Few movies in current reminiscence have acquired as a lot natural social media buzz as Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie.” A gradual stream of leaked footage, studies of pink paint shortages, and forged anecdotes about pleasant on-set madness have turned Gerwig’s maximalist tackle the long-lasting Mattel toy line into probably the most anticipated film occasions of the summer time.
Followers are nearer than ever to seeing the movie in its entirety when it hits theaters on July 21 — and forged members appear to be relishing their previous couple of alternatives to hype up the movie. In a brand new interview with Out, “Barbie” star Hari Nef mentioned that the movie’s mixture of musical comedy with over-the-top costumes and make-up made it really feel like they have been filming a model of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
“I’ve joked earlier than, it actually did really feel like ‘Greta Gerwig’s Drag Race,’” Nef mentioned. “As a result of I used to be doing appearing, dancing, comedy, and the entire time I used to be cinched, wigged, painted from head to toe, padded, heels.”
The actress went on to elucidate that the self-contained toy world of the movie was the right canvas for the form of performative femininity for which drag exhibits are recognized.
“It’s a really particular form of femininity,” she mentioned. “It’s not a form of femininity that I reside each single day of my life in, however it’s one which I come again to time and time once more. It’s additionally one which I really feel very comfy carrying in public, and when the cameras are on and when individuals are watching.”
Nef’s consolation with the distinct model of humor that Gerwig dropped at “Barbie” was obvious from the start of the casting course of. In a 2022 interview, the director recalled being elated by Nef’s audition for the movie and cited it as an early instance of her imaginative and prescient being solidified.
“I noticed Hari’s audition tape for ‘Barbie’ and simply flipped out,” Gerwig mentioned. “I bumped into the producer’s workplace with a pc and pressed play and mentioned, ‘That’s it. That’s our film.’ She had a joyfulness and playfulness and twinkling clever humor, which was precisely the tone: figuring out however not snarky, buoyant however not vapid.”