Rebel Wilson is in favor of actors taking on roles that speak to them, including straight stars who want to play LGBTQ+ characters.
“I think you should be able to play any role you want,” the “Pitch Perfect” and “Bridesmaids” star said in a recent interview. “I always think that, in comedy, your job is to always flirt with that line of what's acceptable.”
Wilson shared his two cents about on-screen representation and the limits of his irreverent humor with the BBC podcast “Desert Island Discs” in an episode released Sunday. The Australian star, 44, told host Lauren Laverne that she believes comedians are only allowed to make jokes based on their personal experiences.
“It's more about… if you're something, then now you can joke about it,” he said. “So if you're overweight, you can tell jokes… that's what's happening now.”
He added that those limitations of comedy can veer into the similar “territory” of having straight actors playing only straight characters and LGBTQ+ stars taking on LGBTQ+ roles, “which I think is total nonsense.” Wilson came out as gay in 2022 and is engaged to jewelry designer Ramona Agruma.
In recent years, film and television studios have produced several projects highlighting LGBTQ+ stories, from FX's “Pose” to Netflix's “Rustin.” However, questions about authentic casting remain as straight stars continue to star in queer stories. Earlier this month, actor Nicholas Galitzine told GQ that he felt guilty about “if I'm taking up someone's space” as a straight actor who plays gay men in projects, including the gay romance film “Red, White & Royal “Blue”.
“Devil Wears Prada” star Stanley Tucci, who is straight, spoke to “Desert Island Discs” last year about the same topic, noting that straight actors can play gay characters if it's done “the right way.”
Wilson said in his interview that it's ultimately about entertainment. “People … won't be entertained if you're always being confident and protective,” she said.
He added: “You won't get a good comedy out of that.”
The comedian's candid, hour-long interview was published a month after she published her memoir “Rebel Rising,” in which she accused actor Sacha Baron Cohen of misconduct on the set of her 2016 film “The Brothers Grimsby.” ”. Speaking to the BBC podcast, Wilson said that working with Cohen was her “worst professional experience.” She added that she felt “humiliated” and “degraded” on the set and that she feels better after going public with her accusations.
“If it could help a few people, then it's worth it,” he said.
