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ALYSSA MILANO TALKS POLITICAL ‘SORRY NOT SORRY’ PODCAST: IT’S A ‘NATURAL EXTENSION’ OF ME

Alyssa Milano is no stranger to taking a political stand, so a podcast centering around today’s most pressing cultural and social conversations is a natural next step for the actress. Monday marks the arrival of her politically-charged podcast, Sorry Not Sorry.

Milano is known for appearing in shows like Charmed and Melrose Place, but her political advocacy hasn’t gone unnoticed over the years. The actress’ launch into activism began in the 1980s when as a teenage Milano kissed the cheek of 13-year-old Ryan White—a boy who was infected with AIDS through a contaminated blood transfusion—to destigmatize the disease. She’s since used her voice to speak out against President Donald Trump’s administration and Georgia’s Heartbeat Bill while backing several social issues and movements from #MeToo to Time’s Up.

Milano aims to have discussions about political, cultural, and social issues on Sorry Not Sorry. She will tackle these topics weekly with guests who are unapologetic in nature and willing to speak on such subjects from their perspective, like actress Jamie King and 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden. While this podcast serves as a digital expansion toward her fight for justice and inequality, she hopes listeners are encouraged to speak out and help impact change.

Alyssa Milano on 'Sorry Not Sorry' PodcastAlyssa Milano is pictured attending the InStyle And Warner Bros. Golden Globes After Party 2019 at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 6, 2019, in Beverly Hills, California.RICH FURY/GETTY IMAGES

What led to your decision to launch the ‘Sorry Not Sorry’ podcast?

The decision to do a podcast seemed like a natural extension of who I am and how I use my platform. The concept is to tackle social, cultural and political issues through unapologetic conversations. It’s important, to me, to use the podcast to highlight the amazing work grassroots activists are doing throughout the country; work that is shaping progressive politics and also hear from elected officials leading our country.

What type of topics are you looking to explore further on the podcast?

We are covering everything from body image, immigration, racism, #MeToo, LGBTQ rights, the Constitution, parenting, healthcare, and everything in between. Basically, the podcast will cover life as we know it, the issues we are struggling to find our way through, and activists leading the way.

When you had asked women via Twitter to record their abortion stories to have them submitted to be on ‘Sorry Not Sorry,’ this caused a lot of pushback from conservative news websites. How did this idea come to be and what, to you, makes sharing abortion stories worth broadcasting in this format? 

I think when issues—like abortion—become so politicized, we lose sight of the human element in these life-altering decisions. We lose sight of why it’s important for women to be in control of their bodies and make reproductive health and family planning choices without government interference. Having women tell their own stories in their own voices gives them the opportunity to control the narrative. It is their way of potentially changing hearts and minds by bringing the issue back to a place of empathy and compassion. The podcast succeeds when I’m able to hand the microphone to others to share their stories and experiences and that is what I wanted this episode to feel like.

You’ve been very vocal in denouncing Trump. Would you say Trump’s role as president is what’s urged you to speak out more and launch your podcast?

It’s hard to say if I would be as motivated to do the podcast if Trump weren’t the President.

If you could give advice to Trump, what would that be?

[I would say:] “Hello, Trump. It’s Alyssa. I understand there are more than a dozen other investigations and lawsuits in New York looking into you and your businesses and associations, and you’re probably safest hiding in plain sight in the White House as our ‘president,’ but you should just resign. Quickly.”

If there’s one thing you hope listeners take away from your ‘Sorry Not Sorry’ podcast, what would that be?

I just hope it will inspire them to want to make a difference in whatever capacity they see fit. I want to give people the opportunity to engage, contribute, and be invested in our great country.

Your Netflix show Insatiable films in Georgia where the “Heartbeat Bill” is being voted on, which is something you’ve spoken out about and threatened to boycott the state if the bill is passed. Why is it important to boycott filming in Georgia if the abortion ban passes? Is this something that could impact Insatiable?

It’s pretty simple to me. The entertainment industry brings $10 billion a year and 90,000 jobs into the state of Georgia. How can an industry that prides itself on diversity, inclusion, and tolerance continue to supplement a state economy that continues to put forth oppressive, hurtful, policy? And it’s not just the Heartbeat Bill. It’s LGBTQ Rights. It’s the criminal voter suppression during the 2018 midterms. I’m hopeful that Insatiable will pull production from the state of Georgia in Season 3. If they don’t, I can’t go back to the show.

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