toothbrush comes out, you're like, well, damn, I'm wet with glitter. Yes.

[A]

That's actually amazing. Okay, next. This is. Wow.

[B]

Oh, wow. Filthy Fangs era.

[A]

Yep. This is from your on Bella Thorne music video.

[B]

Oh, man. That song, which.

[A]

This obviously completely broke the Internet back in the day. Where did this idea come from?

[B]

It was a song that started as a joke and. And then we'd play it for people and be like, oh, this is like, pop it. And we're like, no, but it's like, it's. It's funny, you know, it was like, I really loved, like, the Jesse Eisenberg era and stuff with like, you know, like, yeah, on a boat and like, digging a box. And like, that's how I viewed this. That's. That's a good era, dude.

[A]

That's such a good era. No one was that serious. Everyone was having fun and was being like, stupid in the best way.

[B]

Exactly.

[A]

You're right. This is very nostalgic. I remember you said in the rap, you said, been inside the club since I was hella short. Which is honestly incredible. What was a typical night out partying with you back then?

[B]

What it looked like in this era is when I really started to go out and have fun. When I was younger. I was one, like, definitely a teacher's pet and like, have been dealing with the people pleaser, like, era for a long time. And then had to get out, had to bust out, how to break out. Like, boom, It's Bellator, bitch. I'm going to.

[A]

Like, I'm going.

[B]

So if you think about it so ridiculous. And. And yeah, so then at this time, I was having fun. I was, like, in my music era, too, like, with a lot. Hanging out with a lot of music people, producers, rappers, just, like, getting after it. Yeah, getting after it. And I think you can tell from this, like, hair and the colors that I went through.

[A]

I also heard that you are one of the only people who can keep up with Snoop Dogg when it comes to smoking. Is that true or is that true? It's true. I'm obsessed. You're like, yes, Alex, this is true. What is smoking with him? Like,

[B]

smoking with him is awesome. He's got his big bus, which is insane.

[A]

You've been on the bus?

[B]

Yes. Oh, the bus is. The bus is always there. Yeah, the bus is a mustache.

[A]

So we go into the bus.

[B]

We go into the bus, and there's just hella people and, like, hella smoke everywhere. Like, it's a thick. The. It's. It's like, where's the amount of oxygen compared to the amount of smoke in this area? And have you smoked weed?

[A]

Do you like? Me? Yeah, I have smoked weed. But, like, the way that I couldn't even. I couldn't even. I'd. I'd enter the bus and I'd get high. I didn't even. I wouldn't even need to hit something. Like, back in the day, I would smoke more. Obviously, now I'm not smoking because I'm pregnant, but, like, no. Yeah. Really? Really? You're not smoking?

[B]

He's like, I'm hitting the bong, man. On the stomach.

[A]

Oh, my God. But, like, I would back in the day, but I was always so fascinated by people who could just, like, hang. Because I remember when I interviewed Wiz Khalifa, I was, like, mentally preparing the day. I'm like, okay. Like, I know he's gonna offer me, and, like, I've gotta do it. Like, come on. Like, how am I not gonna smoke with whiz? And literally, I'm, like, taking, like, little baby hits him, like, next question. And, like, my whole page, I'm like. And I forgot my questions. And then I just started talking about random with, like, camping with him. We were literally on the random. We're like, enclosure. It sounds like a fun interview. It went so off the rails. I remember everyone in the room was like, what are you talking about? I'm like, I Don't know my name. Like, I don't know how to stand up from this.

[B]

Why am I here, dude? I also call who's daddy?

[A]

No litter.

[B]

Like,

[A]

I was just in the hands of his. I was like, take me where we need to go wizards. Um, I also feel like Snoop is someone who is on almost everyone's dream. Blunt rotation for sure. Who is on yours?

[B]

Yes, yes, yes. Woody Harrelson.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Yes. And.

[A]

Oh, it's good.

[B]

I was with him and at a after party for this movie he did with Christian Bale, and I got to meet him and Christian Bale, who was my favorite actor at the time. My sister, who's older than me, she got to smoke with Woody. And I was just like, I'm too young to do this publicly, so I'm not going to look at this party. And I just remember being like, man, can I add you to this? Rotate. It's like, I'm here, I'm breathing it in, but I'm not smoke. But. But it's like, it's kind of happening.

[A]

Yeah, that's a good one to have on the list, right?

[B]

It's like, I need it now, but I think he's not smoking anymore.

[A]

I think you missed your moment.

[B]

I missed it. It's okay now, but good for him.

[A]

Yeah. I also think, like, this also could give this what?

[B]

When I handed my house with my sister, because why not handed everything?

[A]

Explain what you mean by that.

[B]

Like, we individually hand glued every rose on that wall, and we took those feather boas and we staple gunned them into the roof and made a whole feather boa roof. There's a dinosaur in the different pinks in the. I'm like, oh, forget about the dinosaur. Let's talk about the feather boa roof. Okay.

[A]

There's a dinosaur. And this is, from what I understand, this is your dining room.

[B]

Yes. Yeah, that's our dining table. We. We had fun painting that dining table. I got the dinosaur from my sister Derek as a gift for one of her birthdays because she loves dinosaurs. She always has. And so I went to a props house and I was like, I want to get like. Like a big ass dinosaur. Because, like, why not? Yeah, she loves it, man. Yeah.

[A]

Eating dinner every night. Like, why not just have what a cool dining gift?

[B]

Like, is that like a tea one?

[A]

What does he wreck?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Or a velociraptor. Unclear. What?

[B]

Oh, I think you're right. It might be a velociraptor. Yeah, I think you're right. You see the next room Is completely blue and green. It's split down. That a fireplace back there? That is a horse, yes. Yeah, we got that made for one of our Coachella parties. And then, like, what do you do? And you, like, create things and then get things made. And, you know, you can't throw beautiful art away.

[A]

Bring it back.

[B]

Which makes me like a pack rat. I end up looking a little bit like a pack rat, but not in that era. And that's important to mention.

[A]

This is. This is when we talked at the beginning, where we're like, you are. So we're reflecting that you're like, this is so not who I am anymore. But just so you know, this once was. So are the dinosaurs not in your home currently? No.

[B]

And you know what? The person who bought my last home, his children loved the home. We designed that home as well. It was like, one. Right. You could see the evolution. Like, oh, wow. This is, like, classy, but still crazy. Like, still flowers everywhere, but it's not like this. And then we brought Derek to that house. And then his children, when they walked in and they saw that house, they wanted to keep it all the same. And so Derek is with a new family now. Derek. Yeah, Just pretty cute.

[A]

Last one, maybe. Best one. Are you ready, baby? Bella.

[B]

Dude, my hair is kind of curled like that right now.

[A]

You kind of look alike, right?

[B]

Whoa.

[A]

There are no notes on this outfit, really? Because it was such an era. The fedora, the layering. Like, how do you remember feeling when you were suited up this way?

[B]

We had so much fun. There was so much fun to be had. And I remember when they made my CC boots, and they were these paint splattered. Really? Like kind of 3D art sort of boots. And I love paint splatter. I've loved it since then. It's like, really become in, like, color. Washing is, like, a big thing that I just really love. And it all kind of really starts back at this, at this era and this. This time. It's so weird to think I'm 12.

[A]

That's why I was like, I needed to end with this. So we can almost start with this because it's like this photo. I feel like, really. Yeah. It was the beginning of your journey in the public eye, and it changed your life. And let's get into it. And maybe it's like the return of the red. Like, it feels like we got. We got to go down that path for a minute. Call her Daddy is brought to you by Ashley. You know, when you're scrolling furniture inspo and everything, you Love feels kind of, like out of reach. Well, Ashley just launched a new collection called Ashley Lux, and it is completely changing that feeling. Okay. Ashley Lux is beautiful. It's luxurious, and it is designed for how you actually live. If you think about it, it's like, elevated, intentional pieces made with sculpted wood, soft velvet, leather, brushed metals that instantly transform based out. Again, everything is also so versatile. So check out the White Haven collection. You can kind of think of it as, like, comfortable, cozy seating that you want to melt into in a customizable modular design, which we love. And it's not just furniture. Ashley Lux also includes art rugs, lighting, throws, and accents that let you layer in your own personality and style, which we love so much. If you browse the Ashley Lux Collection, I think what's really important is you want everything to feel cohesive, but you also want to make sure that it's in your personal esthetic. And so to make sure that your art matches the couches. Like, it all needs to come together. And so if you're feeling stressed and you're like, okay, we. Alex, I'm literally in the middle of redesigning things. Ashley Lux Collection is the place for you. Discover the new Ashley Luxe Collection by visiting Ashley in store or online at ashley.com/l, u x E Call Her Daddy is brought to you by polymarket. I feel like this has been the summer of sports. First, everyone was obviously freaking out about the basketball finals, and then we obviously just had the cup, and now people are already starting to talk about tennis. But here's the thing. Soccer. I am locked in, and I know exactly what's going on. In soccer, I played college sports. You know, I mean, tennis, though, I. Yeah, I'm going to admit, I need a little bit of help. So I opened polymarket to see who everyone thinks is going to win and pretty quickly figured out who I should start paying attention to. So I can also be sitting on the couch next to Mat, being like, yeah, oh, my God, what about that one? And Matt's like, how did you know that? I'm like, meanwhile, fully Poly Market. Polymarket is the world's largest prediction market where you can trade on what you think is actually going to happen across entertainment, culture, sports, politics, literally everything. So instead of your predictions just living in the group chat, there's finally a place where they can actually mean something. Like, right now, you can trade on the highest grossing movie of 2026 or whether the U.S. is actually going to confirm aliens exist. What a concept. Yes. You can literally trade on aliens. Okay. There's something for everyone. And there are new markets dropping every single day. So if you're the friend who always is calling things early and you're sharing hot takes with the girls over drinks, you're just that girl. This app was basically made for you. Okay? Download polymarket P O L Y M A R K E T. Now available in the US and free. To sign up, use code Daddy20DA D Y20 and get $20 free upon a $10 deposit. Trading not available in jurisdictions. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Trading is risky. 100% loss can occur. Obviously, this role had a lot of dancing involved, and I've heard that that didn't come naturally to you. Can you tell me more?

