Michelle Williams and Busy Philipps’ Adorable 25-Year Friendship: ‘I’m So in Love With Her’
They met on the set of 'Dawson's Creek,' and they've been there for each other through thick and thin ever since
The hit ’90s and ’00s show Dawson’s Creek was filled with juicy teen drama, but it also gave rise to one of Hollywood’s most charming celebrity friendships. During the filming of the series, Michelle Williams, who played the rebellious Jen Lindley, and Busy Philipps, who played Audrey Liddell, a character introduced in the show’s fifth season, became close friends. Fast-forward 25 years later, and both actresses are now accomplished 40-something moms who’ve gone through many ups and downs together and remain BFFs.
Here’s a look at how Williams and Philipps’ long and supportive friendship developed, along with some of the many sweet things they’ve said about each other over the years.
How Michelle Williams and Busy Philipps found ‘love at first sight’
As two young rising stars, one might assume that Williams and Philipps were competitive with each other, but this was never the case. Instead, the duo instantly connected in a down-to-earth way.
In her 2018 memoir, This Will Only Hurt a Little, Philipps wrote of their first meeting, “She was tiny and adorable, her perfect face makeup-free. She was carrying Fig Newtons and water. She asked if I wanted one, and we walked over to her room and sat in the rocking chairs so I could smoke. We started talking about bands we liked and books we were reading. I liked her immediately.”
Philipps said she experienced “love at first sight” with Williams, while Williams fondly remembered, “When I met her, she was the coolest girl I had ever seen.” The rest is history, and they’ve been friends ever since their fateful behind-the-scenes encounter.
Together through tragedy
In 2008, Williams went through a highly-publicized tragedy when Heath Ledger, her former partner and the father of her 2-year-old daughter, Matilda, died from an accidental overdose at just 28. Philipps is Matilda’s godmother, and she was by her friend’s side as she grieved an unimaginable loss, saying she’s “hyper-protective” of Williams and her daughter and sees them both as her family. Phillips also spent time with Williams on the 10th anniversary of Ledger’s death in 2018.
It’s clear that Phillips is one of Williams’ biggest sources of support, and Williams has said, “I’m so in love with her. She’s proof that the love of your life does not have to be a man! That’s the love of my life right there.” Williams also revealed that she told Philipps, “‘You have really saved me from ever being lonely because you are always right there,” explaining, “We are so close and can tell each other everything. I don’t know what I would be or who I would be without Busy.”
Michelle Williams and Busy Philipps are red carpet besties
Williams and Philipps have stayed close during times both tragic and celebratory. Williams has been nominated for five Oscars, and she’s frequently brought Philipps to awards shows as her date.
The gal pals always make a splash at such glam events, and Philipps has explained why she loves being Williams’ plus-one: “These awards shows, while they are fun, they’re high pressure for the people who are nominated, and for those walking the red carpet. You know you’re going to be torn asunder if people don’t like your outfit or your dress. You’re up for an award that you may or may not win. There are all these other factors at play. I think for her, and for me too, to have each other by our sides as we go through this process . . . it’s just great to have somebody that can be your touchstone for reality. Maybe I’m giving away a secret, but we always try right before we get to one of these red carpets to just look at each other and say, ‘Don’t forget how lucky we are. This is our life now.’”
Williams says having her bestie as her awards season date “makes it fun,” and admitted, “It’s a little overwhelming, but then all of a sudden, I look over and see this gal, and I know whatever happens, we’re going to have a great time and laugh.”
While Williams and Philipps may be celebrities, their friendship is anything but superficial, and the love that they share is truly heartwarming. Williams called Philipps “The most selfless person that I know,” and said she “taught me everything that I know about being a friend”—and it seems like we all could learn a thing or two about friendship from these millennial icons.
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