← Call Her Daddy
Call Her Daddy
Paul Wesley: Stefan, Stefussy & The Salvatore Brotherhood
01:19:43
Join Alex in the studio for an interview with Paul Wesley. Paul and Alex unpack everything from Mystic Falls to the Jersey Shore. They get into his life before Hollywood, the The Vampire Diaries era, his real-life bromance with Ian Somerhalder, how he accidentally became an internet icon, and, of course... Stefussy. Enjoy!
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- [00:00]
A
Call Her Daddy is brought to you by Stouffers. Let me tell you something. When I am hungry and I am trying to figure out what to eat, sometimes you can just actually become so you're angry. You're like, I am busy. I'm hungry. I'm getting hangry. I'm getting angry. What can I eat? I need something hot and delicious and low maintenance. Well, introducing Stouffer's dinners are not only delicious, they're done in a flash. Serve up their classic lasagna, chicken pesto, or carbonara for two. Whatever you're craving, Stouffer's is your hot, delicious, easy meal fantasy. When the clock strikes dinner, think Stouffers. You can see all the delicious options@stouffers.com call her daddy is brought to you by Clorox Toilet Wand. Okay, here's the thing. Nobody likes cleaning the toilet. That would be weird if that was your favorite pastime. But Clorox Toilet Wand makes one of the most dreaded chores way easier. Okay? Instead of dealing with an old, nasty brush just sitting next to your toilet. Oh, like actually like no. Clorox Toilet. Toilet Wand is an all in one cleaning system designed to make the whole process way better. Thank you, Clorox. 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 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% 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 millions of people keeping their toilet clean with the Clorox Toilet Wand. Grab yours today on Amazon. Use as directed. Call Her Daddy is brought to you by Macy's. Guys, we are officially kind of nearing the second half of summ, and there's a certain feeling, I feel like that arrives in July. Right? Summer is still here, but you can feel the season beginning to shift. And before it slips away, Macy's is here to help you make the most of every last summer moment. Whether it's a spontaneous getaway or an end of summer gathering, Macy's has Everything you need in one place. If you're already thinking ahead, discover back to school, back to college, fall fashion and beauty essentials. To ease into the next season on your own terms, shop now in store or@macy's.com. what is up, Daddy gang? It is your founding father, Alex Cooper with Call Her Daddy. Paul Wesley. Welcome to Call Her Daddy.
- [02:51]
B
Thank you so much for having me.
- [02:52]
A
Okay. Actor, advocate, director, bourbon connoisseur, father of Greg, best friend of Ian Somerhalder. I mean, it is such an honor and a pleasure to be sitting down with you today.
- [03:05]
B
Paul, you're so sweet. Thank you.
- [03:08]
A
Obviously, you were on one of the most iconic shows of all time, in my opinion, the Vampire Diaries. And I've always been obsessed. I remember when I started watching it. I've rewatched it. I've told you and Nina that I am a fan. Met multiple times. You're like, alex, we get it. And so it feels really full circle because now you, me, and Nina are going to be doing a television show together, which is very exciting.
- [03:33]
B
How awesome.
- [03:33]
A
You deserve to know the fact that you and Nina are going to be back on screen together. It feels like we're healing something within the world. How long has it been since you guys have worked together?
- [03:46]
B
Oh, my goodness. Well, I mean, I. Gosh, let's see if my math skills are any good. So I guess the show ended in 2017. Nina left two years prior to that, but she came back for the finale. So I guess theoretically, 2017, we're in 2026. So it's been nine years since we've actually been on. It's almost a dec. By the time
- [04:07]
A
our show comes out, it will literally, by the time.
- [04:09]
B
By the time we're filming and by the time it comes out, maybe. Yeah, a decade. Over a decade.
- [04:13]
A
Okay, I don't like that because that makes me feel old. But also I like it because everyone rewatches Vampire Diaries every five seconds. So what feels nice is it feels like we haven't missed you guys too much.
- [04:25]
B
It's such a strange thing, isn't it? It's like. It's the weirdest thing because, like, you know, once the show goes off the air, typically you're like, okay, you like, it fizzles out and, like, you know, whatever. And it's so funny because there are, you know, Ian and I will do, like, you know, conventions, right? And I'll have someone show up with their teenage daughter, and they'll show up and make me feel old, and they'll say, I grew up watching you, and now my daughter's watching you. And it's like the weirdest. Like, it's this generational thing because of streaming, you know, and it never ends. It's like a vampire. It's eternal, Paul.
- [05:00]
A
It's like we're still in Mystic Fall.
- [05:01]
B
We're still in Mystic Fall. We never left. I've never left. I feel like I've never. It'll never leave me.
- [05:08]
A
Well, I love that so much. Also, I was thinking about it. You leave the show, obviously, and your life did eventually move on. But, like, did you and Nina know that you wanted to work together immediately after the show, or did it take a little second to get the itch to be like, should we do something?
- [05:24]
B
Look, so it's like, it's very public that Nina and I had this very fun kind of back and forth relationship in the sense that what I mean by that is in the beginning, we didn't get along. And that's. And that's highly, you know, you publicize. That's something she's spoken about. I've spoken about it. It's just not like it's breaking news, you know, and now we're like, I. We're such good friends, and I absolutely adore her. And it's one of these things that, like, it's not like the show ended and we're like, let's do something together. It's just sort of like we would see each other, we'd stay in touch. And then enough time went on where I was like, you know, I don't know whose idea it was, but we kept saying, we should do something, you know, and. And let's make it special. Like, let's really make it great. And so we, you know, we. We're trying to find something for years, and then we would not talk about it for two years. And then another we, oh, we should do this. And then until finally you deserve to know came about and we're like, I think, yeah, let's. This is it. Let's do this.
- [06:18]
A
Is he in? Jealous? Do we need to write him in?
- [06:21]
B
We need to. Maybe we need to, like, call a friend and ask him if he's jealous. Right?
- [06:25]
A
Ian, do you want us to write you in? There's still time.
- [06:28]
B
He's like, he'll pretend to know, but deep down inside, you know, he wants to be written in.
- [06:33]
A
Also, I love. Didn't you guys, you and Nina were. Didn't you do courtside together at one of the Knicks games?
- [06:38]
B
Yes, yes.
- [06:39]
A
Like, just seeing it, I think The Vampire Diaries. Every time you guys give any of those fans a little something, we get
- [06:44]
B
excited because, you know, Nina just moved to New York City full time, and I'm in New York. I grew up in Jersey, but I consider myself a New Yorker because that's like, a lot cooler, I always say, in New York, and then people like, really? Where? And I'm like, jersey? They're like, but no, but I. You know, I'm actually. I've been going to Knicks games for years, and I'm friends with Jalen Brunson. He's a good buddy of mine. And I called Nina. I said, nina, you gotta go to a Knicks game with me. And I know they would love to have you in. Jalen, I'm gonna call him out. I don't care. He's my homie. I love him. He's a huge Vampire Diaries fan. His. Him and his wife are huge Vampire Diaries fans. And so I was like, I gotta bring Nina to a Knicks game, because Jalen is gonna love this.
- [07:22]
A
And so not him being a vampire. Like, everyone's, like, a huge fan of his, and he's like, Elena stuff.
- [07:29]
B
So I texted him right before the game. I was like, hey, just so you know, I'm bringing Elena to the. To the. To the game. And he's like, no way. And it's so funny because that game was like a blowout. They blew away. I forget were playing, but I think they won by, like, 50 points, which is, like, unheard of. And I was like, jaylen's doing this for Elena, isn't he? I know he is.
- [07:49]
A
That's actually amazing to know.
- [07:51]
B
Yeah.
- [07:51]
A
Okay. In the new show that we're doing, Nina's husband is murdered, and you are the top suspect that is giving very different vibes from Stelaena. Like, it is very different.
- [08:04]
B
It is.
- [08:05]
A
What are you most excited about with this new dynamic? Like, you're not in a romantic relationship. You're more friends on a show.
- [08:13]
B
Yeah, I mean, you know, I. You were there when we were developing it, obviously. Yeah. Executive producing it, but, you know, I mean, obviously. Aaron Kaplan, one of the eps, he said, do you guys want to play, you know, romantic partners? And Nina and I talked about it. We kind of like. We feel like there's some, like. There's just, like, this whole, like, the Stefan and Elena thing is so iconic and so perfect, and in a weird way, we don't want to, like. Like, not ruin it, but, like, have a comparison, you know, we don't want to. We don't, like, if we were playing husband and wife or boyfriend and girlfriend, like, people would compare that to Stefan and Elena. So we wanted to create a new dynamic so that we offered something new to the fans where we're still interacting on screen, but it's in a different capacity.
- [08:57]
A
I know, and I really respect that because just for everyone watching, trust me, we sat there and we're like, so you're sure that you don't want to be married? And you guys are like Alex. But I really respect that you guys have so much respect for the craft of, like, what you built on Vampire Diaries. And I do agree with you in a way that, like, it would almost be hard to see you two in a couple and not be like Stefan and Elena. Oh, wait, no. This is a different show. So I. I think we did it right.
- [09:27]
B
Exactly. I think so as well.
- [09:28]
A
But don't worry, everyone. I asked.
- [09:29]
B
Yeah.
- [09:30]
A
Since the show is called you deserve to know. I'm going to ask you. Okay. Some stories that we deserve to know.
- [09:37]
B
Paul, the public deserves it.
- [09:39]
A
Yes, we deserve it. And you are going to tell us these stories. Here we go. Tell us about your first kiss.
- [09:47]
B
Okay, so. Huh. My first, like, kiss was kind of like. I remember I was in the. I used to live in this, like, community in New Jersey where it was like townhouses, but there would be like a public swimming pool. And I was in the public swimming pool and this girl, I don't even know, she was. She dared me to kiss her underwater water. And I was like, let's do this. I had my goggles on. I don't know, maybe I was like 10 or something. And I went down there and we kissed underwater. And I still remember her like, freckled face kissing me underwater. And none of her parents knew about it. It was really sweet.
- [10:22]
A
Not your first kiss being underwater.
- [10:23]
B
It was underwater, Paul. With goggles and maybe even floaty. I may have taken off my floaties. Yeah.
- [10:28]
A
Otherwise that's so romantic.
- [10:30]
B
It was romantic.
- [10:31]
A
And then eventually you did it on land. But for.
- [10:35]
B
And I remember my first on land as well, which was like my first girlfriend ever named Carolina. Shout out. And I remember my. Somebody dared us to French kiss. Right. Well, that's a bigger deal, right? Big deal.
- [10:48]
A
Oh my God.
- [10:49]
B
They go French kiss behind the. You know, after the school bus drives you off. And I was like. And I was like, okay, I can do this. And I just remember, like, you know, you would think I would be like, very excited. I was just like, I cannot believe people like this. How do people like exchanging saliva I was still too young to, like, fully appreciate it. And poor Carolina, because I did not. I wasn't, like. I wasn't hyped about it.
- [11:13]
A
Yeah, you're just, like, putting tongue out and closing your eyes. Yeah. I was just, like, for dear life.
- [11:17]
B
I was like, let's get through it.
- [11:18]
A
Okay. Cute. What is a time when you completely misread the vibe but still shot your
- [11:24]
B
shot, like, with a girl?
- [11:26]
A
Yeah.
- [11:27]
B
Oh, man. Twice. Oh, yeah. I mean, it was twice. Twice. Twice that I could think of. I remember, like, the most. The most simplistic one is, like, I remember being on a date with someone who would go unnamed because she's actually an actress. And this was, like, obviously way back in the day, I was, you know, very single pre Vampire Diaries. And. And I just remember, like, I thought the date went really well, and I was like, I'm just gonna, like, I'm gonna go in for a kiss. Like a good night, you know, like a good, good night kiss. And I just remember she just, like. I went in for the kiss, and she was just like, no. And it was like, yeah, like the turn. And then I had to pretend that it wasn't a kiss. And then it was, like, just a hug. And I was like. It was the most awkward. It was so awkward. I haven't seen her since. Thank God.
- [12:16]
A
No, literally since that moment.
- [12:19]
B
Never saw her again. Thank you.
- [12:20]
A
Did you reach out after? You didn't?
- [12:21]
B
No. You both didn't?
- [12:22]
A
No.
- [12:22]
B
It was, like, the worst. Oh, my God. It was the most embarrassing thing ever. Yeah, Paul. Yeah. I was, like, traumatized that. And then I remember one time I was in New York. I just remember I was on, like, a fire escape in New York City, and I was having this conversation with this girl. I was, like, at a party, I think, and I was just like. And I. And. Never do this again, Paul. And if, like, there's any guys listening, don't do this. I was just like. I looked and I was like, can I kiss you? And she just goes, no,
- [12:51]
A
Paul.
- [12:52]
B
I was like, oh, okay. Those are, like, the two times I can think of.
- [12:57]
A
What do you do, though, to recover from that? Did you stay on the floor, fire escape? Or are we like.
- [13:01]
B
I don't recall. It was so long ago. But I remember being like, what a dumbass. I cannot believe I just asked her when she clearly has no interest in me.
- [13:10]
A
That's actually completely amazing. Okay, what is a night out that you can remember that gave you the worst Sunday scaries?
- [13:20]
B
Oh, God. I've had so many of Those. You mean like, is that what you mean by that is like you made
- [13:27]
A
some bad decisions the night before you woke up, really bad hangover. You're like, oh, what did I do? Like, Paul, what did we do last night?
- [13:35]
B
I mean, I was a bit of a troublemaker when I was a kid and my friends and I got fake IDs like, you know, at the age of 15 and we, we would, you know, these horrible fake IDs, but somehow they worked in New York City. And we would take the, we would take the train up to the city at like 15, 16 and go to these clubs and stay out till like 7, 8 in the morning. And like that was like the worst. I can't even imagine doing that.
- [14:05]
A
Kids living near New York City when they're younger in New York City, you're like, you lived a different life.
- [14:09]
B
Yeah.
- [14:09]
A
What do you mean? You're at a club at 15?
- [14:11]
B
No, it was crazy. And I just remember like sneaking out of my house and like, you know, doing the traditional, like stuffing my bed with something that looked like a human. And then like losing track of time. And then like my phone, of course, like, I didn't even have a phone. I don't even. This was like pre cell phone. And I was at like a beeper. And I just remember like seven in the morning would hit on a Sunday and I would get like a beep. The beeper would go off. My mom would be like 911-911- call me right now, Paul. And I'd be like, oh my God, how am I gonna explain this?
- [14:41]
A
Oh yeah, wow. But also like 15 year old boy being in the club.
- [14:45]
B
Oh my God.
- [14:45]
A
Like not having much success. I would assume none.
- [14:52]
B
About as much success as I had on the fire escape.
- [14:54]
A
You're not, you're not buying bottles?
- [14:56]
B
No, I'm not doing anything. I'm standing in the corner doing God knows what.
- [15:00]
A
You're lucky to like get in the bouncers, like get out of here.
- [15:03]
B
Oh, 100. And they all knew it was a fake ID, but they're somehow letting you. Man, it was like New York in that time was like a totally different. That's fair.
- [15:10]
A
Okay. A time when you did something petty to get back at someone.
- [15:15]
B
Oh, gosh. I, I mean, I'm not, I would not consider myself a petty person. However. However. You know, like in high school, I went to three different high schools. I wasn't like a cool kid at all. And, and even in middle school and it was like, you know, the, the, the. There was definitely like times Where I was like, you know, the. The town bully or like the cool kids who were older that didn't want to invite you to the parties or like, you know, kind of making you feel like, you know, you're not part of the in crowd and all that. And I remember, you know, the. The. I got on this big TV show, I was 26, and all of a sudden, out of the woodworks come all these guys that wanted nothing to do with me in high school that, like, all, you know, the girls that wouldn't give me the time of day. And all of a sudden they're like, oh, my gosh, my girlfriend, you know, my girlfriend or my sister, whatever. Like, let's hang out or, hey, can, you know, can you. Can you. Can I. Can you call my sister or something just to say hi? And I would just be like, you know what? Like, as petty as this is. No, like, like, like, no. You know what I mean? It just felt like now you want to be friends, you know what I mean?
- [16:34]
A
I appreciate, though, when people do that, because you're like, I remember. And I don't think that's fully being petty. That's you being like, oh, I clocked exactly what's happening right now. You don't get me now.
- [16:47]
B
Yeah.
- [16:47]
A
That I'm all good.
- [16:48]
B
Yeah. And I, you know, in my philosophy these days is always like, kill him with kindness. Like, I'm always the kind of guy who's like, if to always just be nice to, like, kind of like, that's my technique. Like, I don't. I don't want to be petty, but I do remember when I was in my mid-20s and the show came out, I was like, you know what? I'm going to be petty. I'm going to be a little bit. I'm going to.
- [17:08]
A
You know, I think we're all backing you on that.
- [17:10]
B
Yeah.
- [17:11]
A
What is something you did unexpectedly that went viral on the Internet?
- [17:15]
B
I mean, I can think of very. One very big thing that became viral on Tick Tock, which was when a fan asked me if I liked Madison beer. And I thought it was. I thought that was a type of beer. And I said, I've never had that kind of beer before. And I was like, I don't. I've never had Madison beer. So that was. That was special.
- [17:38]
A
And then as it, like, kind of spiraled, and then, like, how did you handle that moment?
- [17:43]
B
I mean, at that point, I was like, do I then apologize to Madison here? Do I need to, like, make a public apology? Because she obviously is Very famous. She's a. You know, But I'm just like an idiot. I don't know. And you're in your own world. I don't know what's going on. And so I was like, you know, it was, it was very funny because it became this whole thing. Like, I remember, I forget there was some publication that, like, they, I guess, you know, frankly, it was during COVID too. So maybe it was less. Less stuff going on, but it was like top 50 pop culture moments, 20, whatever, 2019, whatever the heck it was. And I was like, paul Wesley thinks Madison beer is a beer. And I was like, that makes the top 50.
- [18:24]
A
Do you get anxiety when something like that you did is trending or do you not care?
- [18:29]
B
I think it's funny. I don't care. You don't care? Yeah.
- [18:31]
A
You don't care?
- [18:31]
B
Yeah.
- [18:40]
A
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- [20:34]
B
Right?
- [20:34]
A
I'm gonna try to pronounce it, and then you're gonna.
- [20:36]
B
Can't wait.
- [20:36]
A
Okay, hold on. Your first name is Pave.
- [20:43]
B
Almost.
- [20:43]
A
Okay. And your last name is Vashilevsky.
- [20:48]
B
Whoa.
- [20:49]
A
Oh.
- [20:50]
B
Do you have some, like, Eastern European descendant?
- [20:53]
A
No, I actually put the pronunciation down for myself. Vashilevsky.
- [20:56]
B
That's perfect.
- [20:58]
A
So. Okay, wait, you say it. Say your full name.
- [21:00]
B
Pavel Vashilevsky.
- [21:01]
A
Pavel.
- [21:02]
B
Pavel Pavo. Oh.
- [21:05]
A
Oh, wait, wait. That sounds too Philly. Hold on. Let me try that. Say it again. Pavel Pavo.
- [21:10]
B
Vasilevsky.
- [21:11]
A
Vasilevsky.
- [21:12]
B
Amazing. Oh, look at you.
- [21:14]
A
Okay, what do you want to play
- [21:16]
B
an Eastern European on? You deserve to know. Like, do you want to play a Polish, like, murder suspect? Like, because I think you could do this, honestly. Maybe. Yeah.
- [21:23]
A
How did we get here? How did you get from that to Paul Wesley?
- [21:26]
B
So my. My mom. So my parents are both from Warsaw, and they immigrated to this country. My older sister was born there from Warsaw, Poland. I was the first of the family to be born in the United States. And growing up, we didn't speak any English or. Sorry. My parents didn't speak English well, and we spoke Polish at home primarily. So my mom always called me Pawel, and Wasilevsky is my name, but in school, it was Paul Wazalowski because that's how the Americans would pronounce it, which, you know, whatever. Phonetically, I guess that's like. Or whatever. If you read it, that's so. It was, like, my whole life, it was Paul Wazaliewski, and I'm like.
- [22:05]
A
Like.
- [22:06]
B
It's really like, Wasaluski doesn't, like, speak to me. Do you know what I mean? Like, that's not who I am. So I try to, like, correct people and be like, no, it's Vasilevsky. And be like, no, no. And I started acting, and then. And then I started. I got my first few TV shows, and it was, like, always this huge drama to pronounce my name. And I just said, you know what? If they're gonna call me Paul Wasilewski, I might as well just change it. You know what I mean? So I didn't change it legally. I remember thinking, I Wanted to. I want my last name to start with a W. And I wanted to end with an E sound because, like, my real name was a Luski Vashilevsky. So I started, like. I just literally started writing down random, like. Like, last names that could work. And I somehow stumbled upon Wesley, and I was like, I like the ring. I like the sound of that. And I just came up with it. It was as simple as that. It's, like, totally arbitrary.
- [22:56]
A
Wait, what did your parents think about you changing your name?
- [22:59]
B
My. Like, I remember asking my grandfather who's who. That was who on my mom's side. So technically that's not. It wasn't his name. It's. But I remember being like, he's like, go for it. Absolutely. Change it. Like, duh. Of course you should change it. My dad was a little bit like, I'm not so sure. But then they kind of, like, came around to. And I didn't change it. Legally? Yeah, legally, I'm still. Yeah. Oh, yeah.
- [23:24]
A
Okay. So your parents can be really happy about that.
- [23:26]
B
Exactly.
- [23:26]
A
Okay, that's good.
- [23:27]
B
It's just my stage name.
- [23:29]
A
From New Jersey? Yes. Not New York. Good. To clarify, your parents immigrating from Poland. Can you paint the picture of what your house was like growing up? Like, put us right in there, Paul. What are we experiencing in this home?
- [23:44]
B
I had a great childhood. You know, my parents are. They're wonderful. And they. You know what's great is I grew up in the proximity, 45 minutes south of Manhattan. And so it was always like, Manhattan was this kind of like, oh, my gosh. This, like, this. This is like, the place, right? Like, you always, like, I. I was so enamored. Like, I. I really wanted to end up somehow in Manhattan. And I remember I was playing ice hockey my whole life. And my parents were. They're pretty smart people. Like, my dad went to Columbia. He's a computer engineer. My mom's has a master's in psychology. My sister's a lawyer. They're all pretty, like, highly educated. And so I just never fit into that. That mold. I always wanted to do something different. And I started doing theater and all this. And my parents were so great because they put me in acting classes, and they were like, you know, they wanted me to, like, just be happy. And so I started doing these acting classes in Manhattan, and somehow an agent saw me and was like, hey, do you want to audition for stuff? And I was like, sure. And that's how I ended up in Manhattan. I got a TV show at 16. I started making my own money, and I got my own apartment in the city. But so they. I guess in answering your question, like, I credit them with giving me the kind of, like, flexibility and, like, allowing me to pursue my dreams and being really like. They. They wanted me to be happy. They weren't like, you have to go to. You know, they wanted me to get good grades, but they weren't. They want. They were, like, more important is for you to be passionate about what you do. And so I feel like I was able to do what I love to do and to have this career in film and television because they were supportive.
