I was such aPretty Little Liarsgirl, she tells me over Zoom from Lennons apartment in Los Angeles.
In a fun twist, I happened to be there to witness that meeting in person.
I was hostingGlamours red-carpet coverage with StellasNashvillecostar Chris Carmack when Hale came over, which you could watch below.
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Eleven years later, the moment is still so adorable.
For Stella, the past 11 years have definitely been formative ones.
Nashvillewent off the air in June 2018, when Stella was 14.
Maisy Stella as Elliott inMy Old Ass
Two years later she experienced a (hopefully) once-in-a-lifetime pandemic.
Everything stopped, including the work.
I wasnt taping anything, she says.
Lennon Stella and Maisy Stella at the 48th annual CMA Awards on November 5, 2014, in Nashville
So I was writing a lot and trying to find any outlet to be creative.
I was very eager.
I went to an art school in Nashville for guitar.
Lennon Stella and Maisy Stella atVariety’s 2024 Power of Young Hollywood on August 8, 2024, in Santa Monica, California
I did everything Id been wanting to do.
Those years away from working was really what I needed and wanted to do.
When I mention what an amazing reentry this is into Hollywood, Stella agrees.
The cast ofNashville:Chris Carmack as Will Lexington, Clare Bowen as Scarlett O’Connor, Jonathan Jackson as Avery Barkley, Sam Palladio as Gunnar Scott, Maisy Stella as Daphne Conrad, Eric Close as Teddy Conrad, Lennon Stella as Maddie Conrad, Connie Britton as Rayna Jaymes, Charles Esten as Deacon Claybourne, and Hayden Panettiere as Juliette Barnes
It felt very validating and very reassuring, she says of the films positive reception at early screenings.
I could literally cry thinking about it.
I was just so excited and so moved and so grateful.
Maisy Stella and Aubrey Plaza inMy Old Ass
It did reassure me that Im on the right path.
The pressure I felt was very small then, she says.
I felt just so inspired and in love with what I was doing.
Instead, I was having the best summer of my life.
My Old Asshas made me realize this what I need to do forever, she says of acting.
What do you remember from that moment?
Maisy Stella:I remember being so happy.
I blacked out a little bit.
like tell me I said that same thing in our interview back then.
You said, After we sang, Taylor kissed me all over my face and I had lipstick marks.
Im like, Im never showering again.
Im never showering again.
But my mom said, No, you have to take a shower this morning.
And I said, Dang it.
Im not ready for that yet.
Im not done talking to them yet.
It was so cute.
We have the same birthday, so I remember being really excited to tell her that.
Honestly, I get tagged in little clips of that performance all the time.
It was very sweet.
And now its a crazy cool fact to say that you performed for her.
I was losing my mind…freaking out.
I was a very happy little nine-year-old.
I cant with this.
This is so funny.
So, how have you changed?
I definitely was a very unaware child, but in a beautiful way.
Meanwhile, I was just bouncing around.
I didnt really have anything to channel.
She said, Maisy is smart.
She knows shes smart.
Shes very aware how smart she is, and shes quirky, and shes sweet.
Honestly, Lennon was very obsessive with being schoolteacher to me.
What do you think you said?
You said, I just dont get starstruck.
Actually, wait, with Lucy Hale, I did.
I mean, I was like, Oh my God, Lucy Hale.
I cant believe you have that on video.
Thats so cute.Starstruckis a strange word.
It felt very crazy when I would get to meet a famous actor.
Do you keep in touch with any of theNashvillecast?
Chip Esten [who played Deacon] is the first person to congratulate me or celebrate any successes.
Hes never missed a birthday.
He still lives in Nashville, so hes probably the one I am in touch with the most.
Everyone from that cast was so great to me and Lennon.
They really were such a big part of our childhood.
Its a bond that cant really go anywhere.
And I keep in touch with Lennon a good bit too.
Im glad to hear that the most.
Im in her bedroom right now, actually.
It was her birthday the other day, so I came to LA to see her.
I flew in from New York.
Where is home base for you now?
I still live in Nashville.
It just has not happened yet.
Whenever I return to Nashville from working, Im just so relaxed and put at ease.
So Im not ready to leave yet.
And honestly, you could really make it happen from anywhere now.
Lets talk aboutMy Old Ass.What was that casting process like?
I met [director] Megan Park throughThe Fallout, which was her first movie.
I knew I had to work with her for something.
so the writing felt really genuine.
I had no idea what the movie was about, but I fully started manifesting to be in it.
Once she went to cast it, I auditioned and became so obsessed with the script.
It was my favorite thing I had read in so long.
And then, I somehow actually booked it.
How did you most relate to your character, Elliott?
I always felt very aligned with Elliot.
Her friendships felt familiar to me in terms of how much she prioritizes them.
Even just down to the way that we spoke, I think, was very similar to Elliot.
What is your favorite thing about her look?
Our costume designer used my Instagram as reference for Elliott.
I kept so many of her clothes.
I loved the Canadian socks.
Those are my favorite.
And what was it like working with Aubrey Plaza?
Ive been fascinated by her forever.
Thats such a good question.
I was getting a lot of signs when I was filming.
I dont know about superstitions, but I had a lot of bumblebee signs.
And when I was deep in the process, I didnt talk.
I hadnt touched my phone in weeks.
On the last day of filming, there was a dead bee on my counter when I got home.
I looked up the spiritual meaning of a dead bee and it literally said, Your work is done.
Im very receptive to signs.
What would your on-set superlative be?
Most likely to take a nap.
Megan has probably 30 photos of me napping in between setting up a camera lens.
I am a chronic napper to the point that I might need to see a doctor.
I am a professional sleeper.
I slept on every single lunch break in Elliotts bed.
So yeah, most likely to nap.
I support that talent.
Meanwhile, Im so glad we got to reunite for this interview.
I wish we could hug right now.
Im sending you one through the computer!
And lets not wait 11 years for another interview.
Ill mark it on my calendar.
