Maya Rudolph talks about her life, her music and Away We Go
GIANT: Was part of the motivation behind taking this part showing that you could handle a more dramatic role?
Maya Rudolph: I think that’s usually the perception when you do something different from what you’re known for—that you’re trying to change your image or maybe redirect the way people look at you. But it was really just another part of me I wanted to express. When I started working, I had always hoped for some kind of project like Away We Go to come along. This was one of those lucky things where I got to play a character who is closer to the real person I am without abandoning any of my roots to do it.
GIANT: There are lots of similarities between your own life and your character. Do you know if the role was written with you in mind?
Rudolph: There were rumblings that the screenwriters Dave [Eggers] and Vendela [Vida] had me in mind when they were writing the script. But I didn’t know them and I haven’t heard that from them, so I don’t know if that’s a wonderful folk myth or if it was true. I just tried as hard as I could to show I was interested in the part, so I kept buzzing around passing messages to Dave and Vendela saying, “Hey, I love the script! When are you making it?” That went on for a long time. Then I finally met up with them when I happened to be in the Bay Area. We ended up meeting in the park with our kids—it was kind of a playdate. It didn’t guarantee anything, but I could finally tell them to their faces how much I loved the movie.
GIANT: What was the audition process like?
Rudolph: I auditioned for Sam on my own and then with John [Krasinski] later on. It was just really nice right away between us. Our senses of humor are totally in sync. And once we knew we were making it together, he couldn’t have been more positive and interested in cementing something between the two of us. We spent so much time together whether it was moving to our weird corporate housing in Connecticut or helping each other buy pillows at the local Target or making sure we had stocked fridges. It quickly helps you care about the other person’s well being. That and a lot of Guitar Hero.
GIANT: Was it weird being “movie pregnant” not long after giving birth in real life?
Rudolph: It was a breeze, because the fake tummy was only two pounds! It’s flattering to be fake pregnant in a movie because you look fantastic and all you have is a big round belly. Other than that, you’re skinny and have no water weight and you can eat whatever you want. Apparently I waddle naturally, so I had the walk down. I was really big when I was pregnant with my daughter and I’d constantly have people asking me “Are you having twins?” I was like, “I don’t need to hear that man—that’s not making me feel any better about my day.” [Laughs]
GIANT: You left New York for Los Angeles after your daughter was born. Was that a hard transition?
Rudolph: I was in New York when I was pregnant, but I knew I wanted to be near my family, which is here in LA. It’s nice to be close to family when you have a child. I didn’t get to grow up getting to see all my aunts and uncles and cousins because they all lived back east and I always fantasized about living on the same block as all my cousins. But I hope to live in New York again. There’s so much about it that I feel brings out a part of me. It was such a life changing experience to move there for Saturday Night Live and the show meant so much to me. I don’t feel like I’m in New York without feeling SNL somehow. If I’m ever there and it’s a Saturday, I feel like I need to be in that building.
GIANT: You started out as a musician before transitioning into acting. Any plans to record another album one day?
Rudolph: I always fantasize that one day I’ll get my shit together and record an album. I know that I would have so much fun doing it. Music is my family’s business so it feels very normal. I was living down the street last summer from the Lonely Island guys and they were making their record and I was like “See Maya—it’s so easy!” They called super late one night and asked me to sing backup on one of theirs songs. And I’m like no problem. I just need to find my female Lonely Island.
GIANT: What’s up next for you on the acting front?
Rudolph: I’m going to be shooting Adam Sandler’s new comedy this summer. The story is based around a bunch of old friends who grew up together and now all the families are getting together for a summer weekend. I play Chris Rock’s wife in the movie. I like those guys so much—I feel like we’re part of the same family. There’s a lot of love between SNL alumni. It’s a special group. We’re in the comedy army together and we have this special unique history that bonds us for life.
GIANT: What do you hope moviegoers take away from Away We Go?
Rudolph: I just hope people like it. I feel like there’s a lot of goodness in it so I hope people get that, but really I just want them to like it. I don’t want them to throw tomatoes at it. I feel really proud that I’m one half of this couple. I really like them and I think we did them justice. Maybe we’ll inspire a new generation of babies named Burt and Verona!
Away We Go opens in limited release tomorrow. For more with Maya, pick up GIANT’s July ’09 issue, on stands now.
