Holmes: I’m just trying to figure out that balance because I can go a very black and white with where I give all my energy to art or all my energy to this. It’s hard for me to not want to just talk about all the racist horrors we’re seeing right now all the time. But somehow, yeah, people do it. I am very inspired by those who can talk about what’s going on and make us laugh at all of the evil people and firm our power.
I just want people to know who are talking about it all the time that I don’t think you look crazy. I think that people who are ignoring it look a little crazier.
BETCHES: 100 percent. Thank you for sharing that.
Holmes: It’s paralyzing sometimes, but we have to figure out a way. Everyone’s like, we’re not supposed to see this much at once, but we are. So what now?
BETCHES: It reminds me of that song in Wicked, the “Dancing Through Life” song where he’s singing about how life is easy when you’re ignorant.
Holmes: Yes. I really got goosebumps. Wicked is so good.
BETCHES: Going back to Overcompensating, what was it like working with Charli XCX? One of my favorite scenes is when you’re like, “Without your music, I would’ve killed myself.”
Holmes: So that was actually an improv, too. I was like, “Can I try this on one?” And once again, Benny was like, “1000%, I love that, do that.” I just can’t speak highly enough of Benny.
Working with Charli was amazing. She was so professional. I’ve been a fan of her since when I was living in Chicago doing improv. I would listen to Pop 2 a lot when I was depressed, “Backseat” and “Out Of My Head” and stuff. And so, I’ve just been such a fan of her for a long time. But when I’m a fan of someone, I really don’t try to be their friend at all, which is funny because Owen Thiele, who’s on our show too, is the opposite. He’s like, if I’m a fan, you’re going to be my friend.
When she was on set, I was like, I have to be a lunatic to this person right now as Hailee. She is a pop star that I look up to, and her music has affected me a lot, so I’m going to say hello and do the scene as well as I can, but be honestly in character. So, I was professional with her, and she was just so good and talented. It would be crazy watching her backstage, be on her phone or something, and then it was just like, the camera’s on, but duh, she’s a pop star. And we’re the only two Leos that I think Benny says that he fucks with.
BETCHES: Love that. What was your vibe in college? Were you at all unhinged like Hailee, or were you more chill?
Holmes: I was completely unhinged, but I was just a different brand of it. I was maybe less of a party girl and more of a party punk in a way. I was super passionate, but yeah, I didn’t know how to self-regulate. And I was drinking all the time. There are so many people I owe an apology to — and I’ve given out a lot of them.
I went to Columbia College for one semester and then dropped out because I was bulimic and our school was expensive, but then I ended up going to Florida State. And so I did Florida State for three years, and Tallahassee has this incredible punk music scene. And so I would go to punk shows all the time. I was unhinged, but I was in more crusty, artsy circles with less makeup on — honestly, with no makeup on.
I was using she/her pronouns, but I think everyone could tell from a mile away. People knew my queerness before I would say I knew it. I didn’t have a girlfriend in college, but girls would kiss me at parties, and I’d be like, ‘ Okay, whatever. ‘ And then all of a sudden, I fell in love with a girl at 24, and I was like… That’s why those girls kept kissing me.