Brenda Song reflects on her imposter syndrome while balancing motherhood and career: ‘It’s so hard’

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Brenda Song is embracing the latest chapter in her life, but she shared that she has not battled self-doubt along the way.

Speaking with People about her latest role in Netflix’s 'Running Point', the 36-year-old actress reflected on her ongoing struggles with imposter syndrome, particularly as she transitioned into motherhood.

Brenda Song struggles with self-doubt in changing industry

Reflecting on imposter syndrome, Brenda Song admitted, “I feel like I still have imposter syndrome."

“It's so hard because I think for me, having grown up in this industry, it's like you're always going to go through phases. You understand evolution and changing and always trying to figure out who you are on top of just growing up and being a human,” she added.

For Song, these feelings intensified over the past five years, during which she and her partner, Macaulay Culkin, welcomed two children together.

“Becoming a mom, finding such fulfillment in my personal life has changed me so much. “I feel like, for the first time, it's truly that next phase in my life. And with that being said, my priorities changed. That was the big difference," she explained.

"I think that's what I was struggling with. Our society really tells us as women to follow your dreams, do what you got to do, go out there, do your thing, girl—but also be a full-time mom, make sure you're at home and making dinner,” she added.

Brenda Song on balancing motherhood and career pressures

Brenda Song grappled with finding a balance between her passion for acting and the expectations placed upon mothers.

“It's like, I was like, how do I do this? How do I figure this out?”

Working on 'The Last Showgirl and Running Point' helped her reconnect with her passion, thanks to working with inspiring women like director Gia Coppola and actress Kate Hudson.

“And on top of that, being pushed creatively in a way that I've never been pushed before,” she continued. “To be working on a project where I never thought that I would be able to be a part of was so inspiring and really just reinvigorated my passion for the artistry of what I do.”

The ‘Brendaissance’ and finding fulfillment

Fans have dubbed her recent resurgence in Hollywood the “Brendaissance,” and the 'Suite Life of Zack and Cody' alum is grateful to be doing what she loves.

“I'm so happy to be continuously working and to be working on projects that I'm proud of, to be working with people that I admire and respect,” she said.

“This business is so fickle. This industry is crazy. There's so many highs, and there's so many lows. So I'm just trying to enjoy it because I feel very, very, very lucky and fortunate that I still get to do what I've been dreaming of doing for almost 30 years,” she said.

Brenda Song doubles down on protecting her children’s privacy

Both Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin grew up as child actors, which has influenced their decision to shield their children from the spotlight. Still, she would not discourage them from pursuing acting if that’s what they want.

“When I was a child actor many, many moons ago, 30 years ago, I think it's so different in this day and age when it comes to social media and things like that,” she said.

“For me, my boys can do whatever they want to do. I just want them to go to school and enjoy their anonymity while they can because they didn't ask for me and Mac to be their parents. So I want them to be able to make that choice on their own,” Song shared.

While she acknowledges the challenges of Hollywood, Song would support her children’s dreams, whatever they may be.

“Of course, I'd love them to be a doctor or lawyer because I know how crazy this industry is, but I also want to be able to support them in any way possible,” she noted.