- [25:22]
A
Well, that's incredible, because I feel like so many people don't have that experience, so it feels like you have to rebel. But to have actually supportive parents, it must have felt so safe for you to explore your passions.
- [25:31]
B
Absolutely.
- [25:32]
A
Being close to New York, though, obviously, there's so many different cultures that come in and out of New York in a beautiful way. But, like, you were in New Jersey.
- [25:41]
B
Yeah.
- [25:41]
A
So was. And. And close. Jersey Shore, right?
- [25:44]
B
Yeah. Is 20 minutes.
- [25:45]
A
You're like, please, come on up.
- [25:47]
B
Come on now.
- [25:47]
A
Calm down, Alex.
- [25:48]
B
But if. But if I showed you some photos of me, you'd be like, for sure. That guy could have been on the Jersey Shore. You remember the Jersey Shore, honestly, right? Yeah.
- [25:58]
A
Oh, my God.
- [25:59]
B
So, so, so, so I've never seen the Jersey Shore, so. But it's a funny story to tell you. So I. So I used to do the whole Jersey Shore thing. I had a house in Belmar, and my friends and I used to, like, lift weights and, you know, like, it was like, like, you know, gym, tan, laundry and all the. Kind of, like, literally wax our eyebrows and, like, you know, walk around like this in our tank tops. Anyway, it was, like, so pathetic. And I remember, like, I was in my 20s, and I was doing, like, a. Something for the Vampire Diaries, and somehow they were like, oh, the cast of the Jersey Shore is here. And I was like, oh, cool. I don't know. I've never seen it. And. And the guy who plays the Situation.
- [26:40]
A
I love how you say the guy who plays the situation. Yeah, yeah, yeah, Mike. The situation. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [26:47]
B
Okay. So that guy comes up, he's like, hey, Paul. And I was like, hey. And he's like, we used to hang out in the Jersey Shore. And I was like, we did. And he's like, yeah, we. And. And I asked a few friends. I'm like, yeah, he used to hang out with us. We used to, like, go out with the. The Jersey Shore. I didn't even know I was part of the Jersey Shore. You know, this bumping.
- [27:07]
A
You had the situation right under your fingertips.
- [27:10]
B
Yeah.
- [27:10]
A
And you didn't even know.
- [27:11]
B
I had no idea.
- [27:12]
A
You may have been out with Snooki and you didn't even know.
- [27:14]
B
For all I know, I could have been. Yeah.
- [27:17]
A
Paul, why do I feel like that's your life where you're like, I didn't know Madison beer wasn't a beer. I didn't know I was friends with the situation. I didn't know any of this. Like, life just keeps happening.
- [27:27]
B
Oblivious.
- [27:28]
A
Dude, that's crazy.
- [27:30]
B
Yeah.
- [27:30]
A
Okay, so did you ever get a spray tape tan?
- [27:32]
B
Of course I got a spray.
- [27:33]
A
You were gym tan laundering.
- [27:34]
B
Actually, I did. I did a spray tan when I was. My friends, I'm telling you. I mean, it's like, I shouldn't be admitting this, but like, I'm telling you, when I was like 17 and we used to like, literally, like, it was all about, like, how big our muscles are. I was like 40 pounds heavier. Like, it was all about muscles and being tan and then like, making sure you have no chest hair and like walking around the Jersey Shore like this and like, honestly fighting. We would get into like fist fights all the time. And like, oh, my God, it was like, you have no idea.
- [28:06]
A
When you were saying that you were getting jacked and you were doing all that, you know what it made me think of?
- [28:10]
B
What?
- [28:11]
A
Donnie.
- [28:12]
B
Donnie from the O.C.
- [28:14]
A
paul.
- [28:15]
B
Donnie from the O.C.
- [28:17]
A
one of my favorite shows. How were you on one episode?
- [28:20]
B
I was only on one episode.
- [28:21]
A
Okay. You made such an impression. To remember that you were on the OC and to only be in one episode, that's pretty incredible.
- [28:30]
B
You'd be surprised how many people come up to me and go, donnie, it is the craziest thing. Like, just one episode. And I remember because I read for the main guy, who's Ryan, who's Ben McKenzie, is a good friend of mine. I adore him. By the way, so is Adam Brody. And I just met them on. When I was doing Donnie when I was playing Donnie. But anyway, when I was doing Donnie. No. And I. No, I remember I read for Ryan. I didn't get it. I was very devastated. And they called me, like, how about Donnie? You're more of a Donnie. And I was like, sure, I'll play Donnie. And then I just played myself, basically.
- [29:10]
A
Oh, it came. So. Cuz that was like you were in Chino with Ryan or something and you guys like. Or like, whatever you. You were There you were like, the scary guy.
- [29:19]
B
Oh, yeah. I shot somebody. I shot the. The blonde guy. I was like, yeah, you shot Luke. You shot. I shot Luke. Thank you.
- [29:27]
A
You fully shot.
- [29:28]
B
I shot Luke.
- [29:29]
A
You party. You had the gun.
- [29:31]
B
I had a gun.
- [29:32]
A
Oh, my God. Cut the clip with good old Paul.
- [29:35]
B
Roll the clip with Donnie.
- [29:36]
A
Bring it back. I remember. I think you had, like, a thick armband.
- [29:39]
B
Oh, yeah. Armband. And. Oh, my God.
- [29:42]
A
Oh, you were so. Donnie.
- [29:43]
B
I was so Jersey. I was organic, 100%. Didn't have to study for that role at all.
- [29:51]
A
So you eventually get into acting, right? And in the early days, you end up living with your childhood friend Ricky and his Pomeranian in a studio apartment
- [30:05]
B
in the West Village.
- [30:06]
A
In the West Village. Did you have two beds?
- [30:08]
B
We had two beds. Oh, that's the Pomeranian. And him on one. Me and the other two twins, you know.
- [30:13]
A
Oh, two twins.
- [30:14]
B
Two twins.
- [30:14]
A
Yeah, twins.
- [30:15]
B
We're right there next to each other. Yeah.
- [30:17]
A
Oh, like a little nightstand in between.
- [30:19]
B
And by the way, this is like. Yeah, exactly. Literally. And this is back when, like, we were, like, wearing tank tops and, like, you know, and.
- [30:25]
A
And still feeling yourself.
- [30:26]
B
Oh, yeah. Still feeling ourselves. So everyone was like, welcome to the neighborhood.
- [30:30]
A
And West Village.
- [30:31]
B
In West Village, what were you three
- [30:34]
A
getting up to around that time?
- [30:37]
B
God, no. By the way, I love that you said you three, including the Pomeranian. Yeah, like. Like, the Pomeranian was clubbing with us. No, it was like I was on a soap opera with Britney Snow. Oh, who's like. Yeah, who's. I think she did. She did the show.
- [30:51]
A
Yes.
- [30:52]
B
She's one of my dear friends. I was to about. She's the best. So Britney and I played boyfriend and girlfriend on a show called the Guiding Light. I was, like, 16 years old, making a bunch of cash. I was like, ricky, I'm gonna get an apartment in the West Village. And he's like, great.
- [31:05]
A
Is that how you would talk?
- [31:06]
B
Yeah, yeah, pretty much. Okay. Something like that.
- [31:10]
A
There was a lot. It was giving a little New York.
- [31:12]
B
Giving a little, like, Sopranos. Yeah, yeah. No, I used to have a thick Jersey accent. But anyway. And then I was just like, let's just, like, get. And it was just like, the best time of my life. You know, it was like fake IDs and just partying and, you know, doing the soap opera. Frankly, like, that's where I, like, kind of learned how to, you know. I remember when I first got on the soap opera, I was so uncomfortable, and, like, the soap opera taught me how to, like, work with the camera and, like, you know, be more relaxed and like, it was an amazing training ground and so many great actors came from. From that. But like, Brittany, Britney's amazing. Of course. Want to hear something funny? I'm gonna call out Brittany, she said this story, so it doesn't really matter.
- [31:50]
A
Give it to us.
- [31:51]
B
It's really funny. Britney's. I wonder if Britney. She said this story, so it's fine. So I. We were on set and like, you know, I'm like 16, 17. So like, you know, whatever. I had like, you know, done a bunch. I've. I had kissed. I had a girlfriend. I'd kissed women girls before and. And Britney and I had our first kiss scene and I was like, cool, no big deal. Like, whatever. Because we were playing boyfriend girlfriend and Britney was younger than I was and we did the kiss scene and I'm like, okay. Like, like that was fine. Like that went well. I remember afterwards her mom comes up to me and goes, just so you know, that was her first kiss ever. And I was like, what? I didn't know that. And like, to this day. Yeah, it's so sweet. Like to this day, like, Britney's first kiss is the kiss on camera with me. It was really sweet.
- [32:39]
A
Oh, you're a good guy. I feel like that you probably made it just like so sweet and like chill for her.
- [32:44]
B
Yeah.
- [32:44]
A
Wait, that's cute.
- [32:46]
B
It was really sweet. And now we're really good friends. Yeah, it was really.
- [32:48]
A
And to see just how both like, successful you've been in your own right and to think about you like little youngins.
- [32:53]
B
Yeah.
- [32:54]
A
Imagining Britney also being probably so nervous.
- [32:57]
B
Oh my God. I can imagine. Yeah.
- [32:58]
A
Oh my God. It's actually probably good that you didn't know.
- [33:00]
B
Yeah, exactly.
- [33:02]
A
That's really sweet.
- [33:03]
B
Yeah.
- [33:03]
A
Okay. So what would you and Ricky do, though, if you both. If you had like a girl that you wanted to bring back and we've got the twin beds. Paul. Like, what are we doing?
- [33:14]
B
Oh my gosh.
- [33:16]
A
What happened?
- [33:18]
B
What did happen?
- [33:20]
A
You're like Ricky.
- [33:21]
B
Yeah, no, it was. Let me get back to you on that one. I don't remember. I plead the fifth. No, I don't know. I think we probably. You figured it out. I'd be like, ricky, you know, go take a walk. Get out of here.
- [33:37]
A
But you can leave the Pomeranian.
- [33:38]
B
Yeah, leave the Pomeranian. Doesn't care.
- [33:40]
A
Okay, fair.
- [33:40]
B
Yeah.
- [33:41]
A
So you and Ricky had your stint, you did your thing.
- [33:43]
B
Yeah.
- [33:44]
A
Then there's been another bromance in your life.
- [33:46]
B
Uhhuh.
- [33:47]
A
With none other than your Vampire Diaries co star Holder. Ian Summer Holder.
- [33:53]
B
The Smolder.
- [33:54]
A
Is that what we call him?
- [33:54]
B
I call him the Smolder Holder.
- [33:56]
A
Like, when you call him every day, or is that what you're saying, just smoldy?
- [34:00]
B
I call him Smoldy Pants.
- [34:01]
A
Smoldy.
- [34:01]
B
I. I. For years, I called him Smoldy Pants.
- [34:03]
A
Does he like that?
- [34:04]
B
I think deep down inside, he likes it.
- [34:06]
A
What. What does he call you?
