It’s almost impossible to go into an interview withHillaryandChelsea Clintonwithout some preconceptions.
That is, until Hillary shifts and bellows “Hello!”
in her distinctive cadence, reminding us of the actual person behind the public persona.
Hillary and Chelsea Clinton.Heidi Gutman/Apple TV+
But is that possible?
“Being in front of the camera in this series was kind of a leap of faith for me.
It was outside my comfort zone.
Hillary and Chelsea Clinton.Heidi Gutman/Apple TV+
I wasn’t alone, she wasn’t alone.
We were in it together.”
“We are very open and honest, and we love having new experiences together.
So in some ways this did feel quite organic to have these new experiences and conversations.”
Interjects Hillary: “But not in front of the camera.”
The docuseries grew out of their 2019 best-sellerThe Book of Gutsy Women: Favorite Stories of Courage and Resilience.
The globetrotting production (locations include Paris, New York City, and Little Rock, Ark.)
“I’ve been interviewed, I don’t know, a million times,” says Hillary.
“But never have I been the interviewer.
And I loved that part of it.”
“And one of the things that I loved about the Clintons is that they were very vocal.
They wanted to be good at it.
Some people say that, but don’t really mean it.
[But] they were eager for feedback.”
It was, ‘Here’s who I am.
And here’s what I care about.’
Kardashian was also a surprise.
“I have long admired Kim’s commitment tocriminal justice reform,” says Chelsea.
“I knew she’d gone to law school.
“I’ve had to let go of Kanye,” she says.
That was some of my favorite running music and I have removed it from my music library.")
They are not jumping in to interrupt, or entertain (though their banter is plenty entertaining).
her New York apartment.
And that felt great.”
Whittney Ijanaten, a wedding officiant who asked Hillary some tough questions about her marriage with Bill.
“It wasn’t Rev.
Celebrating these women as opposed to bashing the patriarchy or spiraling into negativity was key for the Clintons.
In each case, we felt like we were really getting to know that person.
And we were trying to make that person really feel that she was the most important person.
Chelsea and I were here to really showcase them.”
And again, this idea of hope.
So will there be aGutsyseason 2?
“And then those two goofuses showed up.
They just jumped head first into goofiness.
That was, I would say, the most surprising thing, that they’re silly.
It’ll never not be hilarious: Hillary Clinton and her child were in my house.”
“And, seriously, I can’t believe you said that [about the mic] on camera.
And I’m embarrassed for you, but it’s fine.”
(“No, no, no, she didn’t!”
says Hillary when asked about it in a phone call a few days after our Zoom.
And that, in the end, is what helps amplify the other women’s stories inGutsy.
Not just for their daughters, but for all daughters.
