What drew you into Nadine in the first place?
The fact that this character is so complex. The first thing is if I can master what this character feels — the 720 emotions in four minutes — I will feel like I’ve accomplished something. And the thought of playing a character in a story that is so honest and so real to what being a teenager really feels like today is also of complete interest to me.
It’s not just her dealing with adolescence, either. She’s dealing with grief. How did you interpret the grief she was going through and use it for your performance?
Well, when you think of how you first see Nadine, she’s not smiling. She doesn’t smile often until the end of the film when she finds what she’s been missing this whole time. That’s what she lost at the beginning of the film. Having shot that pretty early on . . . knowing something like that happened in someone’s life, feeling like there is always going to be something missing; the reminder of that — acting in some of these scenes, feeling again like it was the end of the world, and then again on top of that remembering that form of loss that happened a couple years ago in this person’s life — it just took you that much further.
And you don’t really hear that much about her grief, not for a bulk of the film.
Right, but it’s there, and you can feel it.
This must have been a fresh role for you, right? It wasn’t that long ago that you were in the same place. Can you paint a picture of yourself in this space that Nadine was in?
I’m trying to think of where I was physically, actually. I don’t even remember. I was trying not to be awkward. That’s for sure. I don’t know, I think I was just masking everything I was feeling. This character feels a lot better than I was. Playing this character actually gave me the opportunity to be a teenager, to figure stuff out, and freak out.
How did you navigate through the teenage misbehavior in this? There was plenty of drinking and sex and other adult themes.
One thing that is cool about this movie is there is no real, shy approach to anything: The language. What you do when your parents aren’t home. When you send a text to a guy that puts you in an awkward position. All that stuff is real and it happens. And again, like you said, it’s important to depict these things. To not beat around the bush. It’s real, and there is no way around it in reality. It was one of things I loved about being a part of this movie — on all fronts, being a part of a real story.
Depicting that almost-rape scene in the car is so important. I was sitting there, thinking, “Is she going to be forced into this?” It’s important to have someone saying no. Really pushing this person off of her. It must have been great for you, too, having that moment.
Yeah, the moment this character is going through it, is the realization of the only real want she is yearning for is human connection — conversation even. that might be something she wants to explore. And obviously, she’s gotten herself into something. And she realizes that, in that moment, all she really wants to do is ask him what his favorite color is and start a conversation. It’s so innocent. She’ll look at him and say, “I’ve been wanting to tell you so much,” and he goes, “You’re only here for one reason,” and reclines the seat. It was a moment of realization there.
What’s the difference between connecting with people in film and with music?
I guess it’s one thing to play a character and relate to a character, and it’s a lot closer to me than they might think. They are obviously watching a person with another name. But when they are listening to my music, it’s way more me and my story and my words . . . that is the main difference in that. In this movie, it’s not so far off, and there’s not too much of a disconnect, because I am so much like this character.
Do you having anything new on the horizon for your music?
It’s going very well. I am working on new music. I’m so very excited about it. I feel like I’ve been saying this for a year now. Which is true, I’ve been working on music. But now it’s OK, I’m focused, and it’s happening, and it will be happening soon.
And Pitch Perfect is happening!
Yeah, I hope so! There has been a release date, so it has to be filmed at some point. I still can’t believe I was in the second one. I’m such a huge fan, and I’m so excited to be in the third one.
I want to talk about that Harry Styles collage you tweeted. I feel like Nadine would see that and have your same reaction.
Oh my god, literally why? Well the reference on the bottom half of the photo was made a couple years ago, which I couldn’t get over. I saw it, and thought . . . I didn’t know what I thought. I didn’t know if it was both him or both me. I mean, it was quite the compliment, I will say. He’s a very attractive person.
And you were, uh, a very attractive 14-year-old dealing with pimples and too-short hair.
I hope that wasn’t offensive to anybody.
Oh, no no. I connected to it. I was like, “This resonates with me somewhere.” So, I mean, you’ve had an unorthodox career. How does that feel? Does it put more pressure on you? You’ve already gotten an Oscar nod!
I didn’t win!
Uh huh. There’s still work to be done! But is it nice to have this huge thing shoot you off into your trajectory?
To be recognized for your hard work is a true honor. An Academy Award nomination is one thing that, five years later, I can’t form a sentence about. It has not made me feel like I can work any less hard. It makes me feel like I have to work 100 times as hard, to even be as remotely good, to work through an experience that could take me through that again.
Do you have a challenge on the horizon that you’re hungry for?
Oh man. If I have the honor of playing another character like this one and like my character in True Grit. That’s complex. That would be the challenge I am looking for.