Jennifer Garner may have starred in one of the most beloved rom-coms of the early 2000s, but she has not actually sat down to rewatch it in full since opening night.
During a Feb. 26 appearance on Kylie Kelce’s “Not Gonna Lie” podcast, the 53-year-old actress revealed that she has not seen “13 Going on 30” all the way through since its 2004 premiere. Per People, Garner made the surprising admission while reflecting on her time playing Jenna Rink, the 13-year-old who magically wakes up as a 30-year-old magazine editor in New York City.
“You know what’s weird? I haven’t watched it since the premiere in full,” Garner said.
That does not mean she has avoided it entirely. Garner explained that she has revisited certain scenes over the years when she needed to discuss them for interviews or work. “There have been times where I’ve had to talk about a certain scene or something, and so I’ve gone back and watched that scene,” she shared, adding that she does not know why she has never gone back to watch the entire movie.
Where Jenna Rink Ranks
Despite not rewatching it, Garner still holds the character close. When asked where Jenna Rink ranks among her many roles, she did not hesitate.
“Oh, I mean, she’s one or two. She’s right up there,” she said. Garner recalled the joy she felt creating the character and the playful atmosphere on set. “There was so much joy in the creation of her and of that set in general. So yeah, she’s up there.”
Still, she revealed that Sydney Bristow from “Alias” might take the top spot. Garner credited the role with changing her life and boosting her confidence early in her career. “Sydney Bristow… she might be number one just ’cause she changed my life because people cared,” she explained. She added that the character helped her find a sense of swagger she had not tapped into before.
The “Tortured Years” at Home
While fans continue to celebrate “13 Going on 30,” Garner’s own kids have had a different reaction.
Garner admitted that the movie led to some “tortured years” for her children, Violet, 20, Seraphina, 17, and Samuel, 13, whom she shares with ex Ben Affleck, per E! News. When they each turned 13, the film frequently popped up at birthday parties and sleepovers, often chosen by well-meaning parents.
“They went through some tortured years where they were turning 13,” Garner said on the podcast.
She explained that her kids were “mortified” watching their mom be “30, flirty and thriving.” Seeing her character in love or emotional made the experience even more uncomfortable. Garner joked that she received calls from sleepovers with sudden “headaches,” hinting they were ready for an early pickup.
Even so, Garner said she genuinely enjoys parenting teenagers. She described them as funny and thoughtful and encouraged parents to give themselves grace. “Every day is a fresh start. Every day is an opportunity,” she said.
Never heard of that movie, and OMG who cares? I couldn’t care less that some spoiled Hollywood elite didn’t watch her own movie all the way through, LOL.