I am her; she is me.
[We] always put ourselves into our roles.
And I think Kate is so much of who I used to be.
Photo: Ryan Pfluger
That role has helped me to be the person that I am trying to fully realize.
Fans feel the Kate-Chrissy connection too, often mistakenly calling Metz Kate when they encounter her in public.
And I’m like, Oh, I’m actually not Kate.
Photo: Ryan Pfluger
Yet separating herself from Kate in a healthy way may take work, admits Metz.
Who am I without this person?
Who am I not playing this character?
Photo: Ryan Pfluger
And it’s a bit of a tricky thing to maneuver, says Metz.
I am her; she is me.
[We] always put ourselves into our roles.
And I think Kate is so much of who I used to be.
I was doing something I knew ultimately in my heart wasn’t meant for meI was being an agent.
My body was starting to tell my mind, Youre unhappy, something’s wrong.
And then my mind started telling my body, Yeah, something is wrong, Metz recalls.
A movie reel played in her head as she struggled to catch her breath.
I was doing something I knew ultimately in my heart wasn’t meant for meI was being an agent.
My body was starting to tell my mind, Youre unhappy, something’s wrong.
And then my mind started telling my body, Yeah, something is wrong.'
Because for sure, it’s not about the food.
And it was really hard because much like Kate and Toby…you love each other.
But you know, you’re not growing together; you’re growing apart.
She also leaned on journaling, meditation, andpracticing gratitude.
I started to make strides toward what it is that I wanted, she says.
I love rooting for the underdog.
And it was hard because…what if Im never getting out of this?
This meant she didnt have to be an agent.
She started investing in her first loves and began taking singing lessons and acting classes again.
She also tried to cut back on long working hours and reached for balance, all the same.
When you get off-kilter, the pendulum swings too far.
You have to come back, she says.
And I hope that narrative is changing.
Although, to her, “This Is Us” still feels like her real break.
And I hope that narrative is changing.
However, “This Is Us” is more than a big break or a successful job for Metz.
It was a way to sort of not feel something," she says.
I love to take a bath at the end of the day.
She also listens to music when processing sad or joyful emotions,meditates, and keeps agratitude journal.
I have to always come back to what is my intention.
That’s not balance, she says.
I have to always come back to what is my intention.
I don’t feel as funny.
Like everybody’s been working for 15-20 years, she says.
You know, we’re not all the same age.
We didn’t have all the same childhoods.
We didn’t have the same experiences.
It’s okay that I don’t feel a certain way, she says.
[We] might not ever figure it out, and that’s okay.
Having confidence doesnt mean she lets her ego take over, though.
Instead, she believes that everyone is deserving, not entitled, to the good things in life.
[We] might not ever figure it out, and that’s okay.
I mean, I spend more time with them than anybody in my whole life.
So there’s this connection that is so strong, that you probably don’t have with other people.
Her sadness around this notion shines through and it’s obvious this group means a lot to her.
It’s always really fun and we get to be silly together in-between takes.
I remember Sterling was so excited.
Are we sure?"
It was just really, really special, says Metz.
As she moves on from “This Is Us,” the burning question is: whats next?
A question she says can suck the joy out of the present moment.
She’s broadened her horizons outside the performing arts as well.
In 2021, Metz launched the aptly-namedJoyful Heart Wine Companyas a reminder of the importance of community.
Everything’s pie in the sky until it actually happens, says Metz.
In the meantime, shell definitely [stay] creative and find more balance.
That’s really what’s important to me.
