“It gives me the chills right now thinking about it,” said the actress and comedian, who stars in the film “Jackpot!” with John Cena and Simu Liu.
When Awkwafina started training for Paul Feig’s action-comedy “Jackpot!” — about the winner of a dystopian California lottery — her co-star, the professional wrestler John Cena, had some advice.
“It’s kind of obvious science, but your brain is a muscle, so you have to work it out every day,” she said, explaining his theory in a video call from Los Angeles. “He was learning jazz piano in his trailer.”
Now Awkwafina, a scene-stealer in “Ocean’s 8” and “Crazy Rich Asians” and a Golden Globe winner for “The Farewell,” has established a routine incorporating physical and mental exercise. And, she added, a new relationship that doesn’t exist for her in any other capacity.
“I’ve definitely begun my fitness journey because of this movie,” she said, ticking off squats, planks, weight reps and posture exercises. “But honestly, it’s like play. It’s fun and it’s thrilling and you want to do well.”
She also spoke about the book her mother gave to her before she died; her karaoke go-to, Cam’ron’s “Hey Ma”; and crossing the language divide with “My Cousin Vinny.”
These are edited excerpts from the conversation.
1
Fried Egg and Soy Sauce on Top of White Rice
My grandma used to make that for me, and it’s a little bit of a Broke Boyz meal. There’s something so warm about the rice and the egg that feel like a hug.
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Source: Movies - nytimes.com
