Malin Akerman: The Hunting Wives, Hustling & Healing

The Party Host [0:43]

• Malin Åkerman reveals she hosts parties with a disco ball, smoke machine, and DJ deck.
• She describes her parties as adaptable for any number of guests, from five to twenty-five.
• Her love for parties extends to cooking and creating cheese plates and dips.

  "I love to dance and so does my husband."

Hesitations and Joys of "The Hunting Wives" [3:29]

• Åkerman was initially hesitant about "The Hunting Wives" due to uncertainty about its tone.
• She found the script binge-worthy, comparing it to the experience of watching the show.
• Her husband encouraged her to take the role, believing it was tailor-made for her.

  "I was definitely hesitant."

Embracing Sexual Liberation on Screen [5:24]

• Åkerman was drawn to the show by a specific pegging scene, finding it brave and true to many relationships.
• She loves the depiction of a sexually liberated woman who sits in her power.
• The show's portrayal of sexual freedom and changing television narratives excites her.

  "That made me want to do this show even more."

The Female Gaze in Directing [6:47]

• Åkerman highlights the show's portrayal through a female gaze, pushing boundaries.
• All directors for the show were female, fostering conversations about what is sexy and beautiful.
• She believes they succeeded in creating a depiction that is sexy, wild, and appealing to women.

  "We have it was all female directors which was really cool."

A Flourishing Friendship with Britney Snow [7:55]

• Åkerman describes her friendship with co-star Britney Snow as a beautiful journey, calling her like a sister.
• They met shortly before filming and quickly bonded, finding trust and comfort, especially during intimate scenes.
• Their friendship is a parallel to the love story depicted in the show.

  "She really is one of my closest friends now."

Swedish Roots and Early Independence [10:36]

• Born in Sweden, Åkerman moved to Canada at age two, later splitting time between Canada and Sweden due to her parents' separation.
• She describes her upbringing as a "single mom situation" before her stepfather entered the picture.
• Her parents' divorce was amicable, and they remain friends.

  "I was born in sweden we moved to canada when i was two years old."

Navigating Mother's Depression [12:31]

• Åkerman discusses her mother's struggles with depression during her teenage years, noting the taboo surrounding mental health at the time.
• She explains how difficult it was as a child to understand and process her mother's condition.
• She emphasizes the importance of open dialogue and therapy for mental health, which has improved over time.

  "It was tricky i was a teenager by that time."

Seeking Mentorship and Self-Discovery [14:33]

• Åkerman felt a need to seek external mentorship to understand her identity as a young woman.
• She describes her teenage years as confusing but also filled with fun and travel.
• At 16, she traveled alone to Milan for modeling and to Spain and Greece.

  "I needed to look elsewhere for some sort of mentorship."

Early Modeling and Exploitation [16:09]

• Åkerman moved out at 16 to pursue modeling in Toronto, living independently.
• She details exploitative situations in the modeling industry, including a chaperone situation involving a man who supplied cocaine and alcohol to young models.
• She recounts an incident where a photographer became aggressive when she refused to remove her bra during a shoot.

  "The guy was like we're gonna take great care of her."

The "Me Too" Moments in Modeling [19:32]

• Åkerman describes numerous "Me Too" moments during her modeling career.
• She recounts being sent to a photographer's house at 16 and being asked to remove her bra, leading to an aggressive reaction from the photographer.
• The agency's response was dismissive, prioritizing the photographer's talent over the model's safety.

  "He got so mad he took the light stand and threw it at my head."

Swedish Culture and Female Empowerment [23:04]

• Åkerman discusses the empowering aspect of Swedish culture, referring to a "Viking mentality" where women are more assertive.
• She contrasts this with the dating dynamics she observed in the US, where women are sometimes discouraged from initiating contact.
• She believes in the Swedish approach of pursuing what you desire without hesitation.

  "There's like this logic and there's an equal playing field for men and women."

Transition to Acting and Early LA Struggles [25:36]

• After modeling, Åkerman moved to LA with a friend to pursue acting, working as bartenders to support themselves.
• They faced financial hardship, living with minimal furniture and subsisting on cheap food.
• She joined a band for a year and a half, which led to meeting her ex-husband.

  "We had no money for furniture so we like fluffed all our sweaters on the floor."

Love and Language Barriers [28:31]

• Åkerman met her ex-husband, the drummer in her band, despite a significant language barrier (he spoke little English, she little Italian).
• They used dictionaries and French to communicate, finding romance in their efforts.
• Their attraction and shared status as single band members brought them together.

  "We literally had a dictionary and we're like learning each other's languages."

Divorce, Motherhood, and Friendship [31:23]

• Åkerman and her ex-husband separated four months after their son's birth, finding they couldn't work as parents together.
• She advises couples to communicate thoroughly about parenting expectations before having children.
• A best girlfriend moved in with her after the split, providing crucial support during this challenging period.

  "Allow yourself to mourn the fantasy of what you thought it was."

Self-Discovery and New Love [36:54]

• After her divorce, Åkerman focused on self-discovery, including therapy and transcendental meditation.
• She met her current husband, Jack, through her sister's husband and was initially not looking for a relationship.
• Jack's kindness and his immediate connection with her son, Sebastian, deeply impressed her.

  "I had a rolodex of people i can call up anytime for a booty call."

Honesty in Vows and Relationships [42:42]

• Åkerman chose not to use the word "forever" in her wedding vows, prioritizing honesty about the present moment.
• She believes in treating the relationship as its own entity, with open communication about individual and shared issues.
• She emphasizes the importance of a partner who respects her self-discovery journey and is a strong communicator.

  "I don't want to be held to that I want to be held to this chapter right now."

Evolving Views on Marriage and Motherhood [45:36]

• Åkerman's perspective on marriage evolved, initially not wanting to remarry but feeling a strong pull towards her current husband and a desire for another child.
• Motherhood initially felt like a loss of freedom but evolved into a profound, life-affirming experience.
• Her identity is now deeply intertwined with being a mother, which she finds beautiful and powerful.

  "It's almost like you get a second lease on life."

Season Two of "The Hunting Wives" [50:23]

• Åkerman teases that season two of "The Hunting Wives" is equally, if not more, crazy than the first.
• New characters are introduced, and shocking moments, including deaths, are to be expected.
• The cast received scripts as they were written, allowing them to experience the unfolding drama alongside the audience.

  "It is so hard this i always find the hardest thing to do."

Grounding "The Hunting Wives" [52:16]

• The cast felt more secure in season two, knowing their characters and the audience's reception.
• They focused on making the dialogue in crazy situations feel real, avoiding caricature.
• Åkerman worked with co-star Britney Snow to find believable moments within unbelievable situations.

  "We felt a lot more secure walking into this season."

Enhanced Wigs and Cast Bonding [53:48]

• The wig situation, which caused conversation in season one, has been improved with a higher budget and a professional wig maker for season two.
• The cast bonded closely during filming, with Åkerman highlighting a special weekend celebrating Britney Snow's 40th birthday in Charleston.
• A spontaneous dance party occurred in Charleston, involving cast members and locals, showcasing their shared love for dancing.

  "We upped our game this season okay we got budget."