Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Hey, guys, welcome to I've never said this before with me,
Tommy di Dario. I feel a mixture of excitement but
also a lot of sadness because the final episode ever
of Stranger Things is dropping tomorrow on New Year's Eve, and.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
I'm so ready for it.
Speaker 1 (00:18):
I've been waiting for this episode, but in many ways,
I am so not ready for it, because saying goodbye
to the series, ah god, it feels really upsetting. But
here to bring us some joy is my guest on
today's episode, d one, the only Prio Ferguson, who plays
the fan favorite character of Erica, and today we are
diving into her journey throughout the series and hearing her
(00:39):
reflections on spending almost a decade on one of the
biggest shows in the world. This episode is a pure
love letter to the Stranger Things fans, and don't worry,
we are not spoiling anything for that upcoming series finale.
All right, let's see if today we can get Priya
to say something that she has never said before.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Pria Ferguson, how are you, my friend?
Speaker 3 (01:06):
I'm great? How are you?
Speaker 1 (01:08):
I am so good? I am so excited to be
talking to you. What a moment, This entire new chapter
of the final season of Stranger Things is for you.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
What a month it's been, huh.
Speaker 3 (01:18):
I mean, yes, definitely bittersweet, but exciting to see the
fans reaction as well and even my reaction watching it
all come together. So bittersweet, but you know, exciting.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Yeah. I bet.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
Do you rewatch the season or maybe watch it for
the first time and kind of think like, oh wait,
I kind of forgot that happened.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
Yes, I've definitely sat back and watched like a few
of the seasons and kind of was like, oh, I
forgot I felt this or did this and did that.
Like you know, you kind of pulled out little moments
from each season and realize like, oh, wow, we did
this and how long ago it was as well?
Speaker 1 (01:57):
So yes, yeah, well you have been a fan favorite
from day one and this season you have so many
great moments. I mean, the and I told you to
eat the damn pie is everywhere. I mean I cannot
open social media without seeing that. Did you expect that
to blow up on the way that it did?
Speaker 3 (02:18):
I mean I knew it would be a pretty iconic
scene because that is kind of like the scene or
what you know, the audience kind of needed to help
move the story along. So I knew it would be
a pretty iconic scene, but I was not expecting it
to go viral or be everywhere. That was like a
(02:39):
shock to me. But I knew the fans would love it.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
Yeah, they certainly did.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
And it's a high intense scene, Like there's a lot
of stakes in that moment. What was it like filming
that for you?
Speaker 3 (02:50):
It was fun filming it. You know, Frank, he was
a director. He was a very affirming director, but also
really fun to work with. I did this with Jake
who played Derek, and Caroline who played Tina and the
parents as Will and we got along very well. We
all kind of like did school together on set, which
(03:12):
was fun. So we bonded before filming that scene. But
filming the scene was lots of fun, Like we enjoyed
lots of laughter, but we were also focused and our
main focus was kind of like to tell this crazy story.
So yeah, the scene was fun to film.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
And you with the syringe, I'm like, I don't want
to get on your bad shne.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
No, I know, like you don't want to get on
the eric because of that side.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Right, No, definitely not.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
She's she's such I guess you've created such an incredible character. Yes,
it starts with the writers, right, but you have to
bring that material to life.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
And Erica is. She's a fun one.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
She's got these comebacks that will knock you down. She's sassy,
but I would also argue she's somebody that has tremendous heart,
like she is ride or die for the people that
she loves. What have you loved about exploring this character?
Speaker 3 (04:06):
I mean, I guess kind of how I am as
a person. I'm definitely right or die for the people
that I love. By fan, my friends and family can
depend on me, and I'm going to be there. I
think Erica is very dependable and she's also very confident.
But I think her being dependable kind of definitely helps,
(04:29):
you know, moves the story along because they need someone
that they could depend on and that they could trust
and who they trust to be there for them. And
like you said, she is right or die. So that's
one thing I love about her. And I think that's
kind of because I'm right or die and confident, I
kind of put that into her.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
Yeah, yeah, I picked up on that character trade pretty
early on. And yes, It's easy to focus on the
amazing one liners and all of that, but she does
have heart. Like when she feels like someone she loves
is being messed with, she's like, oh no, no, no, no.
