Margaret Qualley sat down with Molly Creeden of Harper’s Bazaar for their October Purpose issue, on newsstands October 5th, to discuss her upcoming show Maid where she acts alongside her mother, letting go of control and micromanaging, and appreciating being back in New York after Covid: “We’ve been reminded of what it’s like to experience things collectively, and I think you can feel that. The city feels alive and silly and spontaneous.”
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On the profound experience of playing a daughter opposite her actual mother: “When you walk into a room and your mom is there, that does something to you. Not only do you have permission to touch her like family, but rolling your eyes is a built-in response in the same way that tearing up from a well-timed hug is.”
On her relationship with Rylea Nevaeh Whittet, who plays her daughter on the show Maid: “Besides acting with my mom, the relationship with Rylea really hit me the hardest. When she’s asleep in my arms, that was happening for real. Having a little four-year-old cling on to you and need you is such a wild and special experience.”
On personal hopes for the future: “I’ve always dreamt of getting married. There’s a girly-girl part of me that’s thought about what my wedding would be like.” (Big, drunken, with a dress that’s not too long, so she can dance, she adds.) “And I’ve dreamt of having kids. I’m a real romantic in that way.”
On preparing for the emotional abuse her character in Maidendures: “Unfortunately, it’s so common. And it’s true that more than half of people experience some level of psychological threat within a relationship in their lifetime. I just did my best to read the script and experience Alex’s reality as much as possible within the scenes.”
On her support of FKA Twigs, who filed a lawsuit against Shia LaBeouf alleging sexual battery, assault, and intentional infliction of emotional distress during their relationship (Qualley had also previously dated LeBeouf): “It was important to me for her to know that I believe her—and it’s as simple as that.”
On being easier on herself: “I used to go into these environments feeling really scared of the way I’d be seen, really self-critical. And then I realized if I relinquish control, if I don’t micromanage the things I’m not even qualified to micromanage and give over faith to whoever, I have a lot of fun.”
Lila Neugebauer, who directed her in the haunting fifth episode of Maid, on the actress: “Margaret is uniquely spontaneous and raw as an actor. She’s deftly attuned to her instincts, completely available to her scene partner, and a riveting live wire.”