Katy Mixon: The Total American Housewife

The first time I met Katy Mixon, we were on the set of American Housewife, and meeting her was like seeing an old friend. Her southern drawl gives her big personality so much charm; I wish we could talk every day. She is expecting her first baby next month and is totally glowing. We got to chat with her after watching “The Club” episode of American Housewife airing tonight, May 2nd on ABC.  Focusing on Katie’s (Katy) insecurities of bathing suit season while spending some time with the family at “The Club,” this episode is not only funny but will hit home to a lot of moms out there.

KATIE PANICS AT THE IDEA OF APPEARING IN A BATHING SUIT IN PUBLIC, ON ‘AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE’

“The Club” – When Anna-Kat develops a fear of water and stops bathing, her therapist suggests the Ottos get her to go swimming. But can Katie get over own her fear of wearing a bathing suit in public at the Westport Country Club so she can help her kid out? Meanwhile, Oliver gives his dad a style makeover after students at the college give Greg a low “jalapeño” score, on “American Housewife,” airing TUESDAY, MAY 2 (8:30-9:00 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network.

“American Housewife” stars Katy Mixon as Katie Otto, Diedrich Bader as Greg Otto, Meg Donnelly as Taylor, Daniel DiMaggio as Oliver, Julia Butters as Anna-Kat, Carly Hughes as Angela and Ali Wong as Doris.

Guest starring are Miya Cech as Marigold and Alexa Sutherland as the teenage lifeguard.

“The Club” was written by Brian Donovan & Ed Herro and directed by David Bertman.

Katy Mixon: The Total American Housewife

So, where do we begin? I’m so excited to meet everyone single one of you. There’s 25 of you, right?

Yeah.

Amazing. Welcome to ABC. Talk about it.

First of all, the show is outstanding. Your character is so spot on for everything is so very relatable. How do know Katie Otto so well?

I don’t know. It comes from the creator, Sarah Dunn. This show is her vision. And it took off with Kenny Schwartz and Rick Weiner (showrunners) and the incredible writing staff. But this was her vision, there are certain situations, not all of them but certain situations, that come from her life.

And her experiences, living basically in a town, kind of in upstate New York. But Ken Schwartz who’s the showrunner, he’s from Westport, Connecticut, so they’re taking from her whole (story). And it’s been my job to recreate that. So I couldn’t be more opposite from Sarah Dunn. I’m originally from Pensacola, Florida and I’m from the south, and just turned 36.

I think Sarah Dunn’s 43 or something like that. But I play older on the show, and everything. But it’s been my job to recreate what has been her vision.

So how are you like Katie Otto?

I rock n’ roll in a different way. I always have. I’ve always been quite fearless. I’ve never really let anxiety take a toll on me. And I march to the beat of my own drum, I get back up on that horse, and if I don’t get it right, I’m gonna do it again the next day. That’s kinda my M.O., that’s kinda how I’ve always rocked n’ rolled. Sarah Dunn’s entirely different from me. Which is a beautiful thing too.

So that’s what’s been really interesting. When I took on this role right after Mike & Molly. Four days later I walked into this American Housewife room. What was wild was, I’m not like her. I’m not Katie Otto. I don’t get mad at a green juice. If you’re going to do yoga, I think that’s awesome! You’re bettering yourself. I love people.

I’m real spontaneous; I love celebrating people and what makes them happy. I’m just so opposite of what Katie Otto is. So it’s just fun to play. I wanted to do a role that I’ve never done before. I don’t wear hardly any makeup in that show. We cover up head to toe. I wear real baggy clothes. It just couldn’t be more opposite of what I’ve done in the past. And I couldn’t be more grateful.

Katie Otto has a favorite child, does Katie have a favorite child actor?

Favorite child actor? No. (we all laugh) They’re all quite special. They’re all really lovely. I’m such a person of divine appointment, I believe in that. And the moment I met each one of them, I knew I was a part of something quite special. I’ll never forget, I met sweet Julia, we were doing costume fittings, it was before the pilot. And it was all crazy; nobody knew what was gonna happen. And she rounded the corner, and I was like, “Are you my TV daughter?”

And she was like, “Yes!” She came in and like gave me the biggest hug. So she’s – yeah, it’s been wonderful. All three of them.

So many women feel your character is living their lives. Every single episode things have a very poignant moment. Like the one we just watched, overcoming who you are and jumping in the pool in that bathing suit. How does it feel that you are impacting moms, as they sit and watch and go, “Yeah! She’s right; I’m gonna go swimming with my kid.”

It brings tears to my eyes. I’m so emotional; I’m so sorry. (she’s crying) There are so many emotions. But it brings tears to my eyes, honey. I could not be more grateful, and I’m having the time of my life. First of all, be able to do what you love to do. To be given the opportunity to do what you love to do is quite incredible.

It’s just the biggest gift in the world. And then to have people be able to receive it, or relate to it, would be like, “So that character, like that’s totally me.” That’s just the best thing in the world. So I am in a new dimension…I’ve never played a mom with three children. So that’s been quite special. To be able to do that on camera and evoke emotion.

Yeah, your audience is receiving that. And doing a fantastic job with that, so thank you.

You are so welcome. I’m such a big fan of the show too. It’s such a mom thing. It relates so much to moms. But what was so special was, I knew in the beginning when I signed onto it, I felt like it didn’t matter what gender you are and what background you come from, everybody relates to insecurity. Regardless of whether you’re from Kansas, from Oregon, from Miami, or from Westport. Everybody’s got their Westport, everybody’s got their little, their town, their situation that they’re like, I don’t wanna do this today and be in front of these people. People have that, so that’s been kinda my anthem on the show.

Even though you and Katie Otto are very different, is there something you think you will take away now that you are going to be a mom?

I don’t really know. She’s really strong. I’m really strong, you know. It’s just, I just rock & roll in a different way. I love her so much, that Katie Otto. (we all laugh) I don’t know what character trait – I think this is the thing – she’s quite fearless. But I’m quite fearless too. Just doing it in a different way.

I don’t know, I think, you know, she says what her mind thinks. And I think there’s power in saying what your mind (laughing) telling it how it is. I’m always like, you gotta do it in the spirit of love, that’s where I come from. Not so much Katie Otto. I’m gonna just be me. I’m gonna just do me. I come from a family of nine. My mommy has six girls and one boy. And now I’m the third oldest. So I’m gonna rock and roll. Right? Yeah.

What are you having?

A boy.

Katy is going to make such a great mom!

AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE (Tuesdays at 8:30/7:30c on ABC)

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ABC invited me to screen “The Club” episode and interview Katy Mixon to share my experience with my readers. All opinions are my own.

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Tara began her blog in 2012 and quickly became an Online Influencer in Travel and Entertainment. Trippin' with Tara is a lifestyle blog covering all things entertainment and travel, but don't be surprised by some great food and product reviews in the mix.
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