Jessamyn Stanley Is Tired of Being the Token Black, ‘Fat Femme’ Yoga Instructor

For Jessamyn Stanley, yoga is more than just a health and wellness practice; it’s a political statement.

“I want for everyone who believes that they do not have agency, who believes they are not free or they don’t have power, to understand that every bit of power they are trying to look for outside of themselves… you don’t have to do that,” she tells Brit + Co from her office in Durham, North Carolina. “Because every bit of power, every bit of compassion, every bit of love is already inside of you.”

The self-described “fat femme” yoga instructor has already begun to change how people see yoga through her popular Instagram account and her book, Every Body Yoga.Now, she’s hoping to spread her intention further with a new yoga app called The Underbelly, which she named in honor of the parts of ourselves that we don’t show everyone.

“To me, it just represents what yoga actually is,” Stanley explains. “Which is just, for just a few breaths, be yourself, and see what happens then.”

The drive to be yourself is something that Stanley has championed throughout her career. But she also makes clear that yoga, as it is often practiced in Western cultures, is informed by a capitalist mindset as well as by the drive for holistic wellbeing, which can sometimes make “being yourself” a bit awkward. Stanley tells us that the framework of what she calls the “yogi-industrial-complex” means she often gets centered as a token Black, fat woman in the industry, and not necessarily as the dynamic teacher she strives to be.

“Tokenizing [me] is a huge part of what birthed The Underbelly,” Stanley tells us.

She used to host her remote yoga classes on a different app. When the app was bought out by another company whose owners were up-front about how they intended to monetize her presence, Stanley started to understand exactly what she had to offer — and what she represented to certain higher-ups — as a teacher, as a Black woman, and as a fat yoga instructor.

“I recognized during this process with them just how much my worth is and was to a white-owned company who is really hungry for a more diverse audience,” she says. “But in order to have a more diverse audience, you need more diverse teachers. And I realized just how much I was being used and the extent to which my yoga teaching practice, I felt, was suffering as a result.”

While she’s on good terms with the app company’s leadership today, she also understands, deeply, that most digital yoga resources are not created from a foundation of anti-oppression and body positivity. That realization — combined with the growing acceptance that as long as people who look like her are an anomaly in yoga, yoga communities will continue to tokenize her — has become a pretty substantial part of Stanley’s life. But she says this newfound perspective has helped birth “many things.”

The Underbelly is just one of those things. The app and accompanying website offer users a chance to follow one of three tracks for yoga practice: Air, Earth, and Fire. In each, Stanley guides users through everything yogic, from simple breathing asanas to guided centering exercises.

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@theunderbellyyoga, my yoga studio app and website, launches TOMORROW and a bitch is feeling nostalgic about all of the moments in my yoga practice that have led up to this shit. Throwback to the first time I ever successfully held #forearmstand in a photo. I held it for approx 3 seconds and didn’t bust my ass on the landing which shocked the shit out of me. Dallas was really excited- she’d been watching from a distance and ran up to give me a kiss when I landed. The second photo is our joy. Dallas passed away a couple of years ago. She is still my number one ride or die yoga bitch, in this world and the world beyond. #ubyoga #everybodyyoga

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She explains that the app is structured in a way that closely mirrors her own yoga journey. After starting in Bikram (a style of yoga practiced in hot rooms), Stanley found that flow-focused Vinyasa style yoga was a big challenge for her. (“Downward dog took me out!” she jokes.)

While watching YouTube yoga videos, she noticed that she tended to watch the instructors and focus on breathing. She realized that, in a sense, she was only beginning to learn to breathe mindfully. That realization has helped shape her app, her practice, and the way she hopes to introduce more and more people to yoga.

“Sometimes in life, you’ve got time to really give a f*ck about [yoga], but then there’s points in life where you’re like, ‘I’m just trying to hit this down dog before breakfast and we’re gonna call it a day.’ It’s gotta flow with you,” she says.

