Whereas Vandanapu was clearly well-suited for the position, it nonetheless got here with its challenges. For one, she knew that she must work extra-hard to place a brand new, unique stamp on her character Karen, initially popularized by Amanda Seyfried in 2004. “It’s laborious when a film is so iconic, and as you are studying the dialogue within the script, you may actually hear Amanda saying it in your head,” says Vandanapu. “However I feel we created a whole lot of new essence with Karen; She’s slightly extra daring, and fewer shy about her ‘dumbness.’” Even so, the star was excited that she obtained Seyfried’s stamp of approval, after they not too long ago met at an occasion. “She’s completely great,” says Vandanapu. “It was actually reassuring to listen to she was excited [about the film], and that I had her blessing.”

Entering into character for filming was one factor—however off-screen, Vandanapu had simply as a lot enjoyable experimenting with style for the movie’s many screenings this month. With a watch for sprightly colours and enjoyable, flirty silhouettes, the star is shaping as much as be one among younger Hollywood’s freshest purple carpet stars to observe. “I like style,” says Vandanapu. “I search for issues that can flatter my physique, however on the identical time, style that feels fascinating and that catches the attention.” All through the Imply Ladies press tour, the actor slipped into a great deal of pink—not simply on Wednesdays!—however seemed for designs that felt extra surprising, too. “I needed to lean into the glitzy glamour of Imply Ladies, and the 4 ladies,” says Vandanapu.