She may have won a SAG Award, been nominated for a Tony Award, and just earned her first Oscar nomination for “West Side Story,” but Ariana DeBose is driven by being a “consummate perfectionist.” That means when she watched the celebrated Steven Spielberg musical for the first time she “found a million things” she could have done better. Considering the almost universal acclaim her performance as Anita received, many viewers and her peers would politely disagree.
READ MORE: Rachel Zegler: From Wedding Singer to “West Side Story” [Interview]
“But that’s the thing about film you don’t get to do it over again once it’s out there,” DeBose says. “So it was a really good learning experience for me as an artist. But again, Steven created an immense amount of trust between all of us and I do and I still do and did remain trusting in him. So, once I got over my own anxiety, I realized, ‘Oh, that really is a you thing. And perhaps you shouldn’t watch all of your work.’ There are artists in the industry who don’t ever watch their movies. And I think sometimes that’s a good thing because if you are self-critical in a way it can get in the way of the creative process. So I’m learning to find my own balance with how much of my work can I watch without ripping it apart. Because you do need a certain amount of freedom to try things, but also sometimes self-reflection is really good in regards to your work. So I’m still working on that balance.”
During a conversation earlier this week, DeBose reflected on the long wait for “West Side Story” to hit theaters, her bonding experience making the Apple TV+ musical comedy series “Schmigadoon” and her excitement over being cast in the new Sony Pictures Marvel film, “Kraven the Hunter.”
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The Playlist: What was the Oscar luncheon like yesterday?
Ariana DeBose: Oh, it was really cool. It was an amalgamation of pinch-me moments. I think I looked over because I was sitting at David Rubin, the President of the Academy’s table with Andrew Garfield and Kenneth Branagh. I was like, “What is happening?” And then I looked to my right and there’s Denzel Washington. And I was like, “Has he been sitting there the whole time?” And my date was like, “Yes, he has.” So, I died a small death. And then I ended up in an epic movie director selfie by pure accident with Steven Spielberg, Denzel Washington, Kenneth Branagh, and crazy, crazy talented people. So, it was super thrilling and I believe Penelope Cruz took that picture. So I was like, “Wow. O.K. I think this is a moment. This is a moment.”
That is totally a moment! You’ve been a working actor for a number of years. You famously came up through “So You Think You Can Dance” and you won the SAG Award from your peers as an actor. What did that trophy mean to you?
Oh, I mean, I think it’s such a privilege to be recognized by your peers, period. And it was overwhelming and heartwarming and validating. It’s a privilege and an honor to be seen, especially for your work in a musical. I just feel like, not that musicals aren’t valued, but I don’t think people think work from musicals is going to be the thing that breaks through the noise. For some odd reason, people saw this and thought it was something special. And so I’m just really honored and especially coming from the theater, having roots as a dancer, I feel like there are certain circles who don’t actually think that dancers can penetrate and become great actors. Whereas I believe that dancers make some of the best actors if they’re just given the opportunity to try. So it was an absolute honor.
I’ve spoken with David Alvarez and Rachel Zelger over the past couple of months and they all talked about how tough it was to wait so long for the movie to come out. Was it the same for you or are you more of a patient person that the pandemic delay was what it was?
I’m not going to lie. I was more of a patient person. I also realized and fully acknowledged my privilege. I had the opportunity to make work during the pandemic. So I wasn’t sitting around twiddling my thumbs by any stretch of the mind. And like I said, that is a real privilege to have had work in the middle of a global pandemic. But I also really have faith and trust, complete trust in Steven Spielberg and our producers. And at the end of the day, they know a hell of a lot more about movie-making than I do. So I just thought, well, good things come to those who wait.
And by the way, one of the shows you made during the pandemic was “Schmigadoon!,” which I am an unabashed fan of.
I’m so glad!
Have you heard anything about a second season?
There are some rumblings, but nothing confirmed as of yet, but we’re all so hopeful. And I just feel like Apple gave us a chance when not many people were willing to go for this type of work and their audience really took to it. So, we’re all keeping the vibes real high.
Well, before going back to “West Side Story,” what was the best part of that experience?
Oh, well, I mean, I don’t know, that’s a really good question. I think the best part about the experience of making “Schmigadoon!” for me was getting to hang out with so many different folks. I’d never worked with Kristin Chenoweth before. I’d never worked with Dove Cameron or Alan Cumming. And then all of a sudden, I found a little mini-musical community with folks who just were functioning on all cylinders. And it was really nice because we were able to support each other, not only through the making of. Again, making work in the middle of a pandemic and we shot that in Vancouver. So we’re in a different country. So, we’re in Canada.