“And I feel like making the space for that truth makes the practice accessible to so many more people,” she goes on. “And if we’re talking about, like, why should everybody practice yoga, well, everybody should not practice yoga so that they can have toned arms and a bubble butt and practice scorpion pose. Everybody needs to practice yoga so that we can live in a world in which compassion is what we lead with, and not fear.”

Stanley sees yoga as a way for us to be compassionate with ourselves so that, in the long term, we can push that compassion outward and make a stronger, more compassionate world.

“It’s like taking the time for yourself as a service to others,” she explains.

And with The Underbelly serving as a yoga portal for “the rest of us,” as Stanley calls it, she sees her community growing to include health and wellness support for individuals who may feel underserved in those growing markets.

“We’re trying to bring yoga to the people who need it the most,” she says of her future plans. “And to me, that’s young people who are trying to figure out how to just be in this world, particularly a world that is dominated by so much negative social media sh*t, and also, people who are incarcerated and who need to be reminded that their humanity is of value, and that they don’t need to be stripped of that.”

Stanley recognizes, too, that even the way yoga is practiced needs to be reimagined, which is why she wants to spread yoga her own way. “I feel like a lot of yoga programming, in general, comes from [a teacher saying] ‘I’m standing on high looking down on everyone else,’ and I think we need to get away from that,” she says. “Maybe I don’t want to be like you, maybe I want to be like me.”

RELATED: This Plus-Size Badass Is Demonstrating That You Can Do Yoga at Any Size

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I have an unpopular opinion — the Millennials Vs. Gen Z debate shouldn't exist. I know it's fun to talk about how different each generation is, but the idea that we're so different or can't get along is confusing.

The debate may initially stem may from the fact everyone seems to lump Millennials into a forever state of twenty-something — á la our Gen Z counterparts — but that's not true, and seemingly only pits us against each other. Millennials were born between 1981 and 1996, while Gen Z covers the period between 1997 and 2012 (via Beresford Research). Both generations are younger than the Gen X and Baby Boomers that precede us, but we're each in our own phases of life, bringing a unique mix of experiences and perspectives to younger adults across the world.

My sister and I are both Millennials, which was shocking to learn given that she was born in 1984 and I was born in 1991. Technically this puts me on the cusp of being a Zillennial which covers the years a smaller 10-year period, according to CNN— making me a Millennial with slightly more Gen Z-coded tendencies compared to my sister. Still, any differences I've noticed aren't enough for there to be such divisive conversations between us. More or less, we feel about the same!

If you want to break it down, of course it's going to be a little harder for someone in their 40s to completely relate to a teen or even someone in their mid-20s — that's a given. But, I still think there's more similarities between Millennials and Gen Z than society has spoon-fed us. If you're still not convinced, here's are five reasons I think the Millennials vs Gen Z debate isn't actually that big of a deal.

Millennials And Gen Z Are Both Living In A Digital Age

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Millennials grew up during a time when the digital age didn't exist, but we watched it unfold and change the way the world communicates. The internet launched in 1993 and connected people to each other in a way no one could've expected (via NPR).

I remember when MySpace, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, LTK, Snapchat, and more popular apps launched — literally started from the beginning. Growing during as the digital age became what we know it as today, I can confidently say that Millennials and Gen Z are still finding our footing with all of the technology — and constant connection — at our disposal.

We both watched as social media and the algorithm change the way we think. We saw the rise of content creators and heavy politicized messages filtered to us. We doom scrolled and curated and shared and liked and kept trying to find the balance that would finally feel just right.

We're all in this very online experience together at the end of the day.

Millennials And Gen Z Value Flexibility

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Going from my 20sto my 30s has seriously made me realize the flexibility I crave as a Millennial. It seems like I was born to look at certain parts of traditional ideals and go, "That's not going to work for me." It's even more evident now that I'm older and have found that my approach to my career and family life doesn't completely match what I was taught. And it's not that different for Gen Z either — check it out!

