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Were here today to talk about one of these terrifically funny films.
Villain statuses confirmed.)
and tacky American coming through!
You were still in the midst of drama school when you landed the role.
How did you ascend the ranks so quickly?I actually graduated early so you can get the job.
So, I was absolutely thrilled when I booked the job.
It was a brilliant role in a brilliant film, and it allowed me to get out of there.
Were your fellow students jealous that you landed this role so quickly?Possibly.
They never told me if they were.
I like to think they were happy for me, but who knows.
In the early aughts, Amanda Bynes had a massive cultural presence in America with younger people.
Did that translate across the pond?
I was a bit older than her and wasnt watching those kinds of shows.
I didnt have children at the time, either, so that mustve just missed me.
I wasnt aware of her superpower in England just yet.
She probably did have a huge presence, to be fair.
I find Clarissa to be such an endearing antagonistic because shes so innocuous.
Youre not born into that behavior, it happens along the path.
Unfortunately, she doesnt behave well as a result.
Shes a product of her upbringing.
That classic stiff-upper-lip, snooty lifestyle rubbed off on her.
Her mom, and whoever her dad was, didnt give her the love and attention that she required.
How effective of an antagonist do you think she is?I never considered her to be a villain.
I felt she had issues and behaved badly but definitely never thought it reached villain status.
Shes angry at herself and at her mother.
In a few years down the line, she might even be friends with Daphne.
Shes upset at life.
Where do you think her anger comes from?
Clarrisa feels threatened by it.
It took a really long time to shoot.
I have a much better memory from the ballroom scene, though.
Kelly Preston was such a dream.
The indoor temperature must have reached 105 degrees.
She made sure everyone got water bottles and she gave out food bars.
Did you, like Clarissa, have any exposure to debutante culture?Oh God, not at all.
I based it more off a princess lifestyle that I thought about as a child.
I have no knowledge of that world and have no interest in it.
I love how stiff your debutante clothes looked.They did a great job with all of the costumes.
My dress at the ball was uncomfortable and really tight.
It wasnt exactly a corset style, but I did almost pass out from the fit of it.
It was another brutally hot day of filming.
The chandelier was a copy of one that was massively expensive.
They put a lot of breakaway glass into it and measured where everyone could stand.
I cant actually remember if I saw it fall or not.
What was your first meeting with Amanda like?I cant believe its been so long.
I remember her being absolutely lovely.
She was very young at the time and definitely was a bit homesick.
She was looking for creature comfort and things that England didnt have at the time.
But she acclimated around us quite quickly.
Did herfuture troublescome as a surprise?I didnt expect that at all.
I felt so sad for her when all of that began happening.
Maybe she had too much stuff thrust upon her when she was young.
Was having Colin Firth play your kinda-sorta stepdad a career highlight?For a lot of reasons.
Im pleased to confirm that in real life, Colin is a really nice guy.
God, and hes so funny.
When Im around my kids and want to swear, Ive definitely said that in front of them.
She and her mother wanted the status that you inherit through marriage.
Clarissa still has some life lessons to learn and should be allowed to make mistakes.
I bet theyll be divorced in ten years.
It was definitely good for me in terms of exposure.
It really has been quite an iconic movie in subsequent years, hasnt it?
It was a gift that landed on my lap and Im forever grateful.
