Kathryn Hahn on Her Big Game Ad, Parenthood, & Why She ‘Puts Crystals’ in Her Children’s Cars (Exclusive)

Kathryn Hahn has become a household name, with her quick-witted one-liners we repeat daily, to her iconic characters on both TV and film. Now, she’s bringing that humor to another commercial ahead of the Super Bowl, and it perfectly encapsulates her trademark slapstick antics.

Along with her new ad featuring running back Derrick Henry with OIKOS, which is all about fan-favorite OIKOS Triple Zero® high-protein Greek yogurt cups and ready-to-drink OIKOS™ Protein Shake, Hahn is also focused on preparing for the Super Bowl with her family (despite not knowing much about football).

For those who don’t know, Hahn has been married to actor Ethan Sandler since 2002, after first meeting at Northwestern University. They welcomed two children named Leonard Henry, born in Oct 2006, and Mae Marie, born in July 2009. (And Mae even makes a surprise appearance in the interview if you read on!)

When speaking with Hahn, there’s no front. She is exactly who she is, both on and off camera. Amid technical difficulties, we were joking about how neither of us understands Zoom, how much our cats look alike, and more. Despite being in the harsh industry for over 40 years, Hahn has remained unapologetically herself.

Simply put, she tells it like it is, from parent stress to long days on set.

Below, see what Hahn said about her commercial with OIKOS, being a mom of teenagers, and how she feels about her two kids driving:

SK: The ad is really, really funny, and it had a bit of that classic slapstick comedy. Was that the vibe going in, or was that something that you wanted to integrate?

Kathryn Hahn: I think that was part of the reason why I signed on, is that I knew the ad was funny. You don’t feel like you have to make something or bring something funny out of it. I really was delighted by the idea of it, and I didn’t know who Derrick Henry even was. I just knew he was in the NFL, but just meeting him and he was such a fun collaborator that made it that much easier. Yeah, no, I adore him. He could not have been more chill. Awesome. Really funny, easy laugh.

SK: That’s awesome! I was also gonna ask- You guys are badasses, you guys are parents, like I’m sure the conversations were so fun. Was there anything you bonded over that was maybe a bit unexpected for fans?

KH: Well, I wish that we could have bought it over our daily schedule, because his was so intense. I was like, ‘Oh, that’s right. You are a professional athlete!’ So just to hear him run down what his day looks like, opposed to mine, was pretty incredible. [But] he talked about having a sweet potato pancake recipe, which I can’t wait to try. He makes it for his kids all the time. And I think the reason we both wanted to jump onto this is because [with him] as an athlete, he needs as much protein as he could get in a really short amount of time. And I’m a mama that has teenagers that I’m trying to shove as much protein in there, in the quickest amount of time. These shakes have 30 grams of protein each, so you could just hand one as they’re running out the door and you’d feel like, ‘Okay, your job is kind of done for the day, like, your job as a parent is done.’ I’ve really gotta believe that if you can give them as much protein to start their day as possible, then they’re on their way.

SK: I love that. I was actually gonna ask, as a mom of teenagers, I know they can be so down one second, but so up the next. Have you taught them any tips or tricks on staying consistently energized or fueled for the day?

KH: You just kind of wanna maintain their blood sugar level as much as you can throughout the day. I’m telling you it’s a real gift: Having them come home and be well fed and nourished. So you really emphasize just the importance of having that protein and that nutrition. And these shakes don’t contain any artificial sweeteners, and they don’t have any extra sugar, so you’re giving them something that is also what you would stand behind as a parent.

SK: Switching it a little bit, but again, as a mother of teenagers, I know teens are absorbing so much more today than they ever have before, whether it be a commercial or a YouTube short. I know it can get very overwhelming. Do you have any tips for fellow moms of teenagers on how to just make it all less overwhelming?

KH: Well, I mean, as the mom of teenagers, you realize it’s out of your control now in terms of what they watch and what they can’t watch. I think it’s just trying to provide them with as many experiences as they can, so they don’t require a phone. Whether it’s doing a puzzle, taking a family hike, or going on vacation, it’s meant to remind them that an analog life can be a little more nourishing than spending all their time on screens. It’s whatever I can do to like raise their eyeballs to look at the look outside and get away from their phone.

You can’t really stop it from happening, and it is what it is. But I just feel like as long as they’re in this house, the more I can do. It doesn’t require that or to make them come out of the room and actually be part of the family. But you know what I can do.

SK: I know game day is coming up, and with this game day ad, it kind of seemed like you don’t really know much about football, or maybe you do, but do you play anything special?

KH: I’m trying to, every time it goes in one ear and not the other, but then I forget it (laughs).

SK: Oh my goodness (laugh)! So you don’t really do a Super Bowl day in your house or anything?

KH: Oh no, we for sure do a Super Bowl day! Talk about negating what I just said (laugh). Super Bowl day is when all bets are off, and it’s seven-layer dip, pigs in a blanket, and donuts. It’s like sitting in front of a trough and just eating as much junk as we possibly can. It’s so fun!

SK: Oh, that is wonderful! Now, I know Oikos is all about fueling your day. Besides drinking Oikos, what are the best ways that you do that? Especially just on long days where you have to drop your kids off, go to work, do all the jazz.

KH: I know my kids are driving now, which is intense, but besides making sure I have enough protein in the morning, like I don’t understand people who can do intermittent fasting, I try to have one hour of something that’s physical exercise or yoga. If I don’t get it done in the morning, I’ll never get it done. [It] starts the day a little grounded.

SK: I love that! But you just said your kids are driving, how do you feel about that, by the way?

KH: I have put nothing but confidence and support into both of them.

(KH gets a phone call from her daughter Mae.)

KH to Mae: Oh, talk about my kid! Oh my God. Wait, I think that’s hilarious. Mae, I’m in an interview. Can I call you back? Okay, I love you. I’ll call you back.

SK: That is so funny! You guys have the same voice too, like she sounds just like you.

KH: She does! Now, I just had to put as much confidence and faith in them. I put crystals in their car. I just had to support them from afar as much as I can possibly do because I feel like the more energy I put, like confidence-wise, into them, they will be great drivers because of it. They’re both great. I would feel very confident being in either of their cars for long car.

SK: I’ve actually found a bunch of like spells and like jars that you could put in people’s cars to put the good vibes into safe driving.

KH: OMG, that’s basically what I did with these crystals! I gave them each a bunch of crystals before they started. Now they’re in the cup holder.

SK: I love that. Now my last question is, which of your iconic characters do you think makes the worst Gym buddy?

KH: I think the worst gym buddy would be Carla from Bad Moms because I think that she would just find every excuse to get out of there… I don’t think she would be the best. She would just find any way to get a massage.

Before you go, check out how these celebrity parents’ tales about teaching their teens how to drive.