Call Her Daddy – Grace Van Patten: Tell Me Lies & Toxic Relationships

Host: Alex Cooper
Guest: Grace Van Patten
Release Date: October 1, 2025

Overview

In this rich and lively episode, Alex Cooper sits down with actress Grace Van Patten, star of Hulu’s “Tell Me Lies” and the highly anticipated Amanda Knox project. The episode weaves between Grace’s personal experiences—her New York upbringing, her move to LA, and her quirky rituals—her rapid rise in Hollywood, and an open, sharp look at the allure and dangers of toxic relationships. Grace’s humor and candor shine as she discusses her family, high school with Timothée Chalamet, behind-the-scenes secrets from “Tell Me Lies,” dating her co-star Jackson White, and the realities of filming intimate scenes.

Main Topics & Insights

1. New York Roots, LA Life, and Growing Up

• Transition from NY to LA: Both Grace and Alex reminisce about adjusting from the bustling, walkable city to the sprawling, driving-heavy streets of LA.
  • “I know for a fact I’m gonna end up back [in New York]... If I don’t do it now, I’ll never live in another place.” — Grace (02:00)
• Quirky Beginnings: Grace shares lighthearted stories about living alone, debating getting a pet, and the iconic habit of leaving her phone to trick her mom about her whereabouts as a teen.
  • “I thought I found a loophole by leaving my phone at my friend’s house and just saying ‘I’m in for the night.’” — Grace (03:38)

2. Firsts, Worst, and Childhood Memories

• Celebrity Crushes: Grace’s first celeb crush was Steve-O from Jackass, which Alex finds hilarious and indicative of her early fascination with “adventure and daredevils.”
• Awkward Encounters: Grace recalls greeting Dustin Hoffman with “Hey, Grandpa!” and his less-than-pleased reaction.
  • “Do NOT call any actor old.” — Grace (06:56)
• Getting Recognized: She was first recognized not for her own work, but for resembling Shailene Woodley, especially during “Divergent.”

3. Family & Creative Upbringing

• Siblings and Dynamics: With sisters both close and much younger (“It’s like kept us all young.”), Grace’s family is tight-knit.
• Director Dad: Grace grew up on film sets, which made acting seem possible, magical, and ultimately her dream.
  • “You could play dress up as a job. That’s how I still see it.” — Grace (11:20)
• Early Acting Jobs: Her debut was on “The Sopranos” at eight—what she remembers most is the nerve-racking audition process.

4. Performing Arts High School & Timothée Chalamet

• Unique High School Experience: Described as “insane,” with students singing/dancing on tables and being on “vocal rest.”
• Timmy as ‘Tiny Tim’: Grace watched Timothée Chalamet’s infamous rap performances.
  • “He had this rapper alter ego named Tiny Tim…” (15:51)

5. “Tell Me Lies”: Toxic Relationships & Acting Realism

• Why She Was Drawn to ‘Toxic’ Roles:
  • “It was my dream to do a toxic relationship thing… I don’t know why I love those movies.” — Grace (18:22)
• Differences from Her Character: Both share youthful vulnerability, but Grace stresses she learns from mistakes—unlike Lucy, who’s “relentless.”
• Most Cringeworthy Lucy Moment:
  • “Anytime Lucy thinks she’s being subtle about something is the most cringy.” — Grace (22:21)
  • Alex’s winner: Lucy’s same-day, same-underwear sexual escapade.

6. Personal Growth, Vulnerability, and Real-Life Parallels

• Relating to Lucy:
  • “Vulnerability is the most powerful thing you can ever have in any relationship or friendship.” — Grace (20:40)
• Dating Lessons: Childhood relationships, jealousy, and learning to communicate—Grace reveals she’s never had a truly toxic relationship but lots of “immature” ones.
• Friend Dilemmas: Navigating how (and if) to tell friends about red flags in their relationships.
  • “Advice is a very ethereal comfort thing—it’s not literal unless it’s, like, technical.” — Grace (32:10)