Speaker 3 (05:01):
Yes exactly, and she's going to speak up for them.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
Yes, yeah, one hundred percent, hundred percent. So what will
you miss the most about this character?
Speaker 3 (05:11):
Oh? My god, I will I will miss playing her
the most. And you know, the outfits and the hair.
I would definitely miss that. Her little one liner's how quick,
what she was, and how iconic she is. I'm going
to miss that. So there's so many things that I'm
going to miss about Erica, but also kind of like
(05:34):
take away from as the show is dy.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
Yeah, yeah, you've played her for almost a decade now, right, Yes,
that's a long time. That's a really long Yeah, that's
a long time. So on that final day of work,
whatever you were filming, what were you feeling, What was
going through your mind when they said that's a wrap
on Pria Ferget, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (05:58):
I was definitely emotional. I think I cried more at
home than I did on set because it kind of
felt like grief and away, like a little part of
me was gone. But I'm also I was also kind
of excited to like tie a nice little bow on
(06:19):
my childhood as well. But it was definitely emotional, and
it kind of felt like grief a little bit because
Erica has been a part of me for ten years.
So I was emotional.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
I bet, I bet did that scene, which obviously you
can't talk about, But was it one that you feel
like you'll forever keep in your heart because it was
that final scene for you?
Speaker 3 (06:42):
Yes, definitely, Yeah, that is so special.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
That's really really cool.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
The moments that I think people love about your character
are of course some of those really iconic one liners.
But for you, what's a moment that you got to
play over the years that will forever stay with you?
Speaker 3 (07:00):
Ooh ooh. I will definitely say I think season three
will always stay with me. Also season five, like the
pie scene, like playing that and tapping into like a
different side of Erica that will stay with me. There's
many character like there's many attributes and characteristics that Erica
(07:22):
have to her that I think will kind of like
stay with me. Just playing the character in general will
stay with me, and all the memories and I've had
playing her and all the memories on set, So there's
many memories, but I will definitely say like scene wise
and playing her and acting as her. Definitely some moments
from season three and five.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
All right, top three most iconic lines for your character?
Speaker 3 (07:49):
Yes, okay, here are the lines that I think are
most like iconic. Definitely can't spell America without Erica. I'm
telling you, Bond people always quote that and what else?
Eat your damn PI, each your DAMPI.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
Those are some good ones. Did you ever have say
in your lines or you just read what they wrote you?
Speaker 3 (08:13):
I mean I honestly kind of read what they wrote me.
You know. It's fun to always like improv a little bit,
but like I didn't really like explore too too much.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Yeah, the script is so good. I mean, why would
you need to write? The premise of the show is
pretty scary right at its core, Like there are moments,
even me as a grown man that I'm watching I'm like,
oh my god, that's so wild that just happened. Were
you ever genuinely scared when you were shooting the show? Like,
was there a scene you remember or a moment on
(08:45):
set where you're kind of looking around like this feels
a little too real.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
I honestly think it's scarier watching the show than shooting it,
because when you're shooting the show, you're like screaming at
tennis balls there are on like a metal rods, So
that's not as scary, but seeing it, seeing it kind
of come on screen, I think best more scarier. I
(09:12):
think I even saw Jamie and like his Vikma outfit
once in season four Want Sit and I kind of
got a little scared, But honestly, no, I wasn't that scared.
Like filmy, you know the scenes.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
It's so crazy.
Speaker 1 (09:25):
You have to bring all of that emotion and realness
to your role by looking at a tennis ball on
a stick, right, because your imagination, Yeah, that's not easy
to do. It's pretty wild. So I imagine seeing it afterwards,
once it's all done and created, is pretty cool to
marry that moment of you looking at a tennis ball
(09:46):
to what it actually looks like. Can you remember one
of those moments along the way where you were like,
oh wow, like when I was filming that this is
what it looks like.
