Katy Mixon Talks ‘American Housewife’ [Exclusive Interview]

You may recognize Katy Mixon as Victoria, Molly’s sister on Mike & Molly, or as Susan, Denver’s wife on Four Christmases. Now, Mixon stars as a mom of three on ABC’s American Housewife.

American Housewife is a comedy that follows the life of Katie Otto, a wife and mother, and her family after moving to their new hometown of Westport, Connecticut.

I recently had the chance to chat with Mixon about her role on American Housewife, what’s coming up in Season 2, the most important thing she’s learned working on the show.

Katie Otto is a character that inspires adults everywhere, but especially mothers, with her persevering attitude and no care for what anybody else has to say when it comes to her body. “It’s the biggest gift. I just can’t even put into words. It’s such an incredible gift to be able to be an actor and to play a role that inspires people,” Mixon said.

“It doesn’t matter what gender you are, and it doesn’t matter what your background is, it’s just universal — her message, I think. It’s about truly accepting who you are and realizing that nobody else is like you, and it’s so powerful,” she continued. “I’m truly having the time of my life being able to play a role that people can relate to. It’s really a special time.”

American Housewife has tackled some pretty tough topics such as racism, body shaming, etc. during its two seasons so far, and that’s something that Mixon enjoys.

“There’s always a lesson to be learned at the end of every episode. I just enjoy it so much how they’ve tackled true issues of what real life people go through,” Mixon explained.

Katie Otto’s mission for American Housewife Season 2 is to get on better terms with the other mothers in the town, which is why she is hosting the spring gala.

“I know throughout this season, I’m working very closely with the moms at the school, which is something that she (Katie Otto) hates. As this season unfolds, you’re going to see more and more all of the different dynamics of how it’s going to go down.”

According to Mixon, the finale for Season 2 is going to be an episode you don’t want to miss. “It all leads to the finale, and the finale is going to be quite spectacular. It’s going to be a good time,” Mixon teased.

During our chat, Mixon took the time to give some significant compliments to the writers and executive producers of American Housewife when asked if she does any improv on the show.

“It’s all scripted. Those writers are pretty incredible, I believe. I don’t really get a chance to improv, but that’s totally fine. They are so unbelievably talented,” Mixon gushed. “They do an incredible job, so I say all their words. All of it is them.”

During her time filming, Mixon has also had some pretty big life experiences.

“I had a baby six months ago, and I’m pregnant with my second baby. I’m in it to win it. It’s been one of the craziest, wildest rides. I shoot about thirty scenes in five days; it’s the toughest schedule I’ve ever had in my life,” she admitted.

A valuable life lesson that American Housewife has taught Mixon is perseverance. “You’ve gotta apply yourself, and you’ve just gotta go for it. There’s a tenacity, there’s a perseverance, and determination, and I can do it.”

“I’ve learned so much about my stamina having to do the 4:30am wakeup calls [and] filming about 12-14 hours a day, five days a week. It’s a wild schedule, but you can do it. That goes for anybody in any field. It’s really just determination, and I couldn’t be more blessed to be given this opportunity,” Mixon said.

Life came at Mixon fast as she moved on from Mike & Molly to American Housewife. “What’s so special is I said yes to this project coming right after Mike & Molly. I ended Mike & Molly, and four days later I stepped into the American Housewife room.”

“It’s one of the most challenging things to be able to be given a role, and all kinds of other stuff is happening in real life. I believed in this project, and I knew where it could go — the potential of it,” she recalled.

“I am such a person of gut and instinct, and I just believed in it. For it to be able to be picked up and able to go a second season is just the biggest blessing, but I think all of it is happening at once. I’m doing it, I don’t quite know how I’m doing it, but there’s something to be said about just living in the moment.”

Mixon also shared a few things fans may not already know about her, including that her background is musical theater. She graduated from Carnegie Mellon University, and comes from a big family of six girls and one boy.

“I played Calpurnia in Julius Caesar, that was my very first job when I was 19. Singing and dancing — that’s how I grew up,” MIxon revealed. “Also, my dad played football for LSU, so I’m a huge sports fan.”

Be sure to catch Katy Mixon on American Housewife, airing Wednesdays at 8:30/7:30c on ABC.

Follow us on Twitter @telltaleTV_

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!