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Actor / EntertainerHaylee Bennett here...you may know me as Fiona Gallagher from Shameless. AMA! (self.IAmA)

submitted by hayleebennett

Hi guys! I'm here for another AMA. You probably know me as the glue that (barely) holds the Gallagher clan together on Shameless... or Transformers, Thirteen, Thor, and Matilda.

With the season 5 premiere of Shameless coming up, I thought this would be a fun way to answer any questions you have about the show. - and if you want a chance to actually LIVE a day as a Gallagher, you can enter my Omaze campaign for the chance to crash Showtime’s Hollywood premiere party!

The campaign benefits The Foundation For Living Beauty, an incredible organization that supports women who are battling cancer. To enter, go to: omaze.com/shameless The campaign ends SOON so check it out before it's gone.


I will try to answer as many questions as I can! Happy Holidays everyone!

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[–]adds102 163 points164 points  (6 children)

Between TV and Movies, which do you prefer working on?

[–]hayleebennett[S] 278 points279 points  (5 children)

I actually like doing both. They both give me something different. Being on a tv show I am able to grow with the character more than I do in a movie. I get to play different aspect of that character and show how she reacts in numerous life situations. But getting to play so many different people in different locations is what makes movies fun to do.


[–]chisopolis 281 points282 points  (27 children)

Has playing Fiona changed you in any way?

[–]hayleebennett[S] 689 points690 points  (26 children)

Oh definitely. I grew up in a completely different lifestyle from Fiona. Playing a Gallagher has opened my eyes to just how lucky I really am. It also weirdly made me reach out to family members that I had previously kept at arms length. Family is so important to Fiona and it made me want to get closer to mine. Playing Fiona also changed up my wardrobe a little! Since Fiona is rarely dolled up I have fallen in love with sitting around in nothing but sweats at home. I'm just glad Showtime hasn't changed that aspect of Fiona. They have allowed her to be laid back but still be seen as a desirable character, which is nice. 

[–]noposters 441 points442 points  (1 child)

That might have something to do with you being an absolute fox.

[–][deleted]  (12 children)

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[–]Wikipodiatrist 34 points35 points  (0 children)

Haylee, I don't know if you care about this sort of thing but I first discovered "Shameless" through therapy. I lived in the lower-income neighborhood you describe and my single mom is just like Frank Gallagher. When I started doing talk therapy, my therapist said my life reminded him of your show. I checked it out and he was dead-on. I was just recently diagnosed with PTSD partially as a result of that upbringing. Shameless parallels my life in so many ways, and I've taken a lot of comfort in how "right" you as an actress and the writers "get it".

[–][deleted]  (3 children)

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[–]elegantkitty 136 points137 points  (8 children)

What do you enjoy doing the most outside of acting? :)

[–]hayleebennett[S] 207 points208 points  (7 children)

I love spending time at the beach. I love to cook and host dinners with my friends. I love spending time at home wrapped in a blanket on my couch with a glass of wine, netflix, and my pets. I'm also a yoga fan!

[–]bfinkelstein 1199 points1200 points  (27 children)

Anyway, what has been your favorite memory of working on the set of Shameless?

[–]hayleebennett[S] 584 points585 points  (5 children)

My favorite memory from working on Shameless has to be sitting back and watching the scene where V, Kevin, and her mom were going through the whole baby making process. I don't think I ever laughed so hard in my life watching them. I actually got kicked off the set because Stevie couldn't keep a straight face on because he kept hearing me snorting in the background. It's never a dull day on set.

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[–]mickeyandmumbles 89 points90 points  (8 children)

There is going to be a flashback for Frank next season. Would you like to see more flashbacks in the next seasons? It would be really amazing to see for example what Fiona was like as a child. Thoughts? :)

[–]emmyrossum[S] 148 points149 points  (7 children)

I actually would like to see more flashbacks! I would love to see Frank and Monica's relationship in the beginning. I think it would be interesting to track the downward spiral of their relationship. I feel like Fiona was probably never really a child. I could see her picking up after everyone even at 10 years old.

[–]jonemillard 238 points239 points  (24 children)

Do you have any funny stories about filming Shameless?

[–]hayleebennett[S] 691 points692 points  (23 children)

Yes. This year, I was doing a scene with Jeremy Allen White, who plays Lip, and in the scene, his character and my character are trying to remove my ankle-monitor that I got while I was in prison, and while filming the scene, Jeremy realized that I hadn't shaved my legs, so he decided to use the pliers that were a prop in the scene to individually remove my leg hair.

