WHO WANTS TO KISS ME? Ft. Maya Hawke | Episode 221
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In this vibrant episode of The Comment Section, host Drew Afualo welcomes the multi-talented Maya Hawke for a candid, playful, and deeply personal conversation. The discussion spans Hawke’s artistic journey—from her early days of reading 16th-century French literature as a 'grown-up' form of intimacy to her recent music tour and new album, which she describes as a personal journey toward emotional readiness for love. She opens up about the vulnerability of being a public artist, the anxiety that followed the end of Stranger Things, and her decision to step back from the internet to reclaim her mental peace. Hawke also shares her love for romantic fantasy fiction, her upcoming Polynesian-inspired novels, and her creative rituals, including writing fan fiction and painting album covers. The episode is laced with humor, including stories about her 21st birthday in Vegas, her love for AO3, and her playful banter about 'who wants to kiss me?'—a Scorpio-inspired question that encapsulates her magnetic, unapologetic energy. The conversation ends on a heartfelt note, celebrating authenticity, artistic reinvention, and the quiet power of self-compassion in a high-pressure industry.
Artistic fulfillment requires protecting creative joy from commercialization—balance your 'job' with 'pleasure' outlets.
Vulnerability in art is not weakness; it’s the core of connection and authenticity.
Rejection and insecurity are universal in creative careers—reinvention is constant, not failure.
Digital culture amplifies insecurity—curate your online environment to protect your mental health.
True creativity thrives in curiosity, not perfection: let ideas flow freely, even if they’re messy.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The First Porn Was a French Literary Classic
“I'm not cheesying, I don't watch porn. I read 16th century French literatica. That's grown up. That's ladylike.”
Music as Emotional Reckoning and Creative Sanctuary
“I was having a day where I just felt like oh this is my life, I know who I am, I know what I believe in, I know what matters to me.”
The Creative Mind: From Fan Fiction to Mythology
“I made her 30. So that’s awesome. Which is period because most of them she’s freshly 18. Yeah, gotta be. I’m not loving that.”
The Anxiety of Fame and the Internet's Funhouse Mirror
“It’s not just that the internet is bad, it’s that each of us has our own curated, crafted internet made by the companies that run the internet.”
The Myth of the 'Perfect' Artist and the Power of Imperfection
Hawke dismantles the illusion of constant confidence in artists. She admits to losing faith in herself after years of success, revealing that knowledge often breeds self-doubt. The episode becomes a manifesto for embracing uncertainty, imperfection, and the need to 're-dorkify'—reconnect with childlike wonder.
“Who wants to kiss me? How many boners could I start by the wave of a hand?”
“I was having a day where I just felt like oh this is my life, I know who I am, I know what I believe in, I know what matters to me.”
“It’s not just that the internet is bad, it’s that each of us has our own curated, crafted internet made by the companies that run the internet.”
Host
Guest
Maya Hawke
person
Drew Afualo
person
Stranger Things
media
AO3
product
Tamora Pierce
person
Tuna
person
Shakespeare and Company
place
Barilla
brand
Gattaca
media
Studio Ghibli
brand
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