Aubrey Plaza
Sarcasm is weird. Even not in acting, in life I feel like 'sarcastic' is a word that people use to describe me sometimes so when I meet someone, it's almost like they feel like they have to also be sarcastic, but it can sometimes just come off as mean if it's not used in the right way.
I like my name. My mom named me after a song by the 1970s group Bread. So, it's meaningful, and I like the song. It's a love song - kind of - but it's kind of depressing and dark.
My grandfather came over from Puerto Rico and raised his kids speaking English so that it would be easier for them to assimilate.
Well, I was obsessed with Judy Garland growing up. Like, obsessed.
I'm pretty good at weaseling my way into a job, even if I have no business being there.
I'm totally an anxious mess all the time. There's a constant dialogue going on in my brain, and it's just reminding me of all the failures that I have had, and all of the things I need to do, and all of the things I'm not doing good enough.
I get really weird when I'm not working. I have to keep working.
I don't let myself 'surf' on the Web, or I would probably drown.
When I was in high school I was a really huge 'SNL' fan. I remember the cast around the time I started watching it - Will Ferrell, Ana Gasteyer, Molly Shannon, Cheri O'Teri, Tracy Morgan. I did research to find out how people got on the show. Their bios always said they came from an improv team, so I started taking classes.
I just want to keep finding special characters that I feel like I can bring to life and characters that are real and not superficial.
It's such a thing now, people making fun of other people on the Internet.
When you improvise, you work off the laughs from the audience, but when you step on stage to do standup, it's silent.
With stand-up, it doesn't matter who you are. If the audience claps because they love your movies, that clapping stops after five seconds, and then it's your job to make them laugh.
I am a Netflix/DVR junkie. I don't like to watch TV without a plan.
When I'm on the couch, I usually have the TV on and my MacBook Air nearby. And sometimes, when my ADD is really kicking in, I have my iPad too. And my iPhone. And a magazine that I haven't gotten to. And a book under the pillow to my left.
If I have the option, I always read the paper or a book or something I can touch and destroy in my own hands.
Tina Fey is one of my heroes.
I obviously bring all of my insecurities along with me to any role that I tackle.
There are always parts of me that come out in the characters that I play - it's the only thing I have to work with and to draw off of.
I'm not a super emotional person, so that's one reason I love acting - it makes me deal with myself in that kind of way.
Writing is hard - writing is the hardest.
I would never do a commercial for something that is embarrassing, and I think that people maybe have a different perspective on what is embarrassing or not. Some people think doing a Revlon hair commercial is really cool. To me, that's embarrassing, but World of Warcraft - not embarrassing, very cool.
A lot of independent films offer a harsh reality check.
When I was doing comedy in New York, before I was in movies, I was never known as the deadpan actress. I was just a comedienne.
I'm not super comfortable in my skin. I have to make it work for me, and that usually amounts to making it uncomfortable for everyone else.
My people would love it if I smiled more, if I was more 'approachable.'
I mean, sometimes I hate interviews because I always feel like I sound stupid.
I think being on a TV show is amazing but also, people get kind of used to seeing you a certain way and so it becomes a challenge to break free from that in a way.
Louis C. K. is one of my all time favorite standup comedians.
There's no photo-shoot academy. If there was, I'd probably be kicked out.
I love great acting, as nerdy as that sounds.
I'm not, like, Daniel Day Lewis. Yet. I will get there!
I've felt depressed many times in my life, so I can draw on those times in my life when I need to.
I can't say I follow politics extremely closely, but I'm definitely aware of what's going on in the world.
I'm like that person who hates going to magic shows - and I love magic, I love wizards - but going to a show where there is any possibility of audience participation is a nightmare for me.
Make all your decisions based on how hilarious it would be if you did it.Collection: Decision
If you feel like a weirdo, it's okay because weirdos rule the world.Collection: World
I sold my soul to the devil. I'd like to thank the devil.Collection: Soul
I'm going to create my own opportunities. If I can't find the roles I want, I'll just make them.Collection: Opportunity
I do have magical powers, I try to use them for good and not evil, but I can pretty much make anyone do whatever I want them to do, if they're within range.Collection: Evil
It's weird, huh? It's like the minute you kinda give up control you just know what to do without doing anything.Collection: Giving Up
I realized two things from an early age - I was insane and had some kind of comedic thing going on. My brain was wired to think about things in terms of how funny they were.Collection: Thinking
I want people to like me but not at my expense.Collection: People
It would be hilarious if I worked in a bowling alley.Collection: Would Be
I'm too awkward to date, I think. I'm kind of all or nothing, you know? Either put a baby inside of me or leave me alone.Collection: Baby
I always want to keep growing and keep surprising people, and showing them different parts of me.Collection: People
Social media is a way to make communication easier. Obviously some people misunderstand it, some people take it personally, and some people are in a constant fight to grow their engagement. They even become obsessed. They feel like they need to be popular on social media. The most important thing is: You've got to be secure in yourself. In order to have influence on other people, you've got to know who you are, first of all. The reason I get happy when I get more engagement is because that means I did something right in terms of my audience enjoying my content.Collection: Communication
My mom's Puerto Rican. That's why I'm so lively and colorful.Collection: Mom
I've had experiences in my life where I've met certain people that have opened up something in me and given me hope and a new outlook on life.Collection: Outlook On Life
I was like the only diverse kid in my high school, and I'm half-Puerto Rican. But yeah, I have a huge family and tons of cousins in Puerto Rico. We actually hung out with them last summer, and it was awesome. But I wish my grandfather had taught my dad Spanish when he was younger so he could've taught me when I was younger, and sometimes he does, too. It's a shame.Collection: Summer