Approach To Careers

Over 80% of both Millennials and Gen Z believe it's important to work somewhere that gives us a sense of purpose. According to Deloitte, both generations also value work/life balance that doesn't require us to pretend that we don't have a life or other obligations outside of our jobs.

As a mom, this was one of the biggest issues I faced because I realized how much society doesn't make room for working parents. The amount of times I heard a random stranger say, "Parents should plan for one person to be at home" as if that solves the problem is ridiculous.

Whether we have families to raise, hobbies to juggle, or anything in between, it's clear that Millennials and Gen Z crave balance in their careers.

Views Of The Nuclear Family

Speaking of motherhood, I like to think Millennials and Gen Z aren't so different when it comes to our perspective of the nuclear family. Studies via Pew Research Center show we're not as judgmental about single-parent homes than prior generations, and that only 44% of Millennials were married in 2019.

This idea that families are supposed to look a certain way in order to be legit is something Millennials and Gen Z continue to raise their eyebrows at — and even scoffed at — but not because we don't value family. We're just less likely to stress ourselves out believing we're failing or behind because we don't have or want the traditional nuclear family model. Both generations approach relationships and family on our own terms.

Millennials And Gen Z Gravitate Towards The Same Pop Culture

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Did you know almost half of Millennials love listening to music in our spare time (via Spotify), while 43% of Gen Z loves to stream it (via EMarketer) as well? It seems like music still makes the world go around.

Besides that, Millennials and Gen Z are still the driving force behind what's considered in or out in pop culture. Gen Z is usually regarded as being tastemakers on TikTok, but reporting from Ad Newsshows that Millennials are "...2.3 times more likely to be the ones fueling this online content engine by posting videos and tagging brands."

Basically, we're both moving the pop culture needle forward, consuming and driving the trends across platforms! So remind me, how different are we again?

Millennials And Gen Z Value Diversity And Inclusivity

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I grew up during a time where certain internal biases were stated as facts and it was always handful of weird pills to swallow. I couldn't understand why I'd hear "Love thy neighnor" in church only to watch some of the same people blatantly treat the LGBTQ+ community in hellish ways. We could talk about what's in the Bible all day long, but I've never been a fan of picking and choosing who's worthy of being treated with love and respect.

It's clear I'm not the only one who rejects those notions, though. First of all, more young adults are identifying as queer than ever. In 2022, 19.7% of Gen Z and 11.2% of Millennials identified as part of the LGBT community compared to 3.3% of Generation X and 2.7% of Baby Boomers (Gallup).

Outside of sexual identity, there's also the racial aspect of how accepting Millennials and Gen Z are. According to reporting from Built In, 48% of Gen Z are racially diverse, and Millennials are 19% more racially diverse than Baby Boomers. This leads me to believe that both generations know that the world doesn't look a singular way — and therefore respect and understand that diversity even more than previous generations.

These shared qualities and values are just another way that Gen Z and Millennials are more similar than they are different at the end of the day. But in the ways we are different — well both generations would know how to celebrate that diversity, now wouldn't they? 😉

Millennials And Gen Z Aren't Fans Of Injustice

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Compared to prior generations, Millennials and Gen Z have found ways to speak out against injustice. Both generations believe that systemic racism is still an issue in society (via Forbes) with 92% of Gen Z willing to be a part of public protests (via Oliver Wyman Forum). Despite the higher number of Gen Z that are actively participating in protests, Millennials have changed their tune.

Social justice organization, Points of Light discovered that 50% more of Millennials believe in civic engagement now that we're living in a post-pandemic era, which isn't hard to believe. We're in the midst of a great political, racial, and social reckoning that's causing more younger people to speak up than before.

A part of me is keeping hope alive that this Millennials vs. Gen Z debate doesn't take away from all of the ways we can align to continue changing outdated ideals and policies. It seems like together, we can create a positive change in the world around us.

