Naomi Scott shares thoughts on Kristen Stewart's Influence and uncomfortable fan interactions: 'Please Don't'
Naomi Scott, who starred in Smile 2, has joined the expanding list of recent genre performances deserving of Oscar consideration. From James McAvoy (Split) and Toni Collette (Hereditary) to Lupita Nyong'o (Us) and Mia Goth (Pearl), Scott is the latest example of an actress whose hard work in a challenging part should not be dismissed simply because of the genre. It's far past due for more than a half-dozen horror-related Oscar winners, such as Ruth Gordon (Rosemary's Baby), Kathy Bates (Misery), and Jodie Foster (Silence of the Lambs).
Naomi Scott attends the Global Premiere of 'Smile 2' at Paramount Pictures Studios on October 14, 2024, in Los Angeles, California.
Vivien Killilea/Getty Images
Parker Finn's sequel to his 2022 mega hit stars Scott as Skye Riley, a troubled pop artist striving to make a comeback after surviving a car accident that killed her equally renowned fiancé, Paul Hudson (Ray Nicholson). Skye's return to popularity is hampered by a late-night meeting with an old high school acquaintance, who gives her a fatal creepy smile.
Despite his inherent interest, Finn feels Scott is deserving of honors.
"Naomi is a true powerhouse. She offers a tour-de-force performance in [Smile 2], and if I were on an awards committee, even neutral, I would say she deserves to be considered. So I hope the business begins to recognize it," Finn tells The Hollywood Reporter.
Scott, who is most known for her role as Princess Jasmine in Guy Ritchie's live-action film Aladdin (2019), also contributed vocals to Smile 2. She even went a step further, co-writing two tunes as Skye Riley for the film's six-song soundtrack EP. Scott then sings the majority of those songs in a variety of ways throughout the film.
The West London native's passion extended to the terror of the play, as there is a distressing sequence in which Skye smacks herself in an attempt to wake herself up from what she believes is merely a dream or hallucination. However, considering the gravity of the situation, Scott insisted on striking herself rather than depending on movie magic.
Parker asked me, 'Nay, how do you feel about it?'" That, of course, is the proper thing to do, but I was thinking, 'Of course I'm going to smack myself,'" Scott admits. "It needed to happen. And, very frankly, everything was perfectly justified in terms of the time, Skye, and the tale. "It was totally justified."
Scott gladly cut off her long black hair for the part, inspired by Finn's narrative picture of a pop star with short bleached white hair. From there, Scott, Finn, and hair department head Angie Johnson were inspired by a range of styles, including those worn by Tilda Swinton and Scott's former Charlie's Angels (2019) co-star.
"Even though she's a friend, she's still Kristen Stewart, and so she's still someone that you reference," Scott informs me. "I emailed her a picture of us next to each other at the event, with Skye's slicked-back appearance. [Kristen] had a certain look on a red carpet that I adored, so we went with it [for Skye's gala appearance], and I think it worked very well."
Smile (2022)'s viral marketing campaign, which included scary smilers at nationally broadcast playoff baseball games, contributed to the company's roughly 13-fold revenue increase. Smile 2 has followed suit and then some, but now that the film has been released, Scott respectfully requests that fans of the franchise reconsider treating her as Skye Riley.
"I just want to say, please don't [creepy smile at me]." I'll sit down and talk to you about the weather, music, food, and your grandmother, but please don't give me that creepy smile," Scott says. "I am also really jumpy. I am a sensitive soul, so please don't do it to me."
