Kat on the Loose

Episode: Actress Josie Davis – Hollywood, Dating & Thriving at Any Age

Host: Kat Zammuto
Guest: Josie Davis (Actress)
Date: January 28, 2026

Overview

In this candid and empowering episode, Kat Zammuto sits down with actress Josie Davis for an unfiltered conversation about the realities of Hollywood, the dating scene, and the power of resilience and reinvention as a woman at any age. Josie dives into the highs and lows of her acting career, personal dating philosophies, the pressures of aging in the industry, and why refusing to give up on your dreams and standards is non-negotiable. The tone is warm, witty, and refreshingly real, making this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in Hollywood, relationships, and thriving through life's chapters.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Women Empowering Women & Friendship in Hollywood

• [01:25] Kat and Josie praise their friend Raven for connecting them, highlighting how important it is for women to support and empower each other in both life and business.
• Both discuss the disappointment in seeing women tear each other down on social media.
• Quote:
  • Josie: "I always am that person that says, what are you talking about? Can you please turn the camera on yourself and see what that's like if someone else did?" [01:54]

2. Josie Davis' Hollywood Journey

• [03:14] Josie started acting at around 5 years old and shares that she was never in love with the camera and actually dislikes being on camera, preferring to focus on her craft.
• She watches her performances, but only once, mainly to confirm her artistic intentions were achieved.
• Quote:
  • Josie: “It's like baking a cake. You can bake a cake and be brilliant, but don't you want to actually see how... Just see it really quick?” [04:38]

3. Dating Experiences & Cultural Differences

• [05:44] Discussion about dating Brazilian men—both Kat and Josie have mixed opinions based on personal experience.
• Kat shares, “...most Brazilian men are, you know, they cheat by nature. They're womanizers, you know. Sorry...” [06:01]
• Josie adds that in her experience, some were too focused on “the exterior and like going to the party and to be seen,” which doesn’t align with what she seeks. [06:44]
• Both agree authenticity and loyalty are non-negotiable.

4. Dating & Relationships as an Actress

• [07:58] Kat asks: Does being in the industry make dating harder?
• Josie notes that when she was on major series, it was actually easier to meet people, but with independent projects, it’s harder to socialize and meet potential partners.
• Josie prefers not to date fellow actors, saying, "It's like dating a chick. My ex was in the mirror longer than I was.” [10:34]

5. Behind the Scenes: Hollywood Stories

• [09:18] Discussion of Josie’s role on Beverly Hills 90210 and her time on other Aaron Spelling shows.
• Shares fun behind-the-scenes anecdotes about working with big names:
  • On Titans: “He had shag carpeting that was this long, and... the man had the longest couch I've ever seen in my life.” [12:24]
• Worked with Nicolas Cage on his directorial debut, Sonny; describes the audition process and what it's like being directed by Cage.
  • “He loved what I did so much in the audition that he finally said, can I read with you?... It just seems so real.” [16:18]

6. The Reality of Aging in Hollywood

• [17:35] Kat asks if aging limits roles for women in Hollywood. Josie affirms there are fewer roles for women past their 20s/30s, but she refuses to internalize limiting beliefs.
• Josie deliberately auditions for a wide range of ages, sometimes aging herself up for specific roles.
  • “I had to make myself look at all sorts of ways to not look as good, but in a very natural way...” [19:55]

7. Advice for Actors & Artists

• [20:39] On breaking in: Josie says success is dependent on networking and representation. Even with experience, getting auditions is often about “who you know.”
• Personal initiative is crucial: Josie shares she secured an audition for a major film by personally reaching out to the director, not through agents.
  • “Nothing is going to change if nothing changes.” [42:24]
  • “At this point in my career... I have to do the work of a manager, which I don't want to have to do, but I have to.” [41:27]

8. Navigating Dating Apps & Public Image

• [23:30] Josie mostly tells dates she’s a real estate agent to avoid attracting people interested in her fame.
• Josie: “I don't want them to date me because of who I am. I don't like that.” [24:11]
• Kat shares her own hesitation in sharing about her podcast on dates, preferring to reveal that after trust is established: “...when I told men, like, oh yeah, I do a sex dating relationship podcast, a lot of guys, either they have the complete wrong image of me...” [26:14]
• Both discuss intimidating men and the perception that successful or beautiful women don't "need" anybody.