I know social media loves to create division about so much, but there's no reason why the Millennials vs. Gen Z debate should be so huge. We can all learn something from each other to help make society and the world better places to live.

Besides, you have to admit — we both have a sense of humor that's totally unmatched. 😉 So here's to Millennials and Gen Z coming together, one shared meme at a time.

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Everyone's favorite social satire series, The White Lotus, has returned for a new season on HBO. Set in Thailand, Season 3 is taking viewers on another dramatic (and sometimes uncomfortable) journey with a fresh group of affluent travelers.

Well, the cast does have two returning stars: Natasha Rothwell as Belinda Lindsey and Jon Gries as Greg. Then some of the newcomers include Leslie Bibb, Carrie Coon, Michelle Monaghan, Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sarah Catherine Hook, Sam Nivola, Walton Goggins, Lisa Manobal, and Charlotte Le Bon.

One more star, Aimee Lou Wood, has especially stood out to fans. She plays Chelsea and has delivered a captivating performance thus far as Rick's younger girlfriend. Aside from her intriguing portrayal, many viewers have also been fascinated by her unique look — more specifically, her teeth. Aimee, who is British, has confirmed that her teeth are real, and her unique smile is actually something that's affected her career in Hollywood.

Scroll to see what The White Lotus star, Aimee Lou Wood said about all THOSE teeth comments...

The actress, who's 30 years old, detailed how, when it came to theater auditions, she always felt confident. Yet, she'd be "shocked" to get a call back after auditioning for a TV role.

It wasn't until 2009, when Georgia May Jagger, who also has a distinct smile with a gap, became the face of Rimmel London, that Aimee felt more secure in her look.

"All of a sudden, it went from me being goofy to, 'Oh, you're a bit of a model, aren't you?' So I want to thank Georgia May Jagger for representing the buck teeth," she shared with Stylist back in 2020.

Aimee has maintained her British accent on The White Lotus, which makes sense, given the show's premise is about entitled world travelers who encounter dark circumstances or fates. Interestingly, though, she recently discussed her belief that she wouldn't be able to convincingly portray an American character due to her teeth.

"It's the teeth. Like, no Americans have my teeth. They just don't. I'd have to get veneers. Because... I think that genuinely is like one of the things," she revealed to On Demand Entertainment.

But while many celebs have already gone the veneer route, Aimee is proud that she hasn't. It makes her feel "a bit rebellious." Plus, ever since landing her latest role on the show, she's reportedly received "hundreds of messages" from fans who've appreciated seeing unique smiles like theirs on-screen.

"People going, 'Oh my god, you've got teeth like mine. Now I go to school, and people think I'm cool because I look like Aimee.' Instead of it being 'Bugs Bunny' or whatever," Aimee explained.

So, while she battled insecurities about her teeth during childhood, she's definitely become a representation icon for girls and women everywhere.

To see what happens to Aimee's character next, as well as the rest of the cast, you can catch new episodes of The White Lotus on Sundays at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and stream on Max.

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Just in time for a brand new month, we're kicking things off a 31-Day YogaChallenge this October. This year has had its fair share of ups and downs, but now it's time to recenter and refresh before our annual Holiday Season Sprint. You deserve to ease out of survivalmode and into a space where your stressisn't triggered as often. We all do.

From poses that lower your cortisol level to stretches that slowly eliminate back pain, here's everything you'll need to go from stressed to refreshed this month.

Week One (October 1st - 6th)

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To get our yoga challenge started, we're starting off nice and slow so that your body as well as your senses can awakened. Over the next seven days, let these yoga poses help you center your energy so you can feel present. Trust us - your inbox can wait 10 minutes for you to ease into your day.

Energy-Centering Morning Yoga

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10 min Morning Yoga - Gentle Beginner Yoga Stretch (NO PROPS)

Day One

This yoga routine keeps things light by allowing you to perform most movements in the sitting position. They'll help you begin to release any recurring tension you've been feeling.

