America Ferrera tells Stephen Colbert she took part in 'Barbie' dance rehearsals despite not being in scene
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY: America Ferrera, renowned for her exceptional acting skills and charismatic presence, took on a unique role in the making of 'Barbie', as the actress expressed on the Janurary 11 episode of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert'.
Ferrera talks about Margot Robbie making her 'take a double shot of tequila on live television'
Colbert began with complimenting Ferrera's dress, saying, "That's a beautiful velvet dress if you don't mind me saying".
"I'm so happy for how universally you embraced your character and what she has to say in this movie. It's really been a wonderful movie; you have a wonderful part in it and I just know what a caring and thoughtful and engaged person you are and how much you care about the lives of other people and how much you can see that in performance; and I'm so happy other people got to see that too... like that that is the real you in so many ways," he continued without stopping for a breath.
In reply, Ferrera shared her recent appearance at the Golden Globes alongside 'Barbie' director Greta Gerwig, and Margot Robbie.
The 39-year-old actress discussed people's reactions when they see the cast of the comedy/romance film series spending time together, mentioning the 20-year friendship and highliting the enduring bond among the cast members since the film's inception.
She revealed, "It was so fun to be together especially because as soon as we got on the red carpet Margot made me take a double shot of tequila on live television".
'I just showed up up at Barbie dance rehearsal for scenes'
Colbert stated, "You had a real challenge here too because you and the character of Gloria along with your daughter, you have to represent all humans".
Continuing, he said, "But you also have to be grounded enough that you're a human and yet still involved with a fantasy enough that you accept that Barbie has come to life. How hard was it?"
Ferrera conveyed that the situation presented a challenge, making it "hard" for her to resist participating in the fun activities with the co-stars.
She expressed a strong temptation to join in, particularly because some aspects of the experience resembled the realization of her "childhood dreams". Growing up, her aspiration was to be in a Barbie den, "learning choreography with other girls".
"I learned that there are Barbie dance rehearsals going on that I'm not invited to cuz I'm not a Barbie. And then so I just showed up up at Barbie dance rehearsal for scenes," she added.
Explaining the situation, she said, "I learned various parts of the dance. When Margot would get called away to do some producer thing I'd be like I'll do it and and one time I was doing her part and she walked in and I like almost died; I was so embarrassed and she was so sweet."
Ferrera portrayed Gloria, a mother and Mattel employee in Barbie Land. Gloria's struggles with self-doubt and unrealized aspirations in the real world lead to an existential crisis for the Stereotypical Barbie character played by Margot Robbie.