Celebrity Profiles and Interviews

A Curious ‘Fellow’: Jonathan Bailey follows the truth, wherever it leads

Backstage: “Theater taught him to be observant. In rehearsals, he witnessed actors being brilliant and bold, but also making crucial mistakes. Weeks of rehearsing helped him learn how to spend time with a character as he watched his castmates play against type and expand themselves through performance. Those lessons both tested and encouraged him, and they’ve carried him throughout his career. …

‘There’s so much you take on via natural osmosis,’ Bailey explains. ‘It’s what you watch and how you interpret things.’”

Read the profile.

How TV icon Mariska Hargitay learned to live in the moment

Backstage: “Mariska Hargitay has go-to advice for theater actors who show up on the set of ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ for the first time: Though you’re used to playing to the back of the house, a TV camera can read your soul up close. ‘All you have to do is be clear with your intention and your thought. I’m telling you, it’s that simple: Be present. Listen.’

“That’s easier said than done. It’s a hectic day on the New York City set of Dick Wolf’s long-running crime drama, which is filming its 26th season (that’s right—two-six), premiering Oct. 3 on NBC. … But as we dig into her one-of-a-kind career and the craft that’s made it possible, you’d never know there was a world outside. She listens intently to my questions, eyes focused, nodding, head cocked. The actor is present.”

Read the profile.

When Alison Brie and Dave Franco came to Austin

Austin American-Statesman: “In ‘Somebody I Used to Know,’ the audience gets to see Brie’s Ally get in touch with who she really is, or used to be, director Franco says. (See, the movie's title works in a couple ways.)

“‘In these last few years, as I've been writing roles for myself to play, I think I've just enjoyed a push and pull going on in a character, because it's more interesting to watch,’ Brie says. ‘Somebody who's kind of like having an existential crisis. And don't we all kind of go through that a little bit every so often? Checking in with, “Who am I? Who do I want to be?”’” Read the interview.

America Ferrera on what she added to her ‘Barbie’ monologue

Backstage: “‘Greta and I spent months talking about the ideas of the monologue,’ Ferrera says. ‘It was definitely a collaboration, and that was such a gift from Greta. From Day 1, she wanted me to personalize it. One of the first things she said to me was, ‘What’s missing here? What would you say? How would you say it in your words?’ I don’t think necessarily [to] rewrite the monologue, but because she wanted to understand what my connections to it were.’” Read the interview.

If there's one thing 'Cocaine Bear' star Margo Martindale misses about Texas, it's peas

Austin American-Statesman: “A few days ago, I saw a movie at Alamo Drafthouse, and before the previews, a couple behind me talked matter-of-factly about the then-upcoming action flick ‘Cocaine Bear.’ Suddenly, one of them said, ‘Ooh, Margo Martindale is in it.’ The change in excitement was palpable. ‘It’s not always like that,’ Martindale demurred humbly when we shared that Drafthouse anecdote with her. ‘I love what I do, and I’m glad that it shows, and I’m glad that it makes people happy.’” Read the interview.

Richard Linklater is back. Next stop: the moon, in 'Apollo 10 1/2'

Austin American-Statesman: “On July 20, 1969, the world gathered around screens for an almost holy communal experience. A man walked on the moon. Thanks to a camera, everyone saw heaven from their seats. There’s a certain satisfying symmetry to Linklater’s ‘Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood’ premiering during SXSW.” Read the interview.

‘Top Chef’ contender Amanda Turner wants to pave the way for Black women on-screen

Eater: “I’m a biracial Black woman,” Turner said. “I literally never cooked alongside another Black woman until I hired one last year. It really became evident to me that I have the opportunity to be the person that could inspire someone else. Through the show, I want to showcase my authenticity and that you could be successful, even if you’re not the standard.” Read the interview.

Ethan Hawke on Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward's heroic love

Austin American-Statesman: “Paul loved Joanne, and Joanne loved Paul. And after a minute of conversation, it’s clear Ethan loves them both. ‘I can't wait for you to see the whole series,’ Ethan Hawke tells us about ‘The Last Movie Stars,’ his new documentary about Hollywood royal couple Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward.” Read the interview.

The many lives of Mehcad Brooks

Austin American-Statesman: “When ‘Mortal Kombat’ star Mehcad Brooks remembers growing up in Austin, his mind goes to the screen. It was like a blend between ‘Stranger Things’ and the ‘It’ movies, he says. Presumably without extradimensional horrors lurking in the shadows, but then again, keep Austin weird and all that.” Read the profile.

Glen Powell is one of the best parts of 'Top Gun: Maverick.' First, Austin helped him soar

Austin American-Statesman: “Two things got Glen Powell to where he is now: Texas and Tom Cruise. Well, the Austin native built an acting career with a few more bricks that that. As his career speeds up thanks to a scene-stealing role in blockbuster hit ‘Top Gun: Maverick,’ though, Powell gives a great deal of credit to those two American icons in particular.” Read the interview.

Andrew Ahn and Zane Phillips of 'Fire Island' talk Jane Austen and the straight gaze

Austin American-Statesman: “In the fevered homosexual imagination of one reporter, a question occurs: Would Jane Austen have a good time on Fire Island? ‘I think she would be so amused by it, and it would inspire a whole ‘ ’nother slew of books,’ says Andrew Ahn, the director.” Read the interview.