WWW Parents: Cover Star and New Mom Justine Lupe Talks Feeling Primal, Nobody Wants This Season 2, and Motherhood Icks

0:10Kat Collings:Welcome to the Who What Wear podcast, your direct line to the designers, stylists, beauty experts, editors, and tastemakers who are shaping the ever-evolving world of fashion. I'm Who What Wear Editor-in-Chief Kat Collings, and today I'm excited to announce that Who What Wear just dropped our first ever parents issue. In honor of the launch, I'm sitting down in studio with our cover star, new mom and actress Justine Loop. Justine is best known for her role as Morgan in the hit Netflix show, Nobody Wants This, which will be releasing its second season tomorrow. You might also know her as Willa in HBO's award-winning series, Succession.

0:49Kat Collings:I'm sitting down with Justine to talk about her experience navigating motherhood with her daughter, Ellis, over the past year. and as a new mom myself, it was a delight to talk to Justine about everything from how relationships change after having a baby to our parenting ics. Justine also shares the advice she got from Succession co-star Sarah Snook and of course we talk about putting together her bombshell Emmys look. It's all coming up on Who What Wear.

1:21Hi Justine, thank you so much for joining me today. Hi, thanks for having me.

1:26Kat Collings:Well, the occasion of us being in this podcast studio is to celebrate your cover with us for our inaugural Who What Wear Parents issue. So cool. Well, you're wearing this, I don't know if you've seen the cover yet, but spoiler, it is a gorgeous pink Chloe dress. We chose that for the cover and you look phenomenal. Really? No, I haven't found out, I haven't found out what pictures you're using. So that's exciting though, because I love that dress. that is happening. And then when this airs, the next day, it'll be the eve of season two coming out of Nobody Wants This, which of course you star in and everybody I know watches the show and loves it.

2:05Kat Collings:So it's an exciting moment for us. I'm glad that you're excited for me. I was about to say thanks for being excited on my behalf. It's exciting for us here in this pod together. I appreciate it. So we'll talk motherhood and show and we'll just dive right in. Okay, great. I want to talk a little bit because it blends so perfectly with two things I want to touch on. Being pregnant while filming season one of the show. So my first question is how? Because as far as I know, nobody has escaped the first trimester extreme fatigue where like you could fall asleep at any moment. You don't get to choose when you nap.

2:41Did you have that and how did you deal? So I actually got the job when I was in my first trimester. And then I started the job like right at the end of my first trimester. It was divine intervention in a real way because, yes, I felt like I had mono through my first trimester. I like could not get up. It was so, so tiring. So, yeah, I really lucked out that it started and then I was in like that amazing kind of reinvigorating second trimester like renaissance moment. Like birds are singing. Yeah, totally. You're like, I can do anything. Yeah, it was a very different experience than what I was experiencing a month prior.

3:22So yeah, I lucked out. That's good timing.

3:24Kat Collings:But even still, the energy of being on set all day, I'm sure that was intense. And I feel like you, in my mind, joined a class of women like Rihanna performing at the Super Bowl. Like, just moms are a different breed. Yeah, you know, I lucked out in that I got to experience Sarah Snook be pregnant all through Succession season four and see what she could do. And I think there's something psychosomatic about knowing someone can do that kind of work. Yeah. It's like an expander kind of, you know. I felt good. I actually felt really good. I mean, the things that were hardest were like, you know, I would like eat a burrito and then like everything would just like pop open.

4:01Right. Like my skirt would just be like on the ground and I'd be like, oh no, I'm like expanding past the capacity of my clothes. So there was like a lot of adjusting that the costume department had to do like week to week to kind of catch up to my body growing.

4:14Kat Collings:Yeah. It was more just that they would have fittings week to week. And every week was a different episode. Like it moves really quick. So we did 10 episodes in 10 weeks. Yeah. Which was actually also a blessing because, you know, there wasn't too much time that I was like really, really pregnant on the show. But yeah, they would bring me in every week, do a fitting, retry things on, refigure out how do we hide this in a different way. Because, you know, the bigger I got, the more creative they had to get about like, okay. You're asking a lot of us. Yeah, totally. But they were wonderful. They were really, really generous about navigating that whole process with me.

4:53Kat Collings:I'm sure you became like best friends, like had to really like spend a lot of time. Yagar is like a very dear, dear person in my life. Yeah, they're all great. And speaking of your former co-star, Sarah Snook, I heard she gave you some parenting advice, like wrote you a big thing. I read that somewhere. She's been a good friend through the whole thing. She wrote me when I got pregnant. She gave me some like really great podcasts to listen to for like the fourth trimester, which is postpartum. And then when postpartum came, she checked in on me. She wrote me another kind of like breakdown of you're so unprepared for what happens after you give birth.

