In the vast expanse of the public eye, Jessica Alba manages to maintain an enigmatic presence, simultaneously open and private. From her early days as a successful actor to becoming a Hollywood producer, business mogul, and vocal supporter of therapy, Jessica’s multifaceted journey has unfolded before us. As her wellness brand, the Honest Company, expands into various facets of our lives, this interview delves into business, leisure, and the importance of therapy in her life.
Lauren Iannotti: How are you feeling today?
Jessica Alba: I just came from therapy, and I’m feeling more clear about a pattern I’ve been re-creating in various dynamics and settings over the years. I tend to feel a feeling, then go to my brain to understand how to process it, and decide how much I’ll allow to take over or not.
LI: Is that a good thing?
JA: It depends. With maturity, you develop the ability to read a room or situation and know when it’s appropriate to fully express how you feel. I tend to want to go into my shadow work because I feel like I’ll only feel better when I face the things that feel like barriers to joy. The more mature I’ve gotten, the more I’ve tried to make space for my feelings.
LI: You’re open about therapy. Why do you go?
JA: I think it creates a more compassionate container for people to live inside, allowing for more conversation in case of misunderstandings or misalignments. I go to therapy to be kinder to people I don’t always agree with, as I want to be happy and coexist without living in anger or irritation with those who don’t think like me.
LI: How do you navigate empathy in challenging times?
JA: Many of us are empaths and take on the feelings of others. I am, and I have to create a safe space for myself to be okay with things that are out of my control. Current events are dark, and not everyone believes everyone deserves love, joy, and safety, making it challenging.
LI: Your daughters go to therapy. How did that start?
JA: Honor and I were arguing, and I didn’t want us to have a wedge between us. I wanted someone who could explain things in a way I couldn’t. I told her, “I want to be a better parent to you, and this is your forum to talk about everything that gets on your nerves that I do.”
LI: And it helped?
JA: It put me in check. It gave her perspective—that I’m not the bad guy; I’m just being a parent. It allowed me to see that it’s natural for kids to disagree with their parents, and as a parent, it’s not always about being right. It’s a process, and I’m not perfect.
LI: Your journey from acting to entrepreneurship was unique. Did you feel like a trailblazer?
JA: It was isolating and lonely, often being the only person in the room that looks like me. If my paving the way allows more people, especially women of color, to come through, that’s great. More diversity leads to better outcomes.
LI: What’s next for you?
JA: I have a new production company, Lady Spitfire, focused on supporting content and narratives around non-archetypal main characters and bringing forward female-driven stories. I’m passionate about supporting the Latino community and its stories.
LI: Any advice on cultivating empathy and compassion?
JA: Connect with your breath and inner self. Cultivate mindfulness and a relationship with your soul. Peace inside leads to peace outside in the world.