Speaker 3 (09:57):
I will say season season five, when we were in
the barn scene, it wasn't you know, really like a
Demogorgon there that was like bursting into like the barn
and episode four, so that was kind of like, oh wow,
that's that's crazy, like there isn't anything there.
Speaker 1 (10:19):
Yeah, yeah, that those scenes were pretty unbelievable for sure.
I like that you mentioned kind of seeing Vecna on
set and the party at one of those days was like,
Oh wow, that's something, right.
Speaker 3 (10:30):
That was the first time.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
Oh wow, wow.
Speaker 1 (10:33):
Yeah, that costume is is very frightening. Although have you
seen the season. People on line are saying Vecna has
had a glow up.
Speaker 3 (10:42):
I have seen that on on tittok yes, and they're
editing like Vecna.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
Yes, Yeah, they're like Vecna's look snatch this season and
not a whole glow up. It's pretty wild and fun
with the fans create, I'm like, I imagine, I feel like
I have pride for you in what you've done with
this role, in this job and growing up in the
public eye and putting your heart and soul into a
character that really really stands out in a crowd. That's
(11:12):
not easy to do. It's a big ensemble cast. Everybody
brings their a game and it's so brilliant, but you
really found a way to stand out that brings this
character to life so flawlessly. What was the most important
thing for you when you were creating this role.
Speaker 3 (11:31):
I mean, I guess for me, I just wanted to
comments to this doing you know, great work and telling
the story with what I had and how I guess
could my character contribute to like the whole arc of
the story and everything this, you know, like going on.
So I would definitely say like what I brought to
(11:54):
her was a little bit of myself. But I've also
as I grew with the character, I've kind of learned
new things about her and myself to kind of put
into her to help tell this story.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
Oh I love that. What is something you learned about
yourself through playing her?
Speaker 3 (12:13):
I guess I guess that I'm nerdy too, a little
bit like we both are kind of like nerdy. She's
nerdy when it comes down to her studies, and so
am I. I'm a big history nerd and that was
one of the similarities to me and Erica had. And
then I'm also nerdy when it comes down to like
(12:35):
Matt and stuff too.
Speaker 1 (12:37):
I love that. That's amazing. Let's talk about the moment
where we'll discover he had powers. Yes, were you shocked?
Did you feel like this was coming along the way?
Did you know about it or were you genuinely surprised.
Speaker 3 (12:52):
No, we read about it at the table read, and
everyone was really shocked at this table read. And I
think I was trying to process what was going on
during disable read while this was all kind of like happening.
But I guess seeing it on screen and seeing people's
reactions this kind of was like, Oh, wow, like this,
(13:13):
you know, this is a really big thing. But I
guess from previous episodes I kind of might have saw
it coming because the way he was kind of like
touching his neck and stuff. That was like my own
little theory. But yeah, cool, he has powers.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
That's so cool that they even keep things secreted from
the cast that Uffer brothers because they genuinely want to
surprise you, right, Like I imagine that was was that
quite often the way it worked, like you would read
something and discover it for the first time.
Speaker 3 (13:42):
Yeah, I mean, I think everyone kind of might have
known a little bit about their characters going into the
net season, but reading it, we didn't know about each
other's characters or it wasn't like we talked about it.
I was like, hey, so and so told me this
is what's happening to my care You know, it's all
kind of like underread and like a big secret, which
(14:02):
is fun because when you get to read it and
see it on screen, it's kind of like, oh wow,
I don't know this was really going on.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
Yeah, yeah, that is really cool.
Speaker 1 (14:10):
It kind of lets you discover it as almost a
fan before you have to dive into the work.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
Yes, yes, yeah, I really really like that. All right.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
I know you can't really say anything at all about
what's to come, and we don't want it spoiled, of course,
but the final episode dropping on New Year's Eve, and
it's all gonna come to an end in that episode.
Speaker 2 (14:32):
Do you think.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
That the audience will be satisfied with how it all ends?
