Behind the Scenes at The Atlantic Festival with Allison Janney

On Friday, September 19, I had the genuine privilege of joining Allison Janney behind the scenes at The Atlantic Festival in New York City, where she appeared on stage alongside Monica Lewinsky, Keri Russell, and The Diplomat creator-writer Debora Cahn for a powerful, timely panel on gender, media, and the Netflix show’s much-anticipated third season. What unfolded over the course of the afternoon was a behind-the-curtain glimpse into both the logistical whirlwind and the quiet focus that Allison puts into live events like these.

Hotel Glam & Pre-Panel Prep. The afternoon began at Allison’s hotel suite, already buzzing with that signature pre-event energy: hair tools, garment bags, glam kits, and a low hum of phones ringing and notifications pinging. New York City-based makeup artist Matin Maulawizada and Allison’s longtime hairstylist Jill Crosby were deep in their rhythm, touching up and adjusting, laughing and collaborating in a way that felt more like family rather than a team on a strict schedule.

Allison moved fluidly between reviewing her printed notes, fielding incoming calls, and checking in with her assistant: a masterclass in calm amidst the chaos. But what struck me most was the tone of the room. Despite the compressed timeline, the vibe was grounded and gracious. Chatter filled the room as Matin and I connected happily for the first time in person after recently connecting via Instagram, while Jill and I reminisced about first meeting years ago on the set of Allison’s sitcom MOM. Allison paused at one point to ask me about my son and open the little gift I brought her from my recent trip out West.

The tenderness in the room wasn’t performative: it was the kind of ease that only comes from long-term trust and care. A few photos were snapped for social media, but it didn’t feel curated…just lived-in. I watched as Jill helped Allison deal with a difficult earring clasp, as Matin gave her a final touch-up before heading out, and as Allison remembered her glasses at the very last minute, laughing that she almost walked out of the hotel without them. And before it was time for the car to arrive, Allison sat down on the edge of the bed one last time, pen in hand, carefully adding handwritten edits to her pre-typed notes. She spoke openly with me about how these kinds of events, even after decades in the public eye, can still make her a bit nervous. She is a consummate professional who always wants to get it right…and by being prepared, she always does.

The Ride to PAC NYC

We headed downtown in a black SUV, inching our way through the thick pulse of Friday rush hour. The city outside was loud and chaotic with sirens, scooters, a million pedestrians, but inside the car was its own little capsule of calm focus. Allison kept her notes in hand and we chatted about The Diplomat, sparking a lively brainstorm about language, tone, and the balance between diplomacy and honesty.

We also talked about the tension between power and softness, about how women, especially women in the public eye, are constantly asked to perform both vulnerability and authority at once. This fascinating topic could apply both to Allison Janney as an actress, as well as to President of the United States Grace Penn - her character on the show.

Backstage at Zuccotti Theater

When we arrived at the Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC), the Atlantic Festival team and Allison’s PR rep were already in motion. Allison paused to sign a few autographs at the door, smiling and gracious as we were then ushered briskly through security, up into an elevator, and into the backstage greenroom area.

Each panelist had a lovely private dressing space to decompress in before the event. Monica Lewinsky was already on stage, her voice echoing faintly from the monitors. Allison, Debora, and Keri exchanged hugs, inside jokes, and bits of last-minute chatter. Keri brought wine (an offering and a wink) while Debora calmly juggled final prep like someone used to holding multiple worlds at once.

There were no egos in the room, only a quiet current of creative respect. I kept a quiet distance to observe and capture some light content (with permission) and simply absorbing the beauty of the moment: the way seasoned professionals center themselves before stepping into public view, the way warmth and sharpness can coexist in a space of women doing big work.

Just before show time, I watched Allison settle into a quiet corner, breathe, review her notes one final time, and nod to herself…not for anyone else, but to mark her own readiness.

The Panel + A Front Row Seat

While we walked down long hallways to the stage, Allison turned and thanked me for being there, and for all the years of work I’ve done behind the scenes with this fan site and on Instagram. It was a lovely gesture that meant a great deal to me. I’ve spent years amplifying her career, curating her legacy, and helping fans connect to her work; I love what I get to do and it means so much to know that she sees it all.

I slipped into the audience just before the session began and was thrilled to find an open seat in the front row. The panel session opened with an exclusive screening of a portion of the Season 3 premiere of The Diplomat. I can promise you a gripping first episode where we join Grace Penn in the moments after learning she has become President of the United States. The excitement of the sneak preview set the stage for the panel discussion, and what followed was a wide-ranging, deeply resonant conversation about diplomacy, gender, political storytelling, and the power of performance. The dialogue was whip-smart, funny, emotional, and real…each panelist brought her full self to the table.

It was so satisfying to hear Allison speak and weave in many of the ideas she had talked about with me in the car. Thoughts she had crafted together, phrases about the balance of feminine leadership and emotional transparency all spoken out loud, in front of a packed house. To watch her draw from her prep and bring it to life with poise, humor, and gravitas was unforgettable. And as always Allison was electric: grounded, witty, sharp, and open-hearted. The audience clearly agreed.

Final Reflections

It’s not often that fans of an artist get to be this close to the process: to see the before and after, the nerves and the glow, the humanity behind the public image. Allison has given me that opportunity many times over the years, and I do not take it for granted.

From glam chair to SUV to center stage, what stood out most wasn’t the lights or the buzz. It was the vulnerability, the quiet in-between spaces where people gather themselves before stepping out into the world. It was the laughter in the hotel room, the scribbled pen marks, the gratitude in a thank-you glance before curtain.

It reminded me that no matter how successful someone is, they are still human. Still searching for the right words. Still hoping they’ve said enough, done enough, shown up enough. And sometimes, they have. And sometimes, more than they realize, they’ve shown up for someone else, too.

Thank you, Allison for letting me tag along.

📍 PAC NYC | Atlantic Festival 2025

📸 Watch the Behind The Scenes Reel Here via Instagram and enjoy Allison’s full conversation at The Atlantic Festival below: