Anne Hathaway Credits Beyoncé Track for Vocal Preparation in New Film
Anne Hathaway has revealed that she relied heavily on a specific Beyoncé song to prepare for her singing role in the upcoming musical drama Mother Mary. The actress, known for her Oscar-winning performance in Les Misérables, stated that she listened to "Ameriican Requiem" from Beyoncé's Grammy-winning album Cowboy Carter on repeat to get into character.
Finding Her Voice Through Beyoncé's Artistry
During a recent Q&A session in New York, Hathaway explained that while she has extensive musical theater experience, she needed to adapt her voice for the pop star role. "Musical theater is many wonderful things, but it's not the coolest sound. Not known for its swag!" she quipped. "So, I listened to 'Ameriican Requiem' by Beyoncé, over and over and over."
The actress praised Beyoncé's "mesmerizing and astonishing" vocals, studying her phrasing and musicianship closely. "I appreciated that Beyoncé can be a powerful vocalist, but she also knows how to be still," Hathaway continued. "I thought, OK, maybe there's something to be said about having a sweet, still voice. Maybe I can work with this."
Additional Insights from Charli XCX
Hathaway also sought guidance from pop star Charli XCX, known for hits like "360," to better understand the life of a contemporary music icon. "I wanted to talk to her about the music, she wrote such amazing music that I was going to perform," Hathaway explained. "But I also just had a lot of questions for her about what her life was like, what the experience of being a pop star was."
This consultation provided Hathaway with valuable insights into the pop music world, which she described as "like learning a new language" in terms of phrasing and performance style.
About Mother Mary and Critical Reception
In Mother Mary, Hathaway portrays fictional pop icon Mother Mary, who reunites with her estranged best friend and former costume designer, played by Michaela Coel, on the eve of a comeback performance. The A24 psychological drama features an ensemble cast including Hunter Schafer, Alba Baptista, FKA twigs, and Kaia Gerber, directed by David Lowery.
Early reviews have been mixed, with The Guardian calling it a "ludicrous pop star drama" while Vulture declared it "worth your worship." The film currently holds a 76 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Mother Mary opens in limited theaters on April 17 before expanding nationwide on April 24.
