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By Chris Azzopardi
Maisy Stella’s Own Queerness Enriches Her Performance in ‘My Old Ass’
Photos: Amazon Studios
Our older selves might have a lot to say about how we live our lives now. What can we learn from them? And what might they learn from us?
Elliott’s dilemma in “My Old Ass,” a film by writer-director Megan Park (“The Fallout”), revolves around the challenge of knowing the unknowable. The story unfolds during a mushroom trip in the woods as Elliott celebrates her 18th birthday with friends, marking the end of an era. As she looks forward to a big-city life in Toronto, far removed from the familiar cranberry farm in rural Ontario she grew up on, she enters a hallucinatory state where an older, jaded version of herself (played by Aubrey Plaza) at 39 appears to offer a glimpse of what lies ahead — not all of it good.
In her star-making film debut, 20-year-old Stella, who became a child star on the ABC show “Nashville,” captures Elliott’s punkish spirit, portraying a character whose freedom is defined not only by her journey to create her own destiny but also by her exploration of identity. At the start of the film, she has a crush on a girl, a reflection of her previous attractions. But when Chad enters the picture — the very person her older self warns her to avoid — Elliott begins to question her own understanding of love and attraction. Throughout, there’s a sense that no matter who Elliott becomes as an adult, she will love whomever she chooses.
In a recent video call with Stella, the actor discussed her relationship with labels as a queer person and how she incorporated aspects of her own identity into Elliott.
I’m going to cry just talking about this film, because I cried so much during this movie.
later in my life, and so I really related to Elliot in a lot of ways. I also didn’t relate in a lot of ways, but I found that part of her to be really safe and comfy, and I wanted it to be done well and done right, and I hope that it was. I hope what people take from it is you’re allowed to change and grow, and queerness is complicated and it’s wide [and] to just exist and to not put so much pressure on yourself to know exactly what you are when you’re 18. It’s OK if you put a label on [one] day and it ends up changing.
Was Elliott’s queerness all on the page when you got the script, or was there room for shaping that part of her as you went along?
Things changed from the script a little, but she was there. She was definitely written as who she was. I think Megan is super open in terms of writing and changing things. But she’s pretty spot-on with her writing. She’s just a very genuine person, which I think comes across in the way that she writes for people.
Cry. I’ll cry too just for fun. Let’s do it.
How do you hope that young queer people respond to Elliott and her identity evolution?
Elliott was always very moving to me, the way that she was written. I think that I was lucky enough to grow up in a way where labels weren’t really pushed on me, and I know that’s not everyone’s experience and not everyone is lucky enough to be given the room to explore and be truly open. I feel like the confusion and stress over queerness didn’t come until much
In what ways were you able to influence the character? Did you have a say in the styling?
Yeah, with the styling, our costume designer used a lot of my Instagram and what I wear in real life as inspiration for Elliott, which I thought was so cool. I was so confident and comfortable in her clothes, which really played a huge part as to why I was just comfortable in general. It matters a lot more than you think it does, but I think that every person in this movie shaped their character. Megan wants that and is so open to that and actually really encourages it to just have real personality and not just be written. And so yeah, I think I shaped Elliott with personality; so did everyone else in the movie. That’s just Megan’s style of directing, honestly.
Were there any other themes of selfdiscovery that felt very familiar to you as somebody who was the age of the character you were playing when you played her?
Yeah. The most relatable aspect of Elliott was how, at the start, she was just kind of self-centered and self-absorbed and accidentally harmful to her mom and dad and her family, and I really related to that. It’s just the feeling when you look at your
mom and you just are rushed with sadness and you just feel bad and you’re just like, “Wait, oh my god, you’re literally just trying your best. This is your first life. We’re all figuring it out, and I am sorry.”
That’s just the feeling, and so I related to Elliott a lot in the ways that I think Elliott gets very caught up in life and excitement and all these things. Leaving home, it’s all so exciting to her, and in that, she’s accidentally kind of just being harmful to the people that she loves and that love her. That was probably what I related to the most about Elliott. That felt tender to me. It was such a reminder for me.
Your co-star Aubrey Plaza is considered by many to be a queer icon. On behalf of all queer women, did you happen to let Aubrey know how much they follow her career and that they wanted Aubrey and Kristen Stewart’s character to be together in “Happiest Season” and we’re still kind of mad about that?
Yeah, no, I didn’t go into detail about that [laughs], but I do agree! I mean, I’ve always loved Aubrey. I’ve always been a massive fan. I think she’s just such a genius artist and getting to know her as a person and getting to work with her has been one of the greatest things I’ll ever get to do. I’ll never get over it. I feel genuinely so grateful to have gotten to do that and gotten to be around her. She’s just a very special person to get to experience, so yeah.
The ideal older you.
The ideal! If I was asked, I’m not kidding, she would have been my absolute number one pick. I just love her.
The film acknowledges a topic that film doesn’t often explore and one that, in fact, is rarely discussed openly: how queerness is still valid even when someone is dating a person of the opposite sex. Can you talk about the significance of that aspect of the movie
in relation to Elliott and the way that she comes out as gay to Chad?
I mean, that’s a real thing that a lot of people — a lot of women, a lot of bisexual women — struggle with. It’s a real thing where they fall in love with a man, and they’re bisexual. It means they like men and women and then [it’s] like, “Oh, you’re not bisexual anymore.” It doesn’t really make sense to me. I think that bisexual women, if they’re in a relationship with a man, it doesn’t make them any less queer if they are still attracted to women. It’s a weird thing. I know a lot of people that experience that and struggle with that, and so I think it’s a cool thing to acknowledge. I am always searching for queer movies and a lot of times it’s just a little bit too much. It’s just like the only focus of the character is that they’re queer, and so I really love that Elliott has so much more to her and that that’s just part of her; it feels really special to me. It feels so human and real and not overdone.
Given that “My Old Ass” will shape a lot of young queer people, I’m wondering what queer movies were there for you growing up.
“Blue Is the Warmest Color” was the first movie that I’d watched that knocked me off my chair. I was like, “All right, things are turning.” “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” is also so beautiful. I would say those are probably the two that live the highest in my head.
Chris Azzopardi is the Editorial Director of Pride Source Media Group and Q Syndicate, the national LGBTQ+ wire service. He has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Cher, Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, GQ and Billboard. Reach him via Twitter @chrisazzopardi.
Photos by: Russ Bowen-Youngblood
Photos by: Russ Bowen-Youngblood
13 BONE-CHILLING REASONS TO VISIT
NETHERWORLD HAUNTED HOUSE
It’s the most terrifying time of the year at NETHERWORLD Haunted House! Halloween is only a few short weeks away! In honor of spooky season, read on to discover 13 frightening facts about Atlanta’s most iconic haunted attraction. And, don’t forget to secure your tickets at www. fearworld.com. This year’s two NEW haunted attractions, WAKE THE DEAD and MR. GRENDEL’s BIRTHDAY PARTY OF HORRORS, are open most nights through Halloween, plus Nov. 1-3 and Nov. 8-9.
1) NETHERWORLD moved to its Stone Mountain facility in 2018. The property is 10 acres of land and has approximately 70,000 square feet of interior space for attractions, fabrication, operations, and storage, which is nearly double the space of its previous location of 20 years.
2) NETHERWORLD is a massive, haunted attraction! Walking through the two haunts is the same distance as 8.5 football fields. It is packed to the brim with intricate sets, over-the-top special effects, and intense scare actors, filling every moment for guests with sensory overload!
3) NETHERWORLD has created over 4,000 seasonal jobs since it began in 1997.
4) Customers from all 50 states and around the world visit NETHERWORLD’s haunts every season!
5) The haunted houses and escape room games at NETHERWORLD feature over 500 animatronics and special effects
Plus, over 3,000 costumes and masks fill the backstage of NETHERWORLD, and more are created each year to accommodate the ever-growing storylines and characters that make up the mythology behind the attraction.
6) High-profile celebrity appearances have become commonplace at NETHERWORLD. Familiar faces such as Margot Robbie, Jennifer Lawrence, Usher, Slash, Woody Harrelson, “The Walking Dead” cast, Iggy Azalea, Ludacris, and many, many more have visited.
