Will Ferrell's documentary shows that even those who were initially hostile can have a change of heart.

Next up, I want to tell you about a truly remarkable and heartwarming story that shows the power of acceptance and friendship in the face of adversity. It all started when Harper Steele, a trans woman and talented comedian, walked into a bar in Oklahoma that seemed less than welcoming. But what happened next was nothing short of shocking.

It was 1995 when Will Ferrell, now a Hollywood A-lister, visited the iconic NBC studios in New York. This was a place that had seen some of the biggest names in comedy pass through its halls. And it was here that Will met a young comedy writer named Harper, who immediately clicked with him. Little did they know, this would be the start of a friendship that would last for over three decades.

Fast forward to the pandemic, and Will received an email from Harper. In it, she revealed that she was a trans woman and wanted him to know as she embarked on her journey of living as her authentic self. Will's response was instant acceptance, but it also left him with questions about Harper's identity and what it meant for their friendship. Would things change between them? Would they still enjoy the same things like beer and truck stops? Would their comedic chemistry remain the same?

To find out, the two embarked on a cross-country road trip, which was captured in the new Netflix documentary, Will & Harper. This journey was filled with constant laughter, visits to Harper's favorite hangouts, and moments of vulnerability that are rarely seen from Hollywood's elite. As they revisited significant places from Harper's life, from her childhood home to a sports game in Indianapolis, they also faced the reality of navigating mostly Republican spaces as a trans woman.

There were tense moments, like when they had to cut short a steak dinner in Texas due to the uncomfortable atmosphere, or when they unintentionally had an encounter with an anti-trans governor. But there was one moment in particular that stood out for director Josh Greenbaum, who was behind the camera for the entire trip.

He recalls the night they walked into a bar in a red state in Oklahoma, which was filled with pro-Trump posters and even a Confederate flag. Harper insisted on going in alone, and the initial hostility in the air was palpable. But then, something remarkable happened. People started showing Harper love and acceptance, and the atmosphere shifted completely. Josh describes it as a truly heartwarming experience.

As the director of the documentary, Josh had a front-row seat to the journey of self-discovery and acceptance that Harper went through. He remembers a moment when she broke down in tears and shared her fear of not being accepted by others, but more importantly, not accepting herself. This, he says, is something that many trans individuals struggle with, especially in a society that still harbors transphobia.

But with the support of her close friend Will, Harper was able to overcome her fears and learn to love herself for who she truly is. And this, Josh believes, is a lesson that cis allies can learn from, as simple as being there for someone and showing them love and acceptance.

Both Will and Harper, who have been in the comedy industry for many years, are no strangers to the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, especially in the '90s and '00s. But they also acknowledge the progress that has been made and the need for continued growth and evolution in the industry.

For Harper, agreeing to do the documentary was a big decision, but one that she is glad she made. And for Will, it was a chance to go on a journey of discovery with his dear friend and see the world through her eyes.

As for director Josh, this project has been a labor of love, and seeing Harper finally being celebrated for who she is has been a truly beautiful experience. And now, with the release of the documentary on Netflix, the world will get to see the incredible bond between Will and Harper and the power of friendship and acceptance.

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