Holmes On ‘Overcompensating’ Icon Hailee Marie Matthews And What’s “Pissing Them Off” Right Now (EXCLUSIVE)

The day Benito Skinner’s comedy-drama series, Overcompensating, dropped on Prime Video, Hailee Marie Matthews became a household name. Between “pisses me off” and “I’m going fucking apeshit on these whores,” Carmen’s chaotic roommate delivers some of the show’s most quotable, wildly hilarious moments because she has literally no concept of a filter. Hailee Marie is a fucking star, and we have Holmes to thank for her irresistible sparkle.

They say there are no small characters, only small actors — and thankfully, Holmes, who plays Hailee, more than rose to the challenge, casually turning a supporting role into an overnight internet sensation. (If you’re not on Hailee Marie Matthews Tok already, run, don’t walk.) That’s just Holmes’ magic touch for you! The Welcome to Flatch alum and stand-up comedian (who goes by she/they) is just as excited about Hailee as we are, and they want to keep telling her story in a second season… assuming we do get one.

When I asked Holmes if Benito had shared any hints about Hailee’s journey in a potential season 2, they smiled and dished, “He has given me hints, and I think he’s a genius, and I’m so excited about it. I really, really think that you’ll get as much Hailee as you want this time.” (HMM, getting promoted to main character status?? Thank god.) The actor added, “I want season 2 so badly. I just hope everyone who watches knows that I love this show. I love Hailee, and I hope so much that there is a season 2.” They emphasized that it would be “stupid not to make one.” I wholeheartedly agree. Hear that, @Amazon?

During our conversation on June 19, Holmes spoke about the Hailee Marie Matthews phenomenon, what it was like working with Charli XCX, and what’s “pissing them off” [insert Hailee voice] at the moment.

Edited for clarity

Image Credit: Amazon MGM Studios

BETCHES: The internet is obsessed with Hailee Marie. What’s it like knowing your character’s instantly iconic? Have you been enjoying all the TikTok edits?

Holmes: It meant a lot. It’s so funny because I always find a way to be mean to myself, but I was literally a recurring character. I’m not a series regular on the show, but I think I will be for Season 2 (if we get it). But it was one of those things that I now feel guilty about, as if I’m not celebrating her enough or something, because I love her so much, and the people are like, ‘We want more.’ And I’m like, we got to get Season 2 for me to give you more, Hailee.

Also, I feel relief and gratitude. And I feel really grateful to Benny because Hailee lives inside me in a way. A lot of comedians or people were taught to have so much pride and ego that you wouldn’t let someone put so much of their spin on a character like I did, but he let me improvise immensely. So literally, Hailee Marie Matthews, I made that up.

BETCHES: Oh my gosh, that’s crazy. What other moments were improvised?

Holmes: I improvised the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants line. But once again, Benny gave me the most beautiful jumping-off point ever because the scripts were already so funny. I just can’t express enough how that is part of his genius: he wrote an amazing script, but then he also lets people do what they’re best at. So, if you have me improvising the audition, then on set, you should let me improvise. And he really, really did. But yeah, “pisses me off” was all script, and I think it’s the funniest part of the season as well.

BETCHES: It’s so funny. Do you find yourself quoting the iconic lines all the time now?

Image Credit: Amazon MGM Studios

I’ll go, “That pisses me off,” and notice it’s stolen. I can’t say that seriously. It’s made me really happy that “pisses me off” signs were at literal Kings Day protests and World Pride. Seeing that has made me so happy. The fact that she gets to be this iconic character.

BETCHES: Speaking of that “pisses me off” moment, what’s pissing you off right now?

Holmes: ICE, our government, white men not being engaged right now. That is pissing me off. White men who I know would love to get a part in 12 Years a Slave, the reboot, but aren’t saying fucking shit right now, and you would never see them at a protest — those people are pissing me the fuck off.

Still, a lot of people inspire me. Sunrise Movement inspires me. The people in our industry like Hannah Einbinder, Zack Fox, people who continue to make art while continuously speaking up, they inspire me.

