If there is one thing to learn from Amy Adams, it is that happiness might be simpler than we make it. When we sat down with the actor on the set of her Indulgence issue cover shoot, she told us all about the ways it filters into her life between projects—most recently the Apple TV thriller Cape Fear, where she stars opposite Patrick Wilson as an attorney couple whose lives are turned upside down by a killer client, played by Javier Bardem, freshly out of prison.
Throughout the conversation, three things came up again and again: family, music, and Mexican food. (“Chips and salsa” are indeed mentioned often enough to rank amongst the other two staples.) After more than 30 years in Hollywood, Adams isn’t interested in extravagance. Her idea of indulgence is spending time with her daughter, being greeted at home by her three dogs, and fitting in long naps. That doesn’t mean she’s staying home all the time. Karaoke is a favorite pastime, and she will happily belt songs from Enchanted if someone asks.
Whether it’s a family vacation, a plate of nachos, or a room full of people singing completely off-key, indulgence, in her view, comes from being present enough to appreciate those moments when they arrive. That’s true luxury.
What’s a pleasure you can’t live without?
Music. I’m really into the Eagles again. I just saw them at the Sphere, so I’ve been on an Eagles kick. “Take It Easy,” you know. It’s a good mantra for life.
What’s a guilty pleasure you’ll never give up?
I need naps, so I’ve learned to not feel bad about taking them. It can be a disco nap—like 20 minutes—or I’ve definitely been known to take very long naps. I’m like a five-hour napper by accident. Is that even a nap? No, that’s just a weird sleep schedule, which is why I allow myself naps.
And chips and salsa. I have a Mexican restaurant I’m kind of effusive about, so I go there a lot. I call it a habit.
Do you have a go-to order at the restaurant?
I fill up on chips and chilaquiles and guacamole and carrots and all that. Then, I either get a tostada or I get this big burrito and take it home and eat it over the next two or three meals.
What’s something small that changes your whole mood?
Anything with my daughter. But also, when I get home, no matter how the day’s been, I have three dogs and they’re always happy to see me. Anytime the dogs rush out with big smiles—little doggy toothy smiles—that changes my mood instantly. That unconditional love of your pet. We don’t deserve them.
What’s something you protect in your routine no matter what?
Family time with my daughter. I always make time for that and work to prioritize that.
What’s something you’ve outgrown recently?
In all seriousness, I think I’ve outgrown this preoccupation or rumination with trying to figure out what other people are thinking. It’s allowed me to be a lot more present. I still care about other people. I just don’t ruminate on what they’re thinking.
When was the last time you overindulged?
Mexican food. Absolutely. It’s my cheat meal. There’s like nothing else I’d rather eat. If I’m really just going for it, I’m going to do a full plate of nachos. Burritos is more my go-to, but nachos is probably the ultimate. Loaded—all the fixings.
What’s something you want more of in your life?
Vacations with my family and friends. I need more friends. It is hard to keep up with friends as we get older, as we get busier. My family is so important to me, and I also have a large extended family. So it would really be spending more time with not only my immediate family—my husband and my daughter—but my extended family across the country.
What’s something you’ve never said no to?
Karaoke. I’ve never said no to a karaoke evening. I never say no when invited.
Do you have a go-to karaoke song?
I’ll sing anything. I like when other people sing too. Music is something that just fills me with so much joy. I like listening to it, I like when people perform it, I like seeing people who say they can’t sing get up and kill it and just act with abandon. Music is really freeing. I’m shameless. I don’t sing any Enchanted songs as a go-to, but I’ll sing them if someone requests. And I sang “Me Party” for my daughter once—she wanted to do that. My brother sang Miss Piggy, and that was pretty fun. For me.
What’s a vice you’ve tried to quit?
Looking at my phone before falling asleep, falling asleep with my phone on, looking at news. I never even had TikTok until my daughter got it, and then I got on there to sort of stalk her. I started watching strange things and would fall asleep with it on and have the craziest dreams because it repeats. I’m always irritated in my dream because someone just won’t stop saying the same thing. My husband’s like, “Maybe turn the phone off.” So I am working on that. I do like background noise—but maybe like a sound machine with rainforest sounds and summer storms instead of, you know, Disney influencers opening up their pin packs.
Describe something that feels like the ultimate decadence.
Probably getting a massage.
Walk us through your perfect evening.
It’s definitely with my husband and my daughter. Actually it doesn’t really matter what we’re doing, but if I’m designing an evening, I’d probably go see a show or a concert with them, have a nice meal.
What’s your favorite way to lose a few hours?
Hiking. Being in nature. If I get an opportunity to take the time to do that—the beach, the mountains, the desert—it doesn’t matter. Just getting out and going for a walk. Or even in the city, getting lost.
Ritual or impulse?
Ritual.
Slow savor or instant gratification?
Slow savor.
Daily luxury or rare splurge?
Rare splurge.
Anticipation or satisfaction?
Both. I like the anticipation, but then I also like the satisfaction. Isn’t that what they call a pleasure delayer in Vanilla Sky? Penelope Cruz says that.
Less but better or more is more?
Less but better. Unless it’s time with my daughter—and then more is more.
Photography by Daniel Jack Lyons
Styling by Petra Flannery
Hair by John D
Makeup by Stephen Sollitto
Production Design by Daniel Horowitz
Production by Alexey Galetskiy
Photography Assistance by Kevin Faulkner and Sean Costello
Styling Assistance by Gabby Rico and Meehan O’Neill
Production Design Assistance by Veronica Franzen
Production Studio Assistance by Justin Barahona
Production Assistance by Christian Flippo
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