Overview of Not Skinny But Not Fat
This episode of Not Skinny But Not Fat (host Amanda Hirsch) features actress Emily Bader, currently starring as Poppy in Netflix’s People We Meet on Vacation — the film adaptation of Emily Henry’s bestselling novel. Amanda opens with personal anecdotes, then interviews Emily about landing the role, adapting a beloved rom‑com novel, the filming experience across Spain and New Orleans, her theatrical training and earlier work (My Lady Jane, indie films), and how she’s handling sudden attention. The episode also includes Amanda’s usual sponsor reads.
Key topics discussed
- Amanda’s week: Tell Me Lies party, social awkwardness, tarot reading, and motherhood reflections.
- Film buzz: People We Meet on Vacation’s strong reception and audience reactions.
- Casting & audition process: Emily’s chemistry read, how Tom Blyth was attached early, and how casting came together.
- Filming locations and logistics: Spain (Costa Brava, Barcelona, Tuscany), Squamish (standing in for Canada), New Orleans, and studio interiors.
- On-set anecdotes: kissing/dancing/rain scenes, the blue wig in New Orleans, platform shoes, cold in rain scenes.
- Emily’s background: Temecula roots, Loyola theater/film studies, earlier projects (My Lady Jane, Fresh Kills), and family influence.
- Career perspective: dealing with attention, social media strategy, craft development, and advice about “no backup plan.”
- Travel, theater love, and small personal details (turbulence, bloat, tanning, hair/curly-hair insecurities).
- Sponsor mentions: Stitch Fix, Good Wipes, Durable, IQ Bar.
Main takeaways
- People We Meet on Vacation is resonating beyond the book’s fanbase — audiences and critics are responding positively, with particular praise for Emily Bader (Poppy) and Tom Blyth (Alex).
- Emily’s casting was unusual for her: she bypassed the full traditional audition and was invited to a chemistry read; Tom had been attached earlier.
- Filming was relatively concentrated (~2.5–3 months, late 2024) and geographically diverse, which helped cast bonding but required technical tricks (e.g., Squamish standing in for Canadian locations).
- Emily approaches fame cautiously: she’s avoiding deep social‑media doomscrolling, shifting her feed to less press‑heavy content, and focusing on her craft (classes, preparation).
- A supportive family and a focused mindset helped her persist through years of auditions and rejections — including her dad’s memorable advice: don’t keep a backup plan that gives you an easy out.
- Amanda and Emily underscore the value of “raw” film experiences (going in blind) and the current appetite for feel‑good rom‑coms.
Behind-the-scenes & notable production details
- Chemistry read was pivotal: Emily read opposite Tom over Zoom while she was abroad (in Sweden/Europe).
- Locations: Costa Brava for beach scenes; Tuscany and other Italian-esque locations; Squamish (BC) doubled for Canada; New Orleans used for scenes set in the U.S.; many interiors shot on stages.
- Practical challenges: the rain/kiss scene was cold (realistic-looking rain on set), and the dancing scene required platform shoes and choreography; blue wig idea originated in costume discussions and was embraced for the New Orleans sequence.
- Adaptation choices: some fans wished the novel had been a series (more vacations/episodes), but the film condenses the book into a two‑hour story and keeps the core chemistry.
Emily Bader — career & personal background (concise)
- Grew up in Temecula, California; family described as blunt and supportive.
- Studied at Loyola (film/theater); first notable TV role in My Lady Jane (Amazon), plus indie work (Fresh Kills).
- Casting path to People We Meet on Vacation: a Netflix exec saw earlier indie work and connected the dots after My Lady Jane’s release; landed a chemistry read and then the role.
- Acting approach: finds it easy to inhabit characters when scripts “click”; uses memorability as an early indicator of fit; committed to ongoing training and classes.
- Personality notes: travel lover (like Poppy), self‑describes as expressive and nervous about invasive fame, and protective about her mental space online.
Memorable quotes & moments
- Amanda on motherhood: “Women are metal” (shared as a reaction from a friend).
- Emily on craft and fit: “I always feel like you can kind of tell right away if how easy or hard it is to find your way into a character.”
- Dad’s advice (Emily): “No backup plans” — a push to commit fully to the craft.
- Industry praise: Lucas Gage reportedly called Emily “the next Julia Roberts” (Amanda shares this as an endorsement).
Practical recommendations / action items
- Watch People We Meet on Vacation (currently #1 on Netflix at time of episode).
- If you like rom‑coms with strong lead chemistry, give the film a try and consider reading Emily Henry’s novel for more depth.
- For fans of Emily Bader: follow her selectively on social media (she’s intentionally avoiding heavy doomscrolling).
- Sponsors mentioned — check them if interested:
- Stitch Fix (styling service)
- Good Wipes (flushable body wipes)
- Durable (AI website builder)
- IQ Bar (plant‑based protein bars)
Short episode notes
- Tone: conversational, warm, anecdotal — Amanda mixes personal stories with an in‑depth, friendly interview.
- Length & format: standard Amanda Hirsch long‑form podcast with mid‑episode ad reads.
- Audience fit: fans of rom‑coms, Emily Henry readers, viewers curious about film adaptations and rising actors.
If you want the highlights at a glance: Emily Bader delivers a widely praised Poppy; the film is a hit on Netflix; filming was an international shoot with memorable on‑set stories; Emily is grounded, focused on craft, and navigating new visibility intentionally.