Hashtag: Shameless

[–]Strigoy 123 points124 points  (3 children)

Hashtag: Shameless

*Shaveless

[–]Hags19 52 points53 points  (1 child)

Ouch. As a man with a plethora of leg hair, I couldn't even imagine doing that.

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[–]Daniele_Renea 163 points164 points  (44 children)

Ask anything?! Alright then. Hm.....What Hogwarts house would you be in?

I

[–]hayleebennett[S] 390 points391 points  (43 children)

Slytherin! Poor Slytherins get such a bad rap. Nothing wrong with being cunning and cutting corners sometimes. 

[–]DanjuroV 73 points74 points  (0 children)

Fucking thank you.

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[–]stopdroproll223 72 points73 points  (14 children)

How great is Shameless season 5 gonna be? what should we expect??

[–]emmyrossum[S] 258 points259 points  (12 children)

It's going to be amazing. Frank will fall in love for the first time. Fiona will get rejected for the first time. Debbie is finally a woman, if you know what I mean. And Carl has a broken leg because the actor Ethan who plays Carl actually broke his leg in real life, while dancing a party (or so that's what he told us).

How do you break your leg dancing?

[–]Jimrussle 204 points205 points  (0 children)

They call it break dancing for a reason.

[–]deedouble 41 points42 points  (1 child)

He must have hobbled himself for the insurance money.

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[–]handtohandwombat 661 points662 points  (11 children)

Thanks for doing this AMA.

Having grown up in a family very similar to Shameless, I love the show because it’s so cathartic. It’s amazing how personal some of the scenes in the show are, and how therapeutic it is for some reason to watch it on screen. This last season both Fiona and Ian started to show signs of their parents’ diseases, and that theme hit so close to home it made me stop lying to myself about my behavior and get some professional help. The doctors said I was well on my way to an early death (I’m in my mid 20’s). Many months later I’m in the best physical and mental health I can ever remember being. So thank you for that.

As to my question: In preparation for the show did you tall to any children from alcoholic households? Were there any recurring themes or stories that stuck with you and that you think of while acting? I ask because your acting is so "fall off a motorcycle at 60 mph" raw sometimes it makes me cry. And I'm a big burly dude.

Anyway thanks a million, looking forward to the new season!

[–]hayleebennett[S] 686 points687 points  (8 children)

Your comment almost made me cry.

Thank you so much for being so honest.

It really makes me happy whenever I read comments like yours. It makes the job so much more meaningful knowing that it connects with people.

In preparation for the role, I did meet with a counselor, a therapist, who works with specifically children that have grown up with alcoholic parents. I wanted to learn as much as I could to try and play the role as authentically as possible.

I like to think that we have shown Fiona in a realistic light. That's why season 3 and 4 was so necessary to the show in my opinion. It showed how we can think that we have it all figured out but end up battling the same disease if we don't seek help and understanding.

[–]handtohandwombat 75 points76 points  (0 children)

Holy crap you answered! Thank you. I think the number one thing I take away from the show is that it's never too late to be better. It's just hard to see that when you're down in it.

[–]Tgtommyp 59 points60 points  (1 child)

This is very insightful .. Never looked into the role shifts from that angle consciously I guess. But of course. Respect gained. Even moreso than before

[–]Metalheadzaid 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Interesting indeed. My mom spent most of my teenage years going out and drinking while I stayed home with my brothers (1 year younger and 12 years younger). I was the clown and parent, and my brother is a heroin addict who is in prison now due to shoplifting/narcotics. It's strange to think of.

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[–]MoretoFind 64 points65 points  (3 children)

Emmy! I really enjoyed you in "You're Not You"!

What was your "Holy crap, I made it!" moment?

[–]hayleebennett[S] 164 points165 points  (2 children)

I still have those moments! When I found out I would be working with Macy on Shameless that was a moment. Working with Hilary on You're Not You was another one. When I get to work with Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts I will know that I have arrived.

[–]Alextzta 458 points459 points  (16 children)

What's it like being my most favourite person in the world?

[–]hayleebennett[S] 685 points686 points  (15 children)

Such a huge honor. I'm not worthy. 