[B]

You want me to talk about one of the darkest traumas of my life?

[A]

Let's talk about it.

[B]

Let's bring it up.

[A]

What happened?

[B]

Yes, I could not dance. I was. I had two left feet and was so bad in general, and I could freestyle well. I knew a bee and loved to dance. When I was little and stuff, I would dance on tables, My mom likes to say, growing up, so it was always wild. Six years old on the table. And, yeah, I. So I had. I had rhythm. And then when it came to choreography, I had no experience whatsoever and really, like, then experienced the, like, two left feet situation. That was so horrible. I mean, one of the worst times, too. I would cry a lot. I would definitely cry a lot afterwards. And I was in a room full of, like, amazing dancers. So, so talented. And here I was in the front. So horrible. And all the people that deserve to be in the front are in. In the back of me. And I'm, like, looking to them like, why am I here? And it was a really weird experience in that way. Chris Thompson, who is the creator of the show, he was like, when you walked in that room, you were CC Jones, and there was nothing that no one could do about it. And, yeah, so she'll learn to dance, which I did. Man, did I learn.

[A]

Well, that's what's so interesting is, like, that's kind of cool, though, to know that, like, they saw you as this character, even though so much of the character required dance. And you were like, I literally can't do that. And they're like, we'll figure it out. And they wanted to cast you anyways, because I feel like so many people were always fascinated, like, you're this young kid. You obviously start, like, not fully being able to go to real normal school anymore because this becomes your whole life. Who did you hang out With. From the network. Like, did any of them become friends?

[B]

I didn't so much hang out with people from the network. I hung out with Zendaya. We hung out. I was in a. We were shaking up. Was in a different time when Miley and Selena and Demi and those shows, they were all, I think, 16, 17, when we were starting. So the eras are so different, and yet they intersect. And I remember when I was 12, people asking me if I was gonna be, you know, comparing us all. All the Disney girls and with Miley and Selena and this new era and asking which was going to be the next. Next bad girl and are you gonna be like Lindsay Lohan and like, all these things at 12, 13, you're just. Your brain is, like, trying so hard. Like, am I gonna be like, what? Like, what? What is the question? Like, it's such a weird. Yeah. 2012.

[A]

That is so crazy. Yeah. It's like. It's almost like. What's so weird about that Disney era is you look back and so many kids that went through it. There was this experience where you were expected to stay kind of like a child, because that's the demographic that you're appealing to. And yet the press is, like, waiting for that 16th birthday, 18th birthday where you're like. They're, like, weirdly sexualizing you even though you're 12 years old. And so you're having adult conversations somehow when you're still a child and you're like, how is this working?

[B]

Yeah. You're also spending all of your hours a day on set with adults. You know, that is. It's like such a different. The brain's like, how do I. And I'm expected to be this child, but I'm also working, like, hours like an adult and being an adult conversations. And when I up, it's my bad. Not like a child, it's my bad. Like, you're an adult. It's your bad.

[A]

And you're 12.

[B]

Yeah. And it's like the brain, I think, has a really hard. I think just like, cheers to everyone making it out alive.

[A]

Like, well, there's no way to be that young and to be surrounded by that many adults and that become the norm to not have an impact on your mental health to some degree.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

I like how you reference, though. Like, you know, you. You did have a relationship, obviously, because you were in a duo with Zendaya.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And that. I'm sure having someone of a similar age was at least most.

[B]

Thank God, helpful in that.

[A]

Do you remember the first time that you met her, like, what was your first impression of each other?

[B]

Yeah, meeting at the screen test, like, the mix and matches. And then the screen test. And I remember at the mix and matches, I. I think I liked her, like, immediately. I think that our chemistry was the best. And I remember thinking, she's so tall and I'm so short. Like. And then when they put us together for the screen test, I was like, oh, okay, they like it. And I remember us having to do the dancing and the freestyle. And I was like, okay, she can dance and I'm not a dancer.

[A]

Okay. I've got other things.

[B]

My mom was like, you're gonna work on it. Yeah. I did end up taking, like, between the pilot, the series of it being picked up, I did for that, like, seven months, take three dance classes a day. Aha. And, like, would do the auditions during the day and then. Yeah, that. During the night. And I was like, I'm gonna. I'm gonna be able to do this.

[A]

And I think something that was interesting from that era that is so prevalent even still today in media is like. And I know you've talked about it a little bit before, of, like, how you and Zendaya were pitted against each other at that age on the show, even though it's like, you're supposed to just be a duo. Why can't we accept? Both of us. People can't.

[B]

They don't. Women was women. It's just. Nope. We have to. We have to make you guys all beg for one spot so that we can have the 80 other million ones. But if you guys can beat each other down and, like, scrape till the. The whatever extent, we're asking you to, like, eat yourselves alive while we have. Have all these spots. But. But. But for women, just. Just one. Just one of you. And it's like, I mean, man, the patriarchy has been doing it for, obviously since the beginning of time, but it really, like, yeah, you just go back and you're like, God Damn. They were 12.

[A]

Like, literally 12.

[B]

Crazy. What's wrong with you? You're an adult.

[A]

And also, it's a duo. Like, yeah, we're not beating each other out.

[B]

Like, you're supposed to be. Be best friends. We play best friends. No, the role calls for a boat. It got. It got pretty, like, it got pretty bad. Like, you know, and then. And then you have your. Your families and you have the rest of the set and everything. And I think it got to a point where when we were on our Good Luck Charlie crossover, we escaped to another set in the middle of live taping, which is really ballsy, badass, and like rebellious. Very rebellious.

[A]

What do you mean?

[B]

Like, we, like, escaped is a funny word. We didn't escape, but we, like, snuck out. We knew that we had three scenes until we were up again, and we were just like, let's just go talk. And we did, and we escaped to another set that wasn't being used on a. On, you know, on another sound stage. And we're hiding up there. And then they were looking for us. We stayed a little too long. They were looking for us for that next sc. And we got into it, like, hashed it out and it was so beautiful. It was my first experience, woman to woman, girl to girl, where you actually can speak and you can both be heard about the different things you've been experiencing and what people are saying and how they're trying to do this to you. And, and you can walk out of there, like, seeing each other. And it was. Yeah, I, I think it's. It's definitely in there in the book still as one of the most genuine girl on girl talks, you know? Yeah.

[A]

Well, what's also so crazy about that is, like, how, again, young you were and to have all of the people that were pitting you guys against each other be adults. And so then the fact that, the fact that the two children in the

[B]

room, 14 year olds at this point,

[A]

14 year olds, were able to be adult enough and be like, can we just have a private moment? Because are you feeling what they're trying to do to us and be able to hash it out? That's really incredible to have the foresight of, from both of you, to be able to have a mature conversation because, like, parents and managers and all the people, directors, I, I can imagine a lot of kids in Disney were like, oh, of course. I thought I. That person hated me because an adult's telling me that. So the fact that you guys were able to, to see through it and the.

[B]

In the media, the media is telling you this. The. The fans are telling you this. You know, Love you guys, but y' all be out there getting a little too crazy. Can we all give everybody a little bit more grace? Can we just let everybody breathe just a little bit more?

[A]

I also think because the backstory of, you know, I can't speak for Zendaya, but for you, I know, like, like your journey was. This wasn't just something that you stumbled upon and you were like, this is fun. Like, you became the breadwinner at 13 years old. So this was, this is putting Food in your entire family's mouths. And so to reduce it to like, girl on girl drama, this was a full job for you.

[B]

Yeah, I couldn't afford to make a mistake in that way or be like, oh, I'm gonna have drama or this and that, or revel in anything.

[A]

I didn't.

[B]

Yeah. So Daiya definitely was probably the only person on the channel that I hung out with. Like, and it's like.

[A]

Because I think the. The theme too, of like, you're 13 and you're taking on real adult responsibilities. Can you share just like, what was your family's dynamic and financial situation prior to you getting shake it up and. And then when you got it, what did that mean to your family?

[B]

When we moved to la, my father died shortly after when I was nine. And he did not leave us with anything or life insurance or anything like that. So my mom was in. I don't even know how she did it. Four kids and nothing and a house in her name that she didn't sign for and flow foreclosure. Yeah. And he died in a motorcycle accident. So it was quite sudden and it was just really bad. For a long time my mom was working. She was also trying to take us to every audition that she could. And you've got four kids, all with auditions, all on opposite sides of the town and just kind of running herself ragged as well as us, just knowing all the time if. What was gonna happen if we didn't get that job. Yeah, it's. It was a shitty way to, I think, learn how to work. And yet it's one of the things I'm most thankful for. At the same time, that's something I know I can always do is work, but.

[A]

And at such a young age. I'm so sorry, obviously, for everything you just described of like, that's so much as a kid to take on that. Like, it sounds like you're basically just in fight or flight 24 7. When once your father died and your whole family, including your mother, is scrambling to be like, somebody get a job. And then you happen to be the one that shake it up, that got the big job one.