Speaker 3 (14:41):
I think yeah. I think the audience is gonna be
cool with how it all ends. You know. I definitely
think that it'll be emotional because they were on this
journey as long as we were, and they've been a
part of this fan base for a really long time,
so you know, ending their favorite show never fun. But
(15:02):
I think they'll be satisfied. I guess we'll see.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
Yeah, what do you hope the legacy of Erica will be.
Speaker 3 (15:10):
I hope that people take away that not only Erica
was you know, quit with or smart or like the
sassy little sister, that she was also very intelligent, and
that she answered everyone's question. She you could depend on her.
She's a very loyal friend and family member, and I
(15:34):
guess how confident she is. I want them to take,
you know, that away, the little bit simparts of Erica
that she might not that might get, you know, overshadowed,
because she is so quick with and funny.
Speaker 2 (15:46):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (15:47):
Yeah, and it's so it's so cool to think a
decade ago, roughly a ducade ago, this is where it
all began for you.
Speaker 2 (15:54):
Do you even remember auditioning for this?
Speaker 3 (15:57):
I do, actually I remember the show season one becoming
like a really big hit, and like my dad and
my sister talking about it and watching it, and just
as I was watching the show, that's when we kind
of got the audition for it. And I remember the
auditioning process. I did a lot of improv in my audition,
(16:20):
and then about a month or so later, I got
the call that I booked it and it filmed right
in my hometown, which was easy and fun and yeah,
first day of set, I was a little nervous, but
I ended up like warming up as I got you know,
written into the show. Wow.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
So you were a fan of the show before you
book the show, Well.
Speaker 3 (16:42):
My dad and my sister was. I just said that
I wasn't a fan. I became a fan, you know,
once I were you were young, Yes, because and I
was scared of horror and I heard it was scary,
so I was kind of like, oh, I don't know
if I'm really going to watch this, but I had
to watch it, honestly, and when I booked it so
and learn you know about it.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
Oh my gosh, that's crazy that I never thought of that.
Speaker 1 (17:06):
Like, it's a genre you were freaked out by and
it scared you, and then you were deeply in it,
so you had to got to get over that.
Speaker 3 (17:13):
I like read the script and knew like the plots
and stuff. It wasn't as scary, so I'm like, oh, okay,
I know these people and I'm seeing how it's filmed,
and you know, these aren't real so it's not as bad.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
That's so cool.
Speaker 1 (17:36):
You did improv for your audition, like they would just
give you a scenario when you would have to act
it out kind of thing.
Speaker 3 (17:43):
Yes, they kind of gave me a scenario of it.
Really honestly didn't really have anything to do with the
show because you know, it was kind of like alias
a little bit. They kind of had to keep it
under wraps. They couldn't give out any spoilers or anything
in the audition, and then I ended up doing it,
and you know, it was little, it was minimum, but
(18:05):
I think I kind of made it come to life
and really played that little sister role through my improv.
You know, I kind of made the scene my own
and lived in it and that's what helped.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
Wow. Do you remember what they asked you to do?
Speaker 3 (18:21):
I don't because it was so long ago. I was
in fifth grade, but I know it had something to
do with the girl. Name in the script was Tina,
and then Spider Man was kind of like the show
or something they were watching, and Lucas and Tina the
(18:41):
sister because I was the sister. Original name was in
the audition script was Tina, and we were fighting over
like the remote and I think maybe I stuck my
son out with him, but you know that wasn't written in,
so you're kind of like finding your own little ways
in the script to kind of make it like your
own and I honestly just have fun. I wasn't thinking
(19:01):
about it too hard. Of course, I want to do
great work, but you also want to have fun too.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (19:07):
Yeah, oh that's awesome And clearly you made an impression
and look where it got you.
Speaker 2 (19:11):
So no, yes, that's amazing.
Speaker 1 (19:14):
Do you think in I don't know, let's say ten,
maybe fifteen years, if the opportunity comes around where your
group now are parents and they have children who go
through what you all went through, and some sort of
spin off down the line, would that.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
Be cool for you one day to revisit I mean.
