Vanity Fair Hollywood Issue Interview Round up Part 1
The Vanity Fair Hollywood Issue features Q&As with the twelve young actors on their steady rise to fame. They give their thoughts on their success, what makes a Movie Star these days, and the impact of social media on the industry.
#Oscar nominee Ana de Armas fears that stars are sharing too much and living too publically now: “That mystery is gone. For the most part, we’ve done that to ourselves,” she tells VF. #VFHollywood https://t.co/CAIHR9hkVD
- VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) February 15, 2023
Ana de Armas
- On wanting to play Marilyn Monroe: "There was a lot there that I could relate to. If you put Marilyn Monroe “the movie star” aside, she’s just an actress trying to navigate life and this system, which is so hard to navigate for anybody. On top of that, you add this point of view of Andrew’s, which was to see that through her trauma. I truly thought it was going to do justice to a more dimensional human being, because I wouldn’t want to be remembered just for one thing. I am more than just an actress on the cover of a magazine."
- The BenAna pandemic pap walks: "The pandemic was horrible for everyone. In any other city, people were just hanging out with their families or bored at home or walking their dogs. The problem in LA is that, I guess, they were so bored that all they had to do was scrutinize someone else’s daily life. It was kind of frustrating that my work wasn’t coming out-Bond got delayed three times and then Blonde wasn’t coming out either. But also, I was working nonstop, literally one thing after the other, and that was good."
- Roles being offered after 'Blonde': "After Bond, there was kind of a wave of all these action roles, and that was fun. I chose from the ones that I thought were more exciting or with people I wanted to work with. I feel like Ballerina is going to be the end of that, at least for now, because I’m craving a wave of Blonde-type films. I want to do work with directors and do character work. I have had the opportunity to meet directors that I want to work with. The people that I’m getting access to is changing, and that makes me very excited."
“I’m not quite satisfied. And it’s got to be that way.” For #VFHollywood, Jonathan Majors discusses why he thought “movie star” was a dirty word and walking out of his first meeting with Marvel. https://t.co/xY9cyzYeea
- VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) February 15, 2023
Jonathan Majors
- Changing his body drastically for roles: "In my drama school, something they really pushed on us was “don’t lift weights, don’t work out.” They were adamant, especially with the fellas, about not getting too big, primarily because it changes your joints, changes what we call the breathing costume. I always had an issue with that because I grew up playing sports at a very competitive level in Texas, so I came as strong as an 18-year-old kid can be. To answer the question, what it does for me is it brings you closer to the character. I’ve had this debate with my current mentors and old acting teachers where I go, “This is actually part of the craft of acting.” It brings you close to the characters and it gets quite spiritual. It is as little acting as possible, which is my biggest thing: Don’t lie. Tell the truth."
- He walked out of his initial Marvel meeting: "This was a long time ago. I had just gotten out of drama school and I’m running around town and I’m sitting in the office. I grew up in a very particular way and I don’t want to waste nobody’s time. So I got in there and they’re just busy. And I was like, “I’m supposed to be here, right?” It got long and I went, “I’m just going to go. It’s cool. I’ll just go.” And I got to the door, but then they said [casting director] Sarah Finn was going to come. We got in the room and we chatted. We were having this great conversation. I think it was three years later that we had the Kang chat. And there’s no trepidation now, especially because of who Kang is. When I said yes, we got the whole picture, and what is being laid out is cohesive."
- His decision to not be on social media: "I did get pressure from my team, my publicist, light pressure, early on. I said, “Believe it or not, and you may not see it now, it’s going to take away from my business.” And I’m not shitting on it. I do understand what it means. I know that there’s some things I don’t know because I’m like six days behind on anything that happens with Kanye. I mean, listen, I can mess shit up in the real world. Don’t give me another avenue."
- On what makes a Movie Star: "Look, there’s a time I thought it was a dirty word, you know what I mean? Movie star. In school, you would never dream of saying something so ambitious. Michael [B. Jordan] is such a good example of a movie star because movie stars have to appeal to the bourgeois and the proletariat. Movie stars can show a film in Montana. Movie stars are dangerous to politicians. It’s a different type of burden."
