Chasing your passion isn’t always easy. It can involve long hours, double shifts, or taking odd jobs to keep bills paid. In other words, it can be exhausting. But when you make it? All of that work can be worth it. Kelly Marie Tran, a.k.a. Rose Tico in The Last Jedi, was definitely in the middle of the grind when she landed the role in the upcoming Star Wars movie. She talked to Entertainment Weekly (EW) about her acting history and about how she was almost ready to give up.
But then auditions for The Last Jedi happened. After multiple auditions and callbacks, she got the part. And the best part? She found out while on lunch break from her day job. She was working as an office assistant and left to meet with Episode VIII writer and director Rian Johnson. He told her she got the role, but then of course, said she couldn’t tell anyone. “I went back to work and answered phones and answered emails, like nothing happened,” Tran told EW.
First of all, Tran seems like an absolute joy (exhibit A: the above photos of her tour of Lucasfilm). Secondly, could you imagine trying to be chill after learning you’ll be playing a lead in a Star Wars movie?! That’s a life-changing offer. I’m amazed she was able to concentrate at all. I don’t know if I’d even go back to work after that kind of lunch. I’d take the afternoon to celebrate and then give my notice the next day.
Would you be able maintain your chill if you landed a role in Star Wars? Freak outs are welcome in the comments below.
Images: Lucasfilm/Disney, Tumblr
Amy Ratcliffe is an Associate Editor for Nerdist. She likes Star Wars a little. Follow her on Twitter.
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