Brenda Song knows exactly how defining playing London Tipton on “Suite Life of Zack & Cody’s” was, not just for audiences, but also for her own career. She also knew it meant going up against some serious typecasting once she moved on from Disney Channel.
That all changed, however, when the actress landed a role in David Fincher’s “The Social Network.” During a recent episode of TheWrap’s “UnWrapped” Podcast, Song opened up about how the legendary director shifted her perspective and stopped being her “own worst enemy.”
“I asked him, I was like, ‘Why did you hire me?’” Song recalled. “I feel like I walk in every audition room with Mickey Mouse ears on my head.”
Fincher’s response was simple but completely changed the way she saw herself: “I didn’t know you were on that show. You came into the room, and you were the right person for the part.”
Then came a bit of advice from the director: “And if you ever work with someone who hires you for what you’ve done and not what you’re doing in the room, you don’t want to work with them.”
For Song, that moment was huge. She realized she was the one holding herself back, assuming every casting director saw her as just London Tipton. “It just changed my perspective and outlook on myself, knowing that I can only go in and do my best every single opportunity that I have,” she said. “He has no idea how profound that has been for me.”
More than a decade later, that advice still sticks with her. Even when taking on new projects like “Running Point,” now streaming on Netflix.
During the episode, Song discusses…
- Working with Kate Hudson and Mindy Kaling on “Running Point”
- Her friendship with BFF Kat Dennings
- Being Disney-adults with Macaulay Culkin (plus his cameo in “Running Point!”)
- How her priorities shifted after becoming a mother
- The struggle of saying “no” to projects
- Misconnections created by men to pit women against each other in the industry
- A potential “Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior” sequel
About “UnWrapped”
“UnWrapped” is a podcast produced by WrapWomen, dedicated to empowering the next generation of women in media and entertainment. Each episode “unwraps” topics from entertainment news and industry trends to career advice, Hollywood headlines and more.
Special guests include industry leaders, actors, producers and studio execs. The aim of the series is to connect those looking for knowledge and access to those with the knowledge and access, providing the WrapWomen community with tools to succeed in their personal and professional lives.
You can listen to the full episode on TheWrap.com, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, TheWrap’s YouTube page or wherever you get your podcasts.
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