Tessa Thompson covers the latest issue of Marie Claire, because she’s the co-lead of the Men in Black reboot, Men In Black: International. She’s working with her Thor: Ragnarok costar Chris Hemsworth, and even though the film is currently bombing, I think they have chemistry together, and I hope MIB represents a new level for Tessa’s career. Anyway, you can read Tessa’s cover profile here, and I’m just pleased that Tessa is a big enough star now to get her own stand-alone cover profiles in American fashion magazines. Yay!
On contract negotiations for MIB: “When we are having the conversation around how we structure our deals, I said, ‘I understand who Chris Hemsworth is and who I am not relative to him, globally and otherwise. But in the success of the film, that changes. In success, I want equity. Because then you can’t make the same argument.”
On working with Chris Hemsworth for their second project: “..Like [Katharine] Hepburn and [Spencer] Tracy. We’re trying to do that old-Hollywood thing: ‘It’s us again! Still like us?”
On her spa experience with MIB co-star Emma Thompson: “Like the afterlife: just a bunch of English people in bathrobes walking around getting treatments. I was like, What is my life? I’m walking the grounds with Emma Thompson?”
On the need to create fully realized roles for actresses of color: “I look at actresses that are not of color, and at the opportunities that they’re presented in terms of directors wanting to make work for them. When I look at my contemporaries of color, it’s only other artists of color that are doing that in a real, robust way.”
On being persuasive: “It’s a good thing I’m empathetic. Otherwise, I might be a sociopath.”
On her activist pursuits: “[I hope to]…evolve in my life in a way that is quantifiable. I don’t want to be passed the mic until I know what to do with it.”
What should every woman try at least once in her life? “Yell at someone if they tell you to smile.”
Her Favorite couch snack? “Hot & spicy Cheez-Its, Popcorn”
I don’t know if two actors can work together two times and suddenly they’re Hepburn and Tracy! I mean, Hepburn and Tracy did nine films together and I think all of them were mega-hits. They had such chemistry too, but… I get what she’s saying. It’s unusual in this day and age for an actor and actress to work together repeatedly on non-sequel films. It’s just rarely done anymore. As for what she says about who gives opportunities to actresses of color… she’s absolutely right. White dude directors just make movies with white dudes and white ladies for the most part. And they rarely get called out on it.
Photos courtesy of Thomas Whiteside for Marie Claire, sent from a promotional Marie Claire email.
“It’s a good thing I’m empathetic. Otherwise, I might be a sociopath.”
I should get THAT tattooed on me…because it ain’t NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH!!!!
Same!!!! And I’m a straight up internet detective. The lives I could ruin. She looks gorgeous in that middle shot.
I literally said this almost word for word to a coworker the other day. I joke that I’m one horrible accident away from super villain.
She is one of the most beautiful actresses out there right now, and I love every interview I read from her. I hope to see a lot more of her.
LMAO. “It’s a good thing I’m empathetic. Otherwise, I might be a sociopath.” Umm…duh.
Thats what I cam on here to say….like yeah a sociopath would be the opposite of someone who’s empathetic.
Well… everyone “normal” is like that though. Everyone “normal” has a cold computer brain, with empathy to rein in the primitive.
Exactly. When I read that I was like what in the world. It’s like saying: if I didn’t like such a wide variety of food, I’d be a picky eater.
Hot & Spicy cheez-it’s are my guilty pleasure too! I knew I liked her for a reason!
Good thing I don’t smoke or I’d be a smoker
She’s my husband’s new crush and I whole-heartedly approve.
About the sociopathy: she’s talking about it in the context of persuasiveness. Sociopaths are typically extremely manipulative and persuasive; truly gifted at it with their utter lack of empathy. So I guess she’s saying she good at being very persuasive.
I thought they had awesome chemistry in the Thor movie… I’m very happy to see them working together again!