[–]bhg_ 180 points181 points  (29 children)

Hi! Love you!
What's your favourite vegetable?

[–]hayleebennett[S] 499 points500 points  (28 children)

I'm going to go with celery.

[–]_milkovich 46 points47 points  (2 children)

Hi Haylee,

Really love your work. I think I've been in love with you as an actress for years. What do you find the most inspiring about Shameless?

[–]hayleebennett[S] 102 points103 points  (1 child)

Thank you! Well I love that Shameless is a show that isn't afraid to push the envelope. We don't shy away from serious topics and we also don't shy away from crazy topics. How many shows have a relationship like V and Kevin? How many shows have the baby brother accidentally snorting coke? I believe Shameless is in a league of it's own.

[–]javajav 158 points159 points  (20 children)

Hi Haylee! I love your pictures of your pet on Twitter :) How did you get involved with Best Friends Animal Society?

[–]hayleebennett[S] 285 points286 points  (19 children)

I've always been a huge animal lover. I got involved with Best Friends Animal Society a couple years ago, and this year (during my hiatus from filming Shameless) had the opportunity to visit their Sanctuary in Utah, where they have thousands of rescued animals. And I'm such a huge admirer of all the work they do, especially being the leader of the no-kill movement in LA. I actually got my dog Beckham and cat Meryl from them.

[–]BlackCaaaaat 40 points41 points  (0 children)

Thank you for rescuing your pets and being a strong advocate for animals in need of a forever home :)

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[–]badtrip67 71 points72 points  (2 children)

How similar are you to Fiona and if you are very similar to Fiona, has that caused any challenging scenes for you to film due to personal reasonings?

[–]hayleebennett[S] 135 points136 points  (1 child)

I don't think we're similar at all. We have a completely different family dynamic. I've never had another job besides acting. Fiona actually inspires me. The love she has for her family is beautiful. How selfless she's been over the seasons when it's come to choosing between her happiness and her siblings is just amazing. I don't think I've ever been that selfless so it's fun to get to play someone like that. 

[–]Buttons503 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Haylee, I was going to ask you a variation of this question but knew some one would beat me to it. So thanks for answering and continue being dope.

[–]Hellolena 41 points42 points  (3 children)

Hi Haylee! I'm a huge fan of shameless! What scene in shameless was the hardest to film?

[–]hayleebennett[S] 118 points119 points  (2 children)

I would have to say the jail scene in season 4 was by far the hardest. Having to put myself in that mindset and the whole strip search part...I actually cried when we wrapped.

[–]ChunkMaler 154 points155 points  (12 children)

Haylee you're adorable. South sider here - thanks for the show that takes me back to growing up. Is it weird meeting your fans who are likely perverts like myself, knowing they'd seen you in a nude seen?

[–]hayleebennett[S] 456 points457 points  (11 children)

I don't really think about it much. I've never been self-concious about being naked on or off screen. I have no qualms about doing a nude scene as long as it belongs in the scene. Naked or clothed it's about the emotions and the scene not about the fact that you can see my boobs. They're just boobs.

[–]God_Chiseled_Calves 107 points108 points  (2 children)

you're impervious to the icloud hacks

[–]xspooky3u 61 points62 points  (0 children)

impervious.

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[–]tiffanyousley 25 points26 points  (2 children)

What's your favorite episode of Shameless and why?

[–]hayleebennett[S] 51 points52 points  (1 child)

I would have to say Season 4 was full of my favorite episodes. I feel like I've been challenged on the show since episode 1 but Season 4 really pushed me emotionally. Playing the downward spiral of Fiona was so professionally rewarding for me and I was honored that I was trusted with that kind of material to tackle.

[–]Grimsonite 7 points8 points  (6 children)

Girl, I'd go straight for you. :I

Ahem, on a more serious matter. Care to tease us something from the new season?

[–]emmyrossum[S] 25 points26 points  (5 children)

One spoiler for the season ahead - one of the Gallaghers is pregnant.

[–]DontPmMeYourSnatch 43 points44 points  (0 children)

Is it Ian? Is that why he's so depressed?!

[–]Grimsonite 10 points11 points  (3 children)

OH SHIT. So possibilities are Debbie, you, Samantha or Monica.

[–]WittiestScreenName 15 points16 points  (2 children)

Sheila is a Gallagher now ;)

[–]Grimsonite 6 points7 points  (0 children)

OH SHIT.

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