Australian Penthouse

An interview with Fast & Furious star Michelle Rodriguez

Do you still enjoy these action scenes?
I love it! You know what? The real fun happens with the stunt doubles. They’re the ones that have all the fun that I dreamt about when I was a kid: jumping on top of cars, like full on, full speed. I do all the stuff that requires maybe 25 miles an hour, attached to something, I’m like “Can I get rid of this wire? I swear I’d look a lot better!” But I had fun. Safe fun! I think the real fun is dangerous stuff which the stunt doubles get to do.

What is it like for you guys to come back with the same cast?
I love it; it’s like a high school reunion.

What was the first day like?
The first day was awesome, because as soon as I got in, that first day required activity; and I love activity, I mean I was already attached to a truck and that was my first day! Attached to a truck going down a hill, 25 miles an hour hanging on top…just great!

If you’re not fighting, what kind of actions do you like to do?
I like to jump out of planes, hit the track, I don’t do it as often as I used to. As far as activities go, most of my fun is going to a club, that’s where I release physical tension.

It’s a guy type movie; you’ve got to be very proactive!
What I love about Letty is that she represents a whole demographic of individuals that have existed since the beginning of time, and they’re called town boys. It’s not necessarily a genetic thing but certain women are more physical than others. Before Letty I really didn’t see a young female that portrayed this, that loves to do boyish things. It’s considered boyish things, but they’re just people things. It’s only considered boyish because its male dominated.

Do you think society has tries to put masculine and feminine into such extremes?
No, not at all. Look at CEOs for instance, some really powerful women, like Condoleezza Rice, Martha Stewart, even Madonna or Margaret Thatcher, they all have a bit of a masculine quality. Why? It’s because naturally as a human being you adapt to your surroundings and try to blend in as much as possible in order to survive. It’s a natural instinct, and I assume that’s why the majority of the time that you see women in places of power, they have to embody these
masculine qualities. I think that’s changing, slowly but surely, it’s evolving. But that’s because of the women who’ve transcended these kinds of taboos. It’s starting to break little by little. I’m talking about physical aspects. Jodie Foster embodies very masculine qualities in a feminine body. Even me! I’m such a town boy!

It’s kind of sexy, it’s the label you put on it.
Yes, and it’s also how a person deals with it in day to day life, whether they care what other people think about themselves, how they blend in, and how they evolve.

Do you have a man’s car or a girl’s car?
I have a Prius; I’m on a whole other kick. The speed, I’ll save it for the track. I’m a woman now; I’m not a kid anymore. I do have a Harley and I’m learning how to ride it, just because it’s going to look hot!

How do you feel about driving?
I love driving, I don’t get pissed off, I don’t honk at anybody I don’t get in anybody’s way, but I’m whip and weave with my little Prius, in and out of traffic. I enjoy it, I get a kick out it.

What is the fastest you have ever driven?
140 on the autobahn, a Mercedes… I loved that car! I want one but I’m scared because they’re quiet and I’m used to feeling the thrust off the paddle.

You are in an incredible shape. Is it genetic, or do you work out?
Both but I also don’t like to eat a lot of rubbish. If I do I’ll just stuff my face with junk and then people are like “You’re eating bonbons, chocolates, how do you stay in shape?” I’m like “This is all I’ve eaten today, I eat as I burn.”

Do you think some people are intimidated by you, because your character in the film is very strong?

Yes, for sure, even in the actual game of finding a role. I’ve had scenes cut out of movies simply because I’m taking away from the guy’s masculinity in the scene. It’s happened to me more than twice in Hollywood, in films that I’ve worked on. I find it kind of sad but then it just reminds me that people are people. I guess some people just get freaked out.

Do you think that persona adds something and will attract more people to see Fast and Furious?
I think really strong people, men that are sure of themselves, they don’t do that. I’ve never that kind of situation with Fast and Furious because everybody is their own person and they’re comfortable with their own skin. The cast is great, look at somebody like Jordana, we are complete polar opposites, we’re dress different, we talk different, and our interests are different. You look at somebody like Paul and Vin, and they’re completely opposites. It works because we harmonize; we actually emphasize aspects of each other, because we are so different. That’s why I think it works.

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