- [34:10]
B
Face, probably, yeah. Am I allowed to curse? No. I mean, we. We're. We're so funny. We call each other, like, Ian and I are, like. We're, like, in this, like, domestic partner. No, not a domestic bar. We don't live together. It's like this. Like, we're in, like, a marriage, you know? It's like, we started off as, like, colleagues working together. Then we're, like, best friends. Then we're like, okay, we see each other every day for eight years. I love you. But also, like, then we're like, like brothers. And now we have this business together. It's like, we are so. It is, like, such a complicated. It's, like my longest relationship I've ever had in my life. We've been. I feel like we've been together for 20 years, and we know. I know what he's gonna say before he's even gonna say it, and he knows what I'm gonna say, and we're yin and yang.
- [34:53]
A
Do you bicker like a married couple?
- [34:55]
B
Oh, my God. We bicker. We. We hug it out. We, like. I mean, it is like. It is.
- [35:00]
A
How do Nikki and Natalie feel about it? Like, when you guys are all together,
- [35:03]
B
they're, like, the calm energies, and, like, we're the devils. Like, they're like, by the way, thank God for Nikki and Natalie. Like, Natalie is, like, Calms me down so much, and I feel like Nikki calms him down so much because him and I are.
- [35:15]
A
Are a little Natalie's energy. When we got drinks, I was like, she is so good. She's so, so good. She is so steady. So steady, calm, sophisticated.
- [35:26]
B
Oh, my God.
- [35:27]
A
Lovely. I'm so happy for you. But now knowing the two of you are like, that, I'm like, oh, you know, even more now. That makes sense.
- [35:34]
B
Yeah. And, like, yeah, Nikki and Nat and Nikki as well is, like, much more like. Ian is, like. Ian is, like, moves a thousand miles a minute, you know? And, like, have you met Ian?
- [35:44]
A
No.
- [35:44]
B
He's like. I mean, the guy will literally. He can talk to anyone for, like, two hours. Like, he will literally just corner you and talk to you and lose track of Time, like, he is like this. He's the most personable person that you'll ever meet. Like, you would love him. Everyone just looks into his blue eyes and just, like, melts. It's like, it mean it doesn't work on me anymore. I'm like, get the hell out of here. Yeah, but it worked initially, you know. Wow.
- [36:09]
A
Okay. Almost 20 years in this partnership, in this marriage.
- [36:13]
B
Yeah.
- [36:14]
A
Go back, think about what was your first first impression of him and like, when did you first meet him?
- [36:21]
B
I. My first. The first time I met him was in Burbank, California, after we both got cast on the show. We knew we'd be playing brothers. And they're like, you need to go to this dental office because you need to get a fang fitt fitting. We need to. You need to get your fangs fitted for this, for the show, because they have to mold them. So I remember I was like, pulled up to this dentist and he's like, leaving. And I'm like, hey, hey. And he like, I guess we're gonna play brothers. He's like, yeah, yeah. He's like, I just got my fangs fit. I'm like, yeah, I'm gonna get my fangs fitted as well. I was like, I'll see you on the plane tomorrow. And then I remember, like, being like, okay, cool. And then I remember we sat. We decided to sit next together next to each other on the plane on the way to Vancouver, because we shot. Shot pilot in Vancouver. And I'm sitting there, we're chatting, and this is a perfect example of how me and Ian are total polar opposites. I'm glass half empty. I think everything is doomed. He's glass half full. And we're usually somewhere. The truth is usually somewhere in the middle. This time he was right. I look at him and I go, so we're doing this pilot, huh? He's like, yeah. I'm like, I don't know, man. I'm like, vampire Diaries. I was like, like, do. I was like, you know, you think we're going to get picked up? He's like, yeah, I think we're going to get. I'm like, I don't know. You think it's going to be a hit? I don't think it's going to, like, be a thing. And he just looks at me and I still remember to this day, he just goes, oh, contrer mon frere. It's going to be a big deal. Mark my words. And I was like, oh, contrer mon frere. I was like, who speaks like that? But anyway, he was right.
- [37:55]
A
He was right.
- [37:56]
B
He was right. He was dead on.
- [37:58]
A
Oh, my God. That's actually kind of crazy, though, because knowing. Because you guys ended up shooting all the time in Atlanta.
- [38:03]
B
Yes.
- [38:03]
A
But going for that pilot, I've. I've obviously interviewed actors before that. It is crazy to know, like, most of the time that first episode is not filmed, where it's going to be filmed.
- [38:12]
B
Yeah.
- [38:12]
A
And you have no idea if you're going to get picked up.
- [38:14]
B
No idea.
- [38:14]
A
When was the moment do you think you were like, oh, I like. I think I really like this guy? Like, so first, you're kind of, like, dipping your toe in the water. You're like, oh, contrary. You're like, okay, this guy's, like, kind of kooky, and I like him, and he's uplifting. But when were you like, oh, we're friends.
- [38:30]
B
Well, so we. So the show got picked up.
- [38:32]
A
Up.
- [38:32]
B
And then I was like, okay. I was like, well. And then I was like, I'm gonna take this really seriously. Like, this is a big deal. This is a huge. Because I had done, like, eight pilots, and they all failed. And, like, I mean, some got picked up, but none of them lasted. And I had this feeling after the show got picked up, I was like, and it tested really well. They tell you about, like, whether it tests well with the audience. Like, they're like, something special. With this one, I was like, we have to do a good job. So I was like, ian, we need to, like, we're playing brothers. We need to, like, bond, and we need to, like, really study together. He's like, you're right. He's like, I have an idea. He's like, let's fly to Atlanta and let's get apartments next to each other so we can just live next to each other. And I was like, good idea. So I remember, and to this day, I remember we literally get to the airport, and I pull up. I'm wearing these light blue jeans, a black leather belt, a white Hanes shirt, black Ray Bans and cowboy boots. These, like, fry boots. And I look over at him, and he's wearing the exact same thing. No, we literally looked at each other, and we're like, we look like the Blues Brothers. We got off the plane, and we were, like, decided to go apartment hunting and got apartments next to each other so that we can be close to each other so that we can practice and study lines together. And it was just, like, the funniest thing, pulling into Atlanta wearing the exact same. Oh, we had the same Back color backpack as well. And I remember we. We stayed at like, the W Hotel for the first night. We walked in and everybody just looked at us like, who are these guys? It's really funny.
- [40:05]
A
He's basically your soul mate.
- [40:07]
B
Yeah. So he was like my brother the minute we landed in Atlanta.
- [40:11]
A
Okay. But then I'm like, I can't help but be like, why do I feel like I can see Ian and you living next to each other was a good idea at first. And then you're literally like coming home after a long day on set. Then you're going into your rooms and he's like knocking, and you're like, paul, come out and play.
- [40:25]
B
Yeah, yeah. Like, leave me alone.
- [40:27]
A
He's like knocking on the wall.
- [40:29]
B
No, but you know, truthfully, like, you know, jokes aside, like, we really, like, we didn't mess around. Like, the first two seasons, we were like, oh, my God. And then, like, by the third season, we're like, we're good. Let's. This is. Doesn't need to be fake bourbon on set anymore. Like, let's go ahead and maybe switch that out with some Woodford Reserve. And by the way, yeah, sorry, Warner
- [40:49]
A
Brothers, because you guys did drink so much.
- [40:52]
B
We were just constantly. By the way, it's not like we were shit faced on set, but like, you know, towards the end of the day, you. You're like, I'm. I've drank enough of this, like, unsweetened iced tea, which is supposed to be bourbon. I think I can, like, you know,
- [41:03]
A
and like, the amount of scenes that, like, Ian had to do, like dancing, like, in the Mansion alone, like, give that man a little something.
- [41:10]
B
Give. Give that man. Yeah, get him some bourbon.
- [41:12]
A
Yeah, yeah. Speaking of bourbon, look at that transition you guys started. Brothers Bond Bourbon. Inspired kind of by these, like, vampire diary days that you had to get together.
- [41:24]
B
Yes.
- [41:25]
A
How many drunk nights did you guys have? Trying to develop this and get it right.
- [41:31]
B
So, you know, co. So Covid hit, right? So we always talked about doing a Bourbon. And I remember Covid hit and it was like I couldn't leave. Like, I was sort of a nomad. I was shooting these TV shows. I was like, up until Covid. And then I was stuck. We were all stuck. We couldn't leave. And I remember being in, in, in. We lived in the same little community at the time in. We had houses in, In Topanga. And I remember Ian called me up one day. He's like, hey, man, we're not doing. We can't leave our houses. We can't do anything. He's like, do you want to just come over and, like, blend some bourbon and, like, let's figure out how to blend some bourbon and, like, let's launch a bourbon. And I was like, yeah, I'm not doing anything else. So we. I just would go to his house, and we would just, like, like, drink. Create these blends for, like. And in his kitchen, we'd go by the fire pit outside, and we would just, like, try, like, he. I would come to his house, and he would have all these, like, graduated measuring cylinders. He looked like a mad. Like, you know, like in Back to the Future. What's his name? Doc. What was that? He kind of looked like that. His hair was. Everybody. It was mad. He had his. He had a beard. He was like. Had all this bourbon. It looked like a chemist. And I remember we were just like. We just, like, sp. Spent, like, months just, like, creating these blends that we liked, and then we finally found something we loved. And then, like, we sent it into this lab, essentially, to analyze the mash bill, and they were like, this is your mash bill. I was like, great. That's brothers bond. And then we, like, did a small friends and family round and raised a little bit of money and launched the bourbon, and boom.
- [43:04]
A
Congrats. That. It's, like, so crazy to see. And it's such a great idea. Obviously, you guys have. Have such a strong brand already in the two of you. But then to launch that, that felt very organic for you guys to do together.
- [43:17]
B
And we, like, genuinely, like. And this is not like, a plug. Like, we genuinely love bourbon. And, like, that's all we drank in Atlanta, you know, when we would film, finish filming, and be like, God, like, we just shot 14, 14, 15, 16 hours. Let's go to the bar. And we would always drink bourbon. That was, like, our thing. And so, like, the brothers Bond, obviously, it's like a nod to me and Ian on screen, we have a bond as brothers, but also, like, off screen, that was, like, our brother's bond, you know? I mean, so. But it's very funny because when we started the company, we didn't have a name. And we were, like, pitching Walmart and. And. And our CEOs, like, we need a name. And they're like, calls in an hour. We can't just, like, pitch a brand that doesn't have a name. And Ian's like, okay, I got it. I got it, I got it. I was like, okay, what is it? He's like, brother supreme. And I was like, brother Supreme. I was like, you, that's the worst name for a bourbon brand ever. I was like, we are not brothers Supreme. He's like, I think it should be Brother Supreme Stream. I was like, all right, give me a minute. And I sat there, I was like. And I started, like, texting all these. And I was like, brothers Bond. I was like, brothers bond. He's like, great, done. And then, like, 15 minutes. 15 minutes before our pitch to Walmart, we had the name Brothers.
- [44:24]
A
Well, I also love it because it's so you and Ian. Like, he basically came up with the first word, and then you're like, no, no, no, no, no. Second word is this. Boom.
- [44:32]
B
Go.
- [44:33]
A
Okay, Stefan obviously had doppelgangers, but do you have any alter egos when you're drinking, Paul?
- [44:41]
B
I'm like, you know, I'm, like, a pretty good drinker. Do you know what I mean? Which is probably not a good thing.
- [44:47]
A
Are you, like, happy? Are you quiet?
- [44:49]
B
No, I'm just, like, happy and, like, funny and, like, you know. You know, sometimes I do these Q and A's online.
- [44:57]
A
Oh, we're getting there.
- [44:58]
B
Okay. Like, half the time I'm, like, drinking. Okay, so, like, you know.
