Amy Poehler Shares How the Inside Out Movies 'Fundamentally Changed My Life': 'I Feel Really Lucky'
Actress Amy Poehler revealed that her role as Joy in the Inside Out animated films has profoundly impacted her life, sparking deep conversations about emotional wellbeing and personal growth.
Speaking exclusively at the 12th Annual Bring Change to Mind Revels & Revelations gala, Poehler, 53, opened up about how voicing the character Joy in both the 2015 original film and upcoming 2024 sequel has transformed her perspective on emotions.
"My experience in Inside Out and Inside Out 2 has truly, fundamentally changed my life," Poehler shared. The actress emphasized how the role prompted meaningful discussions about emotional processing and expression.
The Parks and Recreation star drew parallels between her own teenage years and Riley, the 13-year-old protagonist of Inside Out 2. In the sequel, Riley grapples with puberty as Joy and a new emotion, Anxiety, vie for control of her mind. Poehler recalled her own adolescent experience, noting she was "a mix of anxiety and joy, wrapped up in a Boston accent."
As a mother to two teenagers - sons Archie, 16, and Abel, 14 - Poehler finds additional resonance in the films' themes. She reflected on parenting challenges, explaining, "When you're raising a kid, they're their own person. You just can't protect them from pain and you're really not even supposed to."
The Saturday Night Live alumna described how recording Joy's dialogue often led to profound personal revelations. "It's like talking to your inner child, talking to you as a parent, talking to you as yourself, talking to the future version of you," she explained, adding that while the process demanded emotional depth, it was ultimately "really satisfying."
Through her involvement with Inside Out, Poehler has witnessed evolving conversations around mental health, particularly among young people. She expressed appreciation for the opportunity to contribute to these important discussions through storytelling.
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