Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:10):
Welcome to amazing women and men of power, legends and icons. Yesterday, today,
and tomorrow. I'm your host, Raven the talk show Maven.
And today yesterday, my friends, we're rolling out the red
carpet for a powerhouse of talent and presence. You know
her unforgettable face and fearce emotional death from the Emmy
winning series The Handmaid's Tale, where she masterfully portrays the sharp,
(00:35):
soulful and resilient Rita, a role that has not only
become iconic, but has stirred deep conversations around identity, around
freedom and strength. She's an award winning actress, a screensteller
in both drama and comedy, and a true trailblazer in
the industry. And now guess what, She's diving into another
(00:57):
thrilling universe as she films Apple TV Dark Matter, providing
once again that there's no role, there's no gendre, that
this phenomenal woman can't dominate. Huh uh huh. So buckle up,
because joining us now is a woman who brings raw truth, fearlessness, elegance,
and unmatched authenticity to every performance. It's that time, y'all.
(01:20):
And you know what I like to say if you
stand and sit down, and if you sit and stand up,
because she's here, help me. Welcome the one and only
Incredible Fears and truly an unstoppable woman of power, Amanda Brugo.
Oh my god, the clown is woe. We're also excited
you here. Welcome to the show, Amanda.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
That was incredible. I'm going to have you do that
every morning.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
I will be here for you. Thank you. You look beautiful,
by the way, so thank you for joining us. And
congratulations on your stunning portrayal. Oh my god, stunning portrayal
of Rita. You've been at The Handmaid's Tale from the
very beginning. What has it meant to your personality and
professionalism to be part of such a cultural defining series.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
I mean, it's changed my life. I couldn't possibly have
expected it to be thrust into the zeitgeist of film,
to be such a global phenomenon. But it's the idea
that I got to do it for ten years almost
seen and so when we started, people were babies, they
(02:34):
weren't married, they didn't have children, and so come up
together in the business, but also come up together and
to be part of such a prestigious, successful show has
really impacted the way I take roles, the way I
look at roles, and how I feel my responsibility as
a performer and what I choose to portray.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
Yes, absolutely, ten years. It's a long time. They show
business right to be on a series like that, it's
amazing and to be there from the beginning to now
the end, Oh, how exciting. The show has long been
a mirroad to society, but in recent years, as you know, Amanda,
(03:16):
it's almost been a warning. How do you feel the
things in the Handmaid's Tail, especially around women's body and
you know, them having their rights, How do you feel
that this is really making an impact and resonates with
people in today's times.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
When Margaret first wrote it, she wrote it based on
things that have happened to women in the past, and
the fact that things haven't changed and it's still justice
timely is upsetting and frustrating. I love the fact that
women have taken the show and have seen it as
a call to arms, as sort of a battle cry
(03:55):
to fight against oppression. It's given people don't really aren't
comfortable with rebelling permission to rebel, and this season in particular,
it is the most inspiring momentous, exciting season filled with
action and rebellion, which I think we really need right now?
Speaker 1 (04:15):
Yeah, Oh we do? Boy? Do we do? Now? You
played Rita with such quiet strength, Amanda. Was there ever
a scene, let's say, or a season that pushed you
emotionally or made you reflect on your own life let's
say in a deeper way?
Speaker 2 (04:35):
Yes, yeah, I mean many scenes, There's many, but I
will say there's in season three. I think that was
in particular, when we're escaping to Canada and filming it.
It was myself and a couple other castmates, but three
hundred women and children background walking.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
Quietly through a forest.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
I never forget that, just thinking about all of the
women and children and refugees that have come before that
have had to flee in the night with nothing, just
women surrounded children, and the strength that takes. Yeah pause,
Like y'all have our hardships in life, but the fact
that I've never actually truly been through that, but I
got to sort of step into what that would feel
(05:15):
like was something I want and I appreciate the freedom
having a glimpse into what that might be like.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
Yeah really, ooh boy, it just kind of gives me chills,
you know, of all that's going on now, he can't
help but think of Handmad's Tale last year and the
year before. We were really thinking about it. You know,
we're like, oh my god, it's happening now in our time,
you know. Okay, moving on, We the viewers see you
(05:49):
Rita as someone who learns to take back her power
of screen. What causes or passions? I'm just wondering, man,
that do you support? They gave you the same sense
of purpose.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
Well, definitely women shelters.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
It really okay.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
Yes, I've raised money in the past. I had a foundation,
still have it, but it's a right now. I've been
a bit busy to do a massive fundbraser, but I
usually do meet and greets and all of the proceeds
with cast members from a myriad.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
Of shows go to.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Women's shelters, particularly for women that are escaping abusive relationships
and for raising food, toilet trees, anything that can help
them if they've had to flee in the night. I
talked about with the fleeing in the night at Handmaid's
Tale in that character, it really impacted me, and so
anything to do with women and children's shelters in Canada,
(06:51):
where I live.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
What keeps me going? Yeah? Well, first of all, I
want to applause. You deserve that. I spent some time
doing that in my early age too, and you know,
because I actually went through emotional abuse and it's very scary,
you know, so you know, just to be there and
help them in any way we can. It's our job.
(07:15):
I feel. I like to get your thought onto Samanda,
to always find a cause that we can cook our
wagons too. It's a way of giving back, right, I
totally agree.
Speaker 2 (07:28):
And also it kind of is a selfish thing because
as much as you are giving back, it gives you
so much.
