At 30, Stephanie Szostak made the bold decision to pursue acting – despite the long odds of success and the skeptics who questioned the move. Audiences soon came to know her from The Devil Wears Prada, her turn opposite Steve Carell and Paul Rudd in Dinner for Schmucks, and her role in Marvel’s Iron Man 3. But beyond the red carpets and film sets, Stephanie has carved out another identity: author and advocate for mental health, resilience, and self-discovery.
In this conversation with, Stephanie opens up about:
Her leap from business school and Chanel to modeling and then acting at 30.
The lessons she learned working alongside stars Kevin Bacon and Meryl Streep.
How her brother’s struggle with heroin shaped her path.
Why she wrote Selfish: Step Into a Journey of Self-Discovery to Revive Confidence, Joy, and Meaning, a book that distills her tools for navigating mental health in high-pressure environments.
The reality of Hollywood’s mental health challenges and the relentless pressure to succeed.
Stephanie’s story is one of courage, reinvention, and choosing purpose over expectation. Whether you know her from her films, her book Selfish, or her advocacy, her journey is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to begin again – and that caring for your mental health is the ultimate act of strength.
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If you or anyone you know is struggling, please do not hesitate to contact Release Recovery:
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