- [45:03]
A
Yeah, well, that's how.
- [45:05]
B
Maybe more than half the time.
- [45:06]
A
No, I love it so much. That's how I know. Like, that is some people's worst nightmare is like, I don't want to do anything online unless I am what, know exactly what I'm posting.
- [45:14]
B
You're like, oh, no.
- [45:15]
A
Oh, I'm drinking.
- [45:16]
B
Give me a drink. No, no, no. Give me a drink. I'll tell you what I like. What I don't react well to is, like, some people are like, oh, I'm going to smoke a joint, and then I'm relaxed. That's like, my worst nightmare. If I smoke a joint, which I don't. I don't react well to marijuana. I will be the most awkward, insecure. Like, I will have a total mental breakdown. Like, I'll have a panic attack. But if you give me, like, a bur or what? I'm, like, chilling.
- [45:41]
A
You're ready.
- [45:42]
B
I'm my real self.
- [45:43]
A
Okay, let's talk about those Q and A's.
- [45:46]
B
Yeah.
- [45:46]
A
You have really. You've really cornered the market unintentionally.
- [45:53]
B
For the record, this was not a master plan, Paul. Another byproduct of COVID Okay.
- [45:59]
A
A lot of good things came for you.
- [46:01]
B
I guess so.
- [46:02]
A
So you started posting this, like, close friends, Q and A thing, basically, and talk to me about the criteria for, you know, close friends.
- [46:12]
B
Okay, so this is how. This is the genesis. Okay? So a. A girl that works with us named Remy, who's awesome, she does all the brothers bond. Like, she does our social media, she does a lot of our marketing. She does whatever. Long story short, Remy was like, hey, there's this app that allows you to have close friends that subscribe to your, like, because I didn't have a close friends, like, on my own Instagram. And they're. She's like, it allows your fans to be close friends. It's this app thing. I forget the name of it. And I was like. She's like, should I sign you up? I'm like, sure, what the hell else am I doing? It's Covid. And so she's like, great, do whatever you want. I'm like, well, I'm not going to, like, it's not only fans. I'm not going to, like, post shirtless selfies, but I'm like, so what can I do? What can I do to, like, make people feel? So I'm like, how can I interact with people? So I just started doing these random, like, ask me a question and, like, let's just shoot the shit, you know? Know. And that. And then suddenly this was. I didn't realize that you could then take. Take those Q and as screen, record them. And then suddenly they ended up on TikTok. And I, by the way, unbeknownst to me, so suddenly I'm all over TikTok with these Q and as. And that is how this whole thing happens.
- [47:28]
A
It is like the through line of this is, Paul Wesley has no idea.
- [47:31]
B
I have no idea what the fuck is going on.
- [47:33]
A
This whole interview, you're like, by the way. And then. Then somehow this thing called Tick Tock.
- [47:38]
B
I know it sounds like it's this premeditated. I promise you it's not all just.
- [47:42]
A
No, no, I believe you.
- [47:43]
B
Yeah.
- [47:43]
A
You could tell.
- [47:44]
B
Yeah.
- [47:44]
A
Okay, so we're going to make the Daddy Gang feel like close friends of yours today.
- [47:48]
B
All right, let's do it.
- [47:49]
A
We're going to do a little Q and A.
- [47:50]
B
Okay.
- [47:50]
A
And you're going to get in the headspace of, like, your phone's in front of you. You had a little bourbon.
- [47:55]
B
Yeah.
- [47:55]
A
And you're just going to answer from the heart. Whatever comes to mind.
- [47:58]
B
Okay.
- [47:59]
A
What is something that really pissed you off lately?
- [48:01]
B
What is something that really pissed me off lately? Oh, my gosh. So many things piss me off all the time. Well, I haven't spoken to Ian in a week, so I've been Pretty calm. Zen. More than usual. No, I mean, listen, I love Ian, but he will drive me crazy because he is. He's too positive for. He's too. He's too glass half full. And I need some negativity in my life. So I would say, like, Ian, the answer is Ian.
- [48:36]
A
Why haven't you spoken to him in a week?
- [48:38]
B
I just. I don't know. I've been busy. Yeah, I gotta call. Should we call him?
- [48:41]
A
Please call him.
- [48:42]
B
We'll call him.
- [48:43]
A
Yeah, we'll call him. Call him now.
- [48:44]
B
Should we call him?
- [48:45]
A
Yeah, just say. Just tell him. Say hi.
- [48:47]
B
Okay.
- [48:47]
A
Come on, Ian.
- [48:48]
B
All right, let's see if he picks. By the way. He never picks up the phone. Let's just see. Maybe. Do I even have him? I don't even have him in my favorites. That just goes to show you in my phone. No, I have him in my phone.
- [48:56]
A
You have him in his. Ian Somerhald. Older.
- [48:58]
B
Yeah. Oh, my God. You're gonna laugh. I have him. I make fun of Ian's fedoras, his giant hat.
- [49:02]
A
Of course.
- [49:03]
B
I have a giant exaggerated fedora as his profile photo. He won't pick up. This is gonna piss me off. He asked me what pissed me off. This is what's gonna piss me off.
- [49:12]
A
Like, I'm in the middle.
- [49:13]
B
He never picks up.
- [49:15]
A
I feel like he would pick up. I feel like that's his personality.
- [49:18]
B
Come on, pick up.
- [49:19]
A
I feel like you're the one that wouldn't pick up.
- [49:21]
B
I'm the one. I definitely.
- [49:22]
A
Your call has been forwarded to Voice now.
- [49:24]
B
Are you kidding me? This is what pisses me off, Ian.
- [49:30]
A
Oh, wow. Okay, so he doesn't answer your calls often?
- [49:32]
B
No, he does. He's just. You know what? Ian's the kind of guy that, like, he's, like, literally will, like, put his phone down and corner someone for, like, three hours, and then you. No one can get a hold of him. And we're all just like, yeah, he's
- [49:43]
A
in one of those.
- [49:44]
B
He's very focused on what he's doing, which is probably a good thing. He's not a multitasker.
- [49:48]
A
Got it. Okay, good. Call her Daddy is brought to you by Airbnb. I am always looking to have a good time with my girlfriends, and I feel like the summer is the time to make sure that you are going on. I mean, multiple girls trips is the option, and that is where you book a stay on Airbnb. Okay, I booked a stay on Airbnb. Now you're gonna book a stay on Airbnb. Guys, summer is here. It's to assemble the group, chat and plan a fun trip. And one of the easiest things you can do when you plan your trip is book your stay on Airbnb. Get the space, amenities, and location you need to make your stay fun, seamless, and comfortable. It's so important when you are going on a girls trip to have the things that you really need. You know what I mean? Maybe it's a fire pit, maybe it's a hot tub. Maybe your friend's birthday trip is coming up and you don't know where to go. Literally, just go on Airbnb, scroll around, and you are going to find that one place that is meant for you to have the best trip. Okay. Whether you need a place for the friend group or somewhere calm and relaxing for a solo getaway, you'll find all kinds of options to help make the perfect trip on Airbnb. Call Her Daddy is brought to you by Shopify. If you've been waiting for the right time to start your business. Hi. Hello. This is your sign. Shopify has literally everything you need to bring your idea to life. Daddy gang. Doing everything yourself is so tough. And honestly, it's also unnecessary. Luckily, Shopify has Sidekick. It's basically an AI co founder that helps you build and grow. You literally get your own AI co founder, helping you with everything from generating reports, breaking down complex data, giving you marketing ideas. It's like having a genius co founder who never sleeps. Shopify's AI lets you focus on growth and creativity while it handles the rest best. You guys know I love Shopify. I have been using this literally since the day that I left Barstool and took over my business on my own. This is something that you absolutely need to be using. And I know so many people nowadays. It's like, we all want to be entrepreneurs. We all want to start that business. But the truth is, a lot of us are like, but what would be our first step? I'm telling you, Shopify is your first step. Serious about starting your own thing? Start your free trial at shopify.com/ Patty. Okay. What is something that gives your fiance, Natalie the ick about you?
- [52:18]
B
Oh, I refuse to go to bed unless I have a humidifier and a sound machine.
- [52:25]
A
Oh, wow.
- [52:26]
B
So I have to travel with a humidifier and sound machine.
- [52:29]
A
You're high maintenance.
- [52:30]
B
I like good sleep. It. Sleep's important to me. Sleep's important to me.
- [52:34]
A
Do you do the mouth tape?
- [52:35]
B
No. Mouth. Mouth tape.
- [52:36]
A
Okay. I. I cover eye cover earplugs sometimes. Oh, you're strapped in.
- [52:42]
B
I'm strapped in. Natalie's like, I'm not feeling turned on right now. She's like. She's like. I look over at you. You have a mouth guard, a sleep mask, a white noise machine, and a humidifier blowing in our faces. She's like, paul, can we just, like. Can you chill?
- [52:59]
A
Just tone it down?
- [53:00]
B
Can you just, like, relax?
- [53:02]
A
This is a good visual to have.
- [53:03]
B
Yeah. Or not.
- [53:04]
A
Not, you know? Yeah.
- [53:05]
B
Yeah.
- [53:06]
A
Okay. What is the craziest thing a fan has sent you?
- [53:09]
B
I mean, I have a crazy story. I don't know if this is something that they've sent me, but one time I came home. I was living at the time in the Hollywood Hills, and I came home from a. This is kind of a weird. This is actually kind of creepy. I came home from something, and it was like, the middle of the night, and I remember, like, at 11pm I pull up and I'm in. In. I don't live in this house anymore, so it's okay. But I pull up the driveway, and all of a sudden I see, like, like nine suitcases in my driveway. Okay. And, like, you know those. Like. It was the weirdest thing, you know, like back in the day when women would go to the hair stylist and they had those bowls.
- [53:45]
A
Yeah.
- [53:45]
B
What do they call them for? Like a.
- [53:46]
A
Like a. Yeah, like a perm.
- [53:48]
B
Like a perm bowl. It was a perm bowl.
- [53:50]
A
I was in your driveway.
- [53:51]
B
In my driveway. I was like, why is there a perm bowl in my drive? I was like, what is going on? And there was a fan there, and she goes, hey. And I was like, can I help you? And she's like, I. We've been emailing. You told me I can move in.
- [54:08]
A
I.
- [54:08]
B
By the way, I swear to God. And I was like, what are you talking about? She's been. She was emailing with someone who thought
- [54:15]
A
she was pretending to be you.
- [54:16]
B
Was pretending to me and said that I. She could move into my home and she brought the perm ball.
- [54:22]
A
I was gonna say, I don't know what's weirder. That she was ready to move in. Not weird at all.
- [54:28]
B
The perm bowl was the thing that weirded me out. The luggage. I was like, whatever. It's fine. We could deal with this. The perma. I was like, why does that have to come with it?
- [54:35]
A
I love also that we're going in a perm bowl.
- [54:37]
B
Yeah. Or whatever.
- [54:38]
A
Drier than is when you're getting a perm, Paul. So what did you do?
- [54:44]
B
I Just I said, look, look, it's not me. I haven't been email, first of all. I was like, how do you know where I live? And she's like, what do you mean everyone knows? I was like, everyone knows. I was like, what are you talking about? So that was.
- [54:58]
A
Yeah, yeah. That's weird.
- [54:59]
B
That was weird.
- [55:00]
A
I also heard someone sent you a big box of sausages.
- [55:04]
B
Oh, yeah, yeah, someone did send me a big box of s. Thanks for reminding me. But yeah, no, I did. I did get sausages.
