Hello!! It’s been a crazy, wild week! I’m in the middle of packing (SOS) but I keep getting distracted texting my castmates about how freakin’ excited I am for our Sinners reunion this week (we’ll see you very soon, CMDX).
I want to intro everyone! Michael! Miles! Lola! Wunmi! Omar! Jack! Beth, my amazing dialect coach! Ryan (though that guy is busy). Reply to this letter letting me know who you want to hear from and whatcha want to know. I’ve loved your questions so far.
To kick us off, today’s letter includes: a Sinners Q&A with BS readers Ricky, Paloma, Amy, Isabelle, and Jaden, an early review from Snoop, plus more BS including Etsy finds, spring pasta, and a write-in from Lisa about her four-day solo trip to London (that turned out not so solo!).
P.S. Reading your questions about Sinners, I feel immensely grateful to have such engaged and thoughtful readers who get it! This was entirely my dream.
“Honestly, I can't wait for Sinners. It seems very far removed from what I have seen you in, was there any hesitation in taking the role?” -Ricky
No hesitation whatsoever. The minute I heard Ryan Coogler, I was in. Then I read his script and was like, ‘holy shit, this feels like a massive undertaking.’ The story is so complex and layered. Honestly, if this project wasn’t born from Ryan — or Ryan and Michael, rather — I don't know who the hell could pull it off. But no hesitation. I was so fortunate and honored to even be remotely considered. After auditioning with Michael for a week, I knew I’d be devastated if I didn’t get it. However, I reminded myself that just being in a room with Ryan and Michael, leaning from them, would be an experience I’d take with me no matter the outcome. You’re right that this role is far removed from what I've done, but that's part of what drew me to it! I feel like I'm stepping into my own more and more as I get older, and this role mirrors that.
“In a previous issue (can’t remember which one), you said that you wanted to cut your hair for a long time, and something pushed you to do it, something you’ll tell us about later…So, did you cut your hair for Sinners?” -Paloma
You called it, I got a “push from the Universe” to cut my hair…and that push was booking Sinners (it was issue #03, btw:)). Honestly, it was the perfect scenario: I was in good hands with Mara, she cut my hair, and I immediately flew to set to start filming. I had no time to overthink it. Also, Shunika, the hair department head on the film, helped me out immensely. She’s such an artist, and I was in awe of the looks she created for every character. Mary's hair is a huge part of her identity, so cutting mine definitely allowed me to get closer to her. I couldn’t be more grateful.
“How long was the filming process? Did you take any loved ones with you to New Orleans?” -Amy
We filmed over the summer, and I was fully on my own. My favorite visitor popped in a few times, but it was mostly just me in my little home away from home. I was lucky to have a crew of extremely cool, always-down-to-grab-dinner castmates in New Orleans under the same circumstances. On the rare occasion we'd have an early wrap night, I’d pick up food and bring it over to Jayme’s. We'd have game nights with everyone. We became family so quickly. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that we were all away from home and away from our families, so we had to create a sense of home.
“How did it feel being covered in blood? (I couldn’t imagine having to be covered for hours on set).” -Isabelle
Yeah, not great. The only thing I can really compare it to is being covered in mud, which is also gross, or water, which is tough because no one wants to be soaking wet in denim for hours on end (my first movie prepared me, I guess). But being covered in blood is wild. It’s sticky, SO sticky. Parts of my body were glued to each other. Moving, and like unsticking, was kind of painful. Of course, the "blood" was vegan, and the ingredients were safe. Although I did break out a bit (I have super sensitive skin). So, I mean blood? Not great or super fun. However, I've always felt that when you have something you feel the weight of on your body — blood, soaking wet denim — it impacts your performance. In this case, it very much did, for the better. Even just walking around the set and seeing castmates, friends covered in blood, was intense and at times really terrifying, especially considering the storyline. Oof, I'm going down a road now…
“I can't wait to watch Sinners, but after seeing the trailer, I’m curious, is this movie something I can watch with my parents? For context, I watch all the new movies with them, and my mum is a horror fanatic, but I don't know if I should watch this one with them…” -Jaden
Absolutely! Especially as your mom is a horror fanatic and you’re movie lovers. It's such an amazing cinematic experience that I can't imagine a world where you see this with your parents and don't love it. It's thrilling and sexy and daring and dangerous — with bold representations. That said, use your better judgment. But what I would tell you, Jaden, and anyone else, if you can appreciate an incredible film experience for everything that it is, take your whole family (it is rated R, though).
More to come (on-set pics incoming), but we’ll cap it here this week. Mary will be back very soon;)
TO WATCH: Snoop’s early review of Sinners. Smokin' hot.
TO READ: A case for letting your phone die in your hands. “To witness my battery slowly drain from green to yellow and then red and not reach for a charger. It felt wrong at first, but it’s become one of my favorite things to do.”
TO SHOP (SMALL): Fall down this gorgeous Etsy rabbit hole. The brass dog! Linen top!
TO LISTEN TO: This podcast episode on real self-care.
TO COOK: 24 easy spring pastas! Fresh lemon and chile pasta? Say less.
TO TAKE WITH YOU: “Goal: Only do what genuinely feels right and let everything else go.”
As always, reply to this email with thoughts, breakthroughs, or otherwise good things. (Also, don’t miss this week’s shoutout - it’s sweet!)
Love,
Hailee (Beau)
Highlighting your comments on the previous week’s issue. Today, we hear Lisa’s response to You asked, I answered.
“I just read the newsletter while sitting in London City Airport waiting for my flight home after a four-day solo trip. Since I don't have a lot of friends, nearly every trip is a solo one. It's always scary, especially as a girl, but when I return home, I'm always happy I gathered the courage to do it. Quick story: I booked this trip to see Much Ado About Nothing with Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell and Richard II with Jonathan Bailey(!). And you know what happened? At the stage door for Much Ado About Nothing I met three girls (all three were on a solo trip) and we went for a drink afterwards. One of them was going to see Richard II the next day, so we went together! Conclusion: Solo trips can be scary as hell and uncomfortable, etc... but if you’re open to meeting new people, it can be a real blessing!!” -Lisa