Keke Palmer is building her legacy-one podcast, media company, and career-defining turn at a time. With a diverse set of projects in the works, the star is ready to take her career to the next level. #VFHollywood https://t.co/spAlljoZ9e
- VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) February 15, 2023
Keke Palmer
- On the baby bump reveal: "I knew it was going to be a thing to try and hide it-people were already commenting on it. I didn’t really know how to address it. It just felt like it was never the right time, and having a child is so private. But I felt like I should probably let people know. You need a certain level of physicality to do SNL. It was so much fun to say it during my monologue. That’s something my kid can have forever. "
- Her career strategy: "I wish I could say that I strategized insanely. I do strategize, but the maximum would be like a month in advance. Maybe a couple months in advance. There’s too many things that can come in and shake shit up. So I’m not over strategizing to that damn degree because then I’m not even able to be focused on the present."
Florence Pugh has a strict policy of authenticity. “There’s no pretending with me,” she says. For #VFHollywood, the star discusses befriending her #Dune: Part Two costars, social media, and what comes next. https://t.co/nKCFnJ2Gqk
- VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) February 15, 2023
Florence Pugh
- On career strategy: "Working with Marvel has helped hugely. Their schedule is so precise-they know when they’re going to make it, when they’re going to release it. What that means is if you want to fill your time with other things, you have to do it amongst that. You’re able to have a lot more leeway: “Oh, I’m going to be away doing this for this certain amount of time, so I need to make sure that I can get in a little indie here, or do a play.” So that’s what I’m trying to do now. With this year, I went into the year willing it to make its own thing, and didn’t have any projects specifically lined up-like, hopefully there would be one special big thing or one special little thing. And lo and behold, I got Oppenheimer and then I got Dune. That all started making its image of the year within the first four months or so."
- The 'Don't Worry Darling' question: "Ideally I don’t really want to be going down the Don’t Worry Darling conversation because this whole release for The Wonder has been so positive and I’ve been really excited to talk about that. I don’t really feel the need to go into the nitty-gritty details of Don’t Worry Darling. So if it’s okay, I’ll probably just let that one sit."
- Not having to present herself as a perfect role model without physical flaws: "No, I love it, I love it. When I started out, my granddad would always tell me off and be like, “Why are you showing everyone your ugly spots?” He’d be really confused as to why I’d show my cellulite. My answer was like, “Well, I’d much rather do it than they do it, and then I feel ashamed.” There’s no pretending with me. When I put on makeup and step in a wonderful dress, I give credit to the people that made me look like that, and I also want my fans to know that (a) I don’t look like that all the time and (b) I also have stress acne, and I also have hairy eyebrows, and I also have greasy hair. I’ve always thought that was a way better way to do it. Just be honest and open-then no one has to call you out for anything. You are who you are."
Now we’re cooking. @selenagomez, photographed for #VFHollywood by Steven Klein, 2023.
🔗 : https://t.co/l1t6Om6R9N pic.twitter.com/aU4cyMtzym
- VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) February 15, 2023
Selena Gomez
- Opening up with her documentary: "I’m just so used to censoring myself that it was (a) me wanting to let go and (b) if they’re telling me to be quiet about it, that’s not good because that’s genuinely not the place I’m in anymore.
Maybe it was weird and uncomfortable for other people, and obviously I was worried, but I think it finally allowed me to start being open about everything. It’s not that I was kind of sad-I actually have things that are chemically imbalanced in my brain, and I need to understand what that is, take care of it, and nurture it. I’m not ashamed of it. I don’t ever feel, even for five seconds, that I’m crazy. My thoughts tend to ruminate, but it’s up to me to be proud of who I am and to take care of myself.
I don’t want people to ever have anybody tell them, “Don’t say that because it’ll seem bad. You won’t get this job or that boy or that girl or whatever.” I guess I was rebelling."
- Advice she'd give someone starting out in the business: "All I can say is, I would love to be there for you if you ever have questions. But this industry is a beast. It’s really scary to see what happens when you’re given so much power and money at a young age. I think it’s extremely scary.
The bigger you get, the more humble I would encourage you to be. Hold on to your heart, try to be the best you can be, and be careful about who to trust, because you are who you surround yourself with. My sister’s nine, and thank God she doesn’t want to be in this industry. Actually, that’s her now. What if she tells me in two years she wants to? I can’t even think about it."