[B]

We knew there was money gonna be like food on the table, money for the house. Like, we KN least we would have a constant paycheck. And that was just, you know, we'd get a guest star on a show and be like, oh, maybe they'll make you a reoccurring. Maybe they'll make you a reoccurring, like. And I had done other things, but this was that thing of, oh, thank goodness. And I remember, like, remember my mom couldn't coach me for the audition because I was always the girl that was really good at drama and the dark things, but I wasn't the funny one. And that was my sister Danny, and she tested on Wizards. Yeah. And so my mom knew that at least she had gone far enough with. With Disney and they liked her. So she had her, like, coach me for the audition and pick out my outfit, which I'll never forget is like this, like off the shoulder 80s style sweatshirt that has a CC on it, which is why we wore it. And like these leg leggings and these like little gray ballet flat things and. Yeah. And I wore that outfit almost, I think it was 13 times. Yeah. Yeah. You bring it back every time. Every callback you wearing the same thing. Yeah, it was my. It was my good luck outfit. It.

[A]

I also am wondering, like, having your whole family essentially be in the dynamic of, like, someone make enough money to help us all survive. There's probably something so exciting at first where you're like, oh, my God, I'm. I got it. I'm the one that's gonna like, I've got this big thing. But then also, like, that's like, oddly now everyone's like, okay, so now we all have to turn our attention basically to you. Because now we support all of our energy into supporting Bella. But that's a lot of.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Responsibility.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

On just now you like. How did you and your mom at that young of an age even discuss.

[B]

My mom checked me real quick. I remember when we finally got to move and we were gonna rent a house, so that was very exciting. We'd stayed in this like, two bedroom apartment for a long time at that point. Stefan and the four kids and Mommy. And so it was kind of a lot in them when my dad would come in and he would stay. And I remember the excitement and I'll never forget it was like raining, which it doesn't often in la. And we had just gone to the grocery store and everyone's in the car and I'm all the way in the back and my mom's talking about these, like, different options of houses that we could rent. And. And I was like. I said something like, well, I should also get to pick. I should also have a say because I got the show. My mom turned around, said, what? What? What child? What child? You know, I'm from Florida. So it didn't go down well.

[A]

She was like, don't even think about it.

[B]

11, 12, year old child, you think you should have a say in the house, but then at the same time you' like, yeah, but don't I also get to say, I just want a room?

[A]

No, you're also like, but yeah, because I'm. We're getting house. Because I'm gonna now I'm gonna go work now.

[B]

Yeah, like, I want the princess bed. Can I, can I get the bed?

[A]

I want the bed. But okay, this is where I think this leads to. Understandably, very complicated dynamics.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Because yes, it is hard because I'm sure with your other siblings, it's like you don't want to come off as like, but it's like, but you are making all the money. How did you and your mom talk about the money that you earned and where that was going and what you were gonna do with it?

[B]

I don't know that it was ever that spoken about. When we were modeling, we would get like five, ten dollars for each job, and then we'd get to go to the store and buy toys. And I think that now you went from like, making like, you know, a hundred dollars with your Molly job and then like, you know, $10 to you or whatever to like, oh, actually now you're making like a sag rate as a child, you know, and I forget their day rates, but maybe it's 800 to a thousand somewhere in there. So now you're dealing with like, real like, oh, my God, this isn't just 50 I can pocket after, which is something. But it's. Now this is something else. This is a different thing. And I'm not sure that anyone was ever given the proper tools to speak about money. It was like, you got that job.

[A]

We got that job.

[B]

Like, oh my God, like, we're gonna go out to dinner. Like, you know, let's go to the store. You have to. My mom was very big on, like, rewarding your self. And that's something she definitely taught me from a young age. And now I'm like, mommy, I need to say girl mommy. But yeah, she. That was one thing that she always wanted to, I think, make sure that we celebrated our own self, that it didn't all always go nowhere, in a sense, nowhere we could see or celebrate celebrating you still being in a house. But as a child, there's. Yeah, you don't quite understand the. You just understand it's scary and it's really bad. And hopefully we never go there. And that's why we're not gonna. It's always gonna be this conversation. We're Never gonna get to what that conversation is gonna look like.

[A]

And I know you and your mom have had a long journey of a relationship, as most children with their parents do, but obviously I think there was an added level for you because your mom wasn'. She then was your manager. How did you guys navigate that dynamic?

[B]

Yeah, the momager thing. Not really sure how we navigated it. I had a manager, which I still work with. Thor. Yeah, I just worked. I don't know that there was any navigating. It was like, this is an amazing opportunity. Should we do this? Like, should we do that? Coming off of the channel, so much pressure. What are you gonna do after the channel? Like you're not gonna stay another year, like you're gonna go. And I really wanted to do more acting. And I remember that pressure just being so high off of, off of, of the channel. And like, you can't do this because you're still funny. You can't do that because you're a little girl, but you're also a teenager, so you can't do this because you're not a little girl anymore. And it was just like 8 million things at once where your brain is like, I don't even know. I think a lot of that period of my life is sort of like blocked out in a way.

[A]

Yeah, you just like needed to get through it.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

Do you? No, you're okay. You guys have tissues on the show? Okay, we got him. I got you. I can't help but also feel for you, Bella, when you're talking about that too. Cuz it's like the feeling of like, I'm sure after long days of work, you're like going home and then this momager role obviously isn't going to just turn, turn off. And so there's so much pressure of like, you just want to be a daughter for a second with your mom and be like, oh my God, I got to leave my work at home. But instead it's like planning the next thing is like, do you remember a specific moment that when you look back, you're like, oh, I just remember, like, that's a good example of like, where lines were kind of like blurred between I needed my mom, and instead I was kind of getting my manager.

[B]

The feeling of going home was literally just wanting to be good at something. Like, felt like I tried so hard to be good at all the things in my life and there's just never enough. I try and take like some of that pressure off myself now, but it's kind of like, you Know, beaten into me in that way. Like, hard to just get away from it, to retrain the brain and new thoughts. Yeah, I just wanted to be like, good and I just never was actually good. There was always more and. And then with the comparing and always never enough. And then I got really close to my teacher on Shake it up and I love to learn. And I would go home and she would give me like, a lot of homework and that's what I would stay up all night doing. And my mom would get so mad, like, so mad. And she like, put a complainant, love you. I'm sorry, but she put a complainant to Disney of like this. She doesn't have time to study her lines at night because she's doing so much schoolwork. And my teacher never backed down. She still gave me just, just as much. My teacher Monique on Shake it up too, she brought me from like, I don't know, like three levels in two years. Like, I went from not being able to add and subtract double digit numbers at 12, which is not good, to like doing like three grades above and being, being able to like, read in front of people and being so good at math and. Yeah. Which I've mostly forgotten now. Just. Just such a dick. Such a dick, man. But yeah, I, that was definitely a time where I was like, you more mommy than, than manager. I definitely need to know my lines. But school is also like, something I was so made fun of and so bad at to then be like, actually good at something. And I just wanted to like, keep. Keep being good at something.

[A]

Right. And it's like, yeah, that's such an interesting point about like, developmentally you're feeling behind and to not have your mom be more like, oh my God. I want to make sure my daughter, like, is set up for like the rest of her life in that way.

[B]

She's right. And I feel like it's because she had to deal with that so much growing up. My mom came from such a

[A]

bad,

[B]

broken household that all she wanted to make sure was that she. Her kids weren't gonna have to worry like she was. And, and she did. She, you know, she set me up for that. You know, I always have to worry. I always have to keep working, you know, but she, she gave me, she pushed me to give me a chance that so many people don't get in that way. And whether it was through a lot of tears, I feel like she's like, like a really hard soccer mom. You're like, you didn't kick the ball hard Enough. You know, your mom gives you that look, the death stare, like, oh, Jesus, I'm so scared now. That look. Did your mom ever give you that look?

[A]

Like, maybe not. Maybe not as intense, but yes, but I know that. I know the feeling where you're like, I just want to make my parent proud. But also, when you step away from it again in this, like, reflective era, you're able to look back and have grace for both your mom from knowing what she came from. But also, it doesn't take away from the fact that, like. Like, oh, my God, it was so hard. And you just. You actually just wanted your mom to be your mom. And as much as she, probably from her own trauma as a child, was like, oh, my God, money is all that matters. That will make them feel safe.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Your intellect and your intelligence and developmentally, like, you were actually really struggling and you felt really. It sounds like, not great about yourself in that area where you're getting made fun of and you're like, I actually want to pour also into this. And so you're trying to do your homework at night and to have your mom be like, like, no, just focus on the paycheck. It must have been so divided for

[B]

you, where you're like, I would tell my mom. I'd be like, I don't know why you're so mad at me. Like, I don't know why you do this to me. Like, I eat my vegetables. I love vegetables. I'm good at schoolwork. I do my schoolwork. Like, I try so hard. Like, and so many other kids. I don't do drugs. I don't do this. I don't do that. And. And, man, I would say that to her, like, yeah, quite a few times. And I felt like I literally did what people on, like, in movies and in books said. If you did this, you were a good child. If they ate their vegetables, if they did good in school, if they, you know, said, please, thank you. I always had manners. I didn't talk back to my mom until I was 17. Like, literally. And I always. Yeah, I always had this feeling, and now I get to experience my mom and in such a completely different way, which is very healing, very rewarding.

[A]

What was your hard time? No. Yeah. Like, what was your relationship like with your siblings? Because were you ever resentful? Like, you're like, I just wish I got to be one of, like. Like, how they're living, like, you know, more maybe a normal situation compared to. There was so much pressure on you because if you dropped the ball it wasn't a normal kid dropping the ball and you didn't do your homework. It's. If you drop the ball and get kicked off the show, then you're literally losing the house and you're losing everything. There are higher stakes for you than your siblings.

[B]

I don't know that I had time or the mental space to even be resentful in any sort of way. I always felt that they were resentful of me, you know, because there's only, like, one mom, you know, my dad's dad. So we don't have that other person. And. And there's just this one mom who only has this amount of time, and I'm taking up all the time now. So I always felt like, yeah, that. That kind of In. In a way, somehow, like, distanced me a little bit. I always felt like. Like, don't look at me funny. Like, it's not. It's not my fault. Right?