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10 min Morning Yoga Stretch for Beginners - Energy Boost Yoga

Day Two

Begin day two of the yoga challenge with another morning stretch that elongates your spine and helps loosen any lingering tension in your hips.

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10 Min Morning Yoga Miracle! FEEL AMAZING! (All Levels Yoga)

Day Three

Continue stretching your way into day three of the yoga challenge with these soothing stretches.

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The BEST way to start your day! | 10-Minute Morning Yoga

Day Four

If things are beginning to feel repetitive today, don't give up! The goal is to help your body get used to being stretched before you start powering through your to-do list.

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15 MIN MORNING YOGA FLOW || Wake Up & Feel Energised

Day Five

If you have an extra five minutes to spare, try this 15 minute morning yoga routine for a slight change of pace.

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10 Minute Yoga Power Flow For Beginners

Day Six

Things are starting to get interesting with this power flow yoga routine. This requires you to finally leave the sitting position and we know you're grateful for that.

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For day 7, take the time to give your body a break from your first week of intentional morning yoga stretches! Make your favorite tea or pumpkin spice latte drink and enjoy the crisp fall air! The fun picks back up October 8th!

We hope you're enjoying October's 31-Day Yoga Challenge so far. Things are going to get exciting soon and we can't wait to hear all about your progress. Be sure to share your journey with us by tagging @britandco & #britstagram!

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Every year on March 17, people around the globe celebrate St. Patrick's Day with festive parades, lively music, and, obviously, plenty of green. But beyond the usual partying, this holiday is also steeped in traditions that are believed to bring good fortune.

Whether you want to attract prosperity, ward off bad energy, or simply embrace the spirit of the holiday, here are some St. Patrick's Day traditions that might just bring a little extra luck your way.

Scroll to see the all the lucky St. Patrick's Day traditions that manifest a little extra fortune!

1. Wearing Green (And Pinching Those Who Aren't)

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One of the easiest ways to cash in on the luck of St. Patrick's Day is by wearing green. This hue has deep ties to Ireland, which is often called the "Emerald Isle" due to its lush, rolling landscapes. Beyond its natural beauty, green also carries historical significance and symbolizes Irish nationalism and cultural pride.

The best part? There's a mischievous side to this fun and festive tradition. More specifically, those who forget to wear the color might find themselves on the receiving end of a pinch.

This playful custom is more common in the U.S. than in Ireland and stems from the idea that wearing green makes you invisible to leprechauns, who are known for their trickster ways. So, to avoid being "spotted" (or pinched), make sure you add a splash of green to your outfit.

2. Drowning A Shamrock In Whiskey

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In Ireland, a well-known tradition is "drowning the shamrock," and it's believed to bring good luck. The shamrock has long been linked with Irish heritage and fortune. It's said to have been used by St. Patrick to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity.

So, on March 17, many celebrate by dropping a fresh shamrock into a glass of whiskey, drinking the beverage, and then tossing the shamrock over their left shoulder for good luck.

3. Doing An Irish Jig

Darlene Alderson

Get into the spirit of the holiday by learning an Irish jig! This energetic dance is a staple of Irish celebrations and is often performed in parades or festivals. It features quick footwork, pointed toes, and rhythmic hopping.

The Irish jig has deep roots in Celtic culture, possibly evolving from ancient clan marching tunes or early Celtic circle dances. Traditionally, Celts danced clockwise for joyous occasions and counterclockwise for mourning.

You can take a dance class, join in at a local event, or just work on some jig steps at home!

4. Searching For Four-Leaf Clovers

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Hunting for a four-leaf clover is a classic St. Patty's Day pastime, and if you manage to find one, you should consider yourself super lucky.

While shamrocks typically have three leaves, the rare four-leaf clover is actually a genetic mutation, making it a real symbol of good fortune. In fact, experts estimate that only one in every 10,000 clovers has four leaves!

Test your luck this holiday by scanning a patch of clover quickly. Our brains are surprisingly good at spotting irregular patterns.