ONTD, I'll post more excerpts from the VF issue later this evening when I have more time.
Source 1 Source 2 Source 3 Source 4 Source 5
#Oscar nominee Ana de Armas fears that stars are sharing too much and living too publically now: “That mystery is gone. For the most part, we’ve done that to ourselves,” she tells VF. #VFHollywood https://t.co/CAIHR9hkVD
- VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) February 15, 2023
Ana de Armas
- On wanting to play Marilyn Monroe: "There was a lot there that I could relate to. If you put Marilyn Monroe “the movie star” aside, she’s just an actress trying to navigate life and this system, which is so hard to navigate for anybody. On top of that, you add this point of view of Andrew’s, which was to see that through her trauma. I truly thought it was going to do justice to a more dimensional human being, because I wouldn’t want to be remembered just for one thing. I am more than just an actress on the cover of a magazine."
- The BenAna pandemic pap walks: "The pandemic was horrible for everyone. In any other city, people were just hanging out with their families or bored at home or walking their dogs. The problem in LA is that, I guess, they were so bored that all they had to do was scrutinize someone else’s daily life. It was kind of frustrating that my work wasn’t coming out-Bond got delayed three times and then Blonde wasn’t coming out either. But also, I was working nonstop, literally one thing after the other, and that was good."
- Roles being offered after 'Blonde': "After Bond, there was kind of a wave of all these action roles, and that was fun. I chose from the ones that I thought were more exciting or with people I wanted to work with. I feel like Ballerina is going to be the end of that, at least for now, because I’m craving a wave of Blonde-type films. I want to do work with directors and do character work. I have had the opportunity to meet directors that I want to work with. The people that I’m getting access to is changing, and that makes me very excited."
“I’m not quite satisfied. And it’s got to be that way.” For #VFHollywood, Jonathan Majors discusses why he thought “movie star” was a dirty word and walking out of his first meeting with Marvel. https://t.co/xY9cyzYeea
- VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) February 15, 2023
Jonathan Majors
- Changing his body drastically for roles: "In my drama school, something they really pushed on us was “don’t lift weights, don’t work out.” They were adamant, especially with the fellas, about not getting too big, primarily because it changes your joints, changes what we call the breathing costume. I always had an issue with that because I grew up playing sports at a very competitive level in Texas, so I came as strong as an 18-year-old kid can be. To answer the question, what it does for me is it brings you closer to the character. I’ve had this debate with my current mentors and old acting teachers where I go, “This is actually part of the craft of acting.” It brings you close to the characters and it gets quite spiritual. It is as little acting as possible, which is my biggest thing: Don’t lie. Tell the truth."
- He walked out of his initial Marvel meeting: "This was a long time ago. I had just gotten out of drama school and I’m running around town and I’m sitting in the office. I grew up in a very particular way and I don’t want to waste nobody’s time. So I got in there and they’re just busy. And I was like, “I’m supposed to be here, right?” It got long and I went, “I’m just going to go. It’s cool. I’ll just go.” And I got to the door, but then they said [casting director] Sarah Finn was going to come. We got in the room and we chatted. We were having this great conversation. I think it was three years later that we had the Kang chat. And there’s no trepidation now, especially because of who Kang is. When I said yes, we got the whole picture, and what is being laid out is cohesive."
- His decision to not be on social media: "I did get pressure from my team, my publicist, light pressure, early on. I said, “Believe it or not, and you may not see it now, it’s going to take away from my business.” And I’m not shitting on it. I do understand what it means. I know that there’s some things I don’t know because I’m like six days behind on anything that happens with Kanye. I mean, listen, I can mess shit up in the real world. Don’t give me another avenue."
- On what makes a Movie Star: "Look, there’s a time I thought it was a dirty word, you know what I mean? Movie star. In school, you would never dream of saying something so ambitious. Michael [B. Jordan] is such a good example of a movie star because movie stars have to appeal to the bourgeois and the proletariat. Movie stars can show a film in Montana. Movie stars are dangerous to politicians. It’s a different type of burden."