[A]

You're like, if anything, I wish there was more attention on you guys. Like, I don't want all of this pressure. Did you ever have conversations with any of your siblings about that as you got older?

[B]

As we got older, yes. We've. I think we've had conversations about what it just was like to grow up in that way. But I don't know that. Yeah. I don't know that they would ever tell me if they were, like, genuinely resentful.

[A]

No. It is so interesting, like, when you think about sibling dynamics growing up in a household and how different people experience your parent. Right. Like, you experienced your mom one way. Completely different. The fact that, like, some of your siblings may be like, I was vying for her attention, and you were literally like, I just wanted a break for a second. Like, I just needed a second. It's so interesting how under one roof, you can experience such a different complicated dynamic with one individual and. And you understandably, are too young to be able to share that experience. And so it's like, kind of quite isolating. You're just in your room alone, and they misunderstood you, probably, and you misunderstood them. And then it. That's a. That's a lot as a kid, and

[B]

we weren't given in that time at all any resources to help. There was no resources. There was no. Talk to your children about this, talk about that. There was no. Children have consent. Like, consent. What? A child gets to consent. I thought that the. The parent is. Is in charge of the child, and the child has to do whatever the parent says to do. What do you mean? Consent is a new Word. Like, you learn, wow, so many things now that were never. Those are never a thing.

[A]

Do you think, Bella, Because I know you've talked about it, and I know you and your mom have a. It seems like you've. You know. I know. I think you went to therapy together and you repaired your relationship, but there was kind of this. This, like, fallout moment between you guys. What. What do you think it was that kind of, like, tipped the iceberg for you where it was like, enough is enough. I need a break essentially from this.

[B]

I was turning 18 soon, and I could feel the, like, erraticness coming there again, not having the space to be like, let's actually talk about what happens when you turn 18. I think I was so scared, and my mom was so scared. We were both so scared. And when I was shooting Midnight sun, I turned 18 on that movie right before we started shooting. And, Yeah, it was not a great time. And one day in the middle of the night, I think she could tell that, you know, I was starting to have, like, financial meetings to start to meet with business managers and kind of actually, like, understand what was happening there. And, yeah, that ended quite fractured, and I moved out that night with my boyfriend at the time, Greg. And, yeah, in a blink of an eye, I'm this one person. And in moments later, I've met completely other person, and I have no idea where to go or what to do or. I don't have an id. I don't have. I don't have anything. I literally don't have anything. But I'm just gonna go because I just can't do this anymore. And I think between everything with a lot of the. The work and. And growing up in the way that I did, I struggled very badly with suicidal thoughts and depression. And I. I thought at one point, like, if I had hurt myself, that maybe she would see how much pain I was in. And I knew when I was there at those thoughts that I had to, like, leave. Leave. Yeah. I was like, I don't want to keep thinking about that. So that was, to answer your question, long winded way of answering your question, the. I guess the crux of. Yeah, leaving.

[A]

You had to protect yourself.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You were realizing, like, if I keep going at this speed, I may not be here anymore.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And that's. That's not what anyone wants. So I have to leave. As much as it's gonna hurt her and it's gonna hurt me, it's going to hurt less than staying. When you did leave, though, you left basically your siblings also, like, did you have any understanding of, like, how to access your bank account and, like, all that information? Like, I can't even imagine.

[B]

No, I didn't have any of that information. And the person who I was dating at the time, Greg Sulkin, who I love very dearly, and we went through so much together in. In this time, and he showed me how to be an adult, which is a lot to ask of, you know, your, like, relationship, someone that you're dating, but you're like, oh, my God, this person is really, like, not an adult yet. And it's never. He was always like, that's weird. You don't have access to this. We're like, you know, you need to know these things. Like, it took me to get my id. It took me to.

[A]

Why did. Wait. And why didn't you have an idiot be.

[B]

I. I didn't drive. I don't drive, so I never got my driver's license. And so then I, like, had a state ID at some point. Yeah.

[A]

It was just, like, basic to some people. Like, more basic life skills that you were, like, didn't have. Yeah. And then once you finally pulled away.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

From kind of being in that house with your mom, you're like, whoa. Although I felt like a kid for so long, I am 18. Like, yeah, maybe I should know what my bank information is, and maybe I should know all these things. And what's so hard is sometimes it does take that extreme of a break away from a parent when it is that codependent situation. And then other people being like, wait, wait. Like, Greg being like, wait, babe. Like, that's weird. No, no, that's weird. And someone who just is, like, loves you for you and is just like, I have no skin in the game. Game to then help. I also think, like, there must have been such a turning point when you leave. Shake it up and you're kind of, like, basically done with your Disney era. We're dealing with, obviously, like, you going through mentally this, like, rupture with your family, essentially. But then also you're leaving an environment that had such expectations on you as a human being. And I think a lot of people have talked about this, like, the Disney kid and what you were supposed to be and emulate and present to the world. Meanwhile, it's kind of still a time that you're trying to be, like, figuring yourself out as an adult. Like, how did you manage trying to soar in your own right and find your own image outside of that really, like, specific constraints that they put under and on you.

[B]

Well, I think people can see how I've managed it publicly. They can see it. They've got photos of it. They got all the photos. Oh, wow. I don't know that I ever handled it or balanced it out correctly. I don't think that I ever had that mental clarity. I've worked a lot. On the more recent side, I. I got to a point where I just needed to kind of change things in my life and get better at. I was working so much and yet was leaving very little time for the things that I really, really cared about. And so I started to focus on that this year and last year, and then after I made this movie, color your hair, I put. Put all the heart and soul and then didn't. Didn't have much left afterwards and had to, you know, really wanted to get into the mental health aspect and the brain aspect and just get better on. On things and give myself some space to breathe and. And grace. So I don't think I ever did that when I was younger, but I do remember when I turned 18, and in that 18 to 19 year old, I was like, I'm free. Like, I'm literally free. Like, I'm walking into this house and no one's asking me when I'm like, when I'm gonna be there, when this time, or when I'm gonna leave. It's like, with such a weird. Yeah. And you. You don't know what's weird until someone else tells you.

[A]

It's like, oh, my situation's not normal.

[B]

Okay. I still, like, my mom held my hand walking across the street, and for good reason, because streets are scary and sidewalks are scary and side situations, I don't like them. Roads. Don't like them. Driving.

[A]

Don't like it, however, like, it. True, but. Right.

[B]

But yeah, Like, I didn't walk across the street without holding her hand until I was, like, 16, 17, for sure. And I'm still. I run across the street. When I cross the street, I run.

[A]

But I think that's what's so interesting, Bella, because, like, I sprint. I literally sprint. You see me out in public. Don't be afraid.

[B]

I'm not walking.

[A]

No one's chasing me. We're fine. I think, though, that's kind of like the weird dichotomy we were talking about earlier of, like, you're a child around adults, so you have to act like an adult and you're forgetting your line and all these adults are mad at you, but then you're still being treated like a child by the adult in certain Situations, but really being adultified when you're on set. But then money and all of this is being caged from you. So you're, you're. And then you're just like, am I, am I or am I not?

[B]

And that's something that you really start to see a change in when you start to bud. Like, budding is such a weird phrase. Like, am I a flower?

[A]

But now I'm budding. But you're paying the bills, like, Right.

[B]

It's weird. But when you start to get more feminine and womanly, that's another thing that starts, that starts going into that, that little equation that you've just said, all of it. And that starts getting weird too.

[A]

You don't physically look like a child anymore, but you're still mentally operating. Like, well, what does my mom say? What does my mom say? And then eventually you're like, should I keep asking what my mom says or should I move out? Then you move out. And then I remember the press was so hard on you.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I literally wrote down they would say things like, child star gone wild. Lindsay Lohan in training.

[B]

I know. Imagine telling the 12 year old that you said, what? And it's like, see Lohan.

[A]

Right.

[B]

I loved those movies.

[A]

Parent Trap.

[B]

What do you mean? What's wrong?

[A]

You go from working when most kids are just experimenting and doing things. So then when you get away from that, it's understandable that then you're gonna go experiment. This is not a new idea. We've seen it.

[B]

Just people were debating if I was wearing a training bra or a bra. Yeah. Like, can we.

[A]

No.

[B]

Can we think about it?

[A]

No, no, no. And so these, These. Yes. They're like sexualizing you to a degree where you're like, I. I literally can't win. This is really weird.

[B]

Look at them. Not the puffy nipples. Like, you know, when you get to that stage, the puffy nipple comes first. And that is the worst. And everyone is talking about it.

[A]

How do you think all of this. I know you were talking about that early relationship with Greg, but like all of the over sexualization and people talking about you, like, how do you think it impacted your early relationships and for. And dating?

[B]

Not well. Not well. We'll start there. I think when something has been put on you so long, my response was, okay, then I'll take it. Okay, you want me to be that? Then I'll be it and I'll be it even more. How about that? You really want to with me? How about this? And that is like, this is kind Of, Yeah, it's kind of how I grew up in the. When people would point that out, like, oh, like, so you're really trying to be bad, right? Because you're like, you're a Disney girl. Like, then that would really, like, suddenly, like, just soaring and in anger. Someone, like, seeing that, seeing this, seeing you for who you are in that moment and you're trying yet everything else to be something else in a way is a really weird to. It's not a phase, mom.

[A]

Right, Right. You're trying to prove everyone wrong. You're like, no, no, no, no. I'm not affected by that.

[B]

And then at some point, I was just like, oh, you think I'm fucking like, look at her. Wow, she's hot. Or, you want to see sexy? I'll show you sexy.

[A]

It's like, you're like, I'm gonna push back 10 times harder. If you're gonna tell me I'm this, then watch. I'll do it.

[B]

Watch me be a no. You want me in my whole face. Watch. Watch and learn.

[A]

But at some point, I feel like that is actually what causes the Rebe. Many times are you going to say,

[B]

are you going to do it?

[A]

Then I'll just do it.

[B]

Uhhuh.

[A]

Then I'll do it.

[B]

No, literally, you, like, have to stop seeking.

[A]

So if you're going to keep.

[B]

You wanted it so bad, and you're

[A]

saying it when I'm not doing it, so I might as well do it. Let me see what this is all about.

[B]

I'm pretty sure.

[A]

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[B]

In the past was like, someone call the therapist. Call her in.

[A]

I mean, I want to hear from you. Like, what. What was it like when you would have spoken spurts, even if they were small, alone that you didn't like about that?

[B]

I was never alone. I always have my vibrator.

[A]

You're like, alex, please do not assume, because I was absolutely always the clickbait to this video.

[B]

Guys, go watch the Caller Daddy interview.

[A]

This is literally. That is like the title, like, you're never alone. Grab your vibrator, dude. I'm dying. Okay, so you. You. You preferred, though, to be in relationships because you really. You did not want to actually physically be alone.

[B]

I'd never been alone since I was a child. I'd always been. I grew up in a family of four and my mom being best friends with her growing up, and, you know, we'd have sleepovers. We would, you know, travel somewhere, sleep in the same bed. Like, I grew up never alone. And. Yeah. And then all of a sudden. Oh. Broke up with this man because, like, yes, Queen, get rid of him. And then like, oh God, I'm alone. I'm sitting in this chair. What am I doing? Like, and it was just the scariest feeling. Being alone was so frightening. And I'm not totally sure for what reason other than you just didn't spend that much time doing that. Now I'm like, oh, I get like two days alone. I'm like, let's go. Eight. Eight masks later. Watch me. And I'm gonna watch whatever the I wanna watch. Okay, I'm gonna watch it all night. Cuz I'm a binge watcher now.

[A]

You're more comfortable. When you were avoiding being alone, what kind of partners were you attracting? Like, were there any patterns? You look back and you're like, oh my God. I kept going for this type of

[B]

guy, the artsy people, they need to stay away.

[A]

That.

[B]

That's too much. That's too much. Don't go back to that time. I'm surprised you didn't pull out like eight other arrows.

[A]

Oh yeah.

[B]

Like you started.

[A]

I was like, yeah, exactly. I'm like, what is this? Pop shot on the curb?

[B]

Oh my God.

[A]

No, literally artsy. And do you mean my house at

[B]

one point was filled with just actual trash bags and literal. Just cardboard. Cardboard from why? Places on the street just like people left their cardboard out, you know, they were moving and they rid of it and like cut up and then paint it on. Like, I dated a lot of artists.

[A]

Oh, you mean like not even literal musicians. You mean.

[B]

I mean literal artist.

[A]

Artist.

[B]

Paint, paint brush and trash bags and cardboard and anything else you could paint. And I went through that era of my life too. I love painting. So that was like a point. I was like, oh my God, look at them. And they don't give a. Like, like that's amazing. Like, I love just being like, I'm gonna paint on this thing. I see a wall, I'm gonna paint on it. I see this thing, I'm gonna paint on it. Like, what a beautiful way to. To live life. That's how I was thinking and I still can agree.

[A]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

Little balance. I just painted my dresser.

[A]

Okay. Okay. What color?

[B]

You know, baby blue from dark brown. Cute baby blue and with red flowers, cute coat.

[A]

But maybe like not your whole house is what you're saying. And maybe like not the cardboard.

[B]

Yeah, the. The cardboard trash. I mean actual trash. People's. Other people's trash that is now in my home with. You can only imagine what else is in other people's trash in my home. And it's it's painted on now. They. They keep painting on it, so they keep putting it there. And I'm not gonna throw someone else's artwork away.

[A]

How did you realize that these relationships, me, maybe weren't the best for you?

[B]

O. Seeing how people treated me during that time is what made me think I needed to get away.

[A]

It wasn't the cardboard.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah, it wasn't the cardboard. Now I go, girl, you put up a lot of. I am that person, though. In a relationship. I'm like, yeah, like, whatever. Yeah, you want to do some? Yeah, like, let's do it. And then until you. You start doing some you're not supposed to do, start treating me disrespectfully. Start. Start knickknacking, poking. Like, not. Not, not. You start that.

[A]

Oh, oh, we're gonna see that cardboard in the trash.

[B]

We're gonna hear about that art now, like. And I don't know if it's the libra in me. You do not want to come over here, man.

[A]

This is a good segue. This is a good segue because I want to play a little dating game game lore with you. Okay? I'm going to give you just, like, a quick, like, a scenario or just, like, a situation, a topic, and any story that comes to mind, just quickly tell us. Hit it. Hit it with us. Okay. Have you ever walked out on a date?

[B]

Yes. Walked out. Walked. Walked out of the car. I got. He picked me up, and he put his arm like that to open the car door, which was offensive for obvious reasons. And so then when I checked him on it, he was like, oh, what, you expect too much? You expect too much? And I was like, you think that opening the door and getting out, walking your merry little ass two feet on over to my side to open my door is expecting too much? Then we should stop right here, because you will never. You will. We are actually bad for each other. You have no idea what's coming your way. And so I got out of the car.

[A]

He did. He did the. He did the lean, and he. A little push open.

[B]

You said, sorry, you're not getting any. You're not getting the date. No, you're. You literally. Literally are getting trashed.

[A]

And here's a cardboardy piece of.

[B]

Wait. I got out in the middle, like, we were at. As soon as we got to the stoplight, and it turned red and got my ass out of there.

[A]

And he was like, what are you doing? What are you doing?

[B]

And it's, like, gonna turn yellow soon. He's like, Captain, he's like, trying to, like, then get out of his side. As I'm walking my happy little ass back home, I was like, no, literally, I. You. Expectation. Oh, I expect a lot. Lot.

[A]

I got ready for you. Now.

[B]

Are we.

[A]

Are you.

[B]

This is showing up on your date and you're not going, like, open the door? That is. You have no idea what's coming later.

[A]

Wow. Okay. That's amazing. Okay. What is the worst time someone has given you the ick.

[B]

Oh, my God. I dated somebody that on a plane, told me that they should have straight parades. Yep. You heard me.

[A]

Wait, no, I. I didn't hear you.

[B]

She said, take it back.

[A]

Rewind.

[B]

I dated somebody that said on a plane that they should have straight parades. That. That straight people are allowed to have straight parades. I don't know why he had to say it.

[A]

Pilot, can we.

[B]

Can we drop this off? Can we?

[A]

Yeah, I was.

[B]

He's in the exit seat. You. Bye.

[A]

No.

[B]

Yes. Huh. And. And. And I don't know if he was just trying to get a reaction out of me. He just wanted to see me in. Spend it. He wanted to see me get raw. Duck. He wanted to get under my skin. Oh, it worked. And. And it really worked. Yeah, it worked. You're.

[A]

I'm going this way when we get out. I don't care where actually you're going.

[B]

I didn't see him for that. Then he said, oh, he's joking.

[A]

Shut up. Joking. Shut up.

[B]

Why would you even joke? You think that's funny? Cuz I don't think it's funny.

[A]

It's not funny at all. That's disgusting. What is the most unexpected place that you've hooked up with someone?

[B]

My publicist back there is like, no, Bella.

[A]

She just starts saying prayers.

[B]

I hooked up with someone outside of my house in the front yard when I was throwing a party.

[A]

You just made that seem like it was like, drink or tell the story. And where other people are around. Okay.

[B]

People are walking indoor to go to the party.

[A]

Welcome.

[B]

And.

[A]

Yeah, it's a good way to.

[B]

I was. I was getting reading on the other side of the car.

[A]

I love that for you.

[B]

Yeah. And then I realized that there was my camera, but it's just. And I looked up. If you get what I mean. I looked up. I get my point. And. And then I saw the camera. And then I realized that in my kitchen, I have all the. All the screens. Oh.

[A]

So everyone in the party is like, oh, look at cameras. Get it. Camera X.

[B]

Girl. Girl is talented in many more ways. Than one.

[A]

She is flexible. Okay, that's actually amazing. What is the worst lie that you've caught someone in, like, in a relationship?

[B]

Oh, cheating on me.

[A]

How did you find out?

[B]

My friend was like, he's there too long, like, with this girl. And I was like, not. Not so worried about it. I like girls. And it was like, you know, if we're, like, gonna kiss her together, like, that's, like, okay. Like, you know, like, it's fine. And then I was like, walk her. Like, get her to her Uber. Like, don't be like, you can't, like, kiss somebody and then, like, not be a gentleman. You know what I mean? That's not cute. So he goes to take her to Uber, but then he's taken, like, a while, I guess. And my friend Eva's like. She's like, do you think he's her? And I'm like, what? And she's like, yeah. Do you think he, like, went downstairs to, like her? And I'm like, he's just. No, he's. He's walking her over. Don't be ridiculous. She's like, I don't know. I just think he is. And then he comes upstairs and. And then she's like, were you that girl? And so immediately, I guess he couldn't tell me the truth. And then when I, like, went to the hotel room, I realized that, like, my clothing that I had given her because she wanted to go in the pool was on the floor. And I was like, so she. Oh, so. So. So she came back to change, and he was like, well, she didn't want to take your stuff. And I was like, I mean, she could have had the bikini. Like, it's okay. And I was like. I was like, oh, so you saw her naked? And he was like, no. And then he, like, after me like a dog with a bone. He's like, oh, she gave me a hand job. I'm like, right.

