Sara Waisglass and Chase Hudson discuss their new romantic comedy, Tubi’s How To Lose A Popularity Contest, in this interview with Mama’s Geeky.
If you grew up in the late 90s or early 2000s, you know the specific magic of a high school rom-com. There was a certain vibe – a mix of low-stakes drama, incredible soundtracks, and leads with chemistry so crackling you could feel it through the screen. Lately, it feels like we’ve been in a bit of a rom-com drought, or worse, stuck in a cycle of formulaic movies that lack that organic heart.
That is exactly why Rachel Tolleson from Mama’s Geeky was so thrilled to sit down with Chase Hudson and Sara Waisglass. Their new film, How To Lose A Popularity Contest, feels like a love letter to the genre’s golden age. From the moment the interview began, it was clear that this wasn’t just another project for them; it was a chance to bring back a style of storytelling that audiences have been craving.
A Script That Stands Out
The first thing that strikes you about this film is the quality of the writing. In an era where many teen films feel like they were generated by an algorithm, Sara Waisglass was immediately struck by the authenticity of this script.
“I feel like I haven’t seen a rom-com that’s like blown me away with like a script like this for a long time,” Sara shared enthusiastically. “Genuinely, it kind of feels like nowadays things have kind of all felt very formulaic… but this is like a low-stakes sort of fun rom-com.”
The low stakes she mentions is actually a high compliment. It means the movie focuses on the things that matter: the characters, the dialogue, and the evolution of a relationship. The film features a contentious beginning between the two leads – a classic trope we all love – that slowly and realistically shifts into something deeper.
Chemistry: The Ingredient You Can’t Fake
You can have the best script in the world, but if your leads don’t click, the movie falls flat. Thankfully, Chase Hudson and Sara Waisglass have chemistry in spades, and they attribute it to a very real friendship built on set.
Sara explained that the bond was incredibly organic, though it started with a healthy dose of “nervousness from both of us.” However, the intense nature of a film set acts like a pressure cooker for friendships. “One day on set is like two weeks of getting to know someone in real life because you are so in each other’s faces,” she joked.
Chase echoed this sentiment, revealing a touching moment from the end of production. When Sara asked him what he would miss most about the shoot, his answer wasn’t the craft services or the fancy lights – it was simply “talking behind the scenes.” That level of comfort translates directly to the screen. As Chase puts it, “Chemistry is something you can’t fake. You’re either going to click with someone, and it’s going to show, or you’re not.”
The “Geeky” Details: D&D and Carnival Chaos
For the fans who love the behind-the-scenes stories, the duo didn’t disappoint. When asked about their favorite filming days, the conversation turned to the “Carnival Day.” While Chase had to endure the classic rom-com rite of passage – getting pied in the face – he still cited it as a highlight.
“Seeing Aiden get the dunk tank and then us going down the slide together… it was really fun,” Chase recalled. He even shared a sweet personal moment: his parents were on set that day, watching him play the carnival games and hit the bell with the high-striker hammer.
Sara, on the other hand, geeked out over the Dungeons & Dragons scenes. “The D&D stuff was so much fun,” she said. “We had two people who actually played it, so we were learning too.” It’s those little details – the hobbies and subcultures of the characters – that make the world of How To Lose A Popularity Contest feel lived-in and real.
The Eight-Minute One-Take
Perhaps the most exciting part of this interview is the discussion of the film’s opening. Originally planned as three separate scenes, the production decided to get ambitious and film it as one continuous shot.
Imagine the coordination required: the actors had to walk down stairs, navigate crowded hallways, move into different rooms, enter the cafeteria, and perform perfectly timed interactions – like bumping hips or performing specific handshakes – all while delivering their lines.
“Each take was like eight minutes long,” Sara explained. “Everyone had to be perfect. It was like a short play.”
The intensity led to some hilarious mishaps, including a moment where an actor (Aiden) threw a card at Sara that “literally sliced her face,” causing them to dissolve into giggles. While they eventually had to make one small technical cut to ensure perfection, the sequence remains a testament to the cast’s dedication and the director’s vision.
How To Lose A Popularity Contest is the breath of fresh air the genre needs. It’s a movie that understands its roots in the early 2000s but brings a modern, authentic energy to the screen. With Chase and Sara leading the charge, we’re expecting plenty of laughs, a few “aww” moments, and a lot of heart.
About How To Lose A Popularity Contest
Overachiever Ellie teams with slacker Nate to sabotage her ex in the class election, but unexpected sparks threaten her meticulously laid plans.
How To Lose A Popularity Contest will premiere exclusively on Tubi on Friday January 16, 2026.
