Josh Gad Discusses Anxiety, ‘Frozen,’ and His New Book ‘PictureFace Lizzy’

NEW YORK – Josh Gad has taken on numerous roles throughout his career, from voiceover acting and Broadway performances to being a correspondent on “The Daily Show” and even orchestrating memorable reunions. His latest venture, however, marks a new chapter as he steps into the world of children’s literature with his book, “PictureFace Lizzy.”

Writing the book from the perspective of a young girl allowed Gad to connect deeply with his own experiences as a father. “By writing the book from the perspective of a girl who is in between the ages of my own daughters, I was weirdly able to put myself in their shoes and understand the effect of hearing ‘No’ and pushing back and saying, ‘But what if?’” says the 43-year-old actor. Growing up in the 80s, Gad recalls a simpler time filled with imagination, saying, “When we had bicycles to entertain us and early 8-bit Nintendo and not much else, it was imagination or bust.”

The recently released book, published by Random House, follows a girl named Eve who desires the most popular doll, “PictureFace Lizzy.” After much coaxing, Eve persuades her parents to buy her the doll, only to learn an important lesson about material wants. For Gad, this story resonates on a personal level, as it reflects both his experiences as a parent and the nostalgia of his own childhood.

Gad notes the intriguing connection between contemporary youth culture and their yearning for simpler times. “It’s very interesting to me that a show like ‘Stranger Things’ is so appealing to that (younger) demographic because I think that in a way they romanticize and long for an analog world that doesn’t exist,” he explains. “I think they inherently know that this is stressful, and I think they wish that they had less of (technology) and more of just an opportunity to sit in a room and play pretend. I hope that this book inspires that.”

During the pandemic lockdown in 2020, Gad found himself engaging in deep self-reflection, which led to several creative endeavors, including his YouTube series “Reunited Apart.” This initiative brought together cast members from cherished childhood films, but it also paved the way for his new children’s book and an upcoming memoir titled “In Gad We Trust,” set to release in January.

He describes the memoir-writing process as “therapy in front of a mirror.” Gad has unearthed many surprising insights about himself while revisiting old journals and conversing with loved ones. “Anxiety has been something that I’ve dealt with my whole life, and I’m very open about it,” he shares. Reflecting on the divorce of his parents at a young age, he acknowledges this event’s significant impact on his career choices. He candidly remarks, “There isn’t much that I hold back, if anything, because I feel like if you’re going to do this, then you got to rip the bandaid off.”

In a recent discussion about the upcoming “Frozen” films, Gad humorously noted the stark contrast in how he received news compared to fellow actor John Leguizamo, who reported a cease-and-desist regarding “Ice Age 6.” “Not only did I not get a cease-and-desist,” Gad recounts, “I didn’t even get a heads up that ‘Frozen’ 3 and 4 were happening until after they announced it publicly.” He expresses a wish to have been informed, commenting, “They knew not to bother because I would pull a ‘Leguizamo.’”

Details regarding the new “Frozen” films were recently unveiled at the D23 Disney fan event. Gad shares his excitement, proclaiming, “From what I understand, it’s going to be pretty incredible, pretty epic, and I think an incredible continuation of a beloved story at this point.”

As Josh Gad embarks on this new journey as an author, his insights into both childhood and adulthood continue to resonate, reflecting the universal themes of creativity and understanding that are relevant to all ages.

Source: USA Today