- [55:11]
A
And what, what did you take from that?
- [55:12]
B
That I didn't eat the sausages. Yeah, I don't, I don't know if it was innuendo, if it was just. Maybe it's cuz I'm Polish. Yeah, we'll go basa.
- [55:21]
A
It will make you feel better.
- [55:22]
B
If that was it, it was because of the Kasa.
- [55:24]
A
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [55:24]
B
Maybe they were meant for Ian.
- [55:26]
A
So for.
- [55:27]
B
They were so. They were like, get this to Ian. I was like, no, no worries, I'll get that over to him.
- [55:32]
A
Love Island. Have you watched?
- [55:33]
B
I've never seen Love island.
- [55:34]
A
So. Do you not know what the clam slam.
- [55:38]
B
I have no idea what the hell you're talking about is the weirdest thing I've ever heard in my life.
- [55:44]
A
If you had to think about like, all right, a clam slam, I, I what?
- [55:48]
B
I don't even know where to start. Okay, okay, walk me through this.
- [55:54]
A
This is your new Madison beer. Okay, so everyone in the world is talking about like the clam slam.
- [55:59]
B
Clearly not everyone in the world, but, you know, nothing. Yeah, okay.
- [56:03]
A
It's the clam slam that was heard about around the world, basically. Okay, so there is this woman, Kenzie, and on Love Island.
- [56:09]
B
Yeah.
- [56:10]
A
She could just be mid conversation with you and then she just drops to the ground and she does a split. I can't. I'm seeing your face. Oh my God, I'm laughing so hard. It's just a quick little onew, boom.
- [56:26]
B
To the ground. What? I mean, this is so, so to the point, left field.
- [56:32]
A
I don't even know, but I just didn't know maybe you Jersey. I don't know. Like, do you know? What.
- [56:42]
B
Are you, what are you asking me?
- [56:45]
A
I guess I was wondering like, as.
- [56:47]
B
Have I seen a clam slam in the Jersey Shore? What?
- [56:50]
A
Have you ever seen a clam slam in real life?
- [56:53]
B
Like, I have never. I didn't even know. I don't even know. I don't even know what to say. I met it for the first time in my life. I'm at a loss for words.
- [57:03]
A
I have not laughed this hard in
- [57:04]
B
the interview and so. Yeah. No.
- [57:07]
A
Okay. So you've never witnessed a clam slam?
- [57:10]
B
No, no.
- [57:11]
A
Okay.
- [57:12]
B
My mind now.
- [57:12]
A
No, this is good, this is good because the Love island fans are going to love that. We're moving on, please. Kenzie's gonna love that one.
- [57:22]
B
Okay.
- [57:23]
A
Okay. Are you and Justin Bieber in any way related?
- [57:25]
B
I don't think so. I don't. Not to my know, village.
- [57:29]
A
You see, people say you guys look like.
- [57:30]
B
Yeah, not when. When I was younger. It is true. Yeah. I've seen some photos of the fans have taken photos of the two of us and they put them. And. Yes. No.
- [57:39]
A
Have you ever met him?
- [57:42]
B
I don't think so.
- [57:43]
A
Okay, we gotta get that together.
- [57:45]
B
Yeah.
- [57:45]
A
Okay. Someone who also looked like you. There was a Halloween costume situation.
- [57:51]
B
Oh, yeah.
- [57:53]
A
And yeah, I. I'm gonna have to find the pictures and put them up because when I was looking at them.
- [57:59]
B
Yeah.
- [58:00]
A
That. It is so insane.
- [58:02]
B
It's unbelievable.
- [58:03]
A
Can you talk. Tell the story to everyone watching of, like, what happened, Paul?
- [58:07]
B
Right, okay. Well, I just. I don't even know how they came to my. Like, how did I. How I learned about them, but effectively, like, I just started getting word of these that I was. People were like, hey, man, like, I didn't know you were doing Halloween costumes now. And I was. Was like, what? Like, what are you talking about? Like, yeah, yeah, my sister just saw you in the Halloween store and like, yeah, man, like, you're hard on cash. Like, what's going on? I was like, what is. So I was like, somebody find me these Halloween costumes. And suddenly fans started sending them to me. People online were like, hey, Paul, I just saw you at this Halloween store. And they would send me photos. And so I got wind of these Halloween costumes that are so unbelievable because they're so awful, where they just literally took my face. And they would put them on various. It's almost like a comedy. They would put me in like various positions, like, you know, like Luigi. But then like, the. The mustache was upside down. And then they'd be like, warrior, warrior, you know, Zen warrior, master. And it was like me in a robe. And I called my lawyer and I'm like, what can I do about this? Like, there's Halloween costumes with my. My. I was like, one. There was one with me with a sombrero. It was like, unbelievable. And I was like, where did they come up with these ideas anyway? I had a few people bring them to me. Like, I actually have them. Physically have them. So anyway, my lawyer found out the company that was making the Halloween costumes, and she was like, hey, cease and desist. Like, what are you doing? Like, you cannot use my client's face. And they were like, we have no idea what you're talking about. They're like, this is not. This is someone that looks. Looks like Paul Wesley. This is not Paul Wesley. Like, this is. And. And it's literally my face. And my. I'm like, what do we do? She's like, we don't. It's a company out of, like, the company's base in China. Like, we don't know how to get to. We don't know what to do. So to my knowledge, they're still producing these Halloween costumes.
- [60:03]
A
Wesley's still out there.
- [60:04]
B
He's out there, like. And I'm just like, GI Joe. And there's always a new one. There's like, doctor. And then it's like. But then it's like, my. Like, my hands are huge, but then I have these, like, short legs. It's like the weirdest. It's like, they're, like the worst Halloween costumes ever.
- [60:18]
A
And so you just keep seeing, like,
- [60:20]
B
every Halloween, there's like, a new. I'm. I'm playing. It's like. It's like cosplay. Like, I'm playing a new character.
- [60:26]
A
Oh, my God. And so you have no compensation for this.
- [60:29]
B
No comp, by the way. I should be getting tons of compensation.
- [60:31]
A
Through the roof.
- [60:32]
B
Through the roof. Okay.
- [60:34]
A
That's really weird.
- [60:35]
B
Yeah. Yeah.
- [60:37]
A
Can you. This is. This is a really big question.
- [60:40]
B
Yeah.
- [60:40]
A
So I need you to lock in.
- [60:41]
B
Okay.
- [60:42]
A
Can you.
- [60:43]
B
I'm still thrown off from the clam slam, but I'm still recovering, by the way. Like, I'm frazzled.
- [60:48]
A
Well, I started sweating. I was laughing so hard.
- [60:51]
B
Yeah, me too. I snorted. I don't snort.
- [60:54]
A
The clam slam will go down, you know. What? The clam slam.
- [60:58]
B
Yeah, it will.
- [60:59]
A
Perfect. Drink.
- [60:59]
B
Literally,
- [61:02]
A
this is. This is a good transition from the clam slam.
- [61:05]
B
Okay.
- [61:06]
A
It's kind of same caliber.
- [61:08]
B
Okay. What?
- [61:10]
A
Lock in.
- [61:10]
B
Okay.
- [61:11]
A
Can you define Stepy?
- [61:20]
B
I gotta lock in.
- [61:21]
A
Yep. That's what I. I said. Take your time.
- [61:24]
B
I gotta take my time with us.
- [61:25]
A
Need a water break? Whatever you got to do.
- [61:26]
B
It's a bit. It's a bit. It's a bit of an enigma. It. It really is. Is. I was doing the Q and A, as you know, the infamous Q and A. And. And one of the questions, someone called me a stepsy, and I was like, I am going to answer that question. They say. I think they said, are you a step fussy or something like that? And I was like, I'm going to answer because I could choose the questions, you know, So I willingly chose that question. Question. I was like, I think this is a good idea. This is a good one to answer. And I. And I was like. And I don't remember. I somehow was like, yeah, I guess I am a step. And somehow this became the greatest. Like, now when I walk down the street, I swear to God, people aren't like, hey, Paul. Or like, hey, you know, Stefan from the Vampire Diaries or whatever, any other thing. They're just like, what's up, Steph? So now for the rest of my life. Life, I am a step. Because I. Someone asked me if I was a stuff on my Q A. Paul. So, Paul, if you want you tell me what a step is.
- [62:41]
A
I have no idea. Nor do I. I can't even.
- [62:45]
B
Like, we kind of maybe understand what it is. Yeah.
- [62:49]
A
It's almost better to not define it.
- [62:50]
B
It's almost better to not define it because it could be whatever it is for anyone.
- [62:54]
A
And we can't put it in a box.
- [62:55]
B
Exactly. Exactly. We can't put it in a box. Yeah.
- [62:59]
A
Wow.
- [63:00]
B
Yeah. And by the way, I keep waiting for it to fade. I'm like, surely in time. I will no longer.
- [63:07]
A
You're on. Call her daddy.
- [63:08]
B
It's been years.
- [63:09]
A
Stephousy question.
- [63:10]
B
Oh, no, no. It's been years.
- [63:11]
A
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [63:12]
B
It will not leave me.
- [63:13]
A
But you did it to yourself.
- [63:14]
B
I did it to myself.
- [63:15]
A
You almost wonder who. Who was that person? Who.
- [63:21]
B
And are they pissed that they are not getting the credit?
- [63:23]
A
Credit Come forward.
- [63:25]
B
And how do you prove. How do you prove it?
- [63:26]
A
How do you prove who came up with Steph?
- [63:30]
B
Some genius. Some genius. Who knows? Who knows?
- [63:35]
A
We're going to circle back to that.
- [63:37]
B
We will.
- [63:37]
A
I have a question.
- [63:38]
B
Yes.
- [63:39]
A
Even though obviously you touched on this way earlier, but I still have to ask. When you and Nina started Vampire Diaries and you were like, we hated other. How did you. When you look back, how did you two come together and make it look so good on camera?
- [63:55]
B
Cuz I'm like, just, you know, just for the record, it's not that. It was like. We immediately were like, I hate you. It wasn't like that. We were like, actually great. And then it was just like we would have these like it slowly. You know, it was like, first of all, we were all in our 20s. I was. Was. I will take a lot of Responsibility. Because I was a bit of a curmudgeon. I was, like, a bit of a grumpy pain in the ass. I was like, I'm taking my acting seriously.
- [64:24]
A
Yeah, I heard you were a little intense.
- [64:26]
B
No phones on set. Like, I was a little bit int. I was a little bit intense. I was a little bit intense. And then, you know, everyone else was, like, a little bit more chill. And so I think I'm going to take a lot of responsibility for being a bit of a pain in the ass.
- [64:40]
A
Okay.
- [64:41]
B
All right. So that's. That's. That's number one. Number one. And so. But we were both professional, and we both knew and the work mattered to us. So regardless. So we would. We would, like, butt heads on set. But then the minute the cameras rolled, it was like. We knew we wanted to make it magical. And, like, some actors just. You can be, like, have two really good actors, and the chemistry isn't there for whatever reason. Nina and I had this chemistry. And I remember when I was auditioning for the Vampire Dare, Larry's Screen testing for it, it was like, me and nine other guys. And I remember, like, all these guys were like, you know, kind of kissing her ass, trying to, like, you know, whatever. And I remember I just was like, I'm not gonna look at her. I'm not gonna look at her. I'm not even gonna acknowledge her. Cause I wanna meet her in the audition. I wanna meet her for the first time in the audition. And that. Cause our scene was us meeting for the first time. And I just remember being in the audition at Warner Brothers, like, in front of all the executives, and just, like, we looked at each other and it was just like. Like this immediate chemistry, and we were these two characters, and it just was magical. And so regardless of us not, like, getting along, it somehow clicked. I don't know. I guess I didn't really answer your question.
