As the cliché goes, it’s all in the timing. Nobody Wants This, a new series created by Erin Foster and now streaming on Netflix, has scored three Golden Globe nominations for Best Comedy/Musical Series, Best Comedy/Musical Actress and Best Comedy/Musical Actor. Meanwhile, Favorite Daughter (FD), the clothing line created by Foster and her sister Sara, has hit stores in Israel.
The Foster sisters, Los Angeles natives and daughters of music producer David Foster, are no strangers to the spotlight. They have three other sisters from their father’s five marriages and were briefly stepsisters to Gigi and Bella Hadid during David’s six-year marriage to Yolanda Hadid (2011–2017).
The Netflix romcom, starring Kristen Bell, Adam Brody and Justine Lupe, is loosely based on Erin Foster’s life after she converted to Judaism and married Simon Tikhman, the son of Jewish immigrants who fled Russian antisemitism in 1979. The couple is raising their baby daughter, Noa Mimi.
Bell plays Joann, a Christian woman with a successful podcast about sex and relationships that she runs with her sister. At a dinner party, she meets Noah, an attractive young rabbi (played by Brody) who has just ended a relationship with a Jewish woman. The two fall in love, but not without exploring every cliché about Jewish families and mothers—interfaith relationships, dildos and a Jewish mother determined to see her son marry a “nice Jewish girl.”
Throughout the series, the Foster sisters strategically showcased pieces from their clothing line, now available at Factory 54 stores across Israel.
Erin said she made changes to the characters in her script to protect her husband, who comes from a very private family. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, she joked that her husband considers their marriage a “personal hell.”
Despite its success, Nobody Wants This has faced criticism for its portrayal of Jewish characters. Jessica Radloff, Glamour's senior West Coast editor, argued that the show perpetuates Jewish stereotypes. “Would it be too much just to see Jewish characters in shows without feeling othered?” she asked. “We come off as controlling, marriage-hungry women who want to plan dinner parties and alienate anyone who doesn’t share those same dreams.”
When asked to respond, Foster highlighted the show’s lead character. “I think it’s interesting when people focus on, ‘Oh, this is a stereotype of Jewish people,’ when you have a rabbi as the lead. A hot, cool, young rabbi who smokes weed. That’s the antithesis of how people view a Jewish rabbi, right?”
In an interview with Ynet, Erin and Sara Foster discussed their lives, business and advocacy.
9 View gallery
Erin and Sara Foster model clothes from their Favorite Daughter (FD) clothing brand
(Photo: Favorite Daughter)
Erin, can you share a bit about your conversion process? Was it a tough decision?
"It wasn't a tough decision; I was very excited to do it. But I also wanted to be very thoughtful about it and not take it lightly. I've been so grateful for the response and appreciation I've gotten from Jewish people, who have all been so welcoming to me."
What does being Jewish mean to you?
"It means family and inclusion, and keeping traditions intact for future generations."
Since October 7, you’ve both mobilized your social media accounts to support Israel and the Jewish people. What kind of responses have you received?
"There will always be positive and negative responses to anything this heated of a topic. We both take pride in standing up for what we believe is important and right, and are not swayed by public opinion or discouraged from openly sharing our views. It's okay to disagree with us."
You founded Favorite Daughter in 2020 during the global COVID-19 pandemic. How did you adapt to the new reality? I read in past interviews that you had started working on the brand beforehand. Nevertheless, did you have to adapt to the new reality on the go?
"Absolutely, we had to adapt, like everyone did who had a business during that time. For us, we had to pay attention to how lockdown changed the way people were dressing—or if they were ever going to get dressed again! We leaned into the cozy stay-at-home culture, and then adjusted when people got sick of wearing sweats."
Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: Google Play: https://bit.ly/4eJ37pE | Apple App Store: https://bit.ly/3ZL7iNv
How would you define the brand's style, and what are the key pieces this season?
"Favorite Daughter is what you wear to the office, on a date, or to fill your closet with timeless staples. This season, I’m excited about our new black Taylor trousers and the St. James sweater dress. I think it’s so cute to wear with tights and boots—it works for day or night."
To what extent does the brand reflect your personalities and personal styles?
"For me, it reflects my style 100%. All I wear now is Favorite Daughter head to toe, and it's not out of loyalty—it’s just truly all my favorite stuff."
What inspired you to create a fashion brand, and how did you ensure it wouldn’t become just another 'celebrity brand'?
"We're always up for a new challenge, and this was an exciting one for us. We knew we could approach the brand from the same perspective as most customers. They haven’t gone to fashion school; they just want high quality at a good price and clothes they’ll feel good in."
The Favorite Daughter pricing is fair and affordable. Is there a message behind this?
"It's authentic to how we shop and dress. We aren’t women who like to spend all our money on clothes. I’d much rather spend money on a nice hotel room or a great trip. We’re not swayed by the culture of going broke to be part of the 'in' crowd."
I watched a few episodes of your hilarious reality show Barely Famous on VH1. How much of your self-humor comes through in your brand's clothing, if any? And is humor important in fashion at all, in your opinion?
"Humor is absolutely important, and we incorporate it in everything we do, including in FD. Whether it’s how we name an item or the content we create around it, fashion doesn’t need to take itself too seriously."
This season, you’re starting to sell at Factory 54. Is the decision to sell in Israel purely business-driven, or does it reflect support for the country?
"It’s great for business, and we love to support Israel. It is an important time to stand up for what you believe is right, and this is part of that."
What do you know about the Israeli customer and fashion industry?
"Not much, honestly! But I hope she likes us."