Haley Lu Richardson exclusively tells Morning Honey about why she stays true to herself.
Exclusive: Haley Lu Richardson Is 'on a Journey to Free Myself of the Need for Everyone on This Earth to Like Me': 'Be Someone You Love'
March 24 2026, Published 12:33 p.m. ET
Haley Lu Richardson is all about being authentic.
"I’ve been on a journey to free myself of the need for everyone on this earth to like me. It’s been hard, but the truth is, there are gonna be people who don’t like you, even if you torture yourself to cater to them. So you may as well be yourself, be someone you love, and focus on the spaces you do belong," the actress, 31, who teamed up with SHEBA on its new IGNORED TO ADORED program – inspired by a universal, humbling truth every cat parent has asked themselves: “Does my cat even like me”?, exclusively tells Morning Honey.
The star wants to be 'vulnerable' with others.
The starlet, who consistently shows off her goofy and funny side on social media, says it makes her "feel less alone" to be open in her "vulnerability and deep feelings and see people relate."
"I just try to be as honest as I can with myself and others and grow from all the ups and downs and lefts and rights of life. I hope I can keep doing that forever. If anyone follows my career, sees that, and is inspired — I’m honored," she shares.
The actress has had a busy few months.
The past few months have been a whirlwind for the White Lotus alum. She's starred in Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die, a movie about a man who claims to be from the future and takes hostages at a Los Angeles diner to recruit unlikely heroes to help him save the world, in addition to appearing alongside Emilia Clarke in the TV series Ponies.
"It's been a blast and exhausting at the same time. Everything I’ve worked on the last three years has now come out over a six-month period. All such different projects as well. I’m very thankful, and I’ve had fun flying around from one place to another to celebrate with collaborators and release these things we’ve poured ourselves into, but I’m home now, and I’m fully pooped. I need a break. And a glass of wine and a bath," she quips.
Despite being booked and busy, she thoroughly enjoyed her time with Clarke.
"Emilia really became a sister. We are as much partners in life as Bea and Twila are in the show. My whole time on that show and with her was as much personally fulfilling and healing as it was creatively," she says. "We giggled often; we created our own songs and language. And I knew she always had my back and vice versa."
The cat lover is not sure what her 'next project is.'
As for what her next steps are, the Five Feet Apart alum is just going with the flow.
"I have as little clue as anyone else. I’m not sure what my next project is. I’ve learned to love these times in my life as an actor. I used to fight and be uncomfortable with not knowing. I still get fidgety, but I have learned to lean into the rest and trust my instincts with the next steps when the time comes," she states, adding she would "love" to dive into different types of genres.
"Dark and serious is a part of life and the human experience. I love exploring all of my brightest joy and darkest sadness in my personal life and being able to step into a character’s shoes who can bring me new depths of empathy is a gift," she adds. "I would love to star in a Pixar film. Inside Out is the most perfect film of all time. Please put me in Inside Out 3, I’m begging you, Pixar."
In the meantime, Richardson is excited about teaming up with SHEBA for their new IGNORED TO ADORED program.
With her own cat, Darbin as the muse, the starlet is embracing the humor and mystery of feline affection (and indifference) and helping cat parents everywhere shift those “meh” vibes into a full-on obsession.
"My cat, Darbin, is truly my favorite thing about life. So, when I saw the email come in from the SHEBA brand, I was like 'Wow, I get to spend a day filming silly videos with Darbin, feed him yummy food, and get him to love me more?' It’s a win-win-win! It felt like a no-brainer. And he’s been genuinely loving SHEBA recipes so far. He’s so obsessed that he literally drools while he’s eating," she shares. "The concept of being ignored by your cat, no matter what length you go to win them over, made me feel seen. And I will take any chance to hang out with Darbin and make him happy. I’m a cat person through and through, and so is the SHEBA brand. They just get it."
Haley Lu Richardson is obsessed with her cat, Darbin.
She continues, "I treat Darbin more like an actual human toddler than a cat at times. I try to pay attention to what he likes, give him space when he needs it, and thoroughly enjoy any moments he instigates of connection. I 100 percent annoy him sometimes when I force him to cuddle me and squeal crazy nicknames in his face. But I know deep down he loves and trusts me, and I think this journey with the SHEBA brand might get him to show that a tad more."
Haley Lu Richardson loves partnering with SHEBA.
Since Richardson adores her pet, it was an "easy yes" to partner with SHEBA.
"My cat is my life — and showing him love and hanging out with him brings me an insane amount of joy," she exclaims, adding she loves "everything" about Darbin. "I wouldn’t change a single thing. Not even his dingleberries or 3 a.m. zoomies. He’s purrfect."