At a Glance
- Jenny Slate promotes Carousel with co-star Chris Pine at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.
- Slate describes herself as a “big romantic” and seeks eroticism in everyday choices.
- Pine echoes the romantic theme, citing old Hollywood glamour.
- Why it matters: The couple’s public dialogue offers insight into how romance shapes their on-screen chemistry and off-screen lives.
Jenny Slate stepped out at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival with co-star Chris Pine to promote their romantic drama Carousel. The 43-year-old actress told News Of Los Angeles that she is a “big romantic” in every aspect of her life, from dinner choices to pajamas. She explained that she looks for eroticism in everything and wants to “find it everywhere.”
Promoting Carousel at Sundance
The premiere of Carousel saw Slate and Pine in front of a packed audience. Slate’s character, Rebecca, is a high-school girlfriend who complicates Pine’s character Noah’s life when he returns to town. In a relaxed interview, Slate said, “I’m a romantic in what I choose for dinner, what pajamas I wear, not just like, you know, sexy.” She added, “There’s romance in everything.”
Pine, 45, shared a similar sentiment. He told News Of Los Angeles that he is “romantic in a lot of ways” and loves old Hollywood glamour. “To specifically broaden that to this [Carousel] I think, so much of it is involved in your team partner,” he said. “The woman that I was meant to fall in love with was Jenny Slate. It’s not difficult to do that. It’s like, ‘Alright, now we’re in love.’ She’s great. She’s smart, she’s funny, she’s well-read.”
Slate’s Romantic Philosophy
During the interview, Slate elaborated on how romance informs her daily life. She explained, “I’m rather comfortable with that. It’s more weird for me to have to play something that feels too perfect or unreal in one way or another, so I was pretty excited by some things that I find very romantic.” She described her co-star as “the one that got away.”
Slate also referenced writer Adrienne Maree Brown’s theory of eroticism, noting that she is “one of these people that wants to find it everywhere.” She added, “I hope I do.”
Life Beyond the Screen
Beyond Carousel, Slate has been busy with her family and literary pursuits. She and husband Ben Shattuck have a 4-year-old daughter, Ida Lupine. Slate recently released a collection of essays titled Lifeform, which she says feels like setting sail and learning to manage the rigging of her own ship.
In a post on Instagram, Slate reflected on her marriage. She recalled how she and Shattuck met at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2019. Eight months later, he asked her to marry him during a vacation in France. “He took me to France and made a picnic and made me feel happy and free and then he asked me to marry him and I screamed YES,” she wrote. “You are the kindest and brightest and I am so grateful and here we go and keep going.”
Personal Life and Future Projects
Slate’s marriage to Shattuck, who is an art gallery director, has been a source of stability as she balances acting, writing, and motherhood. The couple celebrated their four-year anniversary this year, a milestone that Slate marked with gratitude for her supportive partner.
While the release date for Carousel has not been announced, the film’s romantic premise and the chemistry between Slate and Pine have generated anticipation among festival attendees and fans alike. Slate’s candid discussion of romance both on and off the screen offers a glimpse into how her personal values translate into her professional work.
Key Takeaways
- Jenny Slate is a self-described “big romantic” who seeks eroticism in everyday choices.
- Slate and Pine’s on-screen partnership in Carousel reflects their shared romantic outlook.
- Slate’s life outside film includes raising a daughter, publishing essays, and celebrating a four-year marriage.
- The film’s premiere at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival highlights the growing trend of romantic dramas in contemporary cinema.