5. Release The "Devil" From Your Irish Soda Bread

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Did you know that cutting a cross on top of Irish soda bread isn't just for aesthetics? According to Irish folklore, scoring a cross into the dough "lets the devil out" and ensures good luck and protection for your household.

This superstition, rooted in both Christian and pagan beliefs, was thought to ward off evil spirits. It also serves a practical purpose by allowing steam to escape, thus helping the bread bake evenly.

6. Run In A St. Patrick's Day Dash

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Running a race might not be the first thing that comes to mind for March 17, but it's become a really fun tradition. St. Patrick's Day dashes can range from quick 5Ks to half marathons, with plenty of family-friendly walks for those who prefer a more leisurely pace.

Participants dress up in green, wear shamrocks, and sometimes even race while sporting leprechaun hats! It's a great way to stay active and possibly run your way into some good luck.

7. Chow Down On Corned Beef And Cabbage

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It's just not St. Patrick's Day without a plate of corned beef and cabbage. Even though many associated this dish with Ireland, it actually has Irish-American roots.

When Irish immigrants arrived in the U.S., they found corned beef to be a more affordable alternative to traditional bacon. Paired with cabbage, potatoes, and carrots, it became a comforting and flavorful meal that stuck as a holiday staple.

8. Kiss Someone Who Is Irish

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Finally, you've definitely seen the phrase "Kiss me, I'm Irish" on T-shirts before. This fun saying is tied to the tradition of kissing the Blarney Stone in Ireland, an act that's said to bring good luck.

However, not all of us have the ability to visit the Blarney Stone. So, kissing an Irish person is another way to honor the custom in the spirit of good fortune.

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I already knew Freakier Friday would be even crazier than the first movie (because the only thing that would make me panic more than switching bodies with my mom is having it happen twice), but Anna (Lindsay Lohan) and Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis) are in for one wild ride in Freaky Friday 2. Because not only are they experiencing a switch, but Anna's daughter and soon-to-be daughter are caught up in it too. Freaky, indeed.

Here's the hilarious Freakier Friday trailer, starring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis — and featuring Chappell Roan's "HOTTOGO"!

The 'Freakier Friday' trailer is seeing double.

In the Freakier Friday trailer, we see Anna and Tess get their palms read — and when the palm reader sees their life lines have intersected before, and starts teasing they could be in for another adventure, this mother-daughter duo IMMEDIATELY leaves...and then wakes up the next morning in other bodies.

But while the first Freaky Friday saw Anna and Tess switch bodies with one another, this time Anna finds herself trapped in her own daughter's (Julia Butters) body, while Tess and Anna's soon-to-be stepdaughter (Sophia Hammons) swap as well. Talk about complicated!

I was almost more excited to hear Chappell Roan's "HOTTOGO" than I was about anything else. A perfect song choice if you ask me!

And 'Freakier Friday' sees a lot of familiar faces return.

We also get to see Pink Slip reunite in the Freakier Friday trailer! Screenwriter Jordan Weiss teased the band's reunion in our interview for the 2024 rom-com Sweethearts, telling Brit + Co that "I may or may not have gotten to go to set and been around some pink slip energy."

"It may or may not have excited my inner child beyond belief because I was a super fan. I was 10 years old when the first movie came out," she continued. "So 20 years later to get to work on the sequel as part of that team was a dream and, you know, don't meet your heroes unless your heroes are Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis, In which case they're amazing. Meet your heroes."

We also see a glimpse of Manny Jancinto and Chad Michael Murray's Jake pull up for a "sexy grand entrance" on his motorcycle. We'll have to watch Freakier Friday when it hits theaters on August 8, 2025 to see how these ladies will work it out!

Are you excited for Freakier Friday? Let us know what you're most excited to see in the sequel on TikTok! And read up on how Chad Michael Murray's Freaky Friday Role Almost Went To Jared Padalecki.