Netflix’s new rom-com series stars Kristen Bell as Joanne, a sex podcaster who begins an at-times complicated relationship with Noah, a rabbi played by Adam Brody. Justine plays Joanne’s podcast co-host and older sister, Morgan.
But that’s not all. Justine is also a new mom! She welcomed her first child earlier this year and revealed last month that she shot Nobody Wants This while pregnant. Now, she’s clarifying her comments after “misleading” news stories following her revelation that her cast and crew didn’t initially know she was pregnant.
“Wanted to just make clear, because my words have (I’m sure with good intention) been cut up and rearranged into a misleading story a few times now- I want to clarify that the cast and crew did know I was pregnant as soon as it was safe to share,” she wrote in an Instagram post over the weekend.
“As women who have carried a baby know, there is a higher risk of miscarriage in the first few months of pregnancy so it’s emotionally risky to share too early. I only care to make this clear because EVERY single person on this set made sure I was cozy and taken care of,” she continued.
Justine praised Kristen, series creator Erin Foster (who was also pregnant during production), cast and crew members, and Netflix for the excitement and support after she told them she was pregnant. “We had a set with FOUR pregnant women! I say this all because there is a narrative that it’s a death sentence of sorts to become a mother in this industry. That your career will be over. That there isn’t room for us when we transition into this AWESOME new chapter of our lives. This new version of ourselves,” Justine said.
“And the narrative isn’t based on nothing, there is a long history of this being the case, but I do think that things are changing! I’ve been lucky enough to see some of my best friends do some bonkers incredible work pregnant or as new moms and it’s been hugely expansive,” she continued.
Justine ended her post by noting that, while it might appear “silly” to respond to headlines, she’s speaking out because the cast and crew made her feel “so safe creatively and interpersonally and I think it’s important for women to hear THIS narrative.”
Her post was flooded with supportive comments, including from a couple of her co-stars. Jackie Thon, who plays Noah’s sister Esther, wrote, “THIS. THIS. THIS.”
Sherry Cola, who plays Joanne and Morgan’s podcast agent, left a series of heart emojis.
“My only fear was that you stole my thunder as the newest pregnant person on set ❤️,” Erin Foster, the series creator, wrote.
Justine’s Succession co-star Sarah Snook also commented, writing, “Fuck yeah, sing it 👏🔥.”
Many other celebrity women celebrated Justine speaking out, including Bady Monkey‘s Meredith Hagner…
..For All Mankind‘s Jodi Balfour…
You can view Justine’s Instagram post here.
