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Jena Malone Recalls Disturbing Fan Encounter After 'Stepmom' Release

Jena Malone recalled a "bad fan experience" after the release of 'Stepmom' when a woman on the subway expressed a desire to slap her. The actor, who was 14 at the time, felt startled by the comment and considered lying about her identity in public. Malone's 8-year-old son, Ode Mountain, often notices when she denies being a celebrity and calls her out. She recently released her first album in over a decade, 'Flowers for Men,' which explores relationship dynamics.

Key Points: Jena Malone Recalls "Bad Fan Experience" After 'Stepmom'

  • Jena Malone recalls a woman wanting to slap her on the subway after 'Stepmom'
  • She was 14 at the time of the incident
  • Her 8-year-old son calls her out for lying about her identity
  • Malone recently released her first album in over a decade, 'Flowers for Men'
3 min read

Jena Malone recalls "bad fan experience" after release of 'Stepmom'

Jena Malone shares a creepy fan encounter on a subway after 'Stepmom'; she also opens up about her son's reaction to her lying about fame.

"Some woman just looked at me across from on the subway, and she's like, 'Were you that little girl in Stepmom?' And I was like, 'Yeah.' She's like, 'I just wanted to slap you.' - Jena Malone"

Washington DC, May 13

Actor and musician Jena Malone has recalled an unsettling fan encounter she experienced at the age of 14 following the release of the 1998 drama 'Stepmom', according to People.

Malone, who played Anna, the daughter of Susan Sarandon's terminally ill character Jackie Harrison in the film, said the incident occurred while she was attending school in New York.

"I remember there was one bad fan experience I had on a subway, and it was right after Stepmom came out, which is another one that I feel like really people hold dear to their hearts," Malone said, as per the outlet.

Recalling the interaction, she said, "Some woman just looked at me across from on the subway, and she's like, 'Were you that little girl in Stepmom?' And I was like, 'Yeah.' She's like, 'I just wanted to slap you.'"

The comment left Malone startled at the time.

"I wasn't the best socially adapted human, so that was an interesting one," she said. "And I was like, If I'm alone in public, maybe I should be like, 'No, that's not me,' just in case."

The actor added that she would have felt "a little bad for lying" if she had denied her identity.

Malone also shared that her 8-year-old son, Ode Mountain, whom she shares with Ethan DeLorenzo, often notices when she avoids acknowledging fan recognition in public.

"Sometimes I just don't feel like saying 'yes.' Sometimes I feel protective in front of my son, but then he'll be like, 'Did you just lie? You just lied to the mom. Go back and tell them that you were that person'," she said, according to People.

She added humorously, "He does not like it at all. And sometimes he'll answer for me, 'Yes, she is. Would you like an autograph?' He's like, 'Here she is. Let's all line up.' It's so funny."

Released in 1998, 'Stepmom' also starred Julia Roberts as Isabel, the woman preparing to marry Jackie's former husband. The film explored themes of family, illness and blended relationships as Jackie struggles to accept a new maternal figure in her children's lives.

Apart from acting, Malone recently returned to music with the release of her new album Flowers for Men on May 8, marking her first album release in more than a decade.

Describing the record as "sci-fi folk," Malone said the album explores relationship dynamics and emotional expectations.

"I was reading a lot of relational books -- lots about love, lots about all the different attachment theories, different love relational styles from polyamory to ethical non-monogamy, to relationship anarchy," she said about the inspiration behind the album, according to People.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Vikram M
I remember watching Stepmom as a kid and it was an emotional film. But saying "I wanted to slap you" to a 14-year-old is crossing all boundaries. Jena handled it well, but I think her son's reaction is the best part of this story—kids today have no filter! 😂 "Go back and tell them you were that person" — that's pure gold. Reminds me of how my own nephew calls me out when I try to avoid talking to relatives at family functions.
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Rohit P
I think this says more about the woman on the subway than about Jena. What kind of person looks at a child and says they want to slap them? In India, we'd consider that a form of harassment. Also, can we talk about how she's now making music about polyamory and relationship anarchy? That's a huge leap from being a child star. Good for her for exploring her own path. But yeh sab kya hai? (What is all this?)
A
Aditya G
This is why I always tell people not to approach celebrities in public, especially child actors. They're not public property just because they're famous. Jena's son calling her out for lying is hilarious though—bachche sach bolte hain (children always speak the truth). But honestly, I feel for her. Fame at such a young age comes with weird encounters. Hope she's doing well with her music now.
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Sneha F
I've seen similar things happen with our own child actors in India. Remember when people used to say harsh things to actors from shows like "Shaktimaan" or "Mahabharat"? It's not okay. Jena handled it with grace, but I wish more people understood boundaries. Also, her new album sounds interesting—sci-fi folk? That's a new one for me. Will check it out!
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