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There was an actual feeling you got from looking at its very fine furs moving in the breeze.
Its a very wholesome experience.
She could easily be describing her own screen presence.
She just looks incredible in a close-up; shes so captivating, he says.
They were also electrified by the idea of showing Mani off to a larger audience.
Shes so charming and so natural.
It was a no-brainer; we never thought of anyone else for it, says Wilson.
It was exciting for us to be able to show the world what she can do.
I was so nervous, and I got more nervous the closer it came, she says.
I was really questioning,Can I do this?Id never been in every scene before.
It helped that she was surrounded by her friends.
Im most comfortable being super-big and joyful, she says.
Its not about bits or super-big comedy moments.
Theres so much nuance.
Its on the spectrum of being really small and weird and then going to full-on clown.
This sort of showcase for Manis elastic full-body comedy is, in many ways, long overdue.
You dont normally see a brown person in that role.
That mentality is still there.
Growing up in Tennessee, Mani never imagined shed be onscreen at all.
But she never really considered doing comedy or acting.
I loved the costumes.
I could never truly think that far or allow that to happen in my real, out-loud dreams.
I just kept pursuing my closeted passion of being onstage, she says.
The dances became weirder and more elaborate, deeply earnest but wildly unhinged thinkCenter Stagemeets Christopher Guest.
And then well show our parents.
But it gave us so much delight that we couldnt stop.
It completely changed Manis life.
Id be forced to go into the middle of this circle and do a stupid twerk with the groom.
Robot(in 2015)andGlow(in 2017).I do remember Christian Slater [onMr.
Robot] watching Turn Down for What and being like, Thats you?
she says, laughing.
Instead, she was playing characters where, as she puts it, the ethnicity mattered so much.
The producers original reply to Arthies Beirut Bomber audition was Youre a throw in.
She wouldnt simply brush it off.
Arthie replies, Intelligent and whimsical.
For Mani, adding in that small moment was significant.
I struggle with that so much.
I would prefer not to have to think in those terms.
Ive been feeling this way over the past handful of years my parentheses are getting too full.
Of course, she says, therell be alotof dance in it.
Im excited to take up space in that way, just with my body, existing, she says.
I can just be.
