Space Cadet‘s Poppy Liu discusses her chaotic character Nadine and working with Emma Roberts in this new interview.
Space Cadet follows a party girl named Red (Emma Roberts) who gets into the NASA space program thanks to her friend Nadine (Poppy Liu). It doesn’t take long for her to realize she is going to have to work hard to prove her worth in order to make her dream of going to space come true.
We spoke with Poppy Liu about her chaotic character Nadine, showing off her beautiful pregnant belly in the film, and working with Emma Roberts. She also reveals if she would ever go to space. Space Cadet releases on Prime Video July 4th, 2024.
Poppy Liu Talks Space Cadet
What was it like getting into Nadine’s chaotic mindset?
Poppy Liu: Honestly, I was for real pregnant then also, so I think it wasn’t too hard to be in her mind. As a pregnant person, you’re just flustered all the time already. And Yes, you did create quite a big mess, but I will say when I was pregnant, everything felt like a big mess. Everything felt like oh my god, this is the end, what am I doing? Who am I? Am I okay? Am I healthy? I think this general state of mind of the sky is falling was not very difficult to tap into. And then also, I feel like with Nadine, her undercurrent as a character is being an amazing bestie. So even with all this stress, the undercurrent was I love my best friend so much. I’m gonna do whatever I need to do. Felonies, misdemeanors, fraud, whatever, I’m there.
What was it like working with Emma Roberts?
Poppy Liu: It was really easy. I feel like it’s not always easy to portray best friends who’ve known each other their whole life, like Nadine and Rex. It’s implied that they grew up together. They’ve been there every single milestone for each other. Sometimes that takes time to build for two actors that have that chemistry. But for some reason, the minute me and Emma met, there was just this kind of love there. Some of it too, is she had just had her child a year prior and I was seven months pregnant. I think she felt very caregiving and maternal towards me in my state.
Would you ever go to space?
Poppy Liu: Okay. Theoretically, very cool. Practically. I think I have too many little issues and little needs to be a good candidate for that. I get dizzy really easily. I don’t like spinning. I don’t like being upside down. I’m kind of claustrophobic. It brings like a bunch of anxiety for me. I’m just not the best candidate. Teleport to space to just check it out, and then teleport back, that would be cool. I have an astigmatism. That’s not really good in space. I would need contacts or glasses all the time. Yeah, I don’t know. I think I have too many little needs.
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About Space Cadet
A Florida party girl turns out to be the only hope for the NASA space program after a fluke puts her in training with other candidates who may have better resumes, but don’t have her smarts, heart and moxie.
Space Cadet comes to Prime Video on July 4th.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.