Alan Cumming
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Who is Alan Cumming and how did he meet Monica Lewinsky?
Wondery Plus subscribers can listen to Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky early and ad free right now. Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or on Apple podcasts, or you can listen for free wherever you get your podcasts. Hi, everyone. For today's episode, I spoke with my dear friend, Alan Cumming. We met 25 years ago at a party where we were sitting in a booth and the people in the booth next to us, someone leaned over and started to touch my hair. And I said to Alan, sort of quite frightened that someone was petting me. And we had a moment and kind of both knew that we were going to be good friends ever since then. So you probably know him as an actor, presenter, author, and host of the hit show Traitors. I've known Alan for so long and so intimately. I wasn't surprised in our conversation when he talked about how abusive his dad had been. But I was really surprised to learn that he had also been groomed by an older man when he was a teenager. So it was a little heartbreaking for me.
But I hope you find something to connect to in our chat. And thanks for joining us on Reclaiming. Thank you to our sponsor, Reformation. Visit Reformation.com to see why they're my go-to for stylish and sustainable fashion. I was thinking this morning, I was awake at 5 a.m.
Oh.
Lying there, nervous.
So this is your first one. You're popping your cherry with me.
Yeah, exactly. Popping my podcast post cherry.
Love.
Exactly. And I was thinking, I was nervous, and I was thinking about two things. One was, I did the math. We've actually now known each other for 25 years. Because we met in 99. I checked on the calculator. Was it 99? I thought it was 1,000.
I thought it was 2,000.
It's already 1,000. No, I'm pretty sure it was 99 because I did that.
We could find out because remember that I wore that terrible outfit the night we met. I was wearing a terrible, terrible green.
Wait, is that the one when we were both? Oh, right. And I was in green also. We look like.
Yes, we look like twins.
We look like leprechaun twins. Maybe that was 99. I can't say leprechaun anymore.
It was a couple months later, but it wasn't. Yes. But yeah.
So I was saying. Quarter of a century. I know. Exactly. So our 25 year friendiversary. And then I was also thinking about that in the 25 years I've known you, I've never been nervous to talk to you.
Except no.
Exactly.
Oh, you're not nervous now, are you?
I'm a little less nervous, but I'm nervous. You know, I'm a little bit of a perfectionist.
Well, it's good to be nervous, Monica, because it means you care.
Yeah. Do you still get nervous?
Yes, of course.
Really? Okay, with everything?
Or do you... Well, with new things, you know. I get nervous when I do my concerts. I've got a new concert show, you know, it's called Uncut. And I've only done it about six times. And there's always a big gap before I do it again. So I get really nervous with that.
I found this thing from 2001, okay?
What is it?
I printed it out. This is part of an email you sent me.
Uh-oh.
If you feel comfortable reading it on the thingy, you can, but you could read it first.
November the 22nd, 2001. Dear Monica, last night I finished reading your book, Monica's Story, and I'm so shocked and horrified. When I first came to America and the whole scandal was everywhere, I thought that it was a horrible thing because you were caught up in a political revenge thing. and that you were a little pawn being used by Starr to get at Clinton. And I thought that you were young and in love. And I also remember being so horrified at the way the media vilified you, but I had no idea how much more painful and disgraceful the whole thing was. Wee, Monica. I can't imagine how awful it all was. And also, I am so amazed that you've come through it to be the fabulous and beautiful person that you are today. Brava, brava.
I hope this hasn't churned it all up again for you, but I don't think you should ever stop being told how abused you were by the American so-called justice system. Your dignity and loyalty throughout it all is the only light that shines. I'm giving thanks that you've come through it all and are a lovely person and my friend. Love and peace from Alan. Ah.
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