Chad Michael Murray Reflects on Realizing His Attraction to Girls After Watching Jamie Lee Curtis in Trading Places

Jamie Lee Curtis, Chad Michael Murray.
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Chad Michael Murray Reflects on Jamie Lee Curtis’s Impact in Recent Podcast Appearance

On January 7, 2026, Chad Michael Murray shared insights into his career and personal experiences during an interview on the Like A Farmer Podcast, hosted by Pat Spinosa. The 44-year-old actor reminisced about his time in Hollywood and his collaboration with actress Jamie Lee Curtis in the film Freaky Friday.

Murray recalled a pivotal moment from his childhood that shaped his feelings about women, which he amusingly linked to Curtis. "I remember watching Trading Places with my dad. She’s a hooker in that. And I think that was when I was like, ‘Oh, nope. I like girls,’" he shared.

He described the lasting impression Curtis made on him when he first saw her on screen. “I was like, ‘What is that? I feel something,’” Murray joked, highlighting how this initial reaction stayed with him until he had the opportunity to work alongside her at the age of 19 in Freaky Friday.

Reflecting on their collaboration, he praised Curtis, stating, “She’s awesome… She was the first person that I ever got to have the opportunity to work with, where I was like, ‘Okay, this is like an icon.’” He acknowledged her legacy in the film industry, calling her "Hollywood royalty" and recounting her successful career, which includes classics such as Halloween, True Lies, and Trading Places.

Murray’s admiration for Curtis extended beyond their initial project together. In 2025, the trio of Murray, Curtis, and Lindsay Lohan reunited for Freakier Friday, a sequel that has reignited nostalgia among fans. Murray described the experience as bringing “a fresh sense of fun” back to the story and noting the strong chemistry among the cast.

During the podcast, he remarked on Curtis’s enduring beauty, joking that his character Jake’s affection for her character Tess Coleman was well-founded. He also expressed that reuniting with the cast felt akin to a high school reunion, where “no time had passed.”

Ultimately, Murray credited Curtis for much of the film’s enduring popularity, saying, “It’s just all Jamie Lee – Jamie Lee made it happen.” For him, her vision and dedication were integral in keeping the spirit of Freaky Friday alive through the years.