5:28Like I did a lot of thinking about postpartum and she was really helpful in terms of being like you have nine months of pregnancy and you're going to get so much information about being a pregnant woman and people forget about what happens after you give birth. So I had like put my mind there, but there's just no like preparation possible for the impact of like what that is after giving birth. So she was just really helpful with like the little nitty gritty questions that I had. Like how do we sleep at all? And like how do I like – do you have any tips on like what my husband can do to help me out in the middle of the night?

6:05Like with the swaddling and the feeding and the breast – like we're so hands-on with the babies. and I think sometimes the guys are like, okay, how can I help? And I didn't even know what to tell him. So she was really helpful with that too. She's been great. Yes.

6:19Kat Collings:Yeah. Yes. That's amazing to have that. I feel like everyone has at least one fairy godmother who's like gave birth somewhat recently-ish before and is still in like, they're like, oh my God, let me help you. Totally. I had a lot and I feel like I understand it now that I'm on the other side because it's like you just it's it's this hugely steep learning curve and you feel like proud of all the information that you gather and you really feel so much empathy for anyone who's about to go through it so I feel like very available to any of my girls like girls I'm ready to go if you have a baby like I'm ready to talk right and like I will be that person for you and like pay it forward it's like this fun cycle yeah it's it's really sweet and there were four people who are expecting um pregnant during that the filming of the first season right on set so That's like some powerful mom energy.

7:08Kat Collings:There's a lot of energy. Do you guys like commiserate together, share advice? Erin and I talked a little bit, but it was less about like commiserating and more just being like, wow, there are four pregnant women working in this capacity on set. Like how exciting that this is the day and age that we're in, that that's something that's like so welcomed. To your point of the fact that here we are in 2024, 2025, and I feel like it was Lucille Ball and I Love Lucy who wanted to either show her pregnancy or even say the word pregnancy, and it was super controversial. Wow. That's crazy. Yeah, just to think how far we've come that people were against it, and it was a big moment, and how much has changed since then.

7:51I know. I know. And I don't want to ignore that it's still, you know, after I said something about that last year, like how wonderful it is that we're in a time that like Netflix was like behind it, you know, and that all the execs were like cheering me on. And it was like really a warm reception. but I'm sure there are cases where that's not the case or someone does still feel a little bit unsafe and it's such a shame and it's so tricky that women have to like think about these things even when people are welcoming about the whole process like you still have to navigate literally logistics like okay if I want to have another kid when can I be pregnant when will it show so right it's funny that it's something that's like so part of our life it's so intrinsic to us all

8:33Kat Collings:being here and yet that it's like secretive and yeah sometimes yeah and i do think that being said it's like clear that there's a really different way of thinking about it than there was back when lucille ball was not able to say the word pregnant nuts yeah season two i want to talk about it so this season has some fun new elements i read about leighton meester comes on as a new cast member. And she's kind of, you know, I think among fashion girls, kind of an icon, especially watching Gossip Girl. She's such a cool, like, it girl kind of vibe. And she's so goofy on this show. I wouldn't expect that.

9:11That's so funny. And generous and, like, ready to go. Like, she feels like she gives so much. Like, she's so available as an actor and so game for anything. And I really like her a lot.

9:22Kat Collings:I was going to ask about the dynamics on sex. I'm always curious you kind of described her and I'm curious was there somebody who's like the like set mom or set dad somebody who like always had that like mothering energy I feel like KB just has like a maternal air about her she always like has snacks and she's always giving tips and advice and like has like an article that she just read so she's like yeah and and she is such a mom like she has two girls that she's like such an incredible mom too so I think that that just like carries into the way that she just interacts with everyone is just very warm and like cozy and mom mommy let's talk about morgan your character's style on the show i feel like it's kind of california cool but then she also um for that bat mitzvah scene in season one she kind of pulled out the glam moment yeah so i'm curious if there are any outfits that you especially loved wearing or that you feel like the the public had a strong reaction to you know i had the most fun with the bomber jackets that I would wear with like the little skirts, like the basketball outfit I loved.

10:25It was definitely in reaction to my belly growing that they were like, let's put a bomber jacket on and all these scenes. But there's something really cool about like a big jacket and like legs with tights on them. I like, I've never done that in my day-to-day life. And now I'm like, okay, it's cool. Yeah. But I like Morgan style. It's very cool. And they did a really good job of, you know, before they knew I was pregnant, they had gone out and they had gotten like this huge wardrobe together, all the stuff that I was going to wear. And it was like a really clear character that they had built with these outfits.