7) The owners of NETHERWORLD are some of the cornerstones of the haunt industry and have founded and served on multiple industry associations, written numerous articles, taught dozens of seminars, and helped train generations of haunted attraction owners and operators.
8) NETHERWORLD has close ties to the film and television industry, as many of its core staff members come from
the entertainment field. In addition, items from the haunts are often rented to productions, and many of NETHERWORLD’s amazing sets and props have come from some of your favorite films, including “The Hunger Games,” “American Made,” “Goosebumps,” “Passengers,” and “Zombieland” to name a few!
9) In addition to the haunts, NETHERWORLD has five highly acclaimed escape rooms each with a different theme and a Monster Museum which are open all year long!
10) NETHERWORLD has a year-round staff dedicated to creating special effects, sets, props, and monsters for its haunted houses and escape games.
11) Media outlets from all over the world have sought out NETHERWORLD for expert information on Halloween, haunted houses, themed attractions, and what it takes to scare people, including “The Today Show,” Travel Channel, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, CNN Headline News, TIME magazine and more!
12) “The Collector,” one of NETHERWORLD’s most iconic monsters, is based loosely on Dooley, the unofficial mascot of Emory University, where co-creator Ben Armstrong spent his undergrad years.
13) Did you know 2024 marks the 28th Season of Screams for NETHERWORLD Haunted House? There’s no better time to experience one of the most famous, terrifying, and high-quality haunted attractions on Earth!
Get your tickets to Netherworld Haunted House at fearworld.vom.
A Sultry Casino Affair: A Night of Glamour and Gaming
By Mikkel Hyldebrandt
On November 15, AID Atlanta invites you to enjoy a night of fundraising in the spirit of Monte Carlo meets Moulin Rouge. The Casino de Monte Carlo party will not only be a significant fundraising event for AID Atlanta, but it will give guests an experience of old-school glamour, gambling, and entertainment like none other. We spoke to Jon Santos, Director of Development at AID Atlanta, about what to expect at the Casino de Monte Carlo.
AID Atlanta has always been great at creating and hosting fundraising events throughout the year – but this one is different! Can you tell us a little bit about the background for the Casino de Monte Carlo event?
This dressy, sultry, and sophisticated cocktail party will feature exciting casino gaming experiences with professional operators running tables for craps, roulette, blackjack, and slot machines. Guests will use casino chips, which can be traded for raffle entries to win incredible prizes, including trips, Blue Ridge Cabin Stays, and an Atlanta Staycation. Guests will enjoy signature cocktails crafted by Tito’s Vodka and delicious hors d’oeuvres by Affairs to Remember. Cabaret-style performances will entertain throughout the evening, featuring singers, dancers, and magicians.
How did you come up with the idea for the swanky casino and nightclub theme?
We looked around the community to see what might be fun that isn’t currently happening. Casinos, gambling is fun. I see a mixture of the opening sequence of Sister Act, Casino Royale, 50 Shades of Grey and Shirley Bassey’s Cover of Get The Party Started were part of our inspiration.
What can people expect at this event? Will there be gambling?
As you know, gambling with real money is illegal in Georgia, and while we will have professional gaming operators, craps, roulette, blackjack and slot machines with real ‘play,’ we will use funny money. At the end of the event money can be turned in to raffle prize entries.
Events like this raise necessary and vital funds for your programs. Can you elaborate a little bit on how the money raised will be spent?
Special fundraising events tend to be the most visible in our Development program, and at AID Atlanta, our special fundraising events exist to help fund our prevention and care programs and services like our Free HIV and STI Testing and Treatment Program, Men Engagement Network (MEN), Sisters With A Voice (SWAV), and Emergency Assistance fund that helps those
in the most dire need. You’ve had quite the year of fundraising – so what’s next?
Casino de Monte Carlo is our last major special fundraising event for the year. After this we focus on Giving Tuesday, Holiday In Memory of and In Honor of efforts, and a Year End Campaign. Then we regroup and do it all over again.
