Photo: Claudette Barius/Universal Pictures
Lupita Nyong’owent above and beyond to add scare-factors to her evil character in the new horror movieUs.
Nyong’o also worked closely with a vocal therapist and dialect coach “to make sure I could do it safely,” she says. “Those were the risks I was taking, were the risks that Red had not spoken for a long time was the inspiration for wanting to explore something a little more stylistic.”
For more on Lupita Nyong’o and her new movieUs, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE on newsstands Friday.
Lupita Nyong’o, Evan Alex, Shahadi Wright Joseph.Claudette Barius/Universal Pictures
“About a week before we started filming, I called Jordan into the room and auditioned the voice for him,” she recalls. “I was very relieved when he was feeling it and encouraged me to go further with it.”
Nyong’o continues: “Jordan is very collaborative, and he really invited me into the whole creative process of making these women who they were. He trusted me to be the expert, that was my job.”
Another person on whom the Red voice had the desired scary effect isNyongo’s mother Dorothy.
“My mom just came to the premiere ofUsandLittle Monstersthe next day. She [had not seen]Usso she sat in the audience,” says Nyongo’o. “She hates scary movies, so she shut her eyes the whole time and blocked her ears.”
“I’m happy she was there, I can assure you that’s not her favorite film of mine,” she adds with a laugh. “But, she is supportive until the day she dies. She will sit through despite the fact that she doesn’t have the spine for it. That kind of thing warms my heart because I know she’s my number one fan whether she can handle my madness or not.”
Usis now playing in theaters.
source: people.com
