Anna Faris dismisses age-old rumor her 'Lost in Translation' role was based on Cameron Diaz
On the June 4 episode of the Happy Sad Podcast with Josh Horowitz, Anna Faris said she based her "Lost in Translation" character on the type of people she first met when she moved to Los Angeles—adding that she never intended it to be a hurtful jab at Cameron Diaz.… pic.twitter.com/I24SXLNtI4
— E! News (@enews) June 5, 2026
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Anna Faris has dismissed the long-running rumor suggesting her character in the 2003 film 'Lost in Translation' was based on Cameron Diaz.
Faris said the speculation, which spread widely over time, was “a little annoying” and clarified that there was never any real basis for claims that her role was inspired by Diaz. She added that the rumor had been blown out of proportion over the years, despite no such connection existing.
Anna Faris reacts to rumor linking her 'Lost in Translation' role to Cameron Diaz
Faris addressed a long-running rumor during an interview with Josh Horowitz on the June 4 episode of his 'Happy Sad Confused' podcast. During the conversation, Horowitz suggested that people often assumed she was “playing Cameron Diaz,” to which Faris responded that she was “was always a little annoyed with that accusation.”
She added, “It felt like it took a little something away from my flavor,” explaining that she had auditioned for the role and earned it through her own performance. “I always felt, like, ‘No, I'm not part of some grand, weird sabotage.’”
Faris also reflected on Diaz appearing on her 'Anna Faris Is Unqualified' podcast in 2021, calling it a missed opportunity to fully address the rumors. She said she had learned at the time that Diaz’s feelings were hurt, but she never had the chance to clarify things directly with filmmaker Sofia Coppola.
When asked whether she ever cleared the air with Diaz, Faris admitted the topic never came up in depth during their conversation. “Only kind of,” she said. “Maybe should we clear the air on this podcast.”
She added, “I only had 25 minutes with her,” noting she wasn’t sure how to bring up the topic or address it.
Was Anna Faris's 'Lost in Translation' character based on Cameron Diaz?
In the 2003 film 'Lost in Translation', Faris played a lively, exaggerated celebrity character. Over the years, many viewers assumed the role was a caricature of Diaz.
However, Faris clarified that the character was not based on Diaz. She explained that the role was inspired more by a “self-described” type she observed early in her time in Los Angeles, rather than any specific real-life celebrity or imitation.
Diaz has never publicly addressed the rumor linking her to Faris’s role in 'Lost in Translation'. She has also not made any negative comments about Faris regarding the speculation.
