From MTV to Mindset Shifts: Greer Grammer Talks Identity, Growth, and Friendship

There’s a particular kind of fame that comes with being part of a beloved teen show. For Greer Grammer, that moment arrived with Awkward. This MTV dramedy helped define a particular era of pop culture. While the show introduced Grammer to millions, it also left her contending with how the world perceived her—the “ditzy blonde” character, frozen in time.

On Pretty Basic, Grammer joined host Alisha Marie—who also happens to be her new roommate—to talk about that identity, how it evolved, and what it means to grow up in front of an audience.

Growing beyond a character

Grammer is aware that many people first met her as Lissa, the well-meaning but exaggeratedly clueless cheerleader from Awkward. “I think one of the biggest misconceptions people have about me is that I’m dumb,” she says. She notes that while the character leaned into a specific archetype, that doesn’t mean it reflects who she actually is.

Alisha points out that she always sensed more depth in Grammer, especially when they first met. She recalls noticing how expressive, thoughtful, and self-aware Grammer was—even while navigating difficult seasons in her personal life. That early instinct became clearer as their friendship grew. “I remember thinking there’s so much more to her,” Alisha says during the episode, explaining how refreshing it was to see how much heart existed beyond the bubbly exterior.

For Grammer, that reflection matters. It validates the work she has done to step into more complex versions of herself, both on and off camera. “I would like to not think that I’m dumb,” she says, laughing lightly at the irony that even explaining that can sound self-conscious. She’s not proving anything. She’s just clarifying who she really is.

The slow build of real friendship

Grammer and Alisha also describe how their friendship formed—not instant, not curated for content, but growing in the small moments of late-night conversations, shared humor, and quiet hangs without performance.

Alisha explains that she always liked Grammer, but it took time before the two started hanging out one-on-one. “I was like, wait, we actually really see each other,” Marie says of the moment things shifted, referencing a night spent watching Love Island.

Grammer felt it too, but hesitated at first. “I get really nervous,” she admits. She explains that even when she felt the connection, she worried Alisha might not feel the same. That vulnerability is familiar to anyone who has ever tried to form new friendships in adulthood.

What makes their dynamic work now is simplicity. They both like the kind of friendship where the best hang is sitting on the couch, dog nearby, scrolling silently with someone who makes you feel safe.

Choosing the life that fits now

There’s an ease to Grammer now. Yes, she’s an actress. Yes, she’s grown up in the public eye. But she is also just someone who enjoys matching pajama sets, quiet nights in, and a good sound bath—even while extremely hungover, which the two joke about at length. Her journey is a reminder that growth is a personal and ongoing process, and it’s okay to embrace the changes that come with it.

Growth isn’t loud. Sometimes, it’s a shift in how you show up in friendships. Sometimes, it’s re-learning joy. And sometimes, it’s letting a new roommate in and realizing life feels less lonely with someone you genuinely enjoy beside you.

To hear the rest of the interview with Greer Grammer, listen to Pretty Basic—available everywhere you get your podcasts.

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