If you had Makkari’s superpowers in real life, what is the first thing you would do?

I would probably establish a travel agency and would just be a very successful travel

guide. I would write a lot of reviews and notes on the best beach destinations all over the world. 

Eternals features an incredible cast, including Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Gemma Chan, Kit Harrington, Kumail Nanjiani… The list goes on. What was it like stepping onto set with this cast? What did you learn from them?

I have to say, swoon. Yesterday on the blue carpet, I was looking at my beautiful friends, and it was crazy. Just beautiful and also, what’s most important, very generous. That is why they are where they are right now, and that is why they are who they are. They are very giving people in terms of sharing the same story. We all are here working on set to tell a story that requires a community and collaboration. I saw my cast truly as collaborators. 

I learned several things. I’ve learned, first of all, it’s really worthwhile to have a pet owl. Salma [Hayek] has a pet owl, and I definitely want one. It’s also really important to make sure that, that same pet owl does not poop or vomit all over guests, which did happen. I can’t tell you who, but one day, I think that story might come out. What I’ve learned is, as an actor, we all have needs, and it doesn’t matter who you are. It doesn’t matter what size, shape, abilities. We all have needs. There is no shame in that. I came to set not wanting to make any noise or ask for too much because I was just grateful to be in the same space with these experienced actors, but as time went on, I realized that, no, we are all here to fight for the integrity of our characters so that the story is told right. So that’s what I learned. 

You had the London premiere yesterday, where you wore a beautiful Tom Ford dress. Can you tell me about working with stylist Jason Rembert and what you two were looking to achieve for this press tour?

I chose that dress specifically because I feel like it really corresponds with the Eternals, that motif, the circles. That dress was perfection. My experience working with Jason Rembert, he actually reached out to me probably about a year ago—this was way before all of this even happened—just saying, “Hey, I’m interested in working with you.” At that time, I didn’t know who he was, so I started looking at his feed, and I was like, “Wow, yes, most definitely!” I think he saw a challenge and was willing to take it. I love how we have conversations and he listens. He really pays attention to what I say. I feel like he actually looks at the important words that I put out there, and he takes them on and uses that information to pull amazing choices. And he really pushes me to take risks. Some of the outfits that he picks, I was like, “Really?” Like the Yves Saint Laurent romper that I wore last week. At first, I would have never dreamed that I would wear a romper to a red carpet event, but also, that’s Jason. He’s a risk-taker with a bit of a sense of humor. There’s one other thing I wanted to mention. … I did tell Jason that I truly wanted to play with my intersection, my different identities as a Black woman and also a Mexican woman, and I wanted to incorporate my character of Makkari that I’m portraying right now, that I’m representing and think about the clothing I would choose. Also, comfort is very important and for it to be a bit edgy because that’s who Makkari is. And he does definitely take all of that into consideration.