By: Lynn Barker
In I Feel Pretty, Amy Schumer, standup comedian, actress, writer, producer and director, stars as Renee Bennett, a woman who struggles with feelings of deep insecurity and low self-esteem that hold her back every day. She wakes from a brutal fall in an exercise class believing she is suddenly a gorgeous supermodel. With this newfound confidence, she is empowered to live her life fearlessly and flawlessly, but what will happen when she realizes her appearance never changed?
Renee (Amy) really feels prettyCourtesy of STXfilms
Amy had her own popular TV show and, more recently, cracked up audiences in the films Trainwreck and Snatched with Goldie Hawn playing her mom. She’s an everywoman type. Most of us can relate to her and her characters. Why did she take on the lead role in I Feel Pretty? What does she hope we learn from the movie and what were some fun scenes? Let’s let Amy tell us.
Q: What made you want to star in this movie?
- Amy: The thing that attracted me to the movie was the message. It’s the exact thing I wanted to communicate at the exact time. All I ever want to do is make people laugh and feel better, and I think this story does just that.
When Renee looks in the mirror she sees a supermodelCourtesy of STXfilms
Q: What is the message of the film? Girls should have faith in their true selves?
- Amy: It’s confidence. That’s the sexiest thing but do we ever really see an example of that? That's what the movie is all about.
Q: Girls and some guys too are so driven by body image. Did you always have confidence?
- Amy: I remember, in fifth grade, you're so unaware of your body, you're not sucking in….although now, who knows, kids probably are. My two front teeth didn't fall out until I was like, nine, and I also got my period really early so it was a nightmare. I had boobs, and I remember, this guy I was friends with said: 'You have a big butt.' And I was like, 'I do?' And he didn't say it like it was bad, but it had never occurred to me that our bodies were something that could be judged.
Amy as Renee dreams of being beautifulCourtesy of STXfilms
Q: What is your character Renee like?
- Amy: I love the character Renee because she’s a compilation of all my friends and myself. You wish you could have your best friend be more confident. You wish you could have them see themselves the way that you see them and I feel like that is Renee. She doesn’t know the potential she’s working with and to watch somebody have that kind of a (character) arc, I hope that will be helpful to other people.
Renee (Amy, right) parties with pals (Aidy far left)Courtesy of STXfilms
Q: There is a crazy bikini contest on the beach in the movie. Was it as fun as it looks?
- Amy: Totally. The way it was originally scripted, I just came out, did a pivot and smiled at the judges but what it ended up becoming was so insane and so fun and really empowering to shoot for me. (Amy’s character Renee dances to four-minute song “Swalla,” by Jason Derulo featuring Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign, as a cluster of bikini models poses behind her). Danielle Flora, who is the ‘SNL’ choreographer, gave me the idea to pour water on myself. She couldn’t be on set physically so she sent a video. When I saw her dump water on herself, I said, ‘I’m doing that!’
Q: Rory Scovel plays Renee’s boyfriend Ethan. Did you know him before the film?
- Amy: I started comedy with Rory. We were doing open mics together like fifteen years ago in New York and we always just got along great. I just think he’s hilarious. When this role came up it was like, ‘Oh my God, Rory is this guy. He has to play this role’. He’s not super overly-masculine but he’s still a total dude and a guy’s guy but you could also talk to him about the softer things in life. To get to do this film on camera with him was so fun!
Renee (Amy) with bestie played by Aidy BryantCourtesy of STXfilms
Q: What about working with Aidy Bryant of “Saturday Night Live” who plays your good friend?
- Amy: Aidy, who has become one of my best friends, is such a joy to be around. We’re the same. We just want to do bits all day and just make each other laugh and kind of trash each other so it was great to have her on set.
Courtesy of STXfilms
See I Feel Pretty in theaters now
Have Your Say
Is your confidence based on body image? Do you wish it wasn’t? Are you into a comedy that explores these questions? Let us know with a comment below.
