Anna Faris is opening up about one of the most challenging chapters of her life, reflecting on the emotional toll of her highly publicized divorce from Chris Pratt and the unexpected outlet that helped her cope with the pain.

The 49-year-old actress, currently starring in the latest installment of the "Scary Movie" franchise, spoke candidly about the dissolution of her eight-year marriage to the "Guardians of the Galaxy" star in a recent interview . Faris admitted the experience left her feeling deeply sad, particularly under the intense glare of public scrutiny that comes with being a high-profile Hollywood figure .

"I was feeling sad," Faris recounted. "I do feel like I had enough gumption, enough of a core, and I have tried to be careful about how much Hollywood infiltrates, but now I've been on a spectrum of fame for 26 years, so I would be naïve to think that it hasn't shaped who I am at this point. But, f***. The scrutiny" .

Faris and Pratt, 46, were married in an intimate ceremony in Bali in 2009 and welcomed their son Jack in 2012 . The couple announced their separation in August 2017, and their divorce was finalized the following year .

A Podcast as an Emotional Sanctuary

While navigating the heartbreak of her marriage ending, Faris discovered an unlikely source of comfort: her podcast, "Anna Faris Is Unqualified," which she had launched in 2015 . What began as a creative outlet evolved into a vital support system during her darkest moments.

"I'm lucky that at that time I had my podcast," Faris explained. "That goes back to the talk radio. I wanted, like, four people to listen and to build my own secret community. I wanted an avenue outside of Hollywood as a way to connect with people" .

The podcast, which featured Faris interviewing other entertainers and offering advice to callers, gave the actress a sense of purpose and connection beyond the entertainment industry. While she acknowledged that she didn't disclose many personal details about her divorce on the show, simply having the platform provided her with the emotional outlet she desperately needed .

"I didn't disclose a lot on the podcast, but I always felt like I could if I needed to," Faris noted. "The podcast helped me a lot during that time" .

This desire to connect with others has been a lifelong trait for the actress, who shared an unusual habit she developed while skiing. "I used to do this thing on ski lifts where, if I was on a ski lift with a stranger, I'd say, 'Do you want to have a really intense ten-minute conversation with me? And you can answer any question you want to,'" she recalled. "And I'd ask them questions like, 'When was the first time you fell in love?'" .

Finding Purpose and Career Renewal

The work on her podcast helped Faris rediscover her creative passions and consider new directions for her career. The experience prompted her to think more seriously about writing, a pursuit she has always loved .

"It made me think, I know I could be happy if I'm writing, because I've always loved that, and maybe that's an avenue to make money," Faris reflected. "I was thinking of a version of retirement. But now, I feel like the opportunities are more bountiful than they've ever been!" .

The actress expressed profound gratitude for her career and the connection she shares with her fans. "I'm just overwhelmed with gratitude," she said. "When people see me, they usually smile and say, 'Oh, I love The House Bunny!' Or, 'Oh, I love Scary Movie!' Or, 'Mom' helped me through that hard time'" .

A Lasting Friendship Despite Divorce

Despite the end of their marriage, Faris and Pratt have maintained a strong friendship and remain committed to co-parenting their son Jack . In a 2017 interview, shortly after announcing their separation, Faris spoke warmly about their relationship.

"We'll always have each other and be incredible friends," she said at the time. "There is still so much laughter in our lives together, and he is so proud of me, still. We watched each other grow, and he still cracks me up all the time. And I think I crack him up - unless he's a really good actor and great at faking laughter" .

Moving Forward with New Partners

Both Faris and Pratt have since found new love and built new families. Pratt married author Katherine Schwarzenegger in 2019, and the couple has welcomed three children together . Faris married cinematographer Michael Barrett in 2021 .

Pratt also spoke about the divorce in a 2018 interview, acknowledging the difficulty of the experience while emphasizing their shared commitment to their son. "Divorce sucks," he said. "But at the end of the day, we've got a great kid who's got two parents who love him very much. And we're finding a way to navigate this while still remaining friends and still being kind to one another" .

Now, nearly a decade after the split, Faris is looking forward with optimism, embracing new opportunities and maintaining the resilience that has carried her through one of life's most challenging transitions.