Ashley Aufderheide can’t consider what she’s seeing. “That’s Britney Spears??” she exclaims. She’s right here within the studio taking part in 90s trivia and StyleCaster has simply proven That 90s Present star an early picture of the pop icon. It was taken earlier than the flip of the millennium and shortly after the discharge of her debut album, …Child One Extra Time. Image low-rise, saggy purple velour pants, white sneakers, a cropped semi-sheer prime and that trademark sweet floss smile. The turbulent however optimistic 90s, completely distilled in a single picture.
Aufderheide wouldn’t be born for one more six years so it’s comprehensible she wouldn’t acknowledge the Mickey Mouse Membership alum immediately. Nonetheless, the actor needed to immerse herself within the dot-com period to authentically embody Gwen in Netflix’s spinoff of the beloved sitcom That 70s Present. The style, the music, the sense of insurrection; she’s absorbed and gained a deep appreciation for it.
“After I was auditioning for Gwen, I actually simply went within the automobile on my own, drove round listening to Veruca Salt, simply belting my coronary heart out,” she says. “After which I simply practiced the strains within the automobile to actually get into my very own headspace, far-off from everybody else.” She’d thrash to Inexperienced Day, Bikini Kill, and Alanis Morissette, amongst others.
Aufderheide’s character is your basic riot grrrl—a assured, unapologetic member of a third-wave feminist motion that mixed punk music, gender equality and politics in equal elements. “As a personality, it’s tremendous central to who she is so I undoubtedly wished to include that into each scene, whether or not it was acknowledged explicitly or not,” she says. “I didn’t even know this till we began capturing however apparently Gwen is impressed by Gwen Stefani,” for whom the 90s had been a Golden Age however er… these days are behind us.
Scouted for modeling at two years previous, Aufderheide transitioned to performing on the age of eight—her first function got here in 2014 with Infinity Polar Bear and a 12 months later, she starred as Melissa within the controversial TV present The Slap based mostly on the novel by Christos Tsiolkas of the identical identify. She has 9 performing credit to her identify however already presents herself as a humble but seasoned professional. “Appearing was one of the best match for me,” she displays, “And I really like taking part in totally different characters in numerous genres. I really feel like I’ve been in a position to discover lots, so I’m very fortunate.”
This interview has been edited and condensed for readability.
What did you do in your audition for That 90s Present?
I auditioned in October 2021 and I despatched in a video of myself. I needed to sing a tune by Veruca Salt after which I carried out the scene when Leia [the daughter of That 70s Show characters Eric and Donna played by Callie Haverda] and Gwen first meet in that scene within the bed room. I did a bunch of chemistry reads after which I received employed. As a result of I dwell on the East Coast, I went to the West Coast in January of 2022 to shoot it and the present’s come out a 12 months later.
Let’s speak about chemistry as a result of that’s what lots of people beloved about That 70s Present—how effectively the solid appeared to get alongside. What did you as a bunch do for That 90s Present to get to know one another?
All of us clicked immediately. Gregg Mettler, the showrunner, requested us if we had met earlier than or if we knew one another as a result of our chemistry was simply that sturdy. We first met over Zoom after which we instantly clicked in particular person. All of us. Every one of many children; ate lunch collectively each single day, we frolicked on the weekends, we went to the films, and we went to at least one one other’s homes. We actually simply tried to maximise the time we had collectively.
As a result of I dwell on the East Coast it’s undoubtedly unusual not having them round, however we do preserve involved, FaceTime, texts, and all that. And we wished to spend time collectively, it wasn’t a compulsory factor. We simply all actually preferred being in each other’s firm.
What’s it like filming in entrance of a dwell viewers?
It was so unbelievable, being in entrance of a dwell viewers. I had by no means finished it earlier than. I had no type of theater background. As a result of it was a multi-cam for cameras and in entrance of a dwell viewers, there have been loads of folks watching and there’s strain. Nonetheless, it’s good as a result of it motivates you to say the road one of the best you possibly can, have one of the best supply and one of the best timing since you wish to get the giggle. You need the viewers to take pleasure in it.
It’s heartwarming understanding that the viewers left pondering, ‘Okay, that was value my time.’ Within the first dwell viewers present, I cried as a result of I used to be so completely satisfied to be there. The vitality from the viewers, you possibly can’t replicate it wherever else. It’s an unbelievable feeling.
You’ve stated everybody loves Gwen’s costumes one of the best. Do you could have a favourite outfit or a chunk of clothes that perhaps might have discovered its means into your personal private wardrobe?
Nicely, they don’t let me preserve something, which is ok, as a result of I really feel like in a [potential] subsequent season, I may reuse some issues. I feel my favourite outfit… I keep in mind throughout considered one of my costume fittings once I placed on that Inexperienced Day shirt, there was simply one thing about it. I beloved it. Yeah, I feel that outfit, with its little skirt. I believed it was very cute. But additionally, all of Gwen’s costumes in episode three once they go to the mall I feel are actually cool.
I really like how there are many references to That 70s Present within the props and set design. Like how the couch from the lounge has been moved to the basement. Do you could have a favourite Easter Egg or prop from That 70s Present that followers ought to look out for?
There are these grapes! They’re both in the lounge or the basement. They’re not actual grapes clearly, they’re glass, sort of blueish clear. I simply saved taking part in with them so that they wouldn’t get moved round. So yeah, that’s a pleasant Easter Egg.
I’ve to speak about fan theories regarding your character’s father, saying that Gwen’s dad is Steven Hyde, who isn’t within the present due to ongoing legal proceedings. What are your ideas on these theories?
I’ve seen these fan theories. I’m not one of many writers. So actually, none of it’s in my palms. I don’t know if I’ve any theories myself on it. I really feel like that’s extra of a query for the writers. But it surely’s attention-grabbing to see what folks should say and the theories they’ve.
Any reactions to it?
No, I don’t actually have any actual reactions. It’s extra simply studying general what folks consider Gwen and who she is as an individual. The folks which are related to her.
That 90s Present is accessible to stream on Netflix.