More than 50 years after Judy Blume published her seminal coming of-age novel, the Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret movie (starring Abby Ryder Fortson as the titular curious sixth-grader, and Rachel McAdams as her mom) is bringing the story to life onscreen for new and older generations alike. The adaptation, in theaters April 28, reminds us that preteen growing pains are relatable no matter your age — and that questioning yourself and the world around you should be a pivotal part of being a person.
As Margaret, Abby plays a character who is sometimes uncertain but is ultimately guided by her empathy for others and a desire to be understood herself. She doesn’t always make the “right” decisions, and she doesn’t always know how to process her feelings; in short, she’s a 12-year-old girl who’s trying her best, dealing with first crushes, friendship drama, school bullies, and the plagues of puberty.
“I was going through the exact same stuff that Margaret was while I was working on her character,” Abby tells Teen Vogue. “And honestly, I still am. I’m still figuring myself out every single day.”
You might recognize Abby from some of her other major projects. The Los Angeles native is the daughter of two Hollywood actors, Christie Smith and John Fortson, who always encouraged her pursuit of the arts. As a young child, she played Cassie Lang in Ant-Man and also acted in Transparent, Forever My Girl, and several animated shows. Are You There God is first big leading role, however, and it’s already informing the projects she wants to act in (and write!) going forward.
Below, Teen Vogue talked to Abby about turning 15 years old, playing the iconic Margaret onscreen, and why this story is so important 50 years on.
Teen Vogue: Did you recently have a birthday?
Abby Ryder Fortson: I did. I turned 15 on March 14th.
TV: That’s so exciting. Happy birthday, how did you celebrate?
ARF: We just kind of hung around the house, relaxed a little bit. It was pouring rain in Los Angeles that whole week, so we had a movie night. We watched Everything Everywhere All At Once, which was really, really good.
TV: Oh, nice. How are you feeling leading up to the premiere of Are You There God, now that people are starting to see it?
ARF: I’m just so happy that it’s being released out into the world. I think that it’s a really important film that can make a lot of people feel less alone and more like they’re okay with who they are.
TV: What about this story felt true to your experiences even though it was written so long ago?
ARF: So much of it. I read the book and turned to my parents and I was like, “Oh my gosh, how did someone write down this experience? This is it. How did someone write this down, especially in the ’70s?” And then I was going through the exact same stuff that Margaret was while I was working on her character. And honestly, I still am. I’m still figuring myself out every single day.
This content was originally published here.
