by Jorge Carreon
If a pretty girl is like a melody, then supermodel of the moment Kate Upton is a lushly orchestrated symphony. The Sports Illustrated swimsuit icon made quite a splash earlier this year when she transitioned from cover girl to movie star in the raucous comedy “The Other Woman.” Audiences and critics alike were charmed by the chemistry exhibited by Upton with co-stars Cameron Diaz and Leslie Mann. As the ultimate empowered female revenge trifecta against a cheating man, the group’s outrageous journey may be wish-fulfillment nirvana. But, more importantly, it struck a mighty box office nerve.
Now heading into its Home Entertainment platform, more of Upton’s legion of fans will be able to appreciate her confident debut performance as Amber, the innocent recruited by Diaz (as the mistress) and Mann (as the wife) to help repair their own wounded hearts after be being betrayed by the same man (“Game of Thrones’” Nikolaj Coster-Waldau). Initially viewed as a wild card against twin comic titans, Upton exhibited a sexy naiveté that harkened back to the days of a young Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield. She more than held her own with her co-stars.
“If any guy sees himself in the character of Mark,” Upton laughed, “they really need to reevaluate their life! But, hopefully guys relate more to the fact that they’re feeling heartbroken and upset by a situation. In doing press for this movie, it’s been surprising how many guys walk in an they’re like, “That same situation happened to me!” And we’re like, “Oh you’re Mark?” and they say, “No, no, no! We were cheated on! It’s hurtful.”
It is interesting to witness what the press will ask of women like Upton when given the chance. Much of their interest seemed to hover around her body image or trying to cull some juicy tidbit on her personal life. Listening to her candor and restraint was admirable, often entertaining. She’s aware of the perception that is attached to her because of her magazine work. However, it was her humor about it all that offered the best image captured of the model to date.
“There are moments when you want to change something, but I love my body,” Upton admitted. “This is what was given to me and I appreciate it. I’m not saying that I don’t have insecure moments. I have them all the time. But, it’s something that everybody goes through and I’m going to sit here and be the martyr about it.”
With her tousled blonde mane, the leather-clad statuesque blonde, made even taller by a wicked pair of stilettos, volleyed back responses without fault or trepidation. If the women were impressed, many of the men found reason to rejoice when she admitted as to the type of gent that would engage her attention.
“I don’t know if I would go for the completely, just hot guy, right off the bat,” Upton smiled. “The type of guy I like? I always kid I like a penguin. I love awkward but cute.“
Here’s more with Upton as she discussed being part of “The Other Woman” and the challenges of being a modern bombshell.
QUESTION: What proved the catalyst in taking on “The Other Woman” as you’re your first major screen role?
KATE UPTON: I thought it was beyond the perfect first role for me. I had an amazing cast around me, that supported me and I could learn from. I was able to act in a movie instead of just walking on and walking off. I really loved the character of Amber. A lot of people feel naïve in their life and I loved her positive outlook on everybody. She didn’t see any bad in anybody. She couldn’t see Mark trying to manipulate her. She’s just so free. I don’t have that. [Laughs]
QUESTION: Do you agree with the manner in which the women in the film band together to avenge this cheating man?
UPTON: I feel like any time you go through something bad in your life you need your girls’ support. Now, who better to go through this with than with all of the women who have been heartbroken by the same man? [Laughs] However, I think that if the woman knows that she’s dating a married man or she’s dating a man with a girlfriend, then that’s a different type of woman. I don’t think that I would be a friend with her.
QUESTION: What would you qualify as a “bad man?”
UPTON: [The character of] Mark is probably the worst everything in a man. [Laughs] I think the most important thing in a relationship is honesty. Telling each other what you’re thinking, what you’re going through, and your idea of an ideal relationship. So, if you want to see multiple women, you go for it! As long as you’re honest with your situation. [Laughs] I’m just kidding!
QUESTION: It does beg the question, how would Kate Upton handle a cheating man?
UPTON: I don’t cheat. But, the best revenge is just walking away, not wasting another second of your time with someone who is clearly emotionally handicapped. If someone hurts you in that way, it’s not your job to change him. It’s not your job to be there while he is finding himself. Walking away and being who you need to be for the rest of your life is the most important thing. I’ve been cheated on. Everybody’s been through betrayal some way or another in their life by friends, family, and a boyfriend. It hurts. Either way, you’re heartbroken and you have to heal that. You need that support system to get through it.