11:02And, you know, then I got pregnant or I was pregnant and I told them because I was out of my first trimester and it wasn't like as vulnerable of a thing to share. And they did such a good job of keeping the essence and the character alive in these new outfits that were a little bit more, I guess, conservative or like covered up a little bit more because Morgan, you know, in the first round, there was a lot of like mini skirts and little tiny like tanks that showed my belly and like did such a good job of keeping that vibe alive. I love the way that Morgan dresses. I'm such a t-shirt and jeans, uniform kind of gal normally that it was just really fun to embrace like something totally different and feel how that

11:43Kat Collings:felt different on my body and yeah yeah it kind of pushes you to like try new things especially when you have your like totally like oh this would be like if I dress well no but you know what I mean you're like oh fashion does something to the way that you carry yourself yeah absolutely one thing your character struggles with um is sort of like feeling like she's losing her sister to the hot rabbi relationship and I think motherhood too can be a big one where it's like things shift You know, if you've, you know, some friends get closer and some friends, you know, kind of drift a little bit. In the show, you and Kristen Bell have a huge, you know, blow up fight over this sort of tension that's happening.

12:21Kat Collings:And I'm curious if you have any tips in real life, how to navigate those like shifting friendships. Totally. I think I always go back to whenever I'm having some sort of a feeling is to just be okay letting yourself have that feeling. Yeah. Like letting yourself mourn the loss of a friendship or like feeling the kind of heartache that comes with like a friend moving on into their love of their life relationship. Yeah. And being honest with yourself that that's like a tough thing. It's a tough thing to watch a friend evolve into a new version of themselves. And it's like incredibly celebratory.

12:57And you're excited for them. And also it can be hard. So I think just allowing the feeling to like live in you for a little while and to be gentle with yourself about it and also to know that that's just like a part of life and that it's probably coming for you too and to let yourself feel all the feelings, the celebration and the kind of heartache.

13:19Kat Collings:Yeah. I read somewhere that the average person has about seven relationships that like friendships that like stay through their life, which I'm like seven. Like that means a lot of friends, they come and go. So it is a natural part of life, but I feel like it's a part of life that's not, you know, they don't talk about like friendships or relationships dissolving as much as compared to romantic relationship. I know. I think that some of the hardest breakups I've ever had have been with friends. Yeah. No, it's true. You go from like sleepovers and like being in each other's beds in your 20s and like waking up together and like going out together.

13:49And then it's like, you know, losing that is like a big deal. Like there's such intimacy in female friendships and male friendships. So yeah, I don't know. I mean, I've been really lucky to hold on to some long, long friendships. And also So I've gone through the – with the holding on to long-term friendships, you have to kind of evolve through all the different changes with your good friends. And some of that can be really tough.

14:13Kat Collings:I think everyone's dying to know. Obviously, the cliffhanger of season one was with Kristen Bell's character and Hot Rabbi. Like, is she going to convert or are they going to stay together? What's the thing? And also your character's relationship with Sasha. Yeah. Which is such an interesting – I feel like it's so nuanced. Totally. I love that. So I know usually things can't be shared, but is there anything you can share about the season ahead? I think that Jenny and Bruce and Aaron really, really wanted to give the audience what they loved about last season. So there's a really – it does feel like the show, like the show continues and the essence of the show is still there.

14:52It's about what happens past, you know, as relationships evolve, the energy that they have evolved. So, you know, like the first season, like there's a different feeling to that than there is with the second season. It's about like what do we do now that we're in relationships?

15:09Kat Collings:I have a friend that's pregnant and I was like, do you have your programming ready of what you're going to watch when you – because I feel like everyone has their comfort show. Yeah. Her answer was, oh, nobody wants us. It's coming back for season two. And I was like, oh, of course it is. That's awesome. Good timing. So that is the best news. It's so nice to hear when, like, someone just needs a little bit of levity that they turn to the show. I feel like we were in a bit of a rom-com desert for a while, and people were really craving that. I think that things are kind of singularly dark right now, so it's nice to have any kind of blip of light, warm, optimistic feeling.

15:46Kat Collings:A little 28 minutes or however long the show is super-prev. Totally. On a totally separate note, I've heard you're a Gemini. I am. And I feel like we're in L.A. We have to talk about it. let's talk about it i can talk about it okay what are you so you uh sagittarius oh great which are sister signs i'm just saying i'm trying to be weird no no no no no i love sag energy what's the most gemini thing about you i am very mercurial i like talking i like sharing thoughts i like hearing people's thoughts i'm really curious um so your mind is just like yeah going totally i'm like mostly there up in the air.

