00:00We are here with the one and the only Jen Affleck.
00:03We're going to talk about so much because you have so much going on in your life.
00:06This is such an exciting time for you and as a fan to watch you doing everything.
00:10We found out at the Secret Lives and Mormon Wives reunion that you are going to be on Dancing with the Stars.
00:15She might not be related to the stars, but she's going to be dancing with them.
00:19Congratulations, Jen Affleck, to our season of Dancing with the Stars.
00:25What was that audition process like? Can you walk me through that a little bit?
00:32Yeah, so production just told us that all of us girls had an opportunity to go on and they just told us all we had to do was interview.
00:42And so four of us did with the main producer, Dina, and two of us got it.
00:48I know you met your partner last week. I know we are going to talk a little bit about who he is.
00:52What was that like? And can you tell me, can you tell me who your partner is?
00:57Yes. Well, do you have any guesses?
00:59I've been seeing a lot of Alan.
01:01Okay.
01:02I've been seeing, I think that was the main one that I've seen.
01:04So I'm going to go with that.
01:05It's not Alan.
01:06It's not. Oh my gosh. Wait, tell me.
01:08It's Jan.
01:10I did see it. I saw a couple of guesses.
01:12It's Jan.
01:13Yes. And I'm so excited.
01:15Like, yeah, I had no like expectations going into it.
01:19I was like, you know what, whoever I meant to, whoever I'm supposed to be partnered with, like, yeah, it's, it's meant to be.
01:26How have rehearsals been going so far?
01:27Because I know you've been doing them for what, the last week or so?
01:30Yes, it is very intense.
01:32I have to say it's a lot different than dancing on your countertops.
01:36It's way different.
01:38I have bruises all over my body already blisters on my feet.
01:42I don't even know how I'm wearing heels.
01:43Um, but yeah, it's very intense, but I'm having so much fun since, you know, dancing with the stars.
01:48It's known for its intimate dances, the cute little outfits, which I am obsessed with.
01:52You know, I know some people online were wondering how Zach was handling everything.
01:56Has he been supportive through this whole process?
01:58Oh, absolutely.
01:59He knows it's been a dream of mine since, like, I can remember.
02:03And so he's just so happy for me.
02:05And because I went through a lot this last year, I think he's just happy to see me happy.
02:09You're known, you mentioned before, you're known for your TikTok counter dances.
02:12Are we going to see any of those moves make an appearance throughout this season?
02:15Hopefully, yes.
02:16Hopefully.
02:17I brought up the idea once or twice.
02:19So, yeah, you'll, you'll have to see.
02:21That's awesome.
02:22The fact that, that you're doing this is, is even more impressive since you literally just gave birth.
02:27Eight weeks ago, you just told me.
02:29I know.
02:30I'm shocked I'm kind of, like, fitting into these pants right now.
02:32No, you look amazing.
02:33They're a little tight.
02:34They're a little snug.
02:35You look amazing.
02:36I would never, if I didn't know, I would never know that you literally just had a child.
02:39You're so nice.
02:40Your third child, nonetheless.
02:42And she's absolutely adorable.
02:43I love you.
02:44You know, how are you able to prepare yourself both mentally and physically for Dancing with the Stars?
02:48So, I, you know what?
02:51With my second, I actually ran the New York City Marathon, three months postpartum.
02:56So, I knew if I can do that, I can totally do this.
03:00And dancing, dancing comes easy and natural to me.
03:03So, I wasn't worried.
03:05But it is a lot.
03:06It is a lot.
03:07Three under three.
03:09But luckily, I was able to do natural births.
03:14So, that's definitely helped me a ton as well.
03:16And yeah, I just, I feel prepared.
03:18So.
03:19What's it like juggling, you know, two kids, a newborn, Dancing with the Stars, filming a reality show, all the things that you're doing?
03:25It is a lot.
03:26But, you know, motherhood is already, like, chaotic.
03:30So, it's just kind of all combined, to be honest.
03:32Yeah.
03:33Even if I wasn't doing a reality TV show, Dancing with the Stars, it'd still be crazy.
03:36So, at least I get to do what I love to do.
03:39Yeah.
03:40So, your Secret Lives co-star, Whitney, is also competing this season.
03:43You know, what's it like to be on this journey with someone you already know?
03:46And has it brought you two closer together?
03:48Or is, like, the competition kind of starting to set in?
03:50It's definitely brought us closer.
03:52And if anything, we're just happy for each other.
03:54I mean, I'm happy for her.