QUESTION: Can you forgive this type of man?
UPTON: There are different situations. I couldn’t predict if I could forgive. If I was at fault as well and we could grow from it? Or, do we need time? If he cheated, he needs time. Maybe we get back together? But something is happening and we need space.
QUESTION: “The Other Woman” does feature a heightened reality. Still, why is there comedy to be found in a serious situation like infidelity?
UPTON: In life, there is pain. If you’re not laughing through it then what are you doing? You’re wasting your life! You should enjoy it! If you’re miserable during a situation, if you can laugh at yourself then it’s a lot easier to get through. Everyone can see themselves in each of these characters. There are times when you feel super emotional or extremely naïve or very stubborn. Everyone’s been through betrayal. It’s definitely something that people can see in themselves. Guys have been cheated on, girls have been cheated on. And it’s funny. [Laughs] That always helps. Having your girlfriends and supporting each other is a good example of something that women do go through.
QUESTION: Amber ends up being courted by an older gentleman in the end. Is that something that could be appealing to you?
UPTON: I don’t know if I could see myself…but that’s Amber. I was playing a character. [Laughs]
QUESTION: What did you learn about acting and what was the most challenging aspect of this experience?
UPTON: I learned so much about acting from this movie! I’d never really been on a set before. I took lessons for two years, but that’s not being on set. I learned so much from Cameron and Leslie. They were people you could ask questions to. Anyone who has been in a room with them can see just how open they are, how amazing they are. I got to know them on a personal level. The most difficult part of filming was repeating myself over and over. You might have a really good take. [Claps her hands] “Alright you guys, I killed it! Let’s move on.” They’re like, “No, no no! Fifteen more times. Do better every time!” [Laughs]
QUESTION: You work in such an image conscious industry. Would you want to change your physical self for a role?
UPTON: I love myself. I love my body. I am confident with the way I look. But if I am committing to a role, then I will do anything to make that character to come alive.
QUESTION: It also doesn’t hurt when you have someone like designer Patricia Field help in shaping a look, too.
UPTON: Pat Field helped me create Amber. It’s so crazy! I went to the fittings and as a model I walk in and say, “I like this. I like that. I want this. I want that.” In photo shoots, they take a piece of my personality and put it in the shoot. Most of those clothes, I have a part in picking out. So, when I went into the fitting for this movie, I walked in saying, “I like this, I like that. I would never wear that.” Then I went, “This isn’t a fitting for me. This is a fitting for Amber, this is a fitting for a character.” It was just a completely different way of thinking.
QUESTION: Your performance reveals a winning sense of humor. Are you funny in real life?
UPTON: I feel the sense of humor in Amber definitely comes from me. I love to play off of stereotypes and make a joke out of it. I think she does, too.
QUESTION: Is it a challenge to be taken seriously, though, because of the labels and stereotypes?
UPTON: Occasionally it is exhausting to be taken seriously. [Laughs] I’m willing to commit to that. In terms of stereotypes, though, I think it’s nothing that I want to fight. It’s not a battle I’m interested of being a part of. I think that eventually people will be able to see who I am and create their own judgment from it.
QUESTION: How did you fight the notion of the “right” body image as a young woman, as well as within the modeling industry?
UPTON: In the industry I feel they try to brainwash you that you always need to improve. But for me, I’m competitive with myself in trying to be the best me I can be. What’s so great about Cameron Diaz’s “The Body Book” is that encourages gaining knowledge about your body and taking care of your body. You’re supposed to know your body on a cellular level. That knowledge gives you power, that knowledge makes you love yourself and understand what is happening in there. Being skinny is a trend. Everybody should be the best them. It is sad if you feel insecure if you don’t look like somebody else because you’re not enjoying your life.
QUESTION: Does the success of “The Other Woman” mean you might leave modeling for acting?
UPTON: Modeling goes hand and hand with acting. Even after we finished filming this, we shot the poster. We have pictures constantly being taken of us. Modeling will always be a part of my life. I love to grow in any area that I am in and I’m in acting now.
QUESTION: As you venture further into a screen life, what’s next?
UPTON: I’m actually not sure. I get that question a lot. I think it’s about the connection and the script. Until I find that, I want to wait for the right role.
The Other Woman is out now on Digitial HD, Blu-ray and DVD from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, pick it up here.