Hollywood memoirs are usually a drag. You know the drill: a ghostwritten, sanitized version of a famous person’s life where they pretend they’ve never had a bad day or a weird thought. But Unqualified, the 2017 Anna Faris book, is different. It’s messy. It’s awkward. Honestly, it feels like sitting at a dive bar with that one friend who has zero filter and a heart of gold.
If you’re looking for a play-by-play of her entire filmography, you’re gonna be disappointed. This isn't a resume. It’s a survival guide for people who feel like they’re constantly faking it. Anna leans into the "unqualified" label because, despite being a massive movie star, she admits she doesn't really know what she's doing when it comes to love, life, or even her own career. It’s refreshing. Truly.
What Most People Get Wrong About Unqualified
A lot of folks picked up this Anna Faris book specifically looking for the "dirt" on her divorce from Chris Pratt. They wanted a villain. They wanted a scandal. But that’s not what this is. The book was actually written and mostly finalized while they were still a "power couple" in the eyes of the public.
The timing was awkward. Brutal, even.
When the book finally hit shelves in October 2017, the news of their separation was still raw. Because of that, people read it through a lens of tragedy. But if you actually look at the text, Anna is incredibly protective of Chris. She talks about their early days in Vancouver, the way they bonded over their shared love of bug collecting, and the terrifying birth of their son, Jack.
It’s not a "tell-all" in the tabloid sense. It’s more of a "tell-how-it-felt." She explores the nuances of being two actors in a relationship where one person’s star is rising at a different trajectory than the other. It’s about the vulnerability of being a "cool girl" until you realize you aren't actually that cool with everything.
The Weirdness of Growing Up
Anna spent her childhood in Edmonds, Washington. She wasn't the popular girl. Far from it. She describes herself as a "late bloomer" who wore a headgear and had a short haircut that made people mistake her for a boy. This isn't just a quirky anecdote; it’s the foundation of her entire comedic persona.
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Most people see a blonde, beautiful actress and assume life has been easy. Anna dismantles that. She spent years feeling like an outsider, and that perspective colored how she approached roles in Scary Movie and The House Bunny. She knows what it’s like to be the butt of the joke, which is why she’s so good at making us laugh with her, not just at her.
Why the Anna Faris Book Actually Matters for Dating
The book is titled Unqualified for a reason. It’s an extension of her podcast, Anna Faris is Unqualified, where she gives relationship advice despite—by her own admission—having a pretty chaotic track record.
She’s been married twice. She’s dealt with the "ghosts" of past relationships. And she’s remarkably honest about the mistakes she made. One of the most poignant sections of the Anna Faris book deals with the concept of "the one." Anna argues that the idea of a soulmate is actually kind of dangerous. It puts too much pressure on a single person to be your everything.
Instead, she talks about the importance of maintaining your own identity.
- Don't lose your friends. She regrets how she let her female friendships slide during her first marriage to Ben Indra.
- Be wary of the "great guy" trap. Just because someone is nice on paper doesn't mean they're right for you.
- Vulnerability is a superpower. Even if it feels like you're oversharing, it’s the only way to find actual connection.
She’s not a therapist. She’s a peer.
The Reality of Fame and "The Industry"
There’s a specific kind of loneliness that comes with being a celebrity, and Anna describes it without sounding like a brat. She talks about the "testing" process for pilots, the rejection, and the bizarre experience of having your face plastered on a bus.
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One of the funniest and most cringeworthy parts of the book is her account of her early days in Los Angeles. She lived in a studio apartment that was basically a closet. She was auditioning for anything and everything. There’s a grit there that people forget exists behind the red carpet photos.
She also touches on the pressure to look a certain way. Anna is open about getting breast augmentation—not because she wants to encourage everyone to do it, but because she wants to be honest about the fact that she did. In a world of "I just drink a lot of water and do yoga," her transparency about plastic surgery is a breath of fresh air.
A Note on the Foreword
You can't talk about this book without mentioning the foreword by Chris Pratt. It’s bittersweet. He writes about her with such genuine affection and admiration that it makes the eventual end of their marriage feel even more human. It’s a reminder that two people can be wonderful and love each other deeply, and yet, things still might not work out.
It adds a layer of depth to the Anna Faris book that few other celebrity memoirs have. It’s a time capsule of a relationship that was built on real friendship, even if the romantic part didn't last forever.
Practical Takeaways from Unqualified
If you're going to spend the time reading this, don't just treat it as gossip. There are actual lessons tucked into the humor.
First, embrace your inner dork. Anna’s success didn't come from being the "it girl"; it came from her willingness to be weird. If you're trying to fit into a mold, you're probably suffocating your best qualities.
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Second, stop waiting for permission to be an expert. Whether it’s starting a podcast, writing a book, or changing careers, everyone is basically winging it. The people who succeed are just the ones who keep going even when they feel "unqualified."
Third, prioritize your "posse." Anna talks extensively about her parents and her close-knit circle. Fame is fleeting. Career highs are temporary. The people who knew you when you had headgear are the ones who actually matter.
The Legacy of the Book
Years after its release, Unqualified remains a staple in the memoir genre. Why? Because it’s self-deprecating without being pathetic. It’s funny without being mean. And it’s honest without being exploitative.
It paved the way for other actresses to be more "unfiltered." Before this, there was a lot of pressure to maintain a perfect image. Anna broke that. She showed that you can be a leading lady and still be a total disaster sometimes. That’s why we love her.
What to Do Next
If you haven't read the Anna Faris book yet, go find a copy. Don't just get the digital version—try to find a physical copy or listen to the audiobook. Anna narrates the audiobook herself, and her comedic timing makes the stories land even better.
After you finish reading, take a beat to look at your own "unqualified" moments. Write them down. There’s power in owning the parts of yourself that feel messy.
- Listen to the Unqualified podcast to hear how these themes have evolved since 2017.
- Watch The Estate or Mom to see how her real-life vulnerability translates into her acting.
- Check out her social media—she’s still just as weird and wonderful as she is in the book.
The biggest takeaway is simple: life is a series of awkward auditions. Most of them won't go well. But the ones that do? Those are the stories worth telling. Just be honest about the headgear.