Main content

Jamie Lee Curtis on channeling ‘badass-ery’ and why strong female characters are needed in cinema now more than ever

15 October 2018

40 years on from the her first outing as Laurie Strode, Jamie Lee Curtis has reprised the iconic role for the newest installment of the legendary horror franchise Halloween.

Wee Claire from The Social interviewed the Hollywood actor and found out why it is more important than ever for strong women to be portrayed on screen.

Jamie Lee Curtis On Strong Women And Trauma | Wee Guides

Jamie Lee Curtis chats to Wee Claire about her character in Halloween.

‘I’m not grey haired for no reason’

When Claire enthused about seeing strong women taking back their narrative, Jamie Lee agreed wholeheartedly.

“This is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg: there will be more trauma and secrets exposed and shared. We didn’t [share previously] because there was no safe place to talk, because there would be nothing but retribution. There would be nothing but shaming and quieting.”

Claire complemented Jamie Lee on bringing ‘badass-ery’ to the character of Laurie.

“She was brave in the first movie 40 years ago, when she was 17, but there is a trauma. It was my job to make sure that [the audience] understood both those things — and I appreciate that you saw both.

“I’m an actor and I have not really taken many acting classes. You need to go live your life – go to museums, listen to music, read books, read history – every day you live you will inform your work as an actor.

“I have lived a life ...I’m not grey haired for no reason!”

Jamie Lee Curtis discusses her acting technique for horror and explains how she found out Elon Musk was a fan of her husband’s work.

Wee Claire meets...

Latest features from ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland