14
Thestar reflects on her first kiss, Y2K fashion, and her guest role onSex and the City.
That was pretty huge for me, says Kat Dennings of her first acting job.
My family didnt have cable, so I didnt know what the show was.
(She graduated high school by age 13.)
[Auditioning] is a brutal process, but I loved it.
I thought it was so much fun.
I was one of those kids who loved her parents and had a great time.
My character was very close with her mom, [who] passed away.
She and her dad, who were opposites in belief but very similar in personality, never got along.
Take me back to 2000.
What was life like for you?
It was the best time of my life.
Fourteen is such a big age.
Youre discovering the music and things you like.
Its very vivid to me.
What was your favorite music?
I used to really loveHansons Madeline.Thats a great song, but I loved all of them.
Did you ever get to meet them?
Yes, I wasin a Hanson music videoa few years ago.
That was one of the biggest career moments for me.
Well, you started manifesting it at 14.
Exactly, manifestation is very powerful.
When exactly did you decide to pursue acting?
But I did not.
Spoiler alert: I liked it.
I mean, your first major screen role was in one ofSex and the Citys most memorable episodes.
What do you remember from being on set and working with Kim Cattrall?
I just remember her being very fabulous.
Sarah Jessica Parker was very kind.
I got to keep a glittery zebra dress.
I didnt know you could change your hair to be straight if you have curly hair.
It blew my mind.
What other pivotal moments happened at 14?
I think that was when I had my first kiss, which is disgusting to think about.
That was a pretty big deal.
Why is your first kiss disgusting to remember?
Because 14 now seems like a baby.
Fourteen-year-olds shouldnt be kissing.
Thats all I feel now looking back.
But it was an age-appropriate kiss, and I guess thats fine.
Thinking of yourSex and the Citycharacter, she was talking about blow jobs and sex.
Did that feel awkward at the time?
I didnt know what those words meant.
I had to ask my mom, and she was in hell.
But I was saying it like it was anything; I didnt bother thinking about what it was.
I was just having the time of my life acting this very advanced character.
You mentioned being homeschooled; what was that like?
I just didnt really take breaks.
So I graduated quickly, because I really, really wanted to work.
I was around a lot of kids who were homeschooled, and that was really fun.
No, I felt I was fulfilling my destiny.
I always felt a little out of place with other kids.
I wasnt interested in the same stuff.
I didnt have time for it.
I was going toward my goals, which now, as an adult, feels very unusual.
What did your version of hanging out with friends look like?
Oh, my God.
Well, this was the Dark Ages.
I didnt have a cellphone.
I had just gotten the Internet.
We used to walk to the bookstore and hang out there all day.
I never went anywhere without a notebook and a pen.
Wed be sitting next to each other and write each other notes, and then pass them on.
It was texting before texting.
We would go to Sam Goody.
We would buy CDs.
We would go to Barnes & Noble and Borders, and get a coffee and walk around all day.
Like getting a pretzel!
And then waiting for your parents to pick you up because there were no cellphones.
It was like a totally different life experience.
Did you have a go-to outfit?
My favorite outfit was these huge parachute pants.
They were quilted, navy and very shiny.
I would wear an Old Navy or Delias long-sleeved top with thumb holes.
Thumb holes were a big thing for me.
I had those woven, rubbery chokers.
I still have a lot of my jewelry.
Do you remember how you were feeling about your body at 14?
Did you feel comfortable in your own skin?
I felt very confident until I overheard kids talking about me.
They were quite mean, and that changed my opinion of my body and myself.
It kind of f*cked me up for life.
I guess it has to happen sometime.
They were like, Shes fat.
Shes not pretty enough.
On that show, the producers told me I needed to lose weight.
First of all, theres nothing wrong with being fat.
Whats the f*cking problem?
Thank God body positivity has happened.
Anyone should be able to exist in their shape and size of body without being bothered.
I’m sorry you went through that.
You were so cute.
It happens in adulthood, too.
I remember being like, Oh, I look horrible.
Then I look back, and Im like, I looked great.
Whats wrong with me?
I would love to look like that again.
What do you think your 14-year-old self would think of you now?
Oh, I hope shed be happy with the person I am.
Shed be so excited.
I wrote myself a letter at that age, asking adult-me a bunch of questions.
I wish I had it, but I know one question was, have you met Hanson?
The answer is yes to that, at least.
This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.