- [65:56]
A
No. Like, when did you guys start to be like, okay, like, maybe we can be friends? Like, was it, like, season one? We were like, you know what?
- [66:02]
B
No, it was like, season. It was like season. So her last season was season six.
- [66:08]
A
Okay. You're like, that's.
- [66:10]
B
Yeah, yeah, her. And then five minutes before she left. No, no. And I just rem. Like, in. During season six, I remember we, like. We all kind of grew up, and I chilled out, and I was like, less of a pain in the ass. And I just remember looking at her, and I was like, you know what, Nina? She. I was like, you're gonna miss me one day. I said that to her. I was like, you're gonna miss me one day. And she's like, maybe, maybe. And I remember, like, then, like, she. And then, like, years. Like, two years went by, and we kind of kept in touch, and then she came back to do the finale. Alley. And I, like, look. And we. We, like, hadn't worked together in two years, and I, like, we, like, looked at each other, and I was like. I was like, I missed you. You know what I mean? Like, I missed her. Like, I missed having her around. And then. And then, like, it was like, just. And then to this day, she's always like, I remember you said to me, you're gonna. You're gonna miss me one day. And you know what? You were right. Like, you were right. And it was like, it's just like, this thing that just, like, slowly happens.
- [67:06]
A
Well, you know what's also cool about that? And. And because I remember talking to n about it, it's like, the amount of episodes that you guys were doing, TV shows don't really do it like that anymore. Like, how many were in a season?
- [67:17]
B
22. Sometimes we would do 23.
- [67:19]
A
I wish we could go back to those days so I could just binge it all. But now there's, like, eight. But, like, that amount, you guys were together so much, and so sometimes you almost, like, don't recognize what you have until it's gone kind of thing.
- [67:30]
B
Absolutely. And I also think, like, it's different environments. Like, you're. You're. There was a lot of stress, you know, and you're young, and, like, the. There was this whole, like, you know, this was, like, very pop culture, you know, like, we were, like, at the forefront. It was very different from, like, having, like, a success in, like, a prestige show where it's like, yeah, people know you, but you don't have, like, screaming, you know, fans. And we had this, like, a lot of pressure, and it kind of like, we just didn't know. I. I'm going to speak for myself. I didn't know how to handle it in a way that was, like. Like, really mature.
- [68:01]
A
Yeah, it was. I was going to ask, like, the becoming so famous and having such a fandom, like, how. How did you feel about it in the beginning? And how did you, like, navigate that?
- [68:14]
B
I was really very deeply uncomfortable, truthfully. And I'm not just saying that. It's like, oh, humility. Like, I genuinely, like, was deeply uncomfortable, and I kind of, like, turned into, like, a bit of a recluse. Like, I didn't go out that much. I didn't do that much. And thank God we were in, in a way, thank God we were in Atlanta because we were kind of like separated from the Hollywood and all the parties and all the nonsense and so. But I definitely like sort of like tried to hide under a rock a little bit, you know. And I didn't like luxuriate in that moment because it's such a special time. You know. Acting is such a difficult career and like to have something that's successful that people love and people like look forward to is such a privilege, you know. And I didn't take it for, it's not that I didn't, I, I, I didn't take it for granted but I definitely, the things that came with it, I didn't enjoy them. Whereas now I'd be like this is awesome. You know, but at the time I just didn't equipped.
- [69:11]
A
Did you guys in Atlanta like would you guys hang out and like go to bars all together? Cuz you're together 24 7.
- [69:17]
B
Totally, absolutely.
- [69:18]
A
Were you able to go out?
- [69:19]
B
Yeah, yeah, it was, we had like our one bar that was like our stomping ground that was like our bar. And it was, it doesn't exist anymore but it was called Krog Bar and it was this tiny little bar, it was like a wine bar. And we took it over every Friday night, every Saturday night. It was like our thing. The all the whole cast would go, the crew would go and that was like. And nobody else would. And like nobody else really went. And that was like our thing. And we didn't really go anywhere else.
- [69:46]
A
Oh my God. That makes us, that makes me really happy. Call Her Daddy is brought to you by Zip Recruiter. Here's the thing. I am naturally a very competitive person. I played Division 1 sports. I'm constantly like, who's in my way? Who do I gotta beat to get to the top? I'm ready to go. Let's go. And no matter what you pursue in life, let's just be real. There is always going to be competition. So if you want to win, you have to up your game and stand out. Out. And this is especially true if you are looking for a job. Daddy Gang. Fortunately, Daddy Gang ziprecruiters got it figured out with their new feature that lets you be seen first. Ready to get started? Let's go to ziprecruiter.com daddy so basically when you apply for a job, you can be seen first. Just tell the employer why you're interested in the role and your application jumps to the top of their list. ZipRecruiter matches you up with the right jobs in minutes. In fact, you nearly double your chances of talking to an employer. No wonder ZipRecruiter is the number one rated job site based on G2. So, ready to push your job search to the next level? Use Zip Recruiter. Try it out now by going to ZipRecruiter.com Daddy. That's ZipRecruiter.com daddy. Daddy. Call her daddy. Is brought to you by ritual. Let me tell you a little something. I love summer. Oh, I love summer so much. But when I tell you, I get so excited for my plans, and then I'm like, oh, my God. But then I'm gonna eat and I'm gonna be out, and then I'm gonna. Oh, my God, am I gonna have digestion issues? Am I gonna get bloated? Am I gonna 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 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'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 good. 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. Okay. Okay. Stefan, rock in. If Stefan had told Elena in season one that he stalked her because she looked like Catherine, do you think their relationship would have survived?
- [72:49]
B
Probably. It's kind of creepy, kind of weird. No, I don't think it would have.
- [72:53]
A
Okay. Did Stefan and Caroline's relationship feel like a natural evolution to you?
- [72:57]
B
Not really.
- [72:59]
A
I agree. Yeah, I, I, I didn't need that.
- [73:02]
B
Yeah.
- [73:02]
A
Do you think he should have ended up with Caroline or like Elena?
- [73:05]
B
I think the brothers should have died together and he should have ended up with no one.
- [73:09]
A
Oh, my God.
- [73:10]
B
Morbid Ian feels the same.
- [73:13]
A
Wow. Have you guys talked about that a lot?
- [73:17]
B
Oh, yeah. Ian's like, I wish I died with you. He's, like, so upset.
- [73:23]
A
So you guys.
- [73:23]
B
Oh, my God, he's so upset.
- [73:25]
A
Oh, wow.
- [73:26]
B
Yeah.
- [73:26]
A
Okay. I'm glad you guys agree, though.
- [73:28]
B
Yeah.
- [73:28]
A
Did you ever take anything from set?
- [73:30]
B
Yes. I took the daylight ring and then I lost it.
- [73:36]
A
Paul.
- [73:37]
B
Can you believe it? Ian still has Paul. I took a pair of jeans. They still have Stefan on them.
- [73:42]
A
They had them engraved. His stuff?
- [73:45]
B
No, just so they wouldn't get mixed up with Damon's.
- [73:47]
A
Oh, like on the back?
- [73:48]
B
Yeah. No, in the inside, they put Stefan.
- [73:51]
A
You lost your ring.
- [73:52]
B
I lost my ring.
- [73:53]
A
So you guys can't, like, go to events and wear your rings together. You need to get.
- [73:56]
B
Not that we would do that. Anyway. Anyway, come on. Go to events and wear my ring.
- [74:01]
A
Me literally going, oh, but. But you have them, and Ian theoretically puts his on. No.
- [74:07]
B
Oh. Ian's like, I have my ring on just to give him a taste of Damon. I was like, you're a loser.
- [74:13]
A
But you're also secretly like, I wish
- [74:15]
B
I had mine, but I secretly am jealous.
- [74:16]
A
We need to. He needs to get you one made for your birthday. Yes, I'll work on that. Yes. Okay. Who do you identify I most with in real life? Stefan, Silas or Tom Avery?
- [74:31]
B
Silas.
- [74:33]
A
That is such a good segue to the next one.
- [74:35]
B
Okay.
- [74:36]
A
Where do you stand with Matt Donovan today?
- [74:41]
B
I firstly love Zach Rorg, who played Matt Donovan. I have a. My whole gag with Matt Donovan. The whole reason I always giving Matt Donovan is because Matt Donovan was the only human. He's the only mortal. Okay. And he's the only one that, like, didn't die.
- [75:00]
A
How did he not die?
- [75:01]
B
And I'm like, how did Stefan die? Like, nine times? And then, like, how did Elena. He also, there's this one scene where, like, Stefan, I don't know if you remember this, like, Elena's drowning in a car with Matt Donovan and Stephen, like, this immortal vampire. And I'm like, I'm going to go save the love of my life. And he dives down there and he's, like, trying to get her out, and she's like, no, no, no. Don't save me. Save Matt Donovan and Matt and. And Stefan's like, okay. And then he just takes Matt Donovan and she drowns. So, like, I have this, like. You know, I'm like, what is going on? Okay, we.
- [75:35]
A
I forgot that it was Matt Donovan in the car.
- [75:38]
B
That's my whole beef. That's my beef.
- [75:40]
A
Wait, that was so unbelievable. But it was cuz, like, Elena felt bad for Matt Donovan.
- [75:46]
B
Whatever. Imagine. Are you kidding me? Like, what? No, we don't care about. We don't. We don't. We do not. I mean, we love. We love. Look, Matt was an instrumental character and we love Matt Donovan, but we will. The love of my life here. Come on. I'm going to say I'm not going to save the sheriff and you save. And I saved the sheriff and let her drown. Okay. So to this day, it's a big problem for me.
- [76:08]
A
As it should be.
- [76:09]
B
Thank you.
- [76:10]
A
What storyline could you just not get behind? Still? Still.
- [76:15]
B
Oh, God, there was so many story lines because we did like 170 episodes. It's like. It's like my brain is like. It's all just like this mishmash. Yeah. I mean, there was a couple. What? There was like these. What? What did they have these. These. Gosh, you know the show better than me. I've even seen the show. Show. They had these. I've never seen it. I've. I've seen. I've seen the first couple of episodes and then I directed a few episodes. I. I watched the episodes. I directed. I've never seen the show otherwise, so I actually don't remember.
- [76:46]
A
Well, we got to do like a watch.
- [76:48]
B
Should we wear daylight rings and, you
- [76:50]
A
know, you want to make some bank.
- [76:53]
B
Yeah.
- [76:53]
A
You and Ian rewatch podcast Vampire Diaries.
- [76:58]
B
I. That. That would probably do.
- [77:01]
A
Well, call me.
- [77:02]
B
I'll call you. Can we, like, do a. Yeah, we'll
- [77:04]
A
do a whole thing.
- [77:05]
B
Unwell.
- [77:05]
A
Yeah, I got a whole. I got a whole studio for you. We'll make it look like Mystic Falls.
- [77:09]
B
Okay. Let's discuss. We'll talk.
- [77:11]
A
We're going to do a whole.
- [77:12]
B
We'll talk offline.
- [77:13]
A
We're going to get everyone too excited. So now you actually have to do it.
- [77:15]
B
That is.
- [77:16]
A
You can't fall through. Let's talk about your love life.
- [77:19]
B
Okay.
- [77:19]
A
H. God. You got engaged last summer. Yes, last summer. Congratulations. You guys met in the Washington wild, which is like, so few people meet in the wild now. So can you indulge us? Like, how did you guys meet?