9. Finding the Right Partner: Standards, Selectivity, and Age

• [28:27] Both Josie and Kat are highly selective when it comes to dating.
• Josie: “It's very rare that someone makes me say, oh, my gosh.” [28:20]
• Age and dating: Both discuss industry and societal ageism, and how serious men value compatibility over youth.
• Kat: “The serious man, the man that is like, I want a life partner, I want to be in a relationship. They want someone age appropriate. They want someone that has something in their brain.” [30:30]
• Josie expresses frustration that men her age on dating apps often want younger women: "If they're in their 50s, they want to date 30s." [32:20]

10. Dealing with Intimidation and Break-the-Ice Dating Strategies

• [34:12] Both lament how infrequently men approach them, often due to intimidation.
• Kat shares a humorous anecdote about carrying a plunger in Beverly Hills bars to break the ice and encourage men to initiate conversation.
  • “Men are intimidated. So you gotta do something a little bit [different]...” [36:41]
• Josie jokes about bringing a sticker or wearing a T-shirt to signal openness to approach.

11. Reinvention, Production & The Next Chapter

• [39:30] Kat and Josie discuss producing films, writing memoirs, and the importance of telling stories, especially for women.
• Josie is working on a memoir and looking for the right script to produce her first film.
• Quote:
  • Josie: “There's so much that's still there. There's a lot that hasn't even been touched yet. So I'm really looking forward to that. This is a new chapter.” [48:06]

12. Staying Resilient & Not Letting Others Define You

• [41:01] Kat asks for advice for aspiring actors facing rejection. Josie's advice: be realistic about your talent, seek honest feedback, develop resilience, and keep changing your approach if things aren’t working.
• Both discuss the discouragement from agents, friends, and even industry peers who push the idea that their successful years are behind them. Both refuse to accept that.
• Kat: “Don't let anybody disqualify you. Don't let anybody tell you, like, it's too late. Remember, as long as you're alive, some...” [49:42]
• Josie: “Thank God, like, we can't listen to people like that... that are anyone that's gonna kill someone's dreams.” [47:47]

13. Final Encouragement & Connection

• [50:16] Kat and Josie commit to girls’ night out and remind listeners: never give up on love or your dreams.
• Josie invites listeners to connect on Instagram and possibly slide into her DMs—if they're dateable!
• Both reiterate the theme of perseverance and the value of reinventing yourself at any life stage.

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• On Self-Worth & Selectivity

  • Josie: "It's very rare that someone makes me say, oh, my gosh." [28:20]

• On Resilience

  • Josie: “You have to be a sadomasochist to [act]. I get rejected so much. I'm just used to it. But I don't take it personally, really.” [41:01]

• On Breaking Patterns

  • Josie: “Nothing is going to change if nothing changes.” [42:24]

• On Letting Go of Naysayers

  • Kat: “Don't let anybody disqualify you. Don't let anybody tell you, like, it's too late.” [49:42]

• On New Chapters

  • Josie: “There's so much that's still there. There's a lot that hasn't even been touched yet. So I'm really looking forward to that. This is a new chapter. Not the... yeah, it's the end of the old chapter a while ago. This is the new chapter.” [48:06]

• On Artistry & Identity

  • Kat references Tom Cruise: “Acting is not what I do, it's what I am.” [45:32]

Key Segments (Timestamps)

• [01:25] - Introduction & Women Supporting Women
• [03:14] - Josie’s Start in Acting & Hollywood Real Talk
• [05:44] - Dating Across Cultures
• [07:58] - The Impact of Hollywood on Dating Life
• [09:18] - Behind-the-Scenes Stories (90210 & Aaron Spelling)
• [14:10] - Working with Nicolas Cage
• [17:35] - Aging and Opportunity in Hollywood
• [23:30] - Navigating Dating Apps & Public Perception
• [28:20] - The Art of Being Selective in Dating
• [34:12] - Overcoming Intimidation and Icebreakers
• [39:30] - Producing, Memoirs & Reinventing
• [41:01] - Advice on Persistence, Feedback & Realism
• [48:06] - Rejecting Limiting Beliefs, Embracing New Chapters
• [50:16] - Final Words: Perseverance & Self-Belief

Closing Message

Kat and Josie close with warmth and humor, championing resilience and self-worth. Whether in Hollywood or in life, both urge listeners to keep striving, remain authentic, and support others—because the next big chapter could be just ahead.

“Never give up on finding love and never give up on going after your dreams.” – Kat [50:19]

Connect with Josie Davis on Instagram:
Link provided in this episode’s description.

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