Zoe Kurland

It was how to inhabit my own actual body.

The Erin aura I was seeking didn't start with Julia Roberts.

She, too, was copying someone.

I realized I was calling the wrong Erin.

And this time, when I called, the right Erin picked up.

Hi, it's nice to meet you.

You too.

Thank you so much for doing this.

Sure, my pleasure.

This is Erin Brockovich, the real Erin Brockovich, talking to me on Zoom.

Her hair is swept up into a voluminous updo, huge glittering smile, jangly bracelets, a black v-neck top.

She's 65 and tanned, coming to me from what looks like a new-agey home office.

Stone floors, leather furniture, a Buddha head next to her desk.

It kind of tripped me out to see the real Erin.

When I pictured Erin Brockovich, I pictured Julia Roberts.

Now here was this completely different woman.

Erin was, of course, very familiar with this confusion.

She told me she was maybe more surprised than anyone when Julia Roberts was chosen to play her.

And I wonder, when you saw her in her costume, what did you think, seeing a weird mirror version of yourself?

Erin was there to shoot a cameo part in the movie.