I found a great support system and folks that I could really workshop material with and we’ve made lasting, what I think and feel will be lifelong friendships. We had Canadian Thanksgiving together. We watched the election results together. So, I think those types of moments are incredibly bonding.
Pivoting back to “West Side Story” when I spoke to Rachel, she had said that while you guys were shooting, often, Steven would invite you guys over to see what the shots looked like on the playback. I don’t know if you participated in that, but she said, she at least had an idea of what the movie was going to be like, what it was going to look like at least. When you saw the final film, what surprised you the most about it? Or was it what you thought it was going to be in your head?
t was nothing like I thought it was going to be in my head. But yes, Rachel’s right. He did. He let us watch the playback. I was not a super fan of watching playback. I’m anal-retentive about my dance work, but I, again just placed immense faith in Steven. It was like, if you think the acting’s good, I’ll leave it alone. But when I first saw the movie, I actually had a panic attack and thought I’d ruined it. I don’t remember much, but I thought it was beautiful. I thought my colleagues were incredible. And I was like, “I apologize. I’ll never work again.” So, I’m very grateful that people think I’m wrong and that the movie is good and that I’m decent in it.
Why did you think you ruined it? Are you just that self-critical or…?
I mean, I am a consummate perfectionist, and I found a million things that I thought I should have done better. But that’s the thing about film, you don’t get to do it over again once it’s out there. So, it was a really good learning experience for me as an artist. But again, Steven created an immense amount of trust between all of us and I do and I still do and did remain trusting in him. So once I got over my own anxiety, I realized, “Oh, that really is a you thing. And perhaps you shouldn’t watch all of your work.” There are artists in the industry who don’t ever watch their movies. And I think sometimes that’s a good thing because if you are self-critical in a way it can get in the way of the creative process. So I’m learning to find my own balance with how much of my work can I watch without ripping it apart. Because you do need a certain amount of freedom to try things, but also sometimes self-reflection is really good in regards to your work. I’m still working on that balance
I think you’re amazing in it and I hope whether it’s a couple of years from now, 10 years from now, whatever, you watch it back and go like, “Oh wait, it really was good.” Because you killed it.
No, I have since watched it. I’ve watched it quite a few times at this point. And my anxiety has subsided. I’ve never not been proud of this movie. I’ve always been proud of this movie just to be clear. I was only critical of myself. But no, I am really proud of this work. I’ve actually never seen anything like it on screen. Not specifically to my performance, but this movie I think is such a cinematic experience. And one we haven’t had in a really long time and that allows it to stand in its own lane and shine and people are really starting to take to that. So, I am incredibly proud of it. And I do think I contributed a little bit to that and that’s something that I will be proud of for my entire career.
I know that it was been announced at least in the trades that you’re going to play Calypso in the new “Kraven the Hunter” movie. And if you can speak about it, I was wondering if you could say just what made you want to take the part?
Well, to be frank with you, I can’t say much about it. But I am really excited to be joining the Sony Marvel family. When J.C. Chandor came to me and pitched this idea for the film. And he just, he’s a filmmaker who has wanted to be a director for his whole life. And quite frankly, he’s a damn good one. And I think he’ll bring something really creative and new and fresh and also really gritty to this film and to Kraven the Hunter’s story. And I’m really excited to dig in.
Awesome. And that’s, and I hope it doesn’t, I hope you can still work in a second season of “Schmigadoon!” somehow around it.
We’ll keep our fingers crossed.
We’ll keep our fingers crossed. And my last question is, and I apologize for asking this, but I would ask this to anyone, do you know what you’re wearing to the Oscars?
I am circling in on a few looks. It feels like you’re on a hunt. [inaudible 00:11:18] wear at the Oscars feels like I’m on a hunt. But I’ve narrowed it down. And I really like my choices, but it’s ongoing. We’ve still got a couple of weeks, my man. Don’t pressure me!
You know what? We do, but it also feels like it’s tomorrow. It’s very strange.
Well, and then as a female, there’s a whole rigmarole around that. You’ve got to get the tailoring just right. And then you’ve got to find the jewels. And yikes, but I can tell you this, everyone that I’ve worked with in regards to all the looks that I have had the opportunity to wear has been so supportive. And I’m really grateful because they’re big moments and I want to be able to remember them forever. And I just want to feel like myself in the moment. And everyone that’s come to help me has definitely kept that in the forefront of their minds and it’s exciting.
“West Side Story” is Disney+ and HBO Max. “Schmigadoon!” is on Apple TV+.