Meryl Streep, the iconic three-time Oscar winner, isn’t just a remarkable actress; she’s also a cool mom, both on and off the silver screen. In a recent oral-history interview with Vogue, conducted prior to the ongoing actors’ strike, members of the Mamma Mia! cast and crew gathered to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the beloved musical film. During this gathering, Streep’s co-star Amanda Seyfried shared a heartwarming anecdote about the first time they met on set.
As Seyfried, who portrayed Karen Smith in the 2004 teen classic “Mean Girls,” reminisced about her initial fitting with costume designer Ann Roth, she revealed Streep’s unexpected introduction. Streep, who played Seyfried’s mother in the film, warmly exclaimed, “You’re very big in my household because of Mean Girls!” Seyfried was understandably awestruck, considering the immense respect she held for Streep. She elaborated, “I’m sure she can imagine how intimidating it would be for someone like me to play her daughter, and I believe she said that with every intention of making me feel more comfortable. She took herself off the pedestal that I created for her in one sentence, and it meant the world to me.”
This connection was entirely natural for Streep, as she and her family, including daughters Mamie Gummer, Grace Gummer, and Louisa Jacobson, are avid fans of “Mean Girls,” a Tina Fey-written gem that also starred Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, and Lacey Chabert.
Streep didn’t stop at “Mean Girls”; she also expressed her admiration for “Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion,” the 1997 best-friends comedy featuring Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow. In fact, she referred to these two films as “pretty much religious texts in my house” and confessed that they remain among her family’s most-watched movies.
With this shared appreciation, Streep was well-acquainted with Amanda Seyfried even before “Mamma Mia!” came into the picture, figuratively and literally. In Streep’s words, Seyfried became “like another daughter” to her during the production of the musical sensation.
“Mamma Mia!” originally based on the popular musical, was such a hit that it spawned a 2018 sequel, “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.” Although there’s no official confirmation about a third installment, franchise creator and producer Judy Craymer hinted at its early development, expressing her desire to bring Streep back for more. Streep herself, despite her character Donna’s fate in the sequel, remains open to the idea, saying, “if there’s an idea that excites me, I’m totally there.” She even playfully suggested a soap opera twist, hinting at the possibility of Donna’s return or her long-lost twin.
While we eagerly await more news on a potential third “Mamma Mia!” film, one thing is clear: Meryl Streep’s passion for cinema and her delightful sense of humor continue to charm both on and off the screen. Perhaps one day, we’ll see the enchanting return of “Grand-Mamma Mia!” to the big screen.