Rebel Wilson Exclusive Interview with Desert Island Disc
Rebel Wilson, the Australian actress, producer, and author of her memoir Rebel Rising, recently appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs.
Wilson delved into various aspects of her life and career during the interview. She candidly shared about her family structure and home life, providing insights into her upbringing before she became a well-known public figure. Wilson also discussed her career development, highlighting the journey and challenges she faced on her path to success. The Pitch Perfect actress is also making her directorial debut with a new adaptation of the musical The Deb.
Wilson shared her views on actors being able to pursue roles regardless of their identities. “‘Only straight actors can play straight roles, and gay actors can play gay roles,’ which I think is total nonsense,” she expressed. As a queer icon, Wilson has been praised for her unapologetic approach to revealing her identity as a gay woman, a significant moment that occurred during Pride Month in 2022.
“I think you should be able to play any role that you want. But I always think, in comedy, your job is to always flirt with that line of what’s acceptable. Sometimes you do step over it, but, at the end of the day, you’re trying to entertain people,” Wilson shared. She also revealed details about her personal life, including her relationship with her fiancée, Ramona Agruma, and her role as a mother to her daughter, Royce Lillian Elizabeth Wilson.
In her Desert Island Discs interview, Wilson discussed the importance of actors pursuing roles regardless of their identities. Many gay actors have portrayed straight characters, such as Neil Patrick Harris in How I Met Your Mother, Wentworth Miller in Prison Break, Sarah Paulson in American Horror Story, and Amandla Stenberg in The Hunger Games. These actors have authentically navigated their careers, showing that talent goes beyond personal identity.
Conversely, many straight actors have portrayed gay characters, showcasing their versatility. Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger starred in Brokeback Mountain, while Robin Williams appeared in The Birdcage. Nelsan Ellis portrayed Lafayette Reynolds in True Blood, Natasha Lyonne in But I’m a Cheerleader and Orange is the New Black, and Viola Davis in How to Get Away with Murder. These performances demonstrate actors’ ability to embody diverse characters, highlighting their skill regardless of their identity.
You can listen to the full interview here.
