Jenny Slate, promoting her new romantic drama ‘Carousel’ at Sundance, reveals she is a “big romantic” in every aspect of her life, from daily choices to on-screen work, emphasizing a philosophy of finding romance and eroticism in everything.
Jenny Slate is stepping out at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival to promote her latest film, Carousel, and in a new interview, the actress is opening up about her deeply personal and all-encompassing romantic worldview. While promoting the romantic drama alongside co-star Chris Pine, Slate exclusively shared that her romantic nature extends far beyond traditional notions, influencing everything from her daily routines to her artistic choices.
“I’m a romantic in what I choose for dinner, what pajamas I wear, not just like, you know, sexy,” Slate explains in the interview. “I’m talking, like, there’s romance in everything.”
This philosophy is central to her new film, where she portrays the high school girlfriend of Pine’s character, a figure from his past who re-enters his life. Slate’s real-life perspective on romance adds a layer of authenticity to her portrayal of a complex, past-love interest. The film, directed by Rachel Lambert, explores the “one that got away” trope, a theme Slate finds inherently romantic.
Her approach to romance is rooted in a broader, more philosophical idea. “This isn’t my original idea, but there’s eroticism in everything, you know,” she added, crediting writer Adrienne Maree Brown’s theory. “Anyway, I am one of these people that wants to find it everywhere, and I hope I do.”
This desire to find romance in the mundane is a driving force in her life, both personally and professionally. On set, Slate found it easy to tap into the film’s intense moments. “It’s not that hard for me to fall into what feels like a moment of intensity,” she shares. “I’m rather comfortable with that. It’s more weird for me to have to play something that feels too perfect or unreal.”
Her co-star, Pine, readily agrees with this assessment. “She’s great. She’s smart, she’s funny, she’s well-read,” he said, making it clear that the on-screen chemistry was a natural extension of his genuine appreciation for Slate. Pine, who also considers himself a romantic, noted his love for “old Hollywood glamour” and praised his co-star’s ability to bring a grounded, authentic presence to their scenes.
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Beyond her latest film project, Slate has been navigating a period of significant personal growth. The past few years have been focused on raising her 4-year-old daughter, Ida Lupine, with her husband of four years, Ben Shattuck, and promoting her latest collection of essays, Lifeform. This chapter of her life has given her a new sense of self-assurance and purpose.
“It feels like I’ve set sail and I finally understand how to work all the riggings of my own ship,” the Gifted star shared, reflecting on her journey. This newfound stability seems to have provided the foundation for her to explore more complex and emotionally rich roles, like Rebecca in Carousel.
Her romance with Shattuck began at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, where the two were first linked. Eight months later, Shattuck, an art gallery director, proposed during a vacation in France, a moment Slate described as one that made her feel “happy and free.” Their relationship, built on a foundation of mutual respect and shared creative energy, appears to be a living example of the romantic ideals she espouses.
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With Carousel, Slate brings her unique perspective on love and connection to the screen, proving that her romantic nature is not just a personal trait but a powerful artistic lens. Her ability to find romance in the everyday—from a carefully chosen meal to a shared glance on a film set—adds a profound layer of humanity to her work, resonating with audiences who see their own lives reflected in her characters.
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