Behind the Scenes at TODAY with James Van Der Beek, Sofia Carson and More

In Greenroom Confidential, reporters and editors at TODAY.com share a look at what actors, authors, performers and more guests told us behind the scenes at TODAY.

This week, Sofia Carson, James Van Der Beek, Liza Koshy and more stopped by Studio 1A to discuss their latest projects. Read all about it right here.

Erin Doherty Says People Just Want to Talk About ‘Adolescence’

Erin Doherty was nominated for her work in one stunning episode of “Adolescence,” the four-part miniseries that rocked the world earlier this year.

She plays a court-appointed psychologist who gets Jamie, a 13-year-old boy accused of murdering his classmate, to confess during a charged interaction.

Speaking to TODAY.com, Doherty said people want to talk about “Adolescence” when they run into her. “They just want to have a conversation about it,” she said. “They say, ‘What do you think about it?'”

The highly acclaimed show aimed to start conversations about the potential for radicalization from the internet, particularly among young boys.

“I think it’s social media. That’s the key message there,” Doherty added. “For our brains, it’s genuinely detrimental. So the fact that our younger generation is being consumed by it is terrifying.”

James Van Der Beek Opens up About His Cancer Journey

James Van Der Beek came to Studio 1A with his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and shared a few updates about his health.

The “Dawson’s Creek” star was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer in 2023.

He told TODAY.com he’s been finding “the beauty of just taking things a little bit more slowly and prioritizing rest and really allowing that to be the job.”

When it comes to his cancer battle and the road ahead, he said, “I’m just on the journey. … It’s a process. It’ll probably be a process for the rest of my life.”

Sofia Carson Hopes Her New Film Will Become a Classic

Sofia Carson was dubbed Netflix’s “first bona fide movie star” by Vanity Fair prior to the Aug. 1 release of “My Oxford Year,” her newest project with the platform.

Talking to TODAY.com, the “Descendants” star said she hopes viewers will fall in love with the movie’s romantic story — just like she did.

“I love that this felt like a classic love story, and I was so thrilled to be a part of something that could perhaps be a classic for this generation,” Carson said.

Like other movies set in destinations outside of the U.S., such as “Roman Holiday” and “What a Girl Wants,” Carson said she thinks “My Oxford Year” will provide escapism.

“We live vicariously through these characters who get to explore these foreign and romantic and exciting and thrilling worlds,” Carson said. “It’s one of the best parts of my job. I always get to step into these different countries or cities and live a different life for a moment in time.”

Liza Koshy Says Acting Was Always the Plan

Liza Koshy started her career as a Vine star and YouTuber, but she now has movie and TV credits to her name. This has been a goal a decade in the making, she said.

“But 10 years ago, when I started, it was a very thick line, and I was really adamant about wanting to cross over because I think people like myself should have the opportunity to showcase their resume online and be able to say, ‘Look, you can trust me. I’ve built an audience out of this,’” she said.

Koshy now stars in 2025’s “The Naked Gun” alongside her (maybe dating) co-stars Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson. When Jenna and co-host Tyra Banks asked her about their relationship status, she played coy — as did Neeson and Anderson when Craig Melvin asked.

Koshy noted her passion for YouTube isn’t going anywhere.

“I’m always going to have love for YouTube and always hope to create and get on there, but it’s hard to understand the consistency behind content creation,” she said.

Another passion of hers? The 29-year-old said she wants to help people navigate their second decade.

“I always wanted to be a doula for people in their 20s, because your 20s is the second puberty that’s incredibly hard to understand who you actually are as you individuate from your family, as you grow out of your college friend groups, as you pursue your own independent life and lifestyles,” she added.