Ashley Aufderheide can’t consider what she’s seeing. “That’s Britney Spears??” she exclaims. We’re enjoying 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, dishevelled crimson velour pants, white sneakers, a cropped semi-sheer high and that trademark sweet floss smile. The turbulent however optimistic 90s completely distilled in a single picture.
Aufderheide wouldn’t be born for an additional six years after that picture was taken so it’s comprehensible she wouldn’t acknowledge the Mickey Mouse Membership alum straight away, however the actor’s 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 essentially 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 traditional 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 have been a Golden Age however er… these days are behind us.
Ashley Aufderheide. Courtesy of Victoria Stevens
Scouted for modeling at two years outdated, Aufderheide transitioned to appearing on the age of eight—her first position got here in 2014 with Infinity Polar Bear and a 12 months later, she starred as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 appearing credit to her identify however already presents herself as a humble but seasoned professional. “Appearing was the very best match for me,” she displays, “And I really like enjoying totally different characters in numerous genres. I really feel like I’ve been capable of discover so much, so I’m very fortunate.”
What did you do to your audition for That 90s Present?
I auditioned in October 2021 and I despatched in a video of myself. I needed to sing a track 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 discuss chemistry as a result of that’s what lots of people cherished about That 70s Present—how nicely the forged 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 straight away. 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 robust. We first met over Zoom after which we instantly clicked in individual. All of us. Every one of many youngsters; ate lunch collectively each single day, we frolicked on the weekends, we went to the films, and we went to 1 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 maintain in touch, FaceTime, texts, and all that. And we wished to spend time collectively, it wasn’t a compulsory factor. We simply all actually appreciated being in each other’s firm.
What’s it like filming in entrance of a dwell viewers?
It was so unimaginable, being in entrance of a dwell viewers. I had by no means finished it earlier than. I had no form 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 the very best you’ll be able to, have the very best supply and the very best timing since you need to get the snigger. You need the viewers to take pleasure in it.
It’s heartwarming realizing that the viewers left pondering okay, ‘That was price 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’ll be able to’t replicate it wherever else. It’s an unimaginable feeling.
Ashley Aufderheide. Picture: Patrick Wymore/Netflix © 2022
You’ve stated everybody loves Gwen’s costumes the very best. Do you’ve got a favourite outfit or a chunk of clothes that possibly could have discovered its approach into your individual private wardrobe?
Properly, they don’t let me maintain something, which is ok, as a result of I really feel like in a [potential] subsequent season, I may reuse some issues. I believe my favourite outfit… I keep in mind throughout one in all my costume fittings after I placed on that Inexperienced Day shirt, there was simply one thing about it. I cherished it. Yeah, I believe that outfit, with its little skirt. I believed it was very cute. But in addition, all of Gwen’s costumes in episode three once they go to the mall I believe 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’ve got 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, type of blueish clear. I simply saved enjoying 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 prison 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 fingers. 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 fascinating to see what folks must 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 can be linked to her.
That 90s Present is out there to stream on Netflix.
This interview has been edited and condensed for readability.
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