Amanda Seyfried with her daughter Nina (@Amanda Seyfried) Amanda Seyfried is a name almost every ‘Mean Girl’ lover knows. The Hollywood actor who is a mother now to a nine-year-old daughter has her own memories of watching the movie. When kids begin discovering what their parents do beyond their roles at home, even familiar things can suddenly become fascinating.The 2004 teen comedy, in which Seyfried played Karen Smith, has remained a pop culture favourite for over two decades now. And introducing the film to Nina was really interesting. According to the actor, her daughter enjoyed watching her on screen, although her reaction to the film itself was refreshingly honest.
5 Oct 2026 | 12:06
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In an interview with E! News at the world premiere of her upcoming film Steps in New York, Seyfried spoke about how her kids are gradually becoming familiar with her work. The 40-year-old actor shares two children, daughter Nina, 9, and son Thomas Jr., 6, with actor Thomas Sadoski.“They’ve seen the few animated movies I’ve done,” she told the publication, adding that her daughter watched Mean Girls for the first time last year. “They love it.”However, an earlier conversation with Vogue offered a more detailed glimpse into Nina’s response. Seyfried revealed that her daughter, who was eight at the time, did not find the film particularly funny. But she loved her mother’s performance.When children see their parents in a different lightFor most children, parents are simply the people who prepare their meals, help with homework, attend school meetings and take care of everyday responsibilities. Discovering that their mother or father has another identity outside the home can be an exciting experience.“It’s normal for them,” she told the publication, referring to growing up with a mother whose work involves films, premieres and public appearances.“I’m learning more every day. I think as they get older, they’re like, ‘Huh, what a very unique place to get to be.’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, it is unique!'” she said.Kids reactions for their famous parentsChildren may initially find it difficult to understand what their parents do, but experiences such as watching a film, visiting a workplace or seeing a parent interact with colleagues can gradually help them appreciate another side of their personality.For Seyfried, sharing her work with her children also appears to be about finding projects they can enjoy together rather than simply introducing them to her filmography.Why watching a parent’s work can become a special experienceInterestingly, Mean Girls was not the first film through which Nina became familiar with her mother’s acting career. Ninal already loves Seyfried’s 2008 musical romantic comedy Mamma Mia!.In an earlier interview with People in 2024, the actor revealed that Nina had watched the film with her grandmother and had become particularly fond of it. She also enjoyed its sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, and the music featuring songs by ABBA.Seyfried recalled that her daughter’s friends had also started recognising her as Sophie, the character she plays in the musical films. For the actor, seeing her daughter develop an appreciation for something she had worked on was a rather special experience.A new generation discovering old favouritesSeyfried is now preparing to introduce her children to another of her projects, Steps, an animated reimagining of the Cinderella story. The film features Ali Wong and Stephanie Hsu as misunderstood stepsisters who join forces to save their kingdom from a childhood bully, played by Nikki Glaser. It is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on November 20, 2026.Explaining what she liked about the film, Seyfried said it explores the complexities of relationships, sisterhood and friendship, particularly the importance of communication and understanding.
Amanda’s kids (Amanda Seyfried Instagram)
“It’s beautiful,” she said, adding that it was the kind of film she wanted her children to watch.For Seyfried, seeing her children discover her work seems to be an evolving experience. Nina may not yet share the same enthusiasm for every film that made her mother famous, but her honest reactions are perhaps what make these moments memorable.And that is a useful reminder for parents: children do not have to love everything their parents love. Sometimes, allowing them to form their own opinions, ask questions and express their preferences is what makes sharing experiences meaningful.
