Michelle Williams and Busy Philipps’ long-lasting friendship began during their days on the hit teen drama Dawson’s Creek.
Williams played Jen Lindley on the WB series for three seasons before Philipps joined the cast as Joey Potter’s (Katie Holmes) college roommate, Audrey Liddell, during season 4. Their chemistry was instant, and more than 20 years later, the women are still a big part of each other’s lives.
Over the years, Philipps has accompanied her best friend on the red carpet and often gushes about how proud she is of the Oscar nominee.
“We met 20 years ago, which makes no sense because we’re still 27,” Philipps joked via Instagram in September 2020 while paying tribute to Williams on her 40th birthday. “I really wish I could be with my friend tonight celebrating how special and incredible and brilliant she is. And to tell her in person how I’m eternally grateful that we met all those years ago because there’s no one I’d rather weather all the storms with and celebrate all the wonderful things with and cry and cry and laugh and laugh and drink and not drink with.”
The Cougar Town alum added: “I can’t wait to be old someday with my friend and go to farmers markets in the countryside with [Michelle] — my long grey hair parted in the middle and pulled tightly back in a bun and she in some giant sun hat, protecting her still perfect porcelain skin.”
Scroll to see the friends’ cutest friendship moments over the years:
Red Carpet Royalty
It was fitting that Philipps joined Williams at the March 2025 New York City premiere of her show Dying for Sex, as the series follows the close friendship between two women as one suffers from a terminal cancer diagnosis.
Philipps complemented her bestie’s pale purple gown in a little black dress, sheer opera gloves and matching black tights.
Total Fangirls
Philipps said she and Williams “lost it” when Britney Spears asked the latter to narrate her October 2023 memoir, The Woman in Me. “She was like, ‘I have to do this, right?’ And I was like, ‘Yes, obviously,’” Philipps shared during a January 2024 appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen.
She continued, “[Michelle] really felt a connection. We all came up in a very particular time in this industry. … We were subjected to a lot, and I think there was a lot that was, sadly, very relatable to all women in Britney’s book. But I thought that Michelle doing it was just incredible and really beautiful. Britney deserves that respect.”
A Busy-Less Oscars
“It’s the first time that I’m not there with my best friend when she’s nominated, but I’m here in New York and I’m trying to figure out how to watch it,” Philipps said via her Instagram Story in March 2023.
She called her pal’s red carpet look “flawless” during the pre-show and ultimately watched Williams lose the Best Actress trophy to Michelle Yeoh. Philipps said she’ll be with Williams when she finally wins an Oscar. The actress was nominated for the fifth time for The Fabelmans.
“Listen, when Michelle’s sixth nomination [happens], it’s gonna be the one. I’m gonna be with her. She’s gonna win,” Philipps shared with her Instagram followers.
Celebrating Success
Philipps shared a photo alongside her BFF while celebrating Kail for his work on the “spectacular” 2023 Broadway production of Sweeney Todd. “I couldn’t post the weird blurry picture Michelle and I took together last night after @sweeneytoddbway so instead, please enjoy this 🔥 pic @myleshendrik took of us at the Critics Choice Awards!” she joked in the March 2023 Instagram caption.
So Deserved
Philipps congratulated her Dawson’s Creek costar on scoring a Best Actress Oscar nomination for her role in The Fabelmans. “BRB- I’m just gonna go back in time and tell this kid that she’s going to have 5 OSCAR NOMINATIONS in the next 20 years. 😭 And a BEAUTIFUL family. And be surrounded by love. (And GORGEOUS CLOTHES),” the Freaks and Geeks alum wrote via Instagram alongside a throwback snap of Williams. “But tbh- that’s probably along the lines of what I was saying to her then. I love you MW.” She continued, “Proud of you forever for building the life and career you dreamed of, even though the absolute overwhelming grief of being human had you wondering if you could at times. But then you would dig deep and try again. It’s one of my favorite things about you. You have never NEVER stopped trying. A new way, a new recipe, a new parenting style, a new author, a new approach to work, a new love, a new role…but always the same loving brilliant gentle sensitive funny wild thoughtful beautiful beautiful BEAUTIFUL you. ❤️🌟.”
Date Night
The Fabelmans star and Philipps posed together on the 2023 Critics’ Choice Awards red carpet.
Jen and Audrey
Philipps was by Williams’ side at the Gotham Awards in November 2022, watching as the Fabelmans star paid tribute to their former costar Mary Beth Peil in her speech.
“My bff was honored at the Gotham Awards last night with the Artist Tribute and I was so honored, as always, to be her date. Paul Dano (now officially one of my favorite people) gave such a thoughtful and beautiful speech to Michelle about her work as an artist and a person and a mother and obviously I cried,” Philipps wrote via Instagram at the time. “And Michelle, in true Michelle form, took the opportunity of being honored to pay tribute and honor the great Mary Beth Peil (aka Gramz from Dawsons Creek) and to talk about how working with Mary Beth changed Michelle’s life and career. 😭❤️ Anyway, it was really beautiful and I wish Mary Beth had been there with us (she was supposed to be but she didn’t feel well ☹️).”
