You upcoming movie XY is set in Manhattan. Does it remotely reflect your own New York City lifestyle?
No, I play a rich girl who dates everybody. She’s a privileged, self-obsessed brat who can’t get a job—a total hot mess. I’m much more focused…but a little self-obsessed, I guess. America Ferrara is also in it and I love her—we were in Lords of Dogtown together when I was 19.
Speaking of your past films: Itty Bitty Titty Committee’s trailer turns up on the first page of a Google search for you, not surprisingly.
Oh my God, that’s so funny. We won an award at South by Southwest for that one. It’s a smart film about a young girl who stirs up society with her feminist guerrilla group. I get so much love from lesbians now. Every movie I make, we seem to make for a penny, so it’s great that they end up going as far as they do.
Do you remember your first big break?
My first movie was Double Whammy directed by Tom DiCillo, another New York indie director. That was my first audition ever—and I got the part. I was 15 at the time. I had braces and everything.
I have to ask you about the video for Mary J. Blige’s “We Got Hood Love.” How can I forget the scenes of you and Mary sitting on the edge of the tub yelling at your men through the bathroom door?
My friend is the director and he asked me if I wanted to be in it. I was like, Mary J. Blige? That’s a pivotal moment in my life. I almost threw up when I saw it on MTV.
Aside from Ms. Blige, what actresses inspire you?
Marion Cotillard because she’s emotionally fearless. She’s all about the work; she shows up and digs deep. And Anna Magnani, an old-school Italian actress. Also, Jessica Chastain works really hard and finally got the accolades she deserves. That’s inspiring to me.
Before you became an indie movie queen, did you ever have a normal job?
Are you kidding me? I babysat, was a telemarketer at one point and later a waitress, which in a weird way was my favorite job of all.
