Mayim Bialik, star of “The Big Bang Theory,” has recently released her latest book, Girling Up: How to Be Strong, Smart and Spectacularuses real-life experiences coupled with her neuroscience background to help girls navigate their teenage years.
At a book signing in New York City, I sat down with Mayim Bialik where she shared an embarrassing moment from her childhood, who she says is an awesome role model for young women, and her plans for living after the “Big Bang Theory.”
You tipped the younger girls in this book—if you could return and tip your teens what would they be?
MB: I believe if I could return, I would tell my teenage self that I’ll possibly all the time be different—as I’ve all the time felt different—but the extent to which that hurts and is something I believe I need to change. will decrease as you find more people like you. I believed that would be really comforting to know, and nobody has ever said it to me, so I told the girls with this book.
You’ve been brutally honest in this book and released details about your personal life—is there a part of you that’s hesitant to share them with readers?
MB: Yes, I hesitate to release any details about my personal life. You know, I believe that’s one of the challenges of being a voting public person and trying to be genuine in how I present information. But it is really—I do not mean to say it—but sort of for the greater good. If I wanted to educate young girls in a way that I wasn’t educated, I believe that would be a far more interesting and fascinating book. I protect my kids a lot, more than I protect myself because they are not a common person, so I must watch out, but yeah, it is tough.
Speaking of your son, as they become older and come to you for advice, do you think you’ll give them more motherly-based advice or science-based advice?
MB: Oh we have entered the realm of science. They already know that I’m a clinical mama. It’s clear that I’m still a really classic mom and a really loving, nurturing, and protective type of mom, but yeah, I’m very clinical and they know when they ask a question about boo-boo or why this or that, that they are really going to get the answer.
In the book, you mention how your first kiss on the TV show “Blossom” went—if you could return and pick someone to have your first kiss with, who would it be?
MB: What?! OK, there was a guy in my elementary school, and that I liked him for years. He’s so cool. He was like one of the coolest kids in elementary school. And I do not think we have ever kissed before, but I asked if she would be my cha-cha partner to dance to “Stand By Me” at our graduation from elementary school. I’m sure he would have said no because he was so cool and he said “definitely”. She’s a very good dancer—she’s shorter, so that’s astonishing. So I danced with Brandon Blunt at my sixth grade graduation.
Who do you think is a good role model for young girls?
MB: Who would I select as a good role model for young girls? Well, I’m told that people think I’m an awesome role model for ladies but besides me, I mean there’s plenty of women—even if you are not a Democrat I believe the fact there’s a Democratic presidential nominee who’s a lady is pretty inspirational just to consider what he had to undergo to even get that far—I believe that’s inspiring no matter what side of the political spectrum you are on.
Do you think shows like “The Big Bang Theory” provide a new kind of role model for young girls?
MB: I believe that the “Big Bang Theory” showing different role models for girls and boys. I believe there are aspects of plenty of the male characters on our show that I like and that I find inspiring. But I believe I’m particularly grateful to be on a show that portrays a female scientist, and also not like an attractive scientist — the blouse does not all the time come off with the glasses like that. I also love being on a show where Melissa Rauch plays Bernadette who is a microbiologist and she’s a far more classic feminine scientist and she wears pretty skirts and cute things in her hair and great makeup and stuff like that because women -That woman is also there. .
You share with the reader that you were a science teacher prior to getting the role Amy Farrah Fowler on “The Big Bang Theory”—would you consider returning to teaching when “The Big Bang Theory” ends?
MB: I believe at this point I was a little distracted to be in the number one comedy in America. I believe there will all the time be a way that I teach but maybe in a more untraditional way or depending on how the world of YouTube and my website goes, a more traditional method. But yeah, I believe I’m absolutely going to have a different role in society when all this is over.
After you finish your book tour, what are your plans? Have a vacation?
MB: Was sleeping. Holiday? Hmm. My cousin’s son is getting married.
Anywhere is nice?
MB: Where I live—in Los Angeles—but that’s nice, my family is from Israel. No big plans, I just want to be with my kids, I want to travel, I want to cook and bake and clean toilets and do all the normal mom things that I do plenty of the time in my pajamas. Doesn’t that sound fun?
