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(Not to mention her role inAnnihilation, where she literally played a faceless humanoid.)
We have to start with your wig.
Was that written into the script?It wasnt.
They sent a picture ofRei Kawakubo, who is the designer of Comme des Garcons.
She has basically the same hair as Azumi.
They said, What do you think about this, then?
Was the chain-smoking also added?The cigarette was in the script.
The other stuff, like her posture, I just turned up on the first day and did it.
It was like an exercise in seemingly being put-together, but not being together at all.
Aside fromCrazy Rich Asians, I havent seen you do a lot of comedy.
Was it intimidating to adjust to a joke-heavy performance?I dont think I felt intimidated.
I felt like I knew how to do Azumi.
I do get intimidated, and I was nervous before starting because I was working with incredible people.
What are the things that she keeps close to her that she doesnt tell other people?
She cares a lot about people, but she doesnt necessarily show it.
I also felt like she was Azumis child.
She cared about that machine so much.
I think she really does believe that its for the greater good of the world.
I never saw her as being inhumane, or anything like that.
Was Azumi different than the roles you typically get offered?I guess.
Azumi is part of me, and I can be totally awkward.
Theres a lot of that in me, anyway.
Can you tell us anything about that project?Its quite a mystery box.
Ill probably say the wrong thing.
But Ive noticed that its been so heartfelt and meaningful.
[TheCrazy Rich Asianscast members] have a WhatsApp group, which is still ongoing.
Everyones still talking about it, which is really unusual and very special.
Ive heard that Cary is a very detailed-oriented director.
What was it like to work with him?There were two things thatd happen.
And then, hed do very specific direction, likeveryspecific direction.
But I loved working with him.
Before I didManiac, I had to teach myself how to pop in in a few days.
I dont play video games.
Did you have any favorite props?It wasnt scripted or anything that she wore glasses.
When I visited set, they said, Do you wanna try some glasses?
I said to Cary, What do you think?
You think Azumi wears glasses?
And hes like, Uh, I dont know, try them on.
I tried them on, and, yeah, she really, definitely wears glasses.
I have terrible eyesight myself, so they put my actual prescription in.
Because my eyesight is so bad, the glasses are really thick, which makes them look even funnier.
Then I put Azumis glasses on, and Id be in Azumis world.
