Jennifer Coolidge is clearing up some things regarding one of her most famous off-screen jokes.
The actress, who is well-known for her appearances in Legally Blonde, American Pie, and more recently The White Lotus, once made headlines when she joked that her portrayal as Stifler’s mom in the 1999 teen comedy got her a stunning amount of romantic attention.
She joked that it added up to 200 people she would never have slept with, claiming that American Pie attracted a lot of s**ual attention to her!
That throwaway line, however said with her usual humor, immediately became famous. Both fans and tabloids picked up on the comment, which became a type of myth about Coolidge’s time in Hollywood. The actress never thought the joke would go this far, but now she’s using the chance to set the record straight about what really happened.
Ariana Grande, who is also known for her spot-on Coolidge impersonation, couldn’t help but bring it up during a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly. Grande said, “Do you remember the best [partner] you got from playing Stifler’s mom?” in a playful way that made her sound like a journalist. Do you stay in touch? The question was supposed to make Coolidge laugh, but it gave her a chance to be honest instead.
Coolidge jumped in with her usual mix of honesty and humor and remarked, “I’m glad you asked this.” I did mention it in a prior interview, but it was a joke, and you really can’t make jokes in our town. I made the awful error of saying something like, “Thank God for that movie; I got to sleep with 200 men.” And look, I’d want to say it was true, but it was a bit of an overstatement, so I’m pleased you asked.
The release of ‘American Pie’ sparked Coolidge’s s**ual interest. Credit: Taylor Hill / Getty Images.
Even while Coolidge refuted the infamous “200 men” number, she acknowledged that her participation in American Pie did expand her dating pool in unanticipated ways. She was now meeting potential new acquaintances, including younger men who were, in her words, “all very legal.”
There was one fling that stuck out because of an awkward (and now funny) detail. Coolidge remembered that this one man was quite young. It was hilarious because there was a little bit of an awkward moment when he had to phone his mom to find out where I could get my hair done. She smiled at the memory, saying that the talk happened while it was evident they were both in bed together.
Grande, who was clearly having fun but also protective, told Coolidge that she didn’t have to divulge every private detail because this is Entertainment Weekly. The pop star did say, though, that she would have loved to be on the other end of that call. I would have said, “Wow.” Hi there. It is an honor to meet you! Grande made a joke.
Coolidge ended the anecdote with another laugh, never missing a beat. It all worked out because she gave me a good tip at a mall nearby.
Jennifer Coolidge in a still from ‘American Pie’. Credit: Getty Images.
Coolidge shows us time and time again that the best stories don’t need to be exaggerated at all.
