'Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' Actress Nancy Travis Loves Seeing How the Young Cast’s Careers Have ‘Exploded’ (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Nancy Travis (left);The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantscast.Photo:John Nacion/Variety via Getty; Diyah Pera/Alcon Entertainment

John Nacion/Variety via Getty; Diyah Pera/Alcon Entertainment

Nancy Travisloves seeing the cast ofSisterhood of the Traveling Pantsthriving.In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE to discuss her recent guest appearance on the ABC sitcomShifting Gears, Travis, 63, reflected on appearing in the 2005 film ahead of its 20th anniversary in May.The Last Man Standingalumna played Lydia Rodman, Carmen’s (America Ferrera) WASP-y stepmother, who didn’t make the teen feel welcome in her family.However, off-screen, Travis has nothing but praise for Ferrera, 40, and the rest of the film’s cast, includingBlake Lively,Alexis BledelandAmber Tamblyn.Nancy Travis at the 2005 premiere ofThe Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.J. Merritt/FilmMagic"The women inSisterhoodwere fantastic," she tells PEOPLE, adding, “It’s also great to watch how their careers have exploded and moved on and changed.“Since the film’s release, each of the actresses has gone on to have impressive careers, with Ferreraearning an Oscar nominationin 2024 for her role inBarbie, Lively starring in films likeIt Ends with UsandA Simple Favor, Bledel winning an Emmy forThe Handmaid’s Taleand Tamblyn working as an activist and writer, while also starring in projects likeY: The Last ManandTwo and a Half Men.Travis went on to add that she recalls the experience of making the film being a “warm one,” which she noted is not always the case in Hollywood. “It really is great to be able to say that because we are in a business that has a dark side,” she says. “It’s good to be able to have more [good] experiences.“From left: America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, Blake Lively and Alexis Bledel in 2017.Andrew Toth/GettyThe Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantshad a lasting impact on its young cast as well. Ferrera, Lively, Bledel and Tamblynremain close friends, and often share their reunions and support for one another online. In January 2024, Ferrera told PEOPLE that the foursome havea group chat that’s as old as their friendship.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“We have aSisterhoodtext that’s been going for 20 years now,” Ferrera said at the time. “I just turned 20 when we shotSisterhood, and I’m going to be 40 next year.”She continued, “We’ve all had kids. We’ve all gotten married. We were at each other’s weddings. We’ve been through a lot of life together.“Shifting Gearsairs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu.

Nancy Travisloves seeing the cast ofSisterhood of the Traveling Pantsthriving.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE to discuss her recent guest appearance on the ABC sitcomShifting Gears, Travis, 63, reflected on appearing in the 2005 film ahead of its 20th anniversary in May.The Last Man Standingalumna played Lydia Rodman, Carmen’s (America Ferrera) WASP-y stepmother, who didn’t make the teen feel welcome in her family.

However, off-screen, Travis has nothing but praise for Ferrera, 40, and the rest of the film’s cast, includingBlake Lively,Alexis BledelandAmber Tamblyn.

Nancy Travis at the 2005 premiere ofThe Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.J. Merritt/FilmMagic

J. Merritt/FilmMagic

“The women inSisterhoodwere fantastic,” she tells PEOPLE, adding, “It’s also great to watch how their careers have exploded and moved on and changed.”

Since the film’s release, each of the actresses has gone on to have impressive careers, with Ferreraearning an Oscar nominationin 2024 for her role inBarbie, Lively starring in films likeIt Ends with UsandA Simple Favor, Bledel winning an Emmy forThe Handmaid’s Taleand Tamblyn working as an activist and writer, while also starring in projects likeY: The Last ManandTwo and a Half Men.

Travis went on to add that she recalls the experience of making the film being a “warm one,” which she noted is not always the case in Hollywood. “It really is great to be able to say that because we are in a business that has a dark side,” she says. “It’s good to be able to have more [good] experiences.”

From left: America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, Blake Lively and Alexis Bledel in 2017.Andrew Toth/Getty

Andrew Toth/Getty

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantshad a lasting impact on its young cast as well. Ferrera, Lively, Bledel and Tamblynremain close friends, and often share their reunions and support for one another online. In January 2024, Ferrera told PEOPLE that the foursome havea group chat that’s as old as their friendship.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“We have aSisterhoodtext that’s been going for 20 years now,” Ferrera said at the time. “I just turned 20 when we shotSisterhood, and I’m going to be 40 next year.”

She continued, “We’ve all had kids. We’ve all gotten married. We were at each other’s weddings. We’ve been through a lot of life together.”

Shifting Gearsairs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu.

source: people.com