[A]

It was just a hand job.

[B]

Also, that's just, like, lame. Don't. Don't cheat on me and then be like, she gave me a hand job.

[A]

Like, you had all hooked up, Up. Not fully.

[B]

No, no, no, no. I. She was not my type.

[A]

Okay. Okay.

[B]

If we were to kiss a girl together, then that was okay. And we had done that in the past. She key met her at my birthday at my birthday party, and then DM'd her to come meet up with us. So she shows up. I'm like, who's this? He's like, oh, this is a girl I thought was cute. Like, I Thought you would like her. And I'm like, baby, she's not my type. Like, she's not, you know.

[A]

And then nothing happened between the three of you. And then he brings her down and he. He gets a supposed. Just hand job, hand job.

[B]

And then later on, I'm like, I don't believe it. Right? Like, I don't believe it. And then he's like, finally, like, oh, that he. That she, like, gave him a blowjob. And I'm like, no, I just. Stop it. And then after we broke off, because then we went to, like, through therapy to, like, really work through this, I had to then go shoot a movie with this man right after. After. I literally had to shoot a movie, like, three days later.

[A]

And you're like. And just now, before we start the movie, just clarify you her. You're like, it went from the hand job to the blow job. You can now just tell me the truth.

[B]

I would literally just tell me. You put it in.

[A]

Like, tell. Trust me, that'd be a lot better.

[B]

You're looking a little right now, actually. We just got a hand job. You couldn't give that to yourself self.

[A]

Yeah, like, yeah, like, you're not that kind.

[B]

You needed to cheat on me with a hand job? Jesus Christ.

[A]

Men are so annoying when you're like. You catch them and then they're like, but it was just.

[B]

It was just.

[A]

And then slowly more and more and more and more and more comes out, and you're like, I actually would have respected you more if you just admitted it. But now I'm on this long train of lies with you that you don't even remember. You're like, what. What did it first start as? He wouldn't even remember.

[B]

So then I. I had to go do a movie, and he's like, oh, like, you need to trust me. Like, give me. I'm gonna give you your. My Instagram password. And like, I don't do that. I don't do the checking the phones. I don't do the Instagram password stuff. I just think it's like, if you gotta go there, it's also, like, not good. Plus, you're always gonna find some that you don't want to find. You find one friendly heart. And you're like this, right? You're like, this wasn't meant like that at all. Like, you know, and so I. I don't. I don't think that that's like, a good breach of trust. But he keeps.

[A]

Keeps.

[B]

He keeps saying it. It's the way to prove to Me.

[A]

Right?

[B]

So then finally, I'm like, you know what? All right. And it's 5am And I'm on my way to set. I see these messages, and they're all in a different language. He thinks that I'm not gonna, like, translate it. But my assistant. Yes. And the time is like, so did you know Google Translates can take photos now? And I'm like, no. And like. But then there's voice memos. So I'm. I'm Google translating with the photos, and it's not looking good in here. Not looking good. But then there's voice memos, and they're speaking very fast in another language. So I asked our server at the time, and I'm like, can you translate this for me? No. Oh, Bella, he loves you. Oh, he thinks you're so beautiful. And he just keeps going on and on about how much this man loves me and thinks I'm amazing. Saying, you're, like, so sexy. And he wants to any. And at some points, he does these weird faces like, I'm not going to translate this. So I can only imagine what he's saying at the time, that this server does not want to translate my fiance cheating on me. And. And then I'm like. I'm like. And then I. Yeah, I do the full translation. I. He thinks I'm an idiot. I'm not gonna read the other language. So then we go through a lot of therapy. Like, a lot of therapy after that, because I'm like, you know, I've committed to this person, and, you know, obviously I've done something wrong here, and. Which is just not true. Cheating for anybody who's been cheated on. It's not true. You haven't done anything wrong.

[A]

You haven't.

[B]

And I'm sorry, but ridiculous.

[A]

The concerted effort to be like, I'm going to get crafty. I'm going to cheat in a different language. Because maybe she'll just be so exhausted from this job, she won't have. She won't have time to actually translate all of this. And meanwhile, you're like, meanwhile, me, my

[B]

assistant, my hair and makeup artist, the girls and the server right now are pointing out your cheating ass.

[A]

Bitch.

[B]

Okay. You think I wouldn't? But I got the girl squad, okay? And this very nice gay Italian man, like, and he will. He want to tell you. Okay, sir, not when you're trying to

[A]

tell the Italian man, it gets worse.

[B]

No, it does get worse.

[A]

No.

[B]

Yeah. So after the therapy.

[A]

Oh, my God. From the hand job to hear. Keep going.

[B]

So after the Therapy. And I just, like, you know, at one point in. He said this thing about somebody else who was being cheated on, and I saw in his. I was. It just, like, it all clicked for me, and I was like, oh, you actually don't feel, like, bad? Or. There's no. Like, you actually think that the. This is, like, okay. And. And my father cheated on my mom a lot growing up, and so I had a lot of, like, past kind of cheater drama. And then when I broke up with his ass, like, you know, he's like, well, because you are so honest, I wanted to write you this letter. And in the letter, he just tells me that he was always cheating on me throughout our four years. And he. But don't worry, because he never slept with the same girl more than once.

[A]

Once.

[B]

Don't worry. He never. Not with the same girl. Not more than once.

[A]

Babe, don't.

[B]

He just slept with so many of them, but not more than once. He didn't have emotional connection.

[A]

The way this man is so in love. He cares so much for you. He's like, baby, I. The way. The respect I have. I made sure never to double dip.

[B]

Exactly. And, like, I respect you so much that I need to tell you this. And that's the respect I have for our relationship. And then also, I left my Saint Laurent leather jacket at your place, so if you could please mail it to me.

[A]

No, no, no, no, Bella. The way that this man was like.

[B]

But.

[A]

But it was just like, it was a one and done. Like, they convinced themselves. They're like, it's not. No, it's not cheating because they have these stipulations in their head.

[B]

He convinced himself it wasn't cheating because we. Because we like to get with girls, like, together, that we were, like, you know, had, like. You know, like, I was like. I wanted to be in the open relationship. You. And I said that at the opening of us dating. And I was. You live somewhere else. I want to be in an open relationship because I need attention, and I need someone there physically with me. He was like, no. Well, that's just not going to work. Like, I'll give you girls. I'll give you girls. Because girls, they mean nothing, right? They mean nothing. So you can get some attention from women, but you can't have any attention from men. And then meanwhile, you are.

[A]

She's on a tear.

[B]

Everyone you meet.

[A]

Oh, my God. That is so controlling. It's like he's getting to. Actually, that's the definition of having his cake and eating it, too. And you're just sitting there, like, all right, like, so we don't want an open relationship, even though we have this, like, mutual agreement that if we find someone that we're, like, with dealing down together, great. But if not, we're not able to do it without each other. He's like. You're literally like, huh, bro?

[B]

That whole time, the whole.

[A]

The translating is so good.

[B]

The. It's too much.

[A]

No, that's like one of the all time greats.

[B]

Can we put it in a movie?

[A]

No, no, no. That is, like, put that in a script.

[B]

Two of them.

[A]

You're like, I have lived this life, Alex. No, that's wild.

[B]

It was really hard on that movie. I had to. There was a scene where we were making love, and in. In. In the scene, they put all these photographs of me up on the walls, like a gallery. And they were photographs that they had taken on me on that set during that time. And so I'm on the floor and he's on top of me, and I. I'm just, like, surrounded by all these versions of me just staring at myself and just, like, broke down and could not. After also after, like, the eighth fake of doing this again and again, this man is in my mouth. I hate him. I'm upset. My body, like, wants him and hates him at the same time. Like, this is someone I love and yet someone I don't know at all. And I will never forget the feeling of, like, literally, like, eight. Bella is just looking at me like, you want to go back to him? Is this what you're worth? That's what you see for yourself. Like, this is who you want to be. Like, you know, like, are you okay with the way this man treats you? And I'll never forget that feeling. It, like, honestly felt like a horror movie. I was like, is this the barbarian?

[A]

What is this?

[B]

Like? No, Exactly.

[A]

Yeah. Not now. Call Her Daddy is brought to you by Haagen Dazs. Okay, it is so important to take some me time. You know what I mean, guys? So take your sweet time and enjoy. Rich, smooth, creamy ice cream from Haagen Dazs. Because honestly, honestly, when was the last time you actually slowed down and let yourself have a moment for you? You have to try their new cherry dark chocolate bar. Guys, picture rich cherry ice cream with tart cherry ribbons coated in thick dark chocolate. Are you kidding me? I'm drooling. Are you drooling yet? No, seriously, this is the kind of thing you don't just eat, you experience it. Okay? Haagen Dazs Elevated crafted ice cream is always meant to be savored. So we, whatever flavor you choose, slow down and enjoy each bite. Seriously, it's too good to rush. I grew up with Haagen Dazs in my house. Every single night, my family and I would eat our favorite flavors. I'm obsessed with the cherry dark chocolate. Bar those flavors together, I couldn't be happier. I'm going to watch my favorite TV shows and I'm going to be eating that. Boom. Done. Take your sweet time. That's Daz. Available at retailers nationwide. Call Her Daddy is brought to you by ritual. Let me tell you a little something. I love Summer O. I love Summer so much. But what when I tell you I get so excited for my plans and then I'm like, oh, my God. But then I'm going to eat and then I'm going to be out and then I'm going to. Oh, my God. Am I going to have digestion issues? Am I going to get bloated? Am I going to have discomfort? All of it. We don't need to live like that, okay? Don't let your gut keep you from living your best life, ladies. With Rituals Symbiotic plus, you only need one capsule a day for simple streamlined gut support. Symbiotic plus is a complete biotic formula with clinically studied pre pro and postbiotics in clinically studied doses to support a balance gut gut microbiome. Probiotics are only able to stay in the gut for a few days or weeks at a time. So consistent use can help support the benefits we do not need. Guys, I'm telling you, I. I'm not, I'm not going to dinners anymore and I'm not going to feel that way because of ritual. We need to take care of ourselves. So if this is your sign, if you're like, oh, Alex, you're so right. Summer's coming. I want to feel good. I want you can. You literally can support a balanced gut microbiome with Ritual Symbiotic Plus. Save 25% on your first month at ritual.com. call her daddy. That's ritual.com. call her daddy for 25 off your first month. Enjoy daddy. Gang, I feel like you have had some private. I'm sure like this, obviously, but then there's like been a very big public experience that you went through where like you were, were essentially violated to some degree and you tried to take ownership and control of that situation. Back in 2019, you made the decision to leak your own nudes because a hacker was essentially threatening that they were going to do this. And can you just like, tell the story of what the hell happened? Because I unfortunately think revenge porn is such a common experience for a lot of women. And I would just like, love to hear what your personal experience was with.