Speaker 3 (19:35):
Yeah, I think, I mean, I think it would be cool,
always fun to revisit. But then yeah, I think so.
But then also, what if like the adults are just
so tired of like the denverborgons and stuff, and there's
just like we need a break, we want to live
normally for once.
Speaker 2 (19:52):
Yeah, you're like, I need an island with no.
Speaker 3 (19:55):
Yeah, actually.
Speaker 1 (19:57):
It would be cool though, to see your character fifteen
years later, I have to say, yes, it would be
very cool. But aside from this, obviously there's so much
ahead of you, and there's so much different work you're
going to be doing, and I know you're gonna have
an incredible future in this industry doing all sorts of things.
Is there a genre or a franchise that exists or
(20:18):
something where you're like, okay, that would be really dope.
Speaker 3 (20:21):
Honestly, I don't have like a particular genre or franchise.
I'm definitely a big fan of, you know, great writing
and great storytelling. So as long as those opportunities keep
showing coming my way and like an opportunity for me
to continue showing my range and showing me in like
a different light, I'm always down to take that one.
(20:45):
But no, I can't pinpoint like a certain project right now.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
Yeah, I could see you in something like Bridgerton one day.
Speaker 2 (20:54):
I'm just saying, oh.
Speaker 3 (20:55):
Okay, Oh, I mean you can see me in different
things like that. I like that. Doing that means I'm
doing something right.
Speaker 2 (21:01):
Yeah, we're gonna put it out there. Maybe one day.
Speaker 3 (21:03):
I like that, Yeah, I do. I do like Bridgerton.
That would be cool. Like I feel like I see
myself in so many different things, Like I watch many
different things as well, and I'm like, oh, that'll be
fun if I'm in this or I'm in debt ort
to do something like this and that. So I really can't,
you know, pinpoint it. But I like this, you said.
Speaker 2 (21:22):
Bridgardson, Yeah, And I like and you know what I like.
I like that you're just open to letting life happen.
Speaker 1 (21:27):
And I think sometimes the most unbelievable things come your
way when you're not so set and I need to
do X, Y and Z, right, and you're just open
for whatever comes.
Speaker 3 (21:36):
You gotta do this, I gotta do that, you know,
if it comes, it comes. So I'm kind of I'm
kind of excited to see you know what'sn't it?
Speaker 2 (21:45):
Yeah? I think that is so cool.
Speaker 1 (21:46):
I can't believe you are a young woman will save
grown into a young woman right, because you're so grounded
for someone so yelling, and you seem to be so
kind of focused on the things that in life and
that truly should be our focus.
Speaker 2 (22:04):
Was that always easy for you, especially.
Speaker 1 (22:06):
Growing up literally growing up in front of everybody for
the last ten years. I mean, how do you not
let noise and outside influences affect you or turn you
into someone you don't want to be, or upset you
or negatively impact you, Like how do you kind of
tune all that out?
Speaker 3 (22:22):
I will say, having like a strong support system and
just if you know who you are. I mean, I
think it wouldn't be if you know who you are,
like inside and outside. I think it's easy to not
let people you know influence you easily. And I guess
hanging out with people you like to hang out with,
I guess outside of work that also helps keep you
(22:45):
humble and grounded. And having a support system I think
has definitely helped me because if I'm out a line,
which sometimes it does happen, I definitely have my little
sister tell me when I'm out of line. People telling
you the truth, you know, not lying to you. I'm
big on people telling me the truth. So I think
that helps your support system. And also just staying true
(23:06):
to who you are that helps as well.
Speaker 1 (23:10):
Yeah, and learning that at a young age is so important.
You're You're gonna be destined for a lot of cool
things as long as you keep this head on your shoulders.
Speaker 2 (23:18):
There's a lot of good coming.
Speaker 3 (23:19):
Your wife, thank you so much. I really appreciate that.
Speaker 1 (23:22):
Yeah, there truly is it's cool to see, cool to
witness all right, let's have fun for a second. If
you could describe that final episode dropping on New Year's
even three words and only three words, any words, they
don't have to be connected.
