Wilder takes a beat to let the viewers prepare themselves before he dives in.
Wilder:Let’s take it back to your childhood. Tell me a little bit about your upbringing.
Holden shifts in his seat and clears his throat as Wilder slowly eases him in. His typical way to disarm his guests at first.
Holden:Well, I was born and raised in Weston, Missouri. I have two older brothers and was raised by my mom.
Wilder:How did you go from Missouri to LA? I’m sure most people there aren’t actors.
Okay, cool. We’re prepared for this one. As long as he doesn’t give a brooding answer, we should be fine.
Holden:Not at all. Uhh, I think after my parents’ divorce, my mom wanted to reinvent herself. She was always intrigued by California. When I took an interest in community theater in my small town, it just felt like the right move. We moved here right before my twelfth birthday.
Holden’s shoulders loosen, listening intently to Wilder’s questions. Just captivating the camera with his easy eyes and soft smile.
I hate how I notice everything.
Wilder:How did you feel about being in show business so young?
Holden:I adapted. At first, I was excited to be able to be out of school for it. Everything seemed so new and exciting. Running lines always felt natural. When the first season got greenlit, it felt like I was finally achieving the dream we were reaching for. That all the auditions worked out.
This sparks a rapid-fire series of questions between the two of them. Holden is still smiling, and Harvey cracks a few jokes in between. They are both playing a game. Except it’s just another day for Harvey.
Wilder:Your mother played a huge role in your career, it seems. What was your dynamic like then versus now?
Holden:We’re good.
Wilder:That’s it?
Holden:She is a passionate person. A real motivator when I was younger.
Wilder:Right… What does she do now?
Holden:She does real estate. She has a knack for charming people into picturing themselves where they should be. Definitely a skill.
Wilder:Couldn’t she have just stayed your manager? I mean, it sounds like she pushed you in the right direction?
Holden:I guess…
Wilder:A stage mom?
I pour another glass of champagne.
Holden:I don’t know, maybe. She knew what was best for me for a long time. Now, we get to go back to the core of our relationship, which is mother and son.
Wilder leans into the mic, sinking in his teeth now.
Wilder:Sounds like you had a tough time with her and fired her? Every young actor I speak to always ends up telling me some version of that.
Holden:She’s my mom, and I was a rebellious teen. It was an amplified dynamic. Imagine you’re figuring out what’s best for yourself while the entire world is watching.
Wilder:Do you feel like you didn’t have a childhood?
Holden:I think that’s a lot of what-ifs. I try to stay present, because ultimately, acting gave me the thing I love most…
It’s quicker than lighting, but as soon as he said childhood, I could see the knee-jerk reaction. His smile dropped for a millisecond, before returning back to his face.
Wilder:This is your first interview in years, right?
