For Natasha Rothwell improv is like prayer - Wild Card with Rachel Martin

Summary

Wild Card with Rachel Martin: Episode Summary – "For Natasha Rothwell, Improv Is Like Prayer"

Released on March 13, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Wild Card with Rachel Martin, host Rachel Martin engages in a heartfelt and insightful conversation with acclaimed actress Natasha Rothwell. Known for her pivotal role as Belinda in HBO’s The White Lotus and her award-winning show How to Die Alone, Rothwell delves deep into her personal and professional life, offering listeners an intimate glimpse into her journey, philosophies, and creative processes.

Career Journey

Natasha Rothwell shares her unconventional path to success, highlighting pivotal moments that shaped her career. She recounts her time in Tokyo, where she balanced teaching English with performing at the Tokyo Comedy Store. Reflecting on her decision to move to New York despite warnings, Rothwell emphasizes the importance of following one's ambitions:

"I was glad that I didn't listen to that or allow it to affect my eventual trajectory." ([04:26])

Rothwell also discusses her transition from supporting roles in shows like Insecure to leading her own series, How to Die Alone, which won an Independent Spirit Award for Best Ensemble Cast before its abrupt cancellation. Her return to The White Lotus in season three marks a significant milestone, showcasing her growth and resilience in the industry.

Personal Insights and Challenges

Throughout the conversation, Rothwell opens up about her struggles with anxiety and people-pleasing tendencies. She reflects on her teenage years, where solitude became a sanctuary for recharging, despite familial and societal expectations to prioritize others:

"I betrayed that solitude for a long time because of people pleasing." ([08:40])

Rothwell candidly discusses her journey towards self-awareness and the ongoing effort to balance social interactions with personal well-being. Her honesty provides listeners with an authentic portrayal of the challenges faced by those striving for personal and professional fulfillment.

Creativity and Artistry

Improv plays a central role in Rothwell's life, which she likens to prayer—a spiritual and connecting experience. She explains how improvisation allows her to tap into a collective creative force, enabling her to stay present and channel greater creativity:

"For me, if our definition of prayer is sort of communing with a higher power, that is my creative process." ([32:37])

This metaphor underscores the depth and significance of her artistic endeavors, illustrating how creativity serves as both a personal refuge and a means of connecting with something larger than herself.

Perspectives on Love and Relationships

Rothwell offers a touching reflection on her parents' long-lasting marriage, attributing her understanding of love to their example. She marvels at the enduring bond they share, highlighting qualities like mutual respect, adaptability, and unwavering commitment:

"They have grown together and have accepted all of those versions of each other." ([23:49])

Her observations emphasize the complexity and beauty of sustained relationships, providing listeners with a nuanced perspective on love’s evolution over time.

Spirituality and Beliefs

The conversation delves into Rothwell's evolving spirituality. Raised in the church, she describes her shift towards a more personal and individualized spiritual practice, distancing herself from organized religion while maintaining a sense of connection to a higher power:

"I'm pivoting from religion to a spiritual practice and am no longer sort of bound by specific tenets." ([26:43])

Rothwell articulates how her creative pursuits facilitate this communion with the divine, blending introspection with outward expression. This evolution reflects her broader journey of self-discovery and the redefinition of faith on her own terms.

Conclusion

As the episode draws to a close, Rothwell shares a poignant memory of personal peace and self-acceptance during a trip to Greece. Floating alone in a pool, she experienced a profound sense of freedom and contentment, symbolizing her ongoing quest for self-love and inner harmony:

"I was floating there, and I was at such peace, but it was also peace with my body and myself." ([37:35])

Rachel Martin wraps up the conversation by celebrating Rothwell's successes and expressing excitement for her future endeavors, leaving listeners inspired by Rothwell’s resilience, authenticity, and unwavering dedication to her craft.

Notable Quotes

"Improv is like tapping into something that's bigger than you." – Natasha Rothwell ([00:24])
"Quitting is not on the table." – Natasha Rothwell ([23:49])
"It exists for me. It exists for you." – Natasha Rothwell ([26:46])

Final Thoughts

This episode of Wild Card offers a compelling exploration of Natasha Rothwell’s multifaceted life, blending personal anecdotes with profound insights. Her ability to intertwine humor, vulnerability, and wisdom provides a rich narrative that resonates with anyone navigating the complexities of career, relationships, and self-identity.

For more inspiring conversations, subscribe to Wild Card+ and gain access to bonus episodes at plus.npr.org/wildcard.

Transcript

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Rachel Martin (0:15)

Hey everyone, Just a heads up, this episode contains a little bit of colorful language. Is there anything in your life that feels like praying?

Natasha Rothwell (0:24)

Um, it comes to the art for me and improv. You tap into something that's bigger than you. When you're improvising and you're in that pocket, I don't know, it's cringe to say it because it's just like, ooh, you know? How does a eloquent dick joke equal praying? But sometimes. Sometimes, girl.

Rachel Martin (0:47)

I'm Rachel Martin and this is Wildcard, the game where cards control the conversation. Each week, my guest answers questions about their life, questions pulled from a deck of cards. They're allowed to skip one question and to to flip one question back on me. My guest this week is Natasha Rothwell.

Natasha Rothwell (1:06)

We would do takes and I wouldn't even remember having done those things because I was so in it, in the moment, in the character, and I was able to channel the creative in that moment and commune with something bigger.

Rachel Martin (1:22)

Anyone who has watched season one of the White Lotus knows that Natasha Rothwell's character, Belinda, is the heart and moral center of the show. She's a massage therapist at a fancy resort who puts up with a lot of very privileged people. It's shaping up to be the same in season three as Belinda returns to the show. This time, she gets to enjoy the luxuries of resort life herself in Thailand, where the season is set. And this time, Belinda is at sort of a crossroads in her life, putting herself first for a change, her dreams prioritizing the life she wants. It's hard not to draw a parallel between Belinda and the woman who plays her, because Natasha Rothwell is at her own kind of crossroads. She perfected the hilarious best friend role as Kelly in Issa Rae's show Insecure, and enjoyed some blockbuster buzz as Rachel in the Sonic the Hedgehog movies, my kid's favorite. But she got to take center stage in her own show called how to Die Alone, which was about waking up to your own worth. It was hilarious and heartfelt, and it won an Independent Spirit award for best ensemble cast, but was abruptly canceled after one season. She is no doubt managing that disappointment and at the same time soaking up all the White Lotus praise, and everyone who loves to watch her shine is anxious to see what she does next. Natasha Rothwell welcome to Wildcard.