Kat Dennings Opens Up About Overcoming Harsh Criticism in Hollywood

Kat Dennings, the 38-year-old star of the new ABC sitcom Shifting Gears, has always remained unshaken by the harsh criticism of her appearance that she faced early in her career. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Dennings reflects on how she learned to ignore discouraging feedback from casting directors, even at a young age.

The 2 Broke Girls alum recalls a time when the entertainment industry was much less inclusive. “There was not a lot of inclusivity at all. It was very harsh. There was a lot of extremely negative feedback,” Dennings shares, adding that casting directors could be “very cruel” and even made negative comments about children.

At just 12 years old, Dennings faced comments about her looks that could have been damaging. “They thought you weren’t pretty enough and you’re fat,” she remembers hearing after auditions. Despite this, she didn’t let it break her spirit. “For some reason, it didn’t break my spirit. I was like, ‘I’ll show them,’” she says with a laugh.

She credits her parents for helping her stay strong. “They were like, ‘They’re idiots. Don’t listen to them,’” she recalls. With their support, Dennings pushed forward, determined to prove her critics wrong.

Looking back, Dennings believes the industry has changed for the better. “It’s much softer, kinder now,” she says, citing the rise of body positivity, inclusivity, and representation in Hollywood today.

Now, after years of perseverance and success, Dennings is starring alongside Tim Allen in Shifting Gears. The show follows Matt (Allen), a widowed shop owner, and his estranged daughter Riley (Dennings), who moves back in with him with her two kids.

Before landing the role, Dennings admits to feeling stuck in a “dark, sad moment,” unsure of her next move. But when a friend encouraged her to think about her dream job, she realized she wanted to return to a multi-cam sitcom. Just a day later, she received the call for Shifting Gears. “It felt like I wished for something and I got it,” she says.

Working with Tim Allen, a figure she grew up watching in The Santa Clause films and Toy Story, was a dream come true. “It was very surreal to work with him, but in a great way, because he's a very kind person,” Dennings adds.