7. Grace & Jackson: On-Screen Chemistry, Off-Screen Romance

• Meeting on Zoom: Both Grace and Alex met their partners via Zoom (in very different ways!). Grace and Jackson’s romance started with professional skepticism and blossomed into a true connection after hours chatting on a NYC stoop.
  • “We sat on a stoop for, I think, like, six hours and talked about every reason why we should not act on this. And then I kissed him.” — Grace (41:19)
• Working with Your Partner: They find it easy and rewarding—opposite to what most imagine.
• Filming Sex Scenes:
  • “It could not be less sexy. It’s the most technical, choreographed… there’s intimacy coordinators, the directors, crew…” — Grace (46:39)
  • Grace once had to do ADR (re-recording) for sex scenes in a booth, mimicking moans/kisses: “That is worse than shooting the sex scene!” (49:07)

8. Games, Secrets, and Rituals

• Nighttime Rituals: Grace obsesses over pajama sets before big days; once bought matching clownish PJs for her sisters.
• Biggest Lie to Get Out of Plans: Now she just owns up: “I love canceling plans and saying, like, ‘I’m really tired.’” (56:14)
• Hidden Tattoos: Grace had a “99” tattoo in her lip (secretly, for years) and a small spider to match Jackson’s birthday.

9. Amanda Knox Project

• Why Amanda Knox?: Grace was always fascinated by Amanda’s “enigmatic” personality and story.
• Process & Relationship: Grace spoke to Amanda often to prep, learning from her vulnerability and openness.
  • “Just being able to help someone tell their story in their own way is so… cool.” — Grace (59:17)

10. Looking Ahead: “Tell Me Lies” Season 3

• Grace teases the new season with:
  • “It’s fucking chaotic.” — Grace (61:44)
  • Even the cast was shocked at some narrative developments.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Outgrowing Teenage Antics
  • “We tried and it worked for a while.” — Grace (04:33)
• On Actors’ Feelings
  • “Do not call any actor old.” — Grace (07:01)
• On Personal Growth
  • “The fear of what is life after [a breakup]… that’s the scariest part—even if you know what you have to do.” — Grace (29:34)
• On Navigating Friends’ Toxic Relationships
  • “If you go at them and you judge them, they’re gonna alienate themselves and they won’t come to you next time.” — Alex (31:31)
• On Sex Scenes
  • “Can you move your arm so you can’t see your nipple?... and then you’ll turn your head and see a guy holding a boom, and you’re like, ‘What? This is so weird.’” — Grace (47:41)
• On Surreal Pajama Obsession
  • “I tried on a new one last night and I looked like a 1930s jester.” — Grace (54:43)
• On Amanda Knox
  • “She’s so open and so vulnerable… if I had a question, I could just text her.” — Grace (60:44)
• On What’s Coming in ‘Tell Me Lies’
  • “It’s fucking chaotic.” — Grace (61:44)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [02:00] Grace on moving to LA
• [03:38] Best/worst trouble with parents
• [06:56] Calling Dustin Hoffman “grandpa”
• [15:51] Timothée Chalamet’s “Tiny Tim” rap
• [18:22] Why Grace loves toxic relationship stories
• [20:40] Vulnerability in real life and as Lucy
• [22:21] Most cringeworthy Lucy moments
• [29:34] The fear at the end of a relationship
• [41:19] How Grace and Jackson became a couple
• [46:39] Sex scenes “could not be less sexy”
• [49:07] Most awkward moment: ADR sex noises
• [54:43] Grace’s pajama set ritual
• [57:24] Secret “99” tattoo for grandpa
• [59:17] On playing Amanda Knox
• [61:44] “Tell Me Lies” season three: “It’s fucking chaotic.”

Tone & Style

The conversation is open, energetic, distinctly millennial, and equal parts frank, vulnerable, and playful. Alex and Grace’s rapport makes even tough subjects approachable. Stories are peppered with dry humor, self-awareness, and plenty of F-bombs, embodying the bold, no-BS Call Her Daddy spirit.

Summary for New Listeners

In this episode, you’ll get rare, honest insight into Grace Van Patten’s personal life and Hollywood career—from funny childhood schemes and family dynamics, to the meat-grinder of acting school, deeply relatable reflections on love, sex, and dating, and what it’s really like to film (and ADR) those infamous “Tell Me Lies” scenes. Grace’s candor about personal growth, boundaries, and mental health, plus inside stories about her relationship with Jackson White and playing Amanda Knox, make this a standout, must-listen for anyone fascinated by the messiness of relationships—on- and off-screen.