I would say I’m judgmental and I’ve worked a lot on trying to look to the people who inspire me versus the people who piss me off because naturally I feel pissed. I look back at icons and legends and people like Nina Simone, where they’re like, she’s nuts. It’s like, fucking duh, what are you talking about? It’s like, I’m a white woman, and I am mad all the time at the oppression, let alone… it’s like, you know what’s pissing me off? How little people are talking about Adriana Smith. It is like that girl is being used as an incubator right now and it’s because she’s a Black woman… and it’s like, yeah, talk about it on Juneteenth today.

I’m looking around the streets right now in L.A., and there’s no one out because all of the people of color are scared to leave their houses. What’s going on is just blatant racism. Of course, also sexism, which is why I’m calling out the men so much. But it’s like this is just racism.

BETCHES: Yeah, it’s absolutely horrifying.

Image Credit: Getty

Holmes: I’m just trying to figure out that balance because I can go a very black and white with where I give all my energy to art or all my energy to this. It’s hard for me to not want to just talk about all the racist horrors we’re seeing right now all the time. But somehow, yeah, people do it. I am very inspired by those who can talk about what’s going on and make us laugh at all of the evil people and firm our power.

I just want people to know who are talking about it all the time that I don’t think you look crazy. I think that people who are ignoring it look a little crazier.

BETCHES: 100 percent. Thank you for sharing that.

Holmes: It’s paralyzing sometimes, but we have to figure out a way. Everyone’s like, we’re not supposed to see this much at once, but we are. So what now?

BETCHES: It reminds me of that song in Wicked, the “Dancing Through Life” song where he’s singing about how life is easy when you’re ignorant.

Holmes: Yes. I really got goosebumps. Wicked is so good.

BETCHES: Going back to Overcompensating, what was it like working with Charli XCX? One of my favorite scenes is when you’re like, “Without your music, I would’ve killed myself.”

Holmes: So that was actually an improv, too. I was like, “Can I try this on one?” And once again, Benny was like, “1000%, I love that, do that.” I just can’t speak highly enough of Benny.

Working with Charli was amazing. She was so professional. I’ve been a fan of her since when I was living in Chicago doing improv. I would listen to Pop 2 a lot when I was depressed, “Backseat” and “Out Of My Head” and stuff. And so, I’ve just been such a fan of her for a long time. But when I’m a fan of someone, I really don’t try to be their friend at all, which is funny because Owen Thiele, who’s on our show too, is the opposite. He’s like, if I’m a fan, you’re going to be my friend.

When she was on set, I was like, I have to be a lunatic to this person right now as Hailee. She is a pop star that I look up to, and her music has affected me a lot, so I’m going to say hello and do the scene as well as I can, but be honestly in character. So, I was professional with her, and she was just so good and talented. It would be crazy watching her backstage, be on her phone or something, and then it was just like, the camera’s on, but duh, she’s a pop star. And we’re the only two Leos that I think Benny says that he fucks with.

BETCHES: Love that. What was your vibe in college? Were you at all unhinged like Hailee, or were you more chill?

Holmes: I was completely unhinged, but I was just a different brand of it. I was maybe less of a party girl and more into the punk scene. I was super passionate, but yeah, I didn’t know how to self-regulate. And I was drinking all the time. There are so many people I owe an apology to — and I’ve given out a lot of them.

I went to Columbia College for one semester and then dropped out because I was bulimic and our school was expensive, but then I ended up going to Florida State. And so I did Florida State for three years, and Tallahassee has this incredible punk music scene. And so I would go to punk shows all the time. I was unhinged, but I was in more crusty, artsy circles with less makeup on — honestly, with no makeup on.

I was only using she/her pronouns then, but I think everyone could tell from a mile away. People knew my queerness before I would say I knew it. I didn’t have a girlfriend in college, but girls would kiss me at parties, and I’d be like, “Okay, whatever.” And then all of a sudden, I fell in love with a girl at 24, and I was like… That’s why those girls kept kissing me.