Maya Rudolph isn’t one for taking it easy. The comic actress sat down with Metro to discuss her new film, Bridesmaids, after shooting a new TV show pilot and attending the film’s premiere the day before — all while very pregnant with her third child.
“I feel crazy today not getting enough sleep, because I’m gestating a human,” she says, gesturing to her stomach. “Doesn’t that sound weird? Gestating sounds like you’re chewing and swallowing something. It sounds like digestion.”
Despite her lack of sleep, Rudolph was more than happy to chat with Metro about the film, working with co-star and Saturday Night Live pal Kristen Wiig and the obnoxious questions pregnant women get.
How was it teaming up with Kristen Wiig again?
It’s very easy to work with her, and I happen to like her a lot, which makes it even more pleasant. You know, we’ve experienced a lot together just from working at SNL. It’s like being in the trenches together — like being in the comedy army. You really do end up spending a lot of time at the offices and at the studio, and far more time together than with your loved ones sometimes.
What sort of comedy do you gravitate toward in picking projects?
I like comedy that is based in reality, or the gentle awkwardness of situations that can lend itself to being very funny. Away We Go had that as well. The first draft of it was definitely a tongue-in-cheek look at becoming a parent and having a lot to say about it. It was really cathartic because I had just gone through it myself for the first time, and it was just like, “Yeah! That’s right! People say stupid stuff to you all the time!”
Are you still getting stupid questions with this pregnancy?
I’ve been getting very interesting ones. I always carry big old babies. I’m always big when I’m pregnant. It’s not how I want to look when I’m pregnant, it’s just how I look. But I always get women that are really sure of themselves, like, “You’re carrying low. You’re having a boy. And it’s going to go real early. It’s your first baby, right?” And I’m like, “It’s my third.” Everyone’s an expert. The unsolicited advice never ends when you’re pregnant.
Have you ever had a wedding experience as crazy as the one in the movie?
Nothing like this, oh God no. And I haven’t been a bridesmaid that much. I feel like a lot of my friends got married when I was working on SNL, and a lot of people get married on Saturdays.
What do you get recognized for the most?
These days it’s usually Whitney, maybe a little Oprah peppered in. They still say Donatella, but I’m like, “Wow, that’s a really old reference.” But it’s really flattering that they remember an old reference. And then every once in a while I get a nice Bronx Beat reference, which I love. I love being able to be known for an original character and not just an impression. But I’ll take whatever I can get.