[B]

Started off with a text and like, oh, hi Kitty, something something. And I was just like, resist, ignore it. You know, I'm like a fan. Get my number. Like, what's. I don't. And then again and again. And then a photo of me that I had never posted and I was like, oof. My brain just like chills. And then he was like, you want more? And so he sent more. And then he like kept sending them until he got me in a conversation with him. And yeah, he kept going with it. I was doing my book tour at the time for the Life of Wannabe Mogul and I'm like, I wrote this book because I felt like I was so misunderstood and I was so. I didn't know how to express myself. Not only misunderstood, but I was not properly expressing myself. And I felt that kind of one of my last, like, things that I had to do before kind of just giving up on myself was write this book. And then maybe people read it and they like, they understand me a little bit more. So I write this book and while I'm doing this press tour talking about molestation and like dark, this man is threatening me and won't stop threatening me. And I had to keep doing these interviews. And I'll never forget, I'm with my manager, Thor, who I'm still with. And he, at that time, I like looked at him, I showed him the messages. He read through all of them, them. And I was just like, I don't know what to do. Like, it just feels like this is what's happening again. Like, my power was taken from me then for so many years. And now he has this, he has this thing of me and he's. He's taking it again. It's like, it felt like being like re raped and, and also feeling this like, everything will end if this, if he does this. Everything will end for you. Everything, all the, that you've been through, everything you've done to get to this point's all going to be blown up and, and just. It's gone if he does this. And having someone else have that power and that agency over your own body. And I love, I love my manager and at that time, and I think he, he saw me as a person and not as a client because I don't think anyone, any agent or manager would have been like, yeah, all right. You want to do that because you think it'll make you feel better? Better, sure. Release your own nudes. And he was like, honestly, Bella. Yeah. Like, what he's writing you is, like, up. And, like, with what you've been through, this is my, like, Thor accent. This is, like, this is your only way. Like, I don't. I don't have another way for you. Like, I don't have another, like, option. And I put him out, and that was horrible.

[A]

How did you come up with that idea to release them yourself?

[B]

He's literally saying he's gonna do this, and I don't keep sending him photos. And I'm like, now he wants me to start, like, sending stuff. And, like. And then now it wasn't even about money. He's, like, wanted more photos and also about money and photos. And, like, I'm gonna keep sending you these videos. And then he starts sending me other people that I'm friends with. Their nudes. Yeah.

[A]

Oh, my God.

[B]

And he's like, you see how powerful I am, how many times I can do this to you over and over? And I was like, well, if. Like, at the end of the day, if I'm gonna lose my whole career and everything I've worked for being, like, 20 at that time and working since I was 8, I'm gonna just, like, just say it all, and I'm never gonna work again, and my life's over because this man's gonna do. Do this. So I'll just do it again. It's kind of. I guess it's. If you think about it, it's kind of the way I approach life. You want to say, she's so sexual. Sexual. Okay, so then I'll be sexual. Like, you want to do this to me? You want to take this from me? So I'm gonna take it. Install it, like, instead, you know.

[A]

It was your way, though, of actually reclaiming control.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, you're talking about having horrific things happen to you when you were younger. You're like, I refuse to not be in control of my body again. Again. So let's do it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So you release them online, and. And how did you preface it?

[B]

I just did an honest Twitter post. Yeah. I just kind of set it out as it is. And you're not going to keep taking this from me, so here it is. And, you know, I think the worst part of that was people saying, you did this. You are faking it. You just want to show Us, your tits. You want us so badly to see your private parts that that's why you're doing it. You want it. And that, to me, like, really broke me. Then that, like, really, really broke me. And there's definitely, like, a video of me where I'm like, doing an Instagram story and I'm like, completely, like, broken and so upset, understandably, just mad. And then I get like, a call one day and it's the FBI. And they're like, hey, you know, we've seen this thing. We think it's our guy. And like, can we come over? Can we get all the data? Can we see what this is? And they came over to my house. So now I have like, a house full of FBI, which is. Is like the craziest thing. I keep looking around like, there's weed in this house. There's weed in the FBI in here. And I keep reminding myself, it's California, it's legal. Do they know I have a weed brand? Do they know I own one?

[A]

But it's still scary. You're like, the FBI is here.

[B]

There is a marriage and wanna.

[A]

It is legal. But still I'm nervous.

[B]

No, literally. And yeah, I gave them everything. Did work together for quite a. Quite, quite a bit. And I think it took a year and a half, a little over that and. And they got him and they knew it was him from the writing. So if I had not posted those screenshots, they would. They wouldn't have caught him, or maybe they would have called him later, but they wouldn't have had that direct source. And that's how they knew is because of the screenshots, because it's his exact writing. They're like, this is his mo. It's the same guy. It has to be. And then he kept taking this thing because I love cats and I'm a big cat person. So he kept calling me Kitty and, like, taking this thing from me that love so much. And I've got these cat tattoos and he would, like, keep poking the kitty thing and kitty and come here, Miss Kitty Kitty, and do this for me, Miss Kitty Kitty. And that was another one of my, like, breaking like, you're not gonna fucking take something that I love. And I rescue cats and, you know, I'm the like, fudge you. I'm just going to put this out. I'm going to put it out because

[A]

I have no other choice.

[B]

That's what I feel like right now. I'm not letting anybody do this to me again.

[A]

That is so crazy that then, Then The Internet turned it into to. You are getting blackmailed and this hacker is coming for you, and somehow you are getting slept.

[B]

We tell women all the time in life. You were raped that night. Were you wearing a short skirt? So you wanted it. You had a drink that night, okay, so you wanted it. It's always, you want it. That is, that is like the inherent thing that we grow up with. It is. It's everywhere. It's in every book. It's in fucking at this point, the only thing that doesn't have it is fucking Mother Nature. Literally. The only thing that doesn't have it is the tree. Trees in the grass. And okay, it's, it's everywhere. It's embedded in every culture, everywhere you look. It's. It's. I'm sure it's embedded in these chairs. I'm sure when they made these chairs, they were like, well, we need to make something feminine, but not too feminine. Okay. And it needs to be soft enough, but it still needs to give a little bit like, of a man vibe because, like, she can't be too feminine if she's gonna have work, right? Because she can't be both, like, literally in everything.

[A]

It's, it is horrific to name know that somehow you were blamed for it. And yet it. You're right. It's so expected. Of course. Of course. What did that experience, though, kind of teach you about the process of reporting crimes and like, working to that capacity?

[B]

I. The grace and the bravery that it takes someone is, is, is so incredible. I. Anyone who's ever had to write like a witness, like, like victim, quote, unquote statement is. I mean, I, I, I give it up to everyone who has come forward and everyone who hasn't. You know, both are incredibly brave, grave in, in. In their own right. And that is the truth.

[A]

Yeah, it's not easy at all either one. You're right, because it's like half the time you're not believed. And then when they're trying to believe you, there's so many questions that you're like, is this even worth it? I don't want to relive this for sure.

[B]

Putting it into your, like, own words, having to speak it out loud in a room full of. When I was writing this, this statement and they were explaining to me why it was important because of the sentencing and for the judge to really hear what, what this person has taken from you in your life, and you spend so much of your life trying to like, concentrate on the things that didn't take from you. And now you have to sit here and, like, publicly, like, speak it out. Speak out those words. What someone has. Has done, what they have taken, who you no longer are because of this person and their actions. And yeah, it just. Man, there are so many, like, incredibly brave and courageous people.

[A]

It's so inspiring to hear you from literally the young girl that I showed in that picture to then, you know, your working experience and essentially surviving that extremely difficult environment to then getting out into the world after Disney, trying to find your identity, but also wanting to rebel a little bit and be like, I literally usually didn't have really a childhood, so, like, I'm going to lean in, I'm gonna have fun. I didn't even know about my bank account or I didn't have an id. Like, I deserve to have a little bit of me time. Essentially going through all the relationships that you went through, all the cheaters, all the people, all the artists, all the cardboard to then finding your now fiance, going through you know, the online trauma of this experience. Like, it feels like now you're in this place where you've grown so much as an individual. It seems like you're in this great relationship now. What do you think? Now sitting here are some of the biggest changes that you've noticed in yourself as a whole. Like, in reflecting back on even everything that we've talked about.

