Podcast Summary: Just Trish – Episode Featuring Aubrey Anderson-Emmons

Introduction

In this episode of Just Trish, host Trisha Paytas welcomes Modern Family star Aubrey Anderson-Emmons to discuss her journey from child stardom to her current endeavors in music and beyond. Joined by Aubrey's mother, the conversation delves into Aubrey's experiences on set, balancing education with acting, the challenges of child acting, and her aspirations for the future.

1. Welcome and Introduction [00:46 - 01:04]

Trisha introduces Aubrey Anderson-Emmons, highlighting her role as Lily in Modern Family and her growing presence on social media where she shares food reviews and musical performances.

2. Aubrey’s Acting Journey

a. Auditioning and Early Rejections [00:00 - 00:18]

Aubrey opens up about her early attempts to join the acting world, mentioning:

“I did audition for Nickelodeon once when I was like, right before I quit. They hated me. They hated me.” [00:00]

b. Modern Family Experience [01:04 - 08:48]

Trisha and Aubrey discuss the inception of Aubrey’s role in Modern Family, including the dynamics on set and the possibility of spin-offs:

“So I don't think it was meant for me. I did audition for Nickelodeon once… They hated me.” [00:00]

They explore how Aubrey navigated being a child star:

“It's a very rare thing that I currently meet someone I'm currently hyper fixated on. Meaning we just restarted Modern Family… it's so surreal to see you in person.” [01:18]

Aubrey shares insights into the production schedule, emphasizing a manageable workload:

“Sometimes I wouldn't work at all in a week or I'd work one to three days.” [08:48]

c. Spin-Off Rumors and Network Decisions [43:10 - 44:07]

The conversation touches on the pitched spin-off of Modern Family, with insights from Aubrey’s mother:

“They pitched it, but I think the network didn't want to do it.” [43:14]

3. Balancing School and Acting

a. Transition to Public School [05:07 - 07:16]

Aubrey discusses her move to public school post-Modern Family and the challenges faced:

“But I think kids need to have a normal experience… it wasn't the way to do it.” [07:16]

b. Social Dynamics and Loneliness [06:27 - 07:37]

She reflects on the isolation experienced on set due to age differences and the importance of genuine friendships:

“And I feel like I have to be careful about who I trust as a friend, especially, like, at school and stuff like that.” [07:31]

4. Transition to Music and Current Projects

a. Musical Training and Aspirations [01:56 - 22:12]

Aubrey reveals her passion for musical theater and ongoing training:

“I'm good. I'm good. I had a tap dancing lesson this morning. You know, I'm a musical theater nerd.” [01:56]

She discusses her involvement in the band October and her plans to release solo music:

“I'm working on releasing my solo music currently… It’s like indie pop folk.” [21:49 - 22:14]

b. Upcoming Music Releases and Potential Rebranding [22:37 - 22:59]

Aubrey hints at releasing a cover song and possibly changing her stage name:

“I might change my stage name to Francis Anderson.” [22:37]

5. Child Stardom and Its Effects

a. Personal Reflections on Fame [16:57 - 19:00]

Aubrey and her mother discuss the impact of child acting on personal development and mental health:

“I think kids need to have a normal experience… and I feel like I definitely was more troubled when I became older because of the show.” [16:49 - 17:17]

b. Advice for Aspiring Child Actors [17:18 - 19:54]

They offer perspectives on pursuing acting as a child, emphasizing the importance of genuine relationships and personal interests:

“Kids need to have, like, a normal experience, and I don't know if that's the way to do it.” [17:52]

Aubrey's mother adds:

“A lot of kids who were not in the industry are having troubles in their teens than the industry kids.” [19:00]

6. Relationship with Co-Host’s Mother

a. Shared Interests and Bonding [34:56 - 36:20]

The bond between Aubrey, her mother, and Trisha’s mother is highlighted, showcasing their shared hobbies like crocheting and food reviews:

“We have our Food channel Food Mania review. We love trying, but she's actually on a diet right now.” [36:20]

7. Future Plans and Dreams

a. Broadway Ambitions [28:55 - 29:04]

Aubrey expresses her dream role of Sally Bowles in Cabaret:

“Sally Bowles and Cabaret. That’d be like a dream role for me.” [29:01 - 29:04]

b. Travel Aspirations [84:06 - 90:35]

Plans for visiting international Disney parks and attending Broadway shows in New York are discussed:

“We're going to go for, like, a fun yoga retreat thingy, I think. February, April.” [85:03]

8. Food Reviews and Mukbang Plans

a. Favorite Foods and Mukbang Ideas [72:35 - 78:57]

Aubrey and her mother share their favorite foods and potential mukbang ideas, emphasizing Aubrey's love for sushi and adventurous eating:

“I love sushi, actually. Maybe that's dream mukbang.” [72:35]

b. Dietary Choices and Challenges [36:51 - 38:18]

They discuss Aubrey’s Whole30 diet aimed at managing eczema:

“Because it's mostly an anti-inflammatory diet… we both deal with like, really bad eczema.” [36:51]

9. Managing Anxiety

a. Coping Mechanisms [60:08 - 62:10]

Aubrey talks about overcoming anxiety related to interviews through hypnosis, supported by her mother’s experiences:

“I remember once my mom got me like hypnotized by this lady so that I could… get over.” [60:08]

10. Conclusion and Farewell [93:05 - 93:15]

Trisha wraps up the episode by expressing gratitude for Aubrey and her mother’s participation, encouraging listeners to follow Aubrey’s social media for more updates.

“Thank you both for being here. So, yeah, I'm so fascinated by this.” [12:32]

Notable Quotes

• Aubrey Anderson-Emmons: “I did audition for Nickelodeon once when I was like, right before I quit. They hated me. They hated me.” [00:00]

• Trisha Paytas: “She's an icon, open book. Even if you did nothing else, which I know you'll, like, do a lot. Even if you did nothing else.” [92:38]

• Aubrey's Mom: “A lot of kids who were not in the industry are having troubles in their teens than the industry kids.” [19:00]

Key Takeaways

• Child Acting Challenges: Aubrey shares the difficulties of balancing school with a demanding acting career, highlighting the importance of normalcy and genuine relationships.

• Transition to Music: Aubrey is actively pursuing a music career, working on solo projects, and preparing for potential rebranding to establish her identity beyond acting.

• Support System: The strong bond between Aubrey and her mother plays a crucial role in navigating the pressures of fame and maintaining mental health.

• Future Aspirations: Aubrey aims to expand her horizons in Broadway while continuing her education and musical training.

• Personal Growth: Overcoming early anxiety related to public appearances has been a significant part of Aubrey’s growth, supported by her family's proactive measures.

This episode offers an insightful look into Aubrey Anderson-Emmons' life beyond her iconic role in Modern Family, providing listeners with a blend of her past experiences and future ambitions.