When the headlines first announced that actress Jenny Mollen was ending her marriage to comedian‑actor Jason Biggs, many fans were surprised. But the actress had already been speaking publicly about a deeper, more personal struggle that had been simmering behind the scenes: the feeling of being the “spare” in her own relationship.
The Origin of the ‘Spare’ Feeling
In a candid interview on the “What Matters With Liz” podcast, Mollen opened up about how she had always carried a chip on her shoulder when she first met Biggs. She explained that, as the eldest daughter in her family, she had felt confident and in control of her life. Then she met a man whose career was already taking off, and suddenly she felt eclipsed.
“I always had a chip on my shoulder in the beginning because I felt like suddenly I went from being the oldest daughter and I felt like I had my s together and then suddenly, I married this guy who in a lot of ways—career wise—totally eclipsed me,” she said. The actress, now 46, described how the media’s focus on Biggs made her feel like a sidekick, a guest rather than a partner.
She compared the experience to the famous film “American Pie,” where the main character is often seen as the “spare” to the protagonist. The comparison was not just a pop‑culture reference; it was a way for Mollen to articulate how she felt sidelined in both her personal life and public persona.
Public Perception and Media Spotlight
Once the couple’s relationship became a media story, the spotlight shifted almost entirely to Biggs. Mollen recalled how people would say, “Oh my God, Jason Biggs,” and she would be the “guest” in the conversation. This constant comparison, she said, drove her crazy and made her feel brushed to the side.
She also noted that the dynamic wasn’t just about the media. In her own household, the roles seemed to have shifted. While Biggs was the one who was frequently in the public eye, Mollen felt she was the one who had to step back, which created a sense of imbalance in their partnership.
Drawing Parallels to Prince Harry’s ‘Spare’ Narrative
During her conversation with Woman’s World Editor‑in‑Chief Liz Vaccariello, Mollen joked that she could relate to Prince Harry, who famously wrote a book titled Spare about his relationship with his brother, Prince William, and the royal family. The comparison was not meant to be literal but rather a way to illustrate the emotional toll of being the “second” in a high‑profile relationship.
“To be the spare and not the heir,” Mollen said, “it was like, ‘What is happening?’ I was the spare. I was the American Pie spare. I relate to Harry. That drove me mad and I always had this feeling.” Her words highlighted how the label of “spare” can be both a personal and a public burden, especially when the other party’s career or fame overshadows one’s own.
After the Split: Lessons Learned and Moving Forward
Following the announcement of their split on May 14, Mollen reflected on what she had learned from the experience. She emphasized the importance of self‑worth and the need to maintain a sense of identity outside of a partnership. She also encouraged other women who might feel sidelined in their relationships to speak up and seek support.
In an interview with Us Weekly, Mollen said that the decision to end the marriage was not made lightly. She explained that she had reached a point where she could no longer ignore the feeling of being a “spare.” The split, she noted, was a step toward reclaiming her narrative and ensuring that her voice was heard on her own terms.
Key Takeaways
- Feeling like the “spare” can stem from both personal insecurities and external pressures.
- Media focus on one partner can unintentionally marginalize the other.
- Comparisons to
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