Busy Philipps, at 46, is praising her best friend and fellow actress Michelle Williams for leading her back to the spirited world of Zumba classes. In a recent conversation with PEOPLE that coincided with her collaboration with Zumba, Philipps revealed that she hadn’t attended a class in years until Williams inspired her to dive back in. The two actresses, who became friends on the set of ‘Dawson’s Creek,’ recently appeared together at a charity reunion event in New York City, reigniting Philipps’ love for the dance-focused workout.
Philipps shared, “I had done Zumba years ago, actually because of Michelle Williams… And I loved it.” Her enthusiasm for Zumba comes from her quest for enjoyable workout alternatives; she candidly admitted, “a treadmill is just not for me.” This pursuit of fun exercises has led her to seek out creative workout options that keep her engaged.
In a bold move, Philipps participated in a recent Zumba class where she was ‘mic’d up,’ allowing her comments—ranging from enthusiastic to humorous—to be heard by everyone in attendance. Reflecting on this experience, she said, “I was like, ‘Yeah, that sounds weird, fun, and right up my alley.'” The interactive session turned entertaining, especially when the class kicked off with jumping jacks, and she joked about her worries of potential accidents, stating, “Am I going to pee myself?”
Despite her on-screen portrayal of dance in the series ‘Girls5eva,’ Philipps noted that she has her challenges with choreography. “I love dancing and moving my body, but… you can ask anyone from Girls5eva, because it was always really the hardest thing for me, to learn the choreo,” she confessed, humorously adding, “I do think that’s what ultimately has prevented my pop-star career.”
However, her experience with Zumba proved surprisingly positive. “The steps and the moves were so easy to follow, and I did not feel behind ever,” she explained. Philipps felt an overwhelming sense of enjoyment during the class, recalling, “I just felt like, ‘Oh, okay, now we’re moving this way and I’m having fun, and now we’re moving that way and I’m having fun.'” Her excitement during the class emphasized the atmosphere of fun, a crucial aspect that Zumba provides.
For anyone apprehensive about trying Zumba or group fitness for the first time, Philipps has supportive advice. “No one’s looking at you—I mean, unless you’re literally me and there was a camera on me; special circumstances notwithstanding. But that’s just the truth. Everyone is in their own world,” she reassured potential newcomers. This sentiment underlines the welcoming and non-judgmental environment of Zumba classes.
Philipps emphasized that the overall support she felt from fellow participants contributed to her enjoyment, reinforcing the sense of community in the class. She remarked, “Zumba in particular, for me, genuinely just felt like everyone was supportive of each other, and having a fun time. It didn’t matter if you missed a step or you were not on the beat for a second—it was just fun.”
Though she initially approached the class with trepidation and a concern that she might feel foolish due to her coordination struggles, Philipps’ experience was dramatically different from her expectations. “Even if no one is looking at me, I don’t really feel like subjecting myself to feeling dumb,” she admitted. Looking back, she found that her biggest fear—feeling out of place or awkward—was unfounded. Instead, she emerged from the class feeling energized and vibrant, thinking, “I could keep going for another 40 minutes.” This experience has not only reignited her passion for Zumba but also highlighted the positive impact of engaging with fun fitness activities alongside friends.
