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Michelle Williams is out hustling for another Emmy! Or even two, as she’s nominated for lead actress and executive producer for Dying for Sex. In the actress in a limited series category, I always thought it would be a neck-and-neck race between Michelle and Cristin Milioti for The Penguin, but I feel like Michelle has been way more visible and actively making the industry rounds since the nominations were announced a month ago. Even though this is a busy time for Michelle, who earlier this year welcomed her third child with husband Thomas Kail (a girl, congrats!), Michelle’s fourth overall. Her oldest, Matilda Ledger, will be 20 in a couple months (I don’t feel old, you do!), and the Kail kids range in age from five months to five years. While stopping by Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Monday, the first day of Tiffany Haddish’s week of guest hosting, Michelle shared her civic-minded if quirky parent hack for getting some quiet time amidst the chaos of having three kids aged five and under: tending to business at the Social Security office.
While making an appearance on the late-night show, Williams was complimented on her figure by guest host Tiffany Haddish, who said that she looked like she’d never had any children.
“Then I’ve got to give a big shout out to Christine, cuz this last baby did not come through my body,” Williams responded. “But the miracle of our little girl is thanks to Christine. Maybe you’re watching out there; thank you, Christine.”
She continued, adding, “Thanks to Christine, I have three kids under 5 at home.”
…Reflecting on life with three young children, Williams continued, “Everything’s good and under control. I’m the adult.”
“I’m trying to figure out the sort of life-work balance,” she added.
“I hear a lot of people are talking about self-care, and I’m just wondering when. Because I’m a working mom. Like, I already have the guilt, and I don’t want to take more time away from them, but I understand, like, I need to fill up the tank,” the Dawson’s Creek alum said, adding that she finally “figured it out.”
How does she get to enjoy any private time? “It’s by visiting our fine local establishments of government bureaucracy.”
“You say, ‘I’m sorry, honey. But one day you’re going to grow up, and you’re going to get a job. And you’re going to pay taxes, and you’re going to need a social security number for that,’” she explained.
Williams continued, sharing her advice to other parents, “And then here’s how it goes: I recommend a midday appointment because it’s a little bit more crowded. And then you claim your rightful place at the back of the line where they will let you wait in complete silence for at least one hour.”
“There is free seating for all. It’s like … Bring a nail file and, like, a to-do list and, like, check, check, check. You know what I mean?” she enthused, noting that she got to have “an adult conversation” with the employee at the window when her name was announced.
Don’t forget her ultimate trick, “If you want a pro hack tip, don’t double check your paperwork because you might have to go back.”
The humor comes through in the transcript, but I invite you to view the whole interview in motion, for a few reasons. For one, bless her heart, it felt to me like Michelle brought her full theater kid energy to this talk show appearance! You could tell that she’d prepped her story, where the beats were and how to make it FUNNY. For someone who’s tended to come across as shy in these settings, I found it kind of adorable. (Not to mention a signal of just how much she wants that Emmy!) Then there’s Tiffany Haddish, who had an equally adorable energy in the sense that you could tell she was a bit nervous settling into the hosting gig. And then you had the fascinating alchemy of Michelle and Tiffany’s energies together. It worked. Mostly. Actually, they seemed the most in sync towards the end when they were getting into the nitty gritty of how certain, how shall I say, let’s go with “supporting characters” were cast in Dying for Sex. Then Tiffany did an impersonation of one (d–k pick, we’re talking about all the d–k picks, folks) that was truly inspired.
Photos credit: Getty, Santi Ramales/Backgrid, Janet Mayer/INSTARimages.com, Darla Khazei/INSTARimages
I’ve ❤️ Michelle for Decades…so I’m NOT surprised…& to me…Tiffany has ALWAYS had adorable energy onscreen with everyone…unfortunately that doesn’t match her offscreen antics & I can no longer abide her…
Michelle is so charming and lovely — this seemed like a fun interview. I just cannot with Tiffany, she’s a horrible person and I would prefer not to see her…ever.
Can you explain? I heard she had had problems that passed but I don’t know the details.
I’m very proud of Michelle though, she looks to be having such a fun time!
I know Common and she dated for awhile but broke up maybe 2 years ago. Common often visits my apartment building now with Jennifer Hudson. Sorry I just had to be a show off!
There was the Funny or Die that was exploitative of her friend’s kids – sexualized, not done with permission, etc. There are a lot of stories about her if you go and do some looking – none of them good.
I had no idea Michelle had a bunch of young kids! I don’t even have any, and I’m still nodding along with her description of enjoying the quiet of waiting for an appointment alone.
Another fine place for a little “Me Time” is your local blood bank. Except for the needle in my arm, it’s a veritable spa visit. If you sign up for the more lengthy separation process where they spin the different blood components, you can enjoy the delightful reclining chair, get covered up in a warm blanket and choose what movie to watch. And after all that, free donuts!
The dentist is another great place to relax back and get a few moments of quiet and not having (or being able) to talk to anyone about chores or responsibilities.
My mom was a bank teller. One of her customers at the drive-up window once asked her why she always worked the evening shift.
Her reply? “I’ve got five kids at home. This keeps me out of the bars!”
Dying for Sex is such a beautiful series. My husband and I watched it together and it made me so appreciative of Molly’s wild and free, tits out adventure through the end of her life. It also reminded me how appreciative I am for my friends.