Acting gave me experiences I didn’t have the opportunity or courage to have in my own life
In real life, I wasn’t sure what to say. My brain would freeze or words would get caught in my mouth. When I was acting, I always knew what lines were coming next and was ready with a witty response. When I was me, I was cautious, afraid to do anything dangerous or wrong, but in character, I could do or say wild things because I was following the script’s direction. If I leaned in for a kiss, it was because I knew it would be reciprocated.
In real life, I was by no means the most popular girl in school but I played one on TV, stalking high school hallways followed by my minions. I didn’t have a boyfriend but I got to stand on Juliet’s balcony, calling for my Romeo, and have him appear and stare at me adoringly.