Jennifer Garner on “Not Going to Lie”: 13 Going on 30, aging naturally, and the joy of flash mobs
Jennifer Garner stopped by Not Going to Lie for a wide-ranging, warm conversation that touched on her iconic roles, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and why she’s still waiting for her “boobs dress” moment to feel fully earned.
A morning in the kitchen (and a nap-time marinade)
The episode opened with a personal touch: Garner and the host spent the morning cooking together at her home, including a “nap-time cook” segment where Garner marinated meat during her child’s nap. The host teased that they’ll be testing the recipe at home and sending photo proof of the bowls.
I’m genuinely taking that recipe on to my home to make sure that I can marinate my meat during nap time.
13 Going on 30: the movie that “spoke to my soul”
The host named 13 Going on 30 as their all-time favorite Garner film, saying it made them cry and felt like an ode to young women. Garner reflected on how special the film was to make, praising late director Gary Winick for creating a playful, joyful set where the cast “fit their roles perfectly.”
We all loved our director so much… He had this whole feeling of play on the set and it was such a big deal.
Garner admitted she hasn’t watched the film in full since its premiere, though scenes pop up at her kids’ birthday parties and sleepovers—often to their mortification.
My kids were first of all mortified… and second of all, so upset to see me sad, so upset to see me being in love… and also it’s just so cringe.
When asked about the most quoted line, the host expected “30, flirty, and thriving,” but instead highlighted the “boobs” line as their favorite. Garner laughed, noting she’s still waiting for that promise to come true.
I always thought that was like the most lovely reaction… ‘Maybe that means one day I will get boobs to fill out a dress.’ They never came.
On where Jenna Rink ranks among her characters, Garner placed her “one or two,” right up there with Sydney Bristow from Alias, which she says gave her “swagger” and a sense of self.
I had such girl-next-door energy that I’d never had a swagger and she made me have a swagger.
Flash mobs: cringe for the youths, but tears for the heart
The conversation turned to flash mobs. While acknowledging many young people find them “cringe,” Garner confessed she still tears up at the sight of a tuba, a violin, or “little cherub kids up high.”
I think they’re cringe for the youth… But I tear up. Somebody pulls out a tuba and I got a tear.
She shared a private, camera-free flash mob surprise at a restaurant, complete with a “bad replica” of the Thriller dress, where the entire restaurant rose and danced.
This is the kind of flash mob that I believe in. There were no cameras. Nobody’s ever seen it.
Her hot take: bring flash mobs back, but for joy—not clicks.
We should do it for the joy that you feel in your heart being involved.
The dress, the dance, and 42 million views
Garner revealed she brought back the iconic 13 Going on 30 dress for Halloween last year. A clip of the reveal racked up 42 million views.
The clip had 42 million views. You’re welcome, Neutrogena.
She and the host floated the idea of a live rewatch with original castmates Mark Ruffalo and Judy Greer for charity.
Mark and Judy and I have talked about doing a rewatch for charity… Would people be into that? Yes. Okay. Please.
As for a sequel or remake, Garner noted discussions over the years, including a TV concept and a stage musical that’s had runs in Manchester and may head to London, with performer Lucy Jones starring as Jenna.
It’s such a great winning story… But it’s hard to… not just replicate it.
Electra, Marvel, and keeping secrets
Briefly touching on her return as Electra, Garner called the Marvel fanbase “intense” and “insane,” and playfully declined to confirm future appearances.
The Marvel fan base is fun. Intense. Insane. Yes. Both applicable.
The Last Thing He Told Me: season 2 and playing a stepmom
Garner promoted season 2 of Apple TV+’s The Last Thing He Told Me, in which she plays a stepmom navigating life with a teenage daughter. The host binge-watched season 1 in one night and praised Garner’s performance as a “maternal hug.”
You felt like a maternal hug.
Garner said she loves playing “movie kids and TV kids,” and that these roles help her reflect on her own parenting.
I love the intimacy of that relationship… I’m practicing that relationship, even practicing the friction of it and ways that I can take that home and do a better job.
She also highlighted Reese Witherspoon’s role as an executive producer who pushed her to pursue the part.
Reese is incredible… She’s the kind of small she’s so mighty. She could get under you and like lift you up on her one hand.
Aging naturally: “I want to wear every single bit of those hundred years”
Echoing sentiments shared by Kate Winslet about wanting a face that moves, Garner spoke about embracing natural aging.
I want to age. I want to live to be a hundred. I want to wear every single bit of those hundred years and feel great about them.
She’s tried Botox but found it freezes her forehead too much, which she needs for expressive parenting.
I like to be able to move my forehead. It’s such a big part of my face… I do a lot of eyebrow raising when they’re telling a story.
Her stance: women are “beautiful period,” and should do what they want—but she personally prefers treatments that are subtle and undetectable.
The more you spend on a dermatologist doing a bunch of things to your face, the less you can tell… ‘You look refreshed. Did you have a good nap?’
Parenting teenagers (and the kindergarten heartbreak)
Garner is mom to three: 20, 17, and a 14-year-old turning 14 the next day. She shared her birthday “cheat sheet” (10/2, 3/3, 2/23, 3/30) and joked about her wedding date (4/14/18 → 4+14=18).
I got to evict all of my children. In other words, I got to choose their birthdays.
On raising teens, she emphasized grace and fresh starts.
Every day as a mom is a new day to say, ‘Okay, that didn’t work. Let me try again.’ Every day is a fresh start.
She also recalled the heartbreak of her first rainy-day kindergarten drop-off, when she couldn’t walk her daughter in.
That is the day I lost it… ‘What? I don’t even get to go. You’re just going to do it without me?’
Once Upon a Farm: real food, no sugar, and lunchbox wins
Garner discussed co-founding Once Upon a Farm with Cassandra Curtis, born from frustration with shelf-stable baby food that can sit for months and often contains sugar and preservatives.
You open a jar of baby food… It could be older than the baby.
She contrasted the dull color of shelf-stable mango purée with the bright yellow of their fresh product.
Squeeze out a shelf-stable pouch of mango and then squeeze out our mango, which is bright yellow because it’s just mango.
The host’s household is already a fan; Garner recommended the soft-baked bars (no added sugar) and toddler “tractor wheels” for little hands.
These are what I would try to explain to Wyatt are the fruits and veggies that she used to eat before she argued with me.
Wrap: where to watch next
The episode closed with plugs for:
- The Last Thing He Told Me season 2 on Apple TV+
- The cooking segment on the host’s Instagram and YouTube“Watch us cook together on Jen’s Instagram and YouTube channel this Sunday.”