Perfect Project
In May 2021, three years after the duo shared the screen in I Feel Pretty, Philipps joked that there was one thing that could get her to team up with Williams again in the future.
“It fell into place because my then-husband [Marc Silverstein] was directing it,” she told Us exclusively before joking that Williams’ husband, Thomas Kail, could take on their next project. “Tommy’s a director too, maybe we can get him to direct something for the two of us.”
Pandemic Pros
The Freaks and Geeks alum exclusively told Us in May 2021 how her relationship with the Blue Valentine star shifted amid the coronavirus pandemic. “It has been a little bit tricky because while we’re sort of so much closer in some way, we haven’t been able to, like, really cuddle and spend as much time together as we would love,” Philipps said, noting she moved from L.A. to New York amid COVID-19 to film Girls5Eva, which put her in the same city as Williams.
The duo were able to see one another toward the end of 2020 after social distancing apart for a little bit. “Both of our families quarantined and then ended up spending some time over the holiday break together. And that was, like, really, really wonderful,” Philipps explained. “And I am so thrilled to be close to her now.”
Awards Season Ritual
“Post any awards show, which of course everybody was like, ‘Oh, we love seeing you at the award shows together.’ We always end up back at her hotel room, you know, because she doesn’t live in Los Angeles, and we just get undone together,” Philipps exclusively told Us Weekly in January 2021, referencing her awards season ritual with Williams. “We’re just, like, taking out extensions, taking off eyelashes, washing our faces, putting on sweats, putting on cozy outfits,” she said. “And then we go eat at Jon & Vinny’s or go get food. [We are] a little bit like old lady glamour, without the cigarettes, because we don’t smoke.”
Golden Friendship
The former Busy Tonight host attended the 2020 Golden Globes in January alongside her BFF, who was nominated for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for TV for Fosse/Verdon. Williams also brought her fiancé, Thomas Kail, with whom she is expecting a child.
NYC Reunions
Have friends, will travel! “Love a mirror selfie with a friend.❤️,” Philipps captioned this sweet shot in December 2019 after reuniting with her BFF in New York City for the night.
Support System
Philipps arrived as Williams’ date at the 2019 Emmy Awards in September. Williams was nominated for Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for Fosse/Verdon.
Liquid Courage
In a series of Instagram Stories, Busy Philipps and Michelle Williams popped a bottle of white wine in October 2017, and began to document Philipps dyeing Williams hair to get the perfect shade of pink!
Sleeping Beauties
The duo snapped a photo of themselves laying on pillows, which Philipps captioned, “We’re tired. Thank you Paris for an exhausting and exhilarating four days. I would say I’m going to now sleep for four days but I have kids so that’s OBVIOUSLY not gonna happen.” in October 2017.
Fashion For Two
Philipps and Williams attend the Louis Vuitton show together during Paris Fashion Week in October 2017.
Where My Ladies At?
Philipps and Williams took the Fashion Week party to the ladies room in October 2017 where Williams is seen getting a touchup, while Philipps snaps a mirror selfie of the group.
The Yin To Her Yang
The duo brought the perfect balance of colors to the opening of the Louis Vuitton Boutique in Paris during Paris Fashion Week in October 2017.
Jen and Audrey Forever!
The friends reminisced about their Dawson’s Creek days in September 2017. “We found a dock. WHERE YOU AT DAWSON? #wedontwanttowaitforourlivestobeover,” the Cougar Town alum captioned an Instagram pic of them at the time.
Best Friends Forever
Philipps posted a photo of herself and Williams in best friend leather jackets onto her Instagram account in September 2017. She accompanied the photo with a sweet birthday shoutout, “Found her. Happy birthday to my better half. I love you, M. You make everything better.”
These Two!
Williams brought Philipps as her plus one to the 89th Academy Awards in February 2017, when she was nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category for Manchester by the Sea.
Busy Bees
The former Dawson’s Creek costars shined at the 23rd Screen Actors Guild Awards in L.A. in January 2017.
Golden Girls
In Louis Vuitton (Williams) and Stella McCartney (Philipps) at the Golden Globes in January 2017.
By Her Side
At the Louis Vuitton–hosted screening of Manchester by the Sea on December 2016.
Ladies in Lace
At the 22nd Annual Critics’ Choice Awards in December 2016.
Case of the Giggles
In a slitted Louis Vuitton dress (Williams) and floral Ingie Paris (Philipps) at the Tony Awards in June 2016.
Hand in Hand
At the Oscars in February 2012 (the year Williams, in Louis Vuitton, was nominated for Best Actress for My Week With Marilyn).
Babes in Blue
At the Film Independent Spirit Awards in February 2012.
Say Cheese!
In blue velvet Jason Wu (Williams) and fringed Temperley London (Philipps) at the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards in January 2012.
Heart Eyes
In beaded Chanel (Williams) and Douglas Hannant (Philipps) at the 2011 Oscars in February 2011.
Printed Pals
At the Weinstein Company’s 2011 Golden Globes afterparty in January 2011.
Oscars Mugging
With Williams, nominated for Best Supporting Actress for Brokeback Mountain, in her iconic marigold Vera Wang gown at the Academy Awards in March 2006.