‘This Is Us’ Star Chrissy Metz Says It’s ‘Really Hard to Detach’ From Kate
This Is Us remains one of the most beloved television dramas, with a devoted fan base who eagerly watched every episode. The show featured a star-studded cast, including Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown, and Milo Ventimiglia. One actor who rose to fame thanks to her work on the show is Chrissy Metz, who played Kate Pearson. Metz has acted on This Is Us since the beginning, becoming closely associated with her character.
As Metz revealed in a recent interview, that closeness is somewhat of a challenge, with the actor admitting that it can be challenging for her to “detach” from Kate.
Chrissy Metz plays Kate in ‘This Is Us’
Although Metz initially received acclaim for her work in the horror anthology series American Horror Story: Freak Show, it was the character of Kate in This Is Us that really catapulted her to stardom. The biological daughter of Jack and Rebecca Pearson, Kate Pearson is a member of the “Big Three” and a focal point of many of the show’s storylines. Kate is empathetic, devoted to her family, and passionate about her interests. However, she also deals with significant problems, including food and self-worth.
Metz has become a fan favorite thanks to her portrayal of Kate. Over the years, Metz has opened up about her deep affection for the character, admitting she and Kate share many similarities. In fact, both went through traumatic divorces.
What did Metz say about it being ‘hard to detach’ from the character of Kate?
The sixth and final season of This Is Us concludes on NBC on May 24. Fans prepared to say goodbye to the characters they love so much. And for Metz, closing the door on This Is Us will also be a challenge, as she feels a profound connection to Kate.
“I am her; she is me,” the actor revealed in an interview with Very Well Mind. “(We) always put ourselves into our roles. And I think Kate is so much of who I used to be. And so now that she’s becoming this very empowered woman who’s speaking up for herself, I, in turn, find myself doing that in different ways.” She admitted playing Kate helped her become a more fully realized individual.
Although This Is Us has been a boon for Metz in many ways, the role has also come with challenges. “It’s really hard to detach from that and also because when you found your new fame or fortune through a particular role or show, and then it’s not there anymore, you question—who am I?” Metz elaborated, “Who am I without this person? Who am I not playing this character? And it’s a bit of a tricky thing to maneuver.”
What’s next for Metz?
It isn’t just Kate Pearson Metz is grateful for. The star revealed working on This Is Us allowed her to develop deep friendships with her co-stars. Those friendships will carry on to Metz’s new phase of life as she pursues projects that challenge her creatively. Metz plans on finishing her album, which she’s been working on for quite some time. She is also interested in tackling a role on Broadway at some point. For now, Metz is determined to simply “stay creative” and “find more balance” as she navigates this new phase of her life.