Speaker 1 (07:35):
More what you're giving.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
I find, Yeah, giving products it will help someone's life,
but the satisfaction and sense of purpose and sense of
joy and connection it gives me is so much more
than the small amount of products or even the large
amount of money. It tethers us to one another, which
is really important.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
I love that and I feel your passion for that. Again,
Thank you so much. The Handmai's Tail season six. The
final season starts tomorrow. Oh my god, April eight. So excited.
This has been such a long away that bore this
Can you give us just a bit of insight into
what this final journey will look like for Rita.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
Well, Rita as we know, as you aptly said, it
is a quiet, strong, stoic but a bit on the
back burner. This season, we're going to see her come
out into the forefront a little more, notant to rebel,
not be as hesitant to get dirty into the mix
of things. And I will say that not everyone you
think is good as a hero, and not everyone is
(08:40):
a villain.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
This season, Ah, that's going to be wonderful. So Rita
has and she is getting ready. Well it's her time
to really shine it.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
I've always thought of Rita as the secret weapon of
the show, and this season especially, she certainly will live
up to that name.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
Okay, you heard her, my beautiful listeners and viewers, So
don't you dare miss this powerful, final, long waited season
of The Handmaids tell premiere in April eighth on Hulu.
This is a series that sparked a movement, and Amanda
Bruger delivers her most compelling performance yet, So be sure
(09:21):
to set you're reminders. You won't want to miss a
moment of what is happening in Julia Olia. Amanda, you
spoken out in the past about representation and exclusively in
film and television. How do you hope to use your
platform moving forward to influence the industry and inspire I
(09:43):
guess you could say the next generation of storytellers and
actors like yourself.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
I hope to be continuing to have more projects to
produce so I can build rooms with people that look
like me. It's one thing about pasting films with a
diverse cast, but it really comes from the creation of it.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
So, Okay, creators of color, more creators that are women,
more readers stories that they know from within. So if
I appoint more people of color, more women, it's that's
something that I think that will help set up the
next generation.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
Okay, I'm getting chills, Amanda. Am I feeling like Amanda
Brugal Acting School for Women of color just saying that
would be amazing. And nowadays, you know, oh, it's so needed, right,
(10:43):
It's so wanted because we're always wanting to be mentored
by someone we feel like it's like us that gets
it right to tell.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Your own stories, just to see yourself reflected. It's just
it's so important to see yourself reflected back to hear
your story is told, but also for other people that
don't look like you, to be able to emperaviise with
your stories, to be able to look at and see
themselves in you, even though you don't physically look like
one another.
Speaker 1 (11:12):
Absolutely, you're currently filming Dark Matter for Apple TV. How
has that experience been wonderful? I'm in Chicago right now,
I'm looking at.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
The skyline, and it's been wonderful. The cast is just
as talented and funny and kind as the cast and
the Handmaid's Tales, So I feel like it just went
from one beautiful home.
Speaker 1 (11:33):
To the next.
Speaker 2 (11:34):
I feel very lucky. Read sci fi. It's a lot
faster moving, and I do get to play several different
versions of the same character, and so it's definitely a
different acting exercise. But I feel very lucky, and I
am excited for this season as well.
Speaker 1 (11:51):
Well. You know, you've played so many exciting roles Amanda
and Gendres, and you got all this under your bill.
But I'm just wondering, hmmm, what kind of character story
would you love to conquer that you haven't done yet?
Speaker 2 (12:10):
Probably more action. I mean I've done a small amount
of action, but like true action, where a spy film
or something where I get to do a lot of stunts.
It's I love doing that.
Speaker 3 (12:20):
I'm quite to do.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
You want to do your own stunts? You like doing
your own stuff? Yeah, not Tom Cruse stunts. Okay, that
would be great. Any books or clothing line or anything.
I don't know, I just see so much.
Speaker 2 (12:39):
No, I haven't really thought of books or a clothing line.
Speaker 1 (12:41):
I really would love.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
Just as I expanded as I work more, just more philanthropy,
just more charitable work I think would be lovely.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
Oh that's amazing. You can't do better than that. Again,
like you said, it's about us giving back, paying it
for it right for the next generation and the next generation,
and shoot, well the generation now you know too as well.
You know we can't forget about what's going on now, right,
So that's awesome. Lastly, when you're not working, what feels yourself,
(13:15):
any personal rituals, hobbies, passions that keep you grounding and
be tweeting the spot because you do seem so grounded.
Oh that's really nice. Thank you.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
Hiking, I will say, And I'm Canadian. I live in Canada,
so I don't get to there's not as like Grand
hiking as there is in the States. But I am hiking,
reflecting with nature and by myself, the music on my
music playlist, and I just walk for a long time.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
I return you to a sense of just normalcy. This
career can be crazy, and especially if you're part.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
Of a hit show. Yeah, as long as you return to.
Speaker 2 (13:55):
Nature and being grounded, you're set for the for the
next role.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
Amanda, thank you so much for sharing your time and
light with us. It has been such a pleasure, such
a joy watching you. I can't wait till tomorrow. Okay,
I'm gonna have my popcorn. I'm gonna be ready. I'm
gonna call my friends and share it out. We can't wait.
So thank you again for spending time with me today.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
Have a great time.
Speaker 1 (14:23):
Okay, bye bye, There you go, y'all, Amanda Brugo, watch
it tomorrow. Judy is back. We cannot wait. And don't
forget to catch her in Dark Matter that'll be coming
soon on Apple TV.