Busy Philipps Is Proud To Be Loud

She’s been called too needy, too mouthy, too much. But the host of our new late-night obsession, Busy Tonight,  didn’t back down—she grabbed a bigger mic.

- Samantha Leach

I’VE ALWAYS BEEN EXTRA, BUT PEOPLE HAVen’t always been kind about my extra-ness. A former male friend once said to me, “You know, people would consider you beautiful if you didn’t talk so much.” And an ex-boyfriend told me, “You laugh too loudly in restaurants, and you always need people to look at you.” I sort of understood what they were saying. I’m a lot. But ever since I was a kid, I’ve thought, Some people will like it, and some people will hate it. Either way, awesome.

Yet, growing up and working in Hollywood, I started to question whether I should try to be something else. Especially at 19, when I was told by producers, studios, and directors that I wasn’t OK the way I was. Like the time I landed a TV role and the makeup artist was instructed to cover up the moles on my face, neck, and body. I was like, Wait a minute, my moles are my skin. How is my skin not good enough for you?