03:55I know it's been a dream of hers as well.
03:57And so, the fact that we get to do this together is, like, just so lucky.
04:02And, yeah, I'm actually happy that I have someone that I can relate with who also has three kids.
04:09And, yeah, I'm just really happy.
04:11That's true.
04:12I can't let you go without asking a little bit about Secret Lives and Mormon Wives
04:15because I know they just announced the season three premiere date.
04:18You know, we saw you exit midway through season two to prioritize your mental health,
04:21which I think is amazing that you did that.
04:24How are you doing today?
04:25And what advice would you give someone who's going through something similar?
04:28I'm doing way better now.
04:31I'm not going to lie, this last year was one of the hardest years of my life.
04:37But I'm really grateful that I went through that because I was able to learn so much about myself.
04:44And it also made me realize how many other moms are going through the same thing.
04:52A prenatal depression, a postpartum depression, I feel like, isn't talked about enough.
04:57And because as a mom, because you're so focused on serving others, you're so focused on your kids,
05:05sometimes it's hard to prioritize yourself and your well-being.
05:10But if anything, it's opened up the discussion and topic that we need to talk about it.
05:14And you can't pour from an empty cup.
05:19And I've realized, you know what, like, some people might be against me doing Dancing with the Stars.
05:24But if anything, like, I feel like it's helping me become a better version of myself.
05:28It's helping me fill that cup, which in return I get to then give even more to my kids and give them the best version of myself.
05:35And I want to be an advocate for mothers who are going through the same thing and remind them that, like, if I can do it, you can do it too.
05:43And, like, your dreams matter.
05:45And even if it means dancing on your countertops at home, if it brings out the best version of you, then why not?
05:53Yeah, exactly.
05:54Well, without giving too much away, what was it like for you to come back for Season 3 and reunite with all the girls?
05:59You know what, it was for sure challenging at first just because there was a lot of things that I needed to confront.
06:08It's just been fulfilling for me to just see how far I've come.
06:12And even though I went through a lot and I made a lot of mistakes, it's just part of the journey.
06:23It's part of life, and it's scary showing that to the world, but as long as I'm becoming a better version of myself and people are learning from my mistakes,
06:32I mean, I feel like there's just so much to gain from it.
06:35Yeah, totally.
06:36And, you know, back, I want to ask a little bit about the drama, too, because I know that's just, it's just something that's always there, right?
06:43It was shortly after Season 2 came out, Demi's husband, Brett, made an interesting comment on social media about a conversation you and Zach might have had at Whitney's.
06:52And I asked Whitney about it at the time, and she said it was more of a question for you.
06:56Okay.
06:57So I want to know what your response is to that, if you saw it.
07:00Yeah, no, that was not fake at all.
07:03And, yeah, it's just, it's interesting to me how much she cares about my life when there's a lot that she should be focusing with her life.
07:15But, yeah, you know what, I'm like, I kind of don't want to talk about the past anymore just because, like, we're in such a good place now, and I just want to look forward, and there's so many positive things to focus on now, and so that's where I'm at.
07:29Your co-star Taylor, Frankie Paul, seemed to tease a new love interest over the weekend on her Instagram.
07:34Do you know anything about this mystery man?
07:36Have you met him?
07:37You know what, I can't keep up with Taylor.
07:38You know, there's always something new each week.
07:41Um, so I, um, I've been so busy with having a baby that I, I need to get caught up on that myself.
07:48I'm like, who is that?
07:49I don't know who that is.
07:50This man singing on her story.
07:51Yes, literally.
07:52With a guitar.
07:53Yes, I'm like, okay.
07:54Plays the guitar, okay.
07:56Yeah.
07:57Um, well, you know, I'm very excited about season three, and I'm very, very excited to see you on Dancing with the Stars.
08:02Is there anything else you can tease about what we're going to see from either of those projects?
08:06Um, with season three, you'll probably see a happier, uh, more, um, uplifting side of me.
08:18I feel like we weren't really able to see that in season one and season two, just because I was going through so much.
08:23But yeah, you're definitely going to see more of who I am in season three.
08:28And then same with Dancing with the Stars, because I really feel like this opportunity is that light at the end of the tunnel for me.
08:34Um, it's everything I've dreamt of and, um, yeah, I feel like what makes me happy is dancing and performing, whether that's on the countertop or on stage.
08:45And so, yeah, I feel like I'm, I'm excited to show the world, uh, the real me.
08:53Okay.
08:54But, um, it seems to help me when I'm having fun at the end of the hand that's Zhuk
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