Speaker 2 (23:37):
What would you say?
Speaker 3 (23:43):
Hmm, I'm like trying to think because okay, of course, emotional.
I mean I feel like this, like whatever I feel
like I've said, like emotional, emotional, so emotional. I think
people would be fulfilled and you know, satisfied and crazy. Crazy.
(24:08):
It's always crazy. It's always going to be bigger than
what it was when it left off. So those are like.
Speaker 2 (24:15):
The three words, those are good ones. Have you seen
it yet?
Speaker 3 (24:20):
I've seen a few episodes. Yes, yes, I haven't seen
the finale, but I have seen like a few episodes
from volume ZO.
Speaker 2 (24:29):
And have you got an emotional watching it yet? Watching
your Yeah you did, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (24:34):
I did, only because it's all coming to an end.
Speaker 2 (24:37):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (24:38):
Yeah, that's so cool, that's so fun.
Speaker 2 (24:42):
Rock on with that.
Speaker 1 (24:43):
Well, I, like I said, I am, I'm a huge
one of the show. I think you've been brilliant throughout
the course of it, and it's very evident you're going
to go on to do so many amazing things.
Speaker 3 (24:51):
Thank you so much, Thank you of.
Speaker 2 (24:54):
Course, Pria.
Speaker 1 (24:54):
And the last question that I had every interview with
is based off the title of the show, and this
show is called I've never said this before, And it's
because I get to chat with so many amazing artists
on red carpet premieres and jun kets and you usually
this is not the norm. My iHeart show length, but
you usually get three minutes with somebody right or a
(25:15):
minute and a half. Sometimes it's so quick, and it's
not It doesn't always give you, guys, a chance to
say something that's either on your mind or a message
you want to put into the world, or just something
that means something to you. So I always ask people
when they come on this last question, which is what
is one thing you've never said before that you want
to say today that you don't get the chance to
Always say, Oh, well, hmm.
Speaker 3 (25:40):
Oh that's a good one. I'm like, let me think.
I feel like, oh, I guess speaking into existence for me,
Like I'm big on like manifesting and speaking things into resistance.
Like I guess. Advice that I would give out to
people out there is that if you kind of like
(26:02):
envision yourself where you want to be, it will truly happen.
And I don't want to say that you have to
be like you know, delusion or crazy is in the
right terms for it. But you have to have like
a big imagination to see yourself I guess where you
want to be in life. And I think me being
so imaginative that's kind of what helped me get so far.
(26:23):
And I hope I continue to, you know, have that,
and that other people continue have that as well, because
you have to kind of be have a big imagination
and see yourself some of the other people might not
be able to see yourself in and it will happen.
And that's what I think I've done, and then I'm
going to continue to do.
Speaker 2 (26:40):
Oh. I love that.
Speaker 1 (26:41):
That's a great message, especially going into a new year.
I think, I know right, Yeah, it's really important and
really cool. Thank you so much for hanging out. You
honestly have been like such a fresh breath of air.
And this isn't my usual studio setup. I have to
have the Christmas lights.
Speaker 3 (27:00):
I'm so behind with putting up decorations and stuff. Right now.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
You better get those lights up.
Speaker 3 (27:04):
I know, I know, I have to hopefully this week,
this weekend. I can't well.
Speaker 1 (27:10):
I hope you take some time to enjoy the holidays.
Thank you for everything you've done with this show, and
I am cheering you on congratulations on everything.
Speaker 3 (27:18):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (27:20):
All Right, be well bye.
Speaker 1 (27:27):
I've Never Said This Before is hosted by Me, Tommy Dedario.
This podcast is executive produced by Andrew Piglisi at iHeartRadio
and by Me Tommy, with editing by Joshua Colaudney. I've
Never Said This Before is part of the Elvis Duran
podcast Network on iHeart Podcasts.
Speaker 2 (27:45):
For more rate review.
Speaker 1 (27:46):
And subscribe to our show and if you liked this episode,
tell your friends. Until next time, I'm Tommy Dedario.