Keke Palmer is building her legacy-one podcast, media company, and career-defining turn at a time. With a diverse set of projects in the works, the star is ready to take her career to the next level. #VFHollywood https://t.co/spAlljoZ9e
- VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) February 15, 2023
Keke Palmer
- On the baby bump reveal: "I knew it was going to be a thing to try and hide it-people were already commenting on it. I didn’t really know how to address it. It just felt like it was never the right time, and having a child is so private. But I felt like I should probably let people know. You need a certain level of physicality to do SNL. It was so much fun to say it during my monologue. That’s something my kid can have forever. "
- Her career strategy: "I wish I could say that I strategized insanely. I do strategize, but the maximum would be like a month in advance. Maybe a couple months in advance. There’s too many things that can come in and shake shit up. So I’m not over strategizing to that damn degree because then I’m not even able to be focused on the present."
Florence Pugh has a strict policy of authenticity. “There’s no pretending with me,” she says. For #VFHollywood, the star discusses befriending her #Dune: Part Two costars, social media, and what comes next. https://t.co/nKCFnJ2Gqk
- VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) February 15, 2023
Florence Pugh
- On career strategy: "Working with Marvel has helped hugely. Their schedule is so precise-they know when they’re going to make it, when they’re going to release it. What that means is if you want to fill your time with other things, you have to do it amongst that. You’re able to have a lot more leeway: “Oh, I’m going to be away doing this for this certain amount of time, so I need to make sure that I can get in a little indie here, or do a play.” So that’s what I’m trying to do now. With this year, I went into the year willing it to make its own thing, and didn’t have any projects specifically lined up-like, hopefully there would be one special big thing or one special little thing. And lo and behold, I got Oppenheimer and then I got Dune. That all started making its image of the year within the first four months or so."
- The 'Don't Worry Darling' question: "Ideally I don’t really want to be going down the Don’t Worry Darling conversation because this whole release for The Wonder has been so positive and I’ve been really excited to talk about that. I don’t really feel the need to go into the nitty-gritty details of Don’t Worry Darling. So if it’s okay, I’ll probably just let that one sit."
- Not having to present herself as a perfect role model without physical flaws: "No, I love it, I love it. When I started out, my granddad would always tell me off and be like, “Why are you showing everyone your ugly spots?” He’d be really confused as to why I’d show my cellulite. My answer was like, “Well, I’d much rather do it than they do it, and then I feel ashamed.” There’s no pretending with me. When I put on makeup and step in a wonderful dress, I give credit to the people that made me look like that, and I also want my fans to know that (a) I don’t look like that all the time and (b) I also have stress acne, and I also have hairy eyebrows, and I also have greasy hair. I’ve always thought that was a way better way to do it. Just be honest and open-then no one has to call you out for anything. You are who you are."
Now we’re cooking. @selenagomez, photographed for #VFHollywood by Steven Klein, 2023.
🔗 : https://t.co/l1t6Om6R9N pic.twitter.com/aU4cyMtzym
- VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) February 15, 2023
Selena Gomez
- Opening up with her documentary: "I’m just so used to censoring myself that it was (a) me wanting to let go and (b) if they’re telling me to be quiet about it, that’s not good because that’s genuinely not the place I’m in anymore.
Maybe it was weird and uncomfortable for other people, and obviously I was worried, but I think it finally allowed me to start being open about everything. It’s not that I was kind of sad-I actually have things that are chemically imbalanced in my brain, and I need to understand what that is, take care of it, and nurture it. I’m not ashamed of it. I don’t ever feel, even for five seconds, that I’m crazy. My thoughts tend to ruminate, but it’s up to me to be proud of who I am and to take care of myself.
I don’t want people to ever have anybody tell them, “Don’t say that because it’ll seem bad. You won’t get this job or that boy or that girl or whatever.” I guess I was rebelling."
- Advice she'd give someone starting out in the business: "All I can say is, I would love to be there for you if you ever have questions. But this industry is a beast. It’s really scary to see what happens when you’re given so much power and money at a young age. I think it’s extremely scary.
The bigger you get, the more humble I would encourage you to be. Hold on to your heart, try to be the best you can be, and be careful about who to trust, because you are who you surround yourself with. My sister’s nine, and thank God she doesn’t want to be in this industry. Actually, that’s her now. What if she tells me in two years she wants to? I can’t even think about it."
ONTD, I'll post more excerpts from the VF issue later this evening when I have more time.
Source 1 Source 2 Source 3 Source 4 Source 5