Quote Of The Day: Sarah Paulson On Nostalgia

Sarah Paulson has become one of the most recognizable stars on TV thanks to her longstanding partnership with producer Ryan Murphy, which has led to her playing numerous roles throughout FX’s “American Horror Story.”

Paulson is among the stars returning to “AHS” in Season 13, and the storyline will utilize different characters from throughout the show’s entire run. Of course, that means that the witches from Miss Robichaux’s Academy for Exceptional Young ladies are returning to our screens. “American Horror Story: Coven” is one of the most beloved chapters of the franchise, and Paulson is reprising her role as Cordelia in the upcoming episodes.

Considering the throwback element in the upcoming season of “AHS,” Paulson’s quote of the day unpacks the power of nostalgia.

“Looking back is a way to sharpen the focus on the things you want to change in your life. I think there’s something about nostalgia that really puts a fine point on the here-and-now, and that can be incredibly fascinating and interesting and engaging for the mind.”

Sarah Paulson discussed nostalgia during a conversation with the Guardian in 2016 while promoting her romantic drama “Blue Jay,” which she starred in alongside Mark Duplass. The film follows a former high school couple reconnecting as adults.

Much of “Blue Jay” sees the central characters looking back and remembering their younger selves and what they were like together, which is in sharp contrast to the way their lives have played out in the years that followed. During the interview, Paulson explained that she isn’t a nostalgic person. 

“When I look back and wonder, ‘Why was I doing that? Was it a waste of time?’ I don’t beat myself up,” she said. “Instead, I say, ‘I’m so glad I did that, because now I really know what matters to me.'”

Nostalgia can sometimes get a bad reputation, as it encourages us to stay stagnant and believe that the future can never be quite as good as the past. It’s typical to look back at things with rose-tinted glasses and ignore the negative parts of the past, but Sarah Paulson shared how looking back can be a great way of gaining perspective about the future.

In doing so, you’re able to recognize how far you’ve come; whether that’s regarding personal growth, career, or relationships. It’s also a time to recognize where you are right now and to question where you’re going to be in the next phase of your life. In the future, you might look back to 2026 and wish you could be back here again, so Paulson’s comments are a reminder to not only acknowledge where you’ve been, but to also set out a path for where you’re going.

During an interview with Sandra Oh for Variety’s “Actors on Actors” series, Paulson explained that her life experiences helped create a bond with her now-frequent collaborator Ryan Murphy. 

“I think that comes from two people who had childhoods that were similar in the way they were broken,” Paulson explained. “[Murphy] and I had a similar way of moving the world in terms of survival. And I think we noticed that about one another immediately. It’s like when you find a member of your tribe, you find your person, you cling to them. Because it’s rare.”

• “I think it’s very important for people to not judge the people you’re playing. You have to find a way to love them because their story is theirs. I just don’t think there would be any use in that.” — from a 2012 interview with Backstage

• “If my life choices had to be predicated based on what was expected of me from a community on either side, that’s going to make me feel really straitjacketed, and I don’t want to feel that.” — from a 2016 interview with The New York Times

• “To truly feel seen by another person makes you feel so peaceful. And when you feel peaceful internally, I actually feel like that’s where some of your most beautiful work can come from. The mythology is that from chaos comes great work. I actually used to think that when I was younger, and I no longer think that anymore.” — from a 2018 interview with Variety