- [77:32]
B
You know what's funny? Ian was there.
- [77:34]
A
Of course he was there.
- [77:36]
B
Ian was there. I. So it was. There was. We were promoting Brothers Bond, and my buddy owned a bar. The bar doesn't exist anymore, sadly, in the East Village. And he said, hey, pop into our bar and like, we'll we'll get you guys a Brothers Bond cocktail, and we'll, you know. You know, whatever, shoot a few photos for us, like, get us some press for the bar. And, like, we'll. We'll support Brothers Bond, and he's a good friend of mine. I was like, yeah, of course. Let's do it. So we were like, Ian and I were in New York, and I was like, let's pop into this bar. So we went to the bar in the East Village, and we were shooting some content and stuff, and I had a couple other friends meet me there, and. And I just see this beautiful woman sitting there, and I was like, who's this, like, hot girl? I was like, I. And I looked at her, and I was like, okay, I don't want to be creepy. I'm not going to look. And. But then I saw her look at me. Me. And I was like, aha. It's like, okay. So clearly there's, like, some. Something's going on. So I was like, I'm just gonna go. And I never, like, I, like. I, like, don't hit on girls. It's, like, not my thing. I'm terrible at it. And I. Whatever. So I was like, I'm just gonna go there, and I'm just gonna, like, say hi and thank God my friend who owns the bar happened to be there. And I walk over, and he's like, hey. And he's like, hey, by the way, have you met Natalie? And she was right there. So thank God he introduced us, because it probably would have been a disaster if I just, like, cold. Cold, you know, whatever.
- [78:56]
A
Yeah.
- [78:56]
B
And I said, hey, nice to meet you. We started talking and found out she was from Europe as well. She spoke five languages. I'm. I speak two languages. And we started talking and then just, like, just really hit it off. And that was it. That was kind of like, you know. And then just like. I left the next day, actually. We just, like, exchanged numbers, and I left. I left for Europe. I went on a guy's trip to Europe, to Italy, funnily enough. And then we just were texting, and I would send her some pics from Italy. And then I got back to New York, and she was still there. And then I asked her out on a date when I got back, because we had been texting for, like, a few weeks.
- [79:32]
A
And then fast forward. You're now engaged, and now we're engaged. How. How was the proposal? Were you stressed? Did you put a lot of thought behind it?
- [79:40]
B
Like, I. I put some thought behind It. Because. So I had to go to. Once we started dating, we hadn't been dating for very long, and I had to go to Italy for. I was doing a. There's a. There's a magazine called Icon. It's an Italian whatever. It's a cool fashion mag. And I did the COVID And we were doing a launch party in Rome, and they were like, you can bring a guest if you want. And we kind of, like, we'd only been seeing each other for a little bit. And I said, hey, do you want to come with me to this, to Rome? And she's like, sure. So it was in October. All the hotels were closing. I was like, let's rent a car and drive down to the Amalfi Coast. Like, let's just go see. Like, I didn't book anything. And there's a hotel down there. There Belmond Caruso, it's called. And it was the final day before the closing for the season of Final Two Days. So we. And I booked a room, and I was like, we had the hotel for ourselves, and we had this, like, magical time there, and really kind of, like, fell in love. And so I thought. So I thought, why don't I contact the hotel? This is years later when I went to Pros. And tell them the story and tell them I want to propose there. And so I contacted the Belma. I said, hey, this was, like, our first trip together, and I want to make it special. And they were so awesome. This. This girl, actually, her name's Elena, funnily enough, who works at the Belmond. Now. She works for a different company, but at the time, she worked for Belmont. She's like, of course I'm gonna make it really special. So she set up this. We. We sort of talked about it. On our last night there, I took her to the Belmond. And our last night there, there's this, like, private olive grove. And she set up this long table with candles and a private chef. And I. And I tricked Natalie. I was like, hey, you know, the Belmont wants to do, like, a goodbye. Like, a goodbye dinner for us. Cause it's our last night here. And she's like, oh, that's so nice. I was like, dress? Yeah, dress nicely. Like, you know, I was like. I was like. And I kind of, like, made it, you know, like it was them, like, the Belmont did this and not me. And then we got there, and she was kind of suspect. And then, of course, that's when she realized. And then I popped a question. That's when she realized, like, oh, this was a setup. Paul set this whole thing up.
- [81:49]
A
Paul, that is so romantic.
- [81:51]
B
Yeah, it was, it was really sweet. Wow.
- [81:53]
A
It's also so sweet to like, connect it to an early core memory that you guys had together and bring it back. Wow. Oh, my God. I'm so happy for you.
- [82:01]
B
Thank you.
- [82:02]
A
Well, you have a lot to look forward to. You are starring in season four of Star Trek. Strange new worlds.
- [82:09]
B
Yeah.
- [82:10]
A
Can you give fans anything? Like, what can we. We expect.
- [82:14]
B
So I love this show so much and I, I play a young James Kirk, which, you know, is one of the most iconic characters like, in the history of television. So obviously it was like a huge honor for me to be given this role. And you know, what I love about our show is that pays homage to the original TOS from the 1960s, which is such a important, iconic piece of television history and so important to so many people. While we also pay homage. Homage to that. But we also kind of create our own spin, our modernized spin. And we sort of like, we tell the story pre Enterprise. So this is Kirk, James Kirk before he was captain. He's Lieutenant Kirk. He's not as like, he's not. It's like the genesis of who he is, but it's really about like the, the, the crew that was on the Enterprise prior to James Kirk taking the helm as captain. And this show is like, it's this beautifully imaginative, adventurous, cinematic series that has humor and heart and we explore all different genres. And if you watch. Sorry, if I'm blabbing. I love, I love this show so I can like, go on about it. What I love about the original series about Star Trek is that it is so optimistic, it is so filled with imagination. And our show is exactly that. It's like this. Every episode is like kind of like individual. You can enjoy them, like individually because they all have their own, like, sort of like story of the week. But there's this beautiful through line with all the relationships and all the characters and I don't know, we're just really proud of it and we want people to tune in.
- [83:57]
A
No, of course, as you should be proud of it also. It's so cool, like being a part of such a huge franchise, obviously. And now obviously, knowing you and knowing how much you take your craft really seriously, it's so cool to hear you also talk about like, recognizing what was so well done before and still having the respect for that and also leaning into a new version and finding a way to bring that to life while still. Yeah, it's really cool.
- [84:23]
B
Yeah, I'm proud. It's a lot of pressure, obviously, because it's like William Shatner. It's like, I'm not, you know, it's like, no pressure. He is. Yeah, exactly. Yeah.
- [84:32]
A
Kirk's look is quite, you know, the switch up from Stefan's. Like, talk to me about that costume.
- [84:38]
B
Well, I mean, it's the Starfleet uniform. It's like, it's. It's very. Everyone's kind of wearing the same thing. Although I will say, when he's. When he's not on the ship, you do see him in some civilian clothing. But, like, you know, it's definitely a switch up. Like, it's definitely. And I sort of lean into this sort of. You know, Kirk can be interpreted in so many different ways. And my interpretation of Kirk is like, a little bit more. Less of the kind of, you know, machismo, kind of like ladies man that sort of, like, is in pop culture. And he's more of, like, kind of this. I wouldn't say, like, bookish, but he's definitely, like, a little bit more of the sort of not nerdy Kirk, but, like. Like, like still coming of age Kirk, like, still trying to find out how to be, like, a captain. You know what I mean?
- [85:31]
A
That's what I love so much about. Like, obviously, everything you've done so far, like, this is so different from Stefan.
- [85:37]
B
Yeah.
- [85:37]
A
And then even this, I feel like, is so different from what you're about to do on the show that we're making, because the character on you deserve to know. Like, your character is pretty sus.
- [85:48]
B
Yeah. And like, you know, when you're. When you're. When you're. When you get cast in a show or when you're. When you're starring in a show that has become so popular, it is so difficult to break away from that image. Right. Like, that's such a thing. Like, it's like a CW thing, too, I feel like. Or even like friends or whatever. And so, like, my whole goal ever since I ended my work on the Vampire Diaries has been like, what can I do? That's the opposite of Stefan. Like, how can I possibly. How can I differentiate myself? Because I don't want to be. You know, I mean, now I am. Now I am step fussy.
- [86:22]
A
You were forever step.
- [86:23]
B
At least I have that going for me.
- [86:24]
A
No, no, no. That is, like, in the hall of Fame, like, Stefan Salvatore is kind of
- [86:29]
B
yet to the wayside, like, in the shadows. Right? Like, it's not a big deal. It's not a big deal. Anymore.
- [86:33]
A
It's step through and through. But that's not even like a television character now. So now you can focus on Kirk. You can focus on, you know, our new show. Stefan's over there. But it is Seth Fussy is kind of like the top co. And then
- [86:45]
B
we have all these little things, like unwed. Well. Right. And then it's like we have. Yeah, there's a bunch of different. And it's like. And then within that is, you know,
- [86:54]
A
that needs to be on your trailer. Yeah, I'm gonna make sure that's on your trailer, please. Do you have anything weird on your rider? Like, should I know about anything? Not that I'm gonna be feeling on my writer. No, no. Yeah, like, you know.
- [87:05]
B
Oh, you mean like we, we just, we want this? Yeah.
- [87:07]
A
Like what's on your writer?
- [87:08]
B
No. Should I start being that guy?
- [87:09]
A
I don't know.
- [87:10]
B
I feel like Ian would have good in his ride. I feel like he would have like hair mirrors and hair products and a cowboy fedoras.
- [87:16]
A
You don't ask for anything.
- [87:17]
B
I don't ask for any. I, I, I'm going to start. What should I ask for?
- [87:20]
A
You need to put a rider together and we're going to make sure.
- [87:23]
B
What do you ask for?
- [87:24]
A
I asked for like sour patch and like, no iced tea.
- [87:28]
B
You can do that.
- [87:28]
A
Oh, my God. Yeah. Before I was pregnant, I'd have like Casamigos Reposado in there if I need a little hit.
- [87:34]
B
Brothers bond.
- [87:35]
A
Brothers bond. I told you when you gave me
- [87:37]
B
that bottle, by the way, you loved it.
- [87:39]
A
Matt and I, I drank it. We were like, oh. And then it was so nice, cuz like, it was really good. And I was like, okay, now, like, no, no, no, you're right.
- [87:47]
B
You don't have to, you don't have to pretend.
- [87:48]
A
Delicious. Okay, so we'll work on your writer. Yeah, Please, Paul, this has been so fun.
- [87:53]
B
Such a pleasure.
- [87:54]
A
I am so like, I love getting to talk to people who have such a good personality. And you are one of those people where I could talk to you for forever. But the range in this episode from Jersey Shore, from Don Bonnie, then we had the step Fussy Clam Slam.
- [88:11]
B
Yeah.
- [88:12]
A
How is this not called.
- [88:14]
B
Yeah.
- [88:15]
A
And the Clam Slayer.
- [88:16]
B
It has to be your publicist spin off. Yeah. They're gonna see in the Clam Slam.
- [88:22]
A
They're like, what is it? No, that was.
- [88:25]
B
What have you done? Yeah, this was.
- [88:28]
A
We were going on here with a vision and you went completely.
- [88:31]
B
Now we're just. Yeah, we went off on a tangent
- [88:33]
A
no, it was so, so fun getting to sit with you and talk with you and I, you know, I'm a big fan and all the things. Thank you for your time.
- [88:41]
B
Thank you so much. Thanks for having me.
- [88:58]
A
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