[B]

I'm not as reactive. Definitely not as reactive. I have boundaries. Yeah. I created some of those. It's crazy. You can create them. They're there. They may look invisible, but they're not. I think that's probably one of my biggest one. Yeah. Is. Is the boundaries. Not having them before and having them now and creating them for your own is such a. Can be such a beautiful and joyous experience. Experience. It can also be, like, really sad. And sometimes it's good to, like, hold space for the versions of yourself that didn't have that, you know,

[A]

that's such a good point. It's like, you can be proud of yourself now, but you can also have empathy for why it was so hard back then. It's like having almost like, doing it for your younger self now. Like, having those boundaries. You can now be so proud of yourself. Like, oh, my God, everything I went through and how horrific things I had to experience that I shouldn't have had to experience. Probably also shouldn't have even had to have boundaries at that age or in that moment. Right. But now you can be proud of yourself for surviving all that.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And having grown to be so strong for what you went through and what you now demand for yourself.

[B]

Yeah. And I think we put so much like women again, you just can't do it right. And like your body and all these other things is Jesus. And like everyone wants to take it from you all the time. Time. And then you're ostracized for having boundaries or you're a. For speaking up for yourself. You're. You're blaming yourself, which is what I've done for so much of that part of my life and being in situations that I didn't know how to get out of or I literally didn't know how to leave other than running out the door physically. And I think over the years I've like really blamed that version. And at this time when you like kind of grow up and you're like, that wasn't right though. Like, yeah. Holding that space for. It's okay that you didn't know then, it's okay that you know now.

[A]

And I think like, like when you're that young of a young girl going through like everyone always says it like the body keeps score, right? Like, yeah, you can do so much mental work to just try to keep your head above water and to keep working. Like you're having to keep working through this trauma, right? You're having to keep working through people taking advantage of you and your body and all these moments. And you shouldn't have had to do that, but you were in survival mode. And so I think it takes, takes, it can take your whole life to just like slowly reclaim parts of your body. Even like doing therapy for a decade, you can unlock parts and feel like you reclaimed parts, but like it's a never ending process because that something that should always be yours, something that should never be taken advantage of or taken from you.

[B]

And as an actor, you're taught the opposite. As an actor, like your body, like you, you learn how to disassociate from your own body because you're putting and disassociate from brain to like almost create two parts of the brain. One part of the brain is experiencing this incredibly traumatic thing that I'm trying to act out as well as experience in real time. And then the other part is this protective part and you can like, it's kind of like watching yourself from the outside in a way. Like think about the scenes where actors have to do and you're like, you're being, you're being raped on camera. You're doing these like really physical, detrimental scenes to your, like to your psyche as well as your body. And so you have to disassociate, and then you're no longer acting. But for some reason, you keep having to disassociate from your body, you know, throughout life. And so to reclaim it, as you said, like, piece by piece back, is like a really. Like, I used to love to show, like, my skin, and I still love to show skin, but I used to be like. Like, you know, nipples or whatever. Like, yeah, guess. And then I realized that I never went through the time to be precious about them, to be precious about, you know, yourself, your own body. And I never went through that period. And I feel like I've just recently been getting to be precious and to. Yeah. To have that.

[A]

I'm so. It's really like. Like cathartic to hear you say this, because I think a lot of women are going to be sitting at home and crying with you, because I think the amount of women who have unfortunately and should never have had to, nor should you have ever had to, been taken advantage of. It's like you're. You're reliving it also in moments, in microcosms in your life, as much as you're healing. We're. We're hearing about, obviously, when this person is gonna leak your nudes or someone makes a comment or someone's saying these. Every little thing in life can bring you back to that moment. And so it's this ongoing battle within yourself as a woman that you have to try to be so strong and keep going.

[B]

It's ridiculous. It's ridiculous. Stop making us be so strong.

[A]

No, literally, let's be weak.

[B]

No, literally, everyone's like, no, women. I know a strong woman. I want to be a weak. A weak woman. You know what? How about that? Can I be a weak woman today? Friday would be good. Sunday is a good day to be weak. I'd love to be a weak woman on a Sunday. That's why, like, this is ridiculous.

[A]

No, I know. That's why I feel for you right now. I, like, want to reach out and hug you because I'm like. It's so. People are who. Especially men and who are just so naive to it. It's like they think there can be an isolated incident. It's like this carries through to so much of you. It doesn't define you, but, like, you are just having to work 10 times harder in moments to just survive. And so I just give you so much grace of just like, oh, my God, everything you've been through, and then sitting here and even you being like, I have boundaries. And I'm more patient now. Like, that is what just happens with time. And it's horrific that you had to go through any of the things that we're talking about, but you're such a survivor in your own right. And it's really inspiring as a woman to like, like, connect with you and talk with you about these themes that are unfortunately so universal. But you are also a testament to someone who has been able to be basically dragged through the mud, gone through these horrific things. And you're so intelligent and you're funny and you're wise, and you're all these things, and you deserve to have happiness. And so it's amazing to see that you're reclaiming that in a way that it's going to take a lot of time.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And it's still going to be a lot of work and a lot of therapy. A lot. We're putting budget, but you're here. And the young girl who said, I was maybe not going to be here if I didn't get out of that house at one point, you're still standing, and that's all on you. No one else is to thank or to give props to, or it's you. You did that. You did that yourself.

[B]

Thank you, Alex.

[A]

Of course.

[B]

Very sweet.

[A]

I need to. To brag more about you, some of your accolades. You're a director. You did the incredible by, you know, you're still obviously an actress, but you have transitioned into a director, which is such a feat in itself to be taken seriously, to be talked about. Right. In a way that people are going to show up for you and look at you, and especially even just as a woman. And so. So congratulations. Obviously, you've been referencing your first project. I know you have something big coming. You are directing and starring in Spring Breakers 2 and writing.

[B]

And I wrote it.

[A]

Okay. How did this opportunity come to be.

[B]

The producers watched Color your Hurt, which is the movie that I just wrapped in early cut of it, and they. They asked me to write something to see if they would like it, and they loved it.

[A]

That is writing and directing Spring breakers too. No, no, no. That is spring break forever.

[B]

Fish, let's go.

[A]

That is like, first of all, you being in it. I'm already like, yes. You directing it? Yes. You writing? Yes. Like, that is incredible.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

That's so incredible also, because. Because the first Spring breakers was directed by a man.

[B]

Uhhuh.

[A]

How do you think the sequel will be different with, you know, some female energy?

[B]

Uhhuh. Some female energy. Oh, the female energy is There girl, for sure. 2012 was such. Which is like, when the movie came out was such an exploitative time. And everyone was going through it at that time, like me and Miley and Zendaya and Selena and everybody being compar was going to be that next bad girl. And everything happening, it felt like that was the time too. And in this time, things are different. They are crazy. There's a lot of craziness. There's a lot of litness. There's so much litness in this movie.

[A]

I didn't like Bella. No, no, no. The, like, maniacal laugh. I'm like, Spring Breakers 2 and Bella Thorne. I'm like, oh, my God. Is there anything you can, like, tease or anything you want to just kind of set the groundwork so people have a little something to chew on?

[B]

We're working with the original team is. Is back. So we're. We're really excited about that. I don't want to get in trouble.

[A]

I know. I know.

[B]

I don't want to get in trouble. But what I can say is, is it is so Liddy. Liddy McTitty's. I mean, from start to finish, it's lit as we are having fun. If you wanted to go to the theater and have fun, you gonna have fun with this movie. That's for sure. Yeah, it's balls to the wall. That's, like, the most. That's what everyone says when they read the script. Walls to the wall.

[A]

Can you say if there's. Is there anyone from the original in it or. No? Okay, we're not gonna say anything. We will be sat. We will be ready. We are. We are so ready. Bella, before you go, because I know this is also.

[B]

Also, I went.

[A]

What?

[B]

When Spring breakers came out, I begged my manager to let me go to the premiere because he'd worked on the first one. So when Spring breakers came out, I was at that premiere.

[A]

Oh, that's really cool.

[B]

So you can do the age math as well. I was there and I begged. I begged. That's why I love my manager.

[A]

And now I wild. And now you're here. You went to the premiere as a fan. And now.

[B]

And the after party. And now I wanted to see the

[A]

girls writing, directing, and starring. That's kind of just like that. That feels right, right? That feels right for the girls, right?

[B]

Yep.

[A]

You can do anything.

[B]

Oh, my God. That was such, like, a cultural, like, moment in time and just, like, crazy. Everyone just like, yeah, becoming a woman and, like, questioning being a woman and like, what that's gonna look like for the rest of your life. And you know, then you have these girls doing these things in this movie and it was just like on the big screen. It was big screen. That movie. That was a big screen movie.

[A]

It was.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And this will be too. Yeah. And you're in front and behind it.

[B]

Yes. Yes.

[A]

Power to you. That's actually incredible. Seriously, Congrats.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

Okay, Bella, of everything you've accomplished, what are you hoping for this new era for yourself? Like, what can we expect? I know obviously we've got the projects, but like what else? What can we expect?

[B]

A happier Bella. Hope.

[A]

Bella.

[B]

I feel, I feel happier so far. Getting to do something that I love, like directing and getting to concentrate on production and getting further into all sides of, of the art in that way instead of just. I love acting and I love, I love finding projects that I want to act in. Like that's really important. And yeah, I, I hope I get to really like enjoy continuing on this journey. Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

Deserve it.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

I could talk to you forever. That was such an incredible conversation. I feel like we went in so many different directions and thank you so much for going there with me. I love talking to smart, interesting women and I knew we would have such a connection and a great conversation. But. But I couldn't have imagined the amount of themes. I feel like so many women are going to be like, oh my God. Thank you, thank you, thank you. And that's all to you today. So thank you for opening up cuz we wouldn't have had this conversation. And the depth that you brought was really inspiring. So thank you for coming on. Call Her Daddy Queen.

[B]

Oh, thank you for having me. To all the people and the, and and the women and everybody that hears themselves and and sees themsel in this episode. I love you and you're beautiful.

[A]

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