16:23Yeah. And I just really like learning about people. It's like my way of connection. So like, you know, even in romantic partnership, like I get really excited about talking and like could care less about like, you know, making out.

16:37Kat Collings:I'm just kidding. I also like making out, but I will say that I do feel like my, the first way of connection for me is just like chatting. Through conversation. Yeah, I love it. And then I feel like you have to find a special man that is. Yeah. My husband is like incredibly funny, loves talking. He's really quiet until he's not quiet. And then he's really chatty. That's the best kind of person who like doesn't like reveal it all. And you're like, oh, when you know them, they like show they're real. Totally. People who don't know him well would be like, that guy loves talking. Because he's like also quite an introvert.

17:11Kat Collings:Okay. But in the relationship, like the moment that he got comfortable and chatty, it was like, we don't stop talking. I love that. I wanted to pivot to fashion really fast. A fashion moment IRL that you had recently, the Emmys. Oh. Yeah. You wore a Carolina Herrera dress by Wes Gordon. Wow. Thank you. There is no question, actually. It's just wow. It's just wow. Thanks. I want to know how you picked it, how it came to life. Well, you know, I saw a picture of it on the runway. Rebecca Ramsey, my stylist, sent me a picture of it a while ago, like right after it went down the runway. And I had the same exact reaction.

17:53I was like, oh, wow. Like, that is gorgeous. And then I sent it to my publicists. And they were also like, whoa, whoa, whoa. Holy smokes. That's beautiful. It was on our radar. And then when the Emmys came up, we were like, well, what about asking about this? Like, could we see if we could get it? And yeah, it's just like, it feels like a champagne glass of an outfit. Like it's so like, it's so fancy and happy and celebratory and sexy. So when they said that they were going to send it, I was like over the moon.

18:23Kat Collings:I heard there was a little navigation around the sheerness of it. Yeah. So I had never done anything like this. Like I'm not like a, I don't really go for like the bombshell see-through kind of thing. Make a dress. So I didn't quite know how to navigate like just everything showing. And part of the beauty of the dress is how sheer it is. Exactly. And you don't want to add another layer of like thickness to it. You want it to just, you know, be what it is, which is fairly transparent. But also we were like, is my butt okay? Checking in on the butt. Checking in on the butt. Especially in your list.

19:02Kat Collings:And just navigating like – What's going on by the end? totally and navigating like what underwear will work with this and like how do we like do we see a panty line like what do we do so yeah we went through several steps to try and figure out how to make that work that was your first Emmys right yeah in the beginning I was like wow this is so overwhelming there's so many people it's like such a spectacle it's so stimulating and there was like a moment where at the very beginning I was like Justine you can be nervous about this or like be overstimulated or be like about it or you can like really lean into remembering that this is something that you grew up like aspiring to go to like this is an event that you know you used to watch and go like oh I wish one day I could get there and that it's like such a bucket list moment um even though it's like bizarre and kind of crazy it's just also incredibly special and like don't let that nerves get in the way.

20:03Yeah. And also don't let it like just fly by, like really let it like drink it in. And so I did, I did a really good job of that. My dad sent me some screenshots of like the TV and he's like, I'm, you're smiling, you're smiling in a way that I've never, like, I was just like a little kid in a candy store, just like beaming through the whole thing. I had so much fun.

20:23Kat Collings:Oh, you're like happy to be here. Yeah. Just so happy to be here. I want to pivot to parenthood. I feel like we could talk about this for a long time. I have a daughter as well. And you have your daughter, Ellis, who I believe is 13 months. Yeah. That's a tender age. Ellis is a great name. I have a niece named Ellis. You do? I do. Oh, that's awesome. How did you settle on the name? My husband picked it. Yeah. And I think he picked it because of Brett Easton Ellis. And then we looked it up and it meant kind and benevolent, which is always like a nice sentiment to put behind a baby. and then he got it tattooed onto his hand.

21:01Before she was born? Oh, yeah. Pretty early on. And I was like, okay. So that's her name.

21:06Kat Collings:I thought I was making a commitment by getting some things embroidered before my daughter was born with a tattoo. I see her embroidery and I raise you tattooing it onto my body. Yeah, totally. As a parent, like there's so many mini milestones that some of you didn't even know existed until your child was doing them. What fun stuff is Ellis doing? She just started going no. She started being like, we'd be like, can I have a kiss? And she'd be like. Which was like kind of out of nowhere because it's like so, it's so. Sassy. Yeah, it's sassy, but it's also like silly. Like, no, no, no, no. It's really sweet.