What if you can’t make it to the event? How can we support AID Atlanta otherwise?
Visiting: www.aidatlanta.org/donatenow/ is the easiest way to give. Our friends may include the program or service they wish to support by leaving information in the ‘comments’ box. Supporting our life-saving work is instrumental to our continued efforts. With HIV Testing costing $25, an STI Testing running around $70 those programs are in constant need of funding.
Let’s return to the event – how do you get to attend? And will there be a dress code?
The link to purchase tickets online is www. aidatlanta.org/casino/. Pit Boss Host Admissions are $175 per person, and Player General Admission is $100 per guest. Captaining a table is absolutely welcome and encouraged.
Guests will enjoy signature cocktails and delicious hors d’oeuvres by Affairs to Remember. Cabaret-style performances will entertain throughout the evening, featuring singers, dancers, and magicians.
Anything else you’d like to add?
We invite you to please join us. The evening will be fun, we will raise funds to help fund our agency, and thank you for your years of generous support. AID Atlanta is by and of our community.
Get your tickets for AID Atlanta’s Casine de Monte Carlo event at aidatlanta.org/casino.
Photos by: Russ Bowen-Youngblood
Dini
BARS & CLUBS MIDTOWN
BLAKE’S ON THE PARK blakesontheparkatlanta.com 227 10th St NE
BULLDOGS
893 Peachtree St NE
FRIENDS NEIGHBORHOOD BAR friendsonponce-atl.com 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
MY SISTER’S ROOM mysistersroom.com 66 12th St NE
X MIDTOWN xmidtown.com 990 Piedmont Ave NE
THE T modeltatlanta.com 465 Boulevard SE
CHESHIRE
HERETIC hereticatlanta.com 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road
BJ ROOSTERS bjroosters.com 2043 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
WESTSIDE
MARQUETTE
868 Joseph E. Boone Blvd NW
840ATL 840 Joseph E. Boone Blvd NW
ANSLEY
ATLANTA EAGLE 1492 Piedmont Ave NE
FELIX’S 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
THE HIDEAWAY 1544 Piedmont Ave NE
MIXX mixxatlanta.com 1492 Piedmont Ave NE
OSCAR’S oscarsatlanta.com 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
WOOFS woofsatlanta.com 494 Plasters Ave NE
TRIPPS fb: tripps-bar 1931 Piedmont Cir NE
EAST ATLANTA, GRANT PARK & EDGEWOOD
MARY’S marysatlanta.com 1287 Glenwood Ave SE
SISTER LOUISA’S CHURCH sisterlouisaschurch. com 466 Edgewood Ave SE
DINING MIDTOWN CASA ALMENARA 991 Piedmont Ave NE casa-almenara.com
HENRY’S henrysatl.com 132 10th St NE
LA HACIENDA lahaciendamidtown. com 900 Monroe Dr NE
TUK TUK THAI FOOD LOFT TUKTUKATL.COM 1745 Peachtree Rd NW
DEKALB
LIPS ATLANTA atldragshow.com 3011 Buford Hwy NE
RETAIL MIDTOWN
BARKING LEATHER AFTER DARK barkingleather.com 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
CHESHIRE SOUTHERN NIGHTS VIDEO 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE ANSLEY
BOY NEXT DOOR MENSWEAR boynextdoormenswear.com 1000 Piedmont Ave NE, Ste A GCB & PLEASURES brushstrokesatlanta. com
1510-D Piedmont Ave. NE FITNESS MIDTOWN
URBAN BODY FITNESS
urbanbody tness. com
500 Amsterdam Ave N
CHESHIRE GRAVITEE FITNESS graviteeatl.com 2201 Faulkner Rd NE
SPAS/BATHS ADULT
FLEX SPA exspas.com 76 4th St NW
Photos by: Russ Bowen-Youngblood
We all have those moments of ‘wait, did they just say that?’ Lucky for you, we compile the best of the best right here on this page. Want to join in on the b*tch session? Submit your own nuggets to info@davidatlanta.com.
Director’s cut? Okay, but is he hung?
Don’t give me that ‘it’s just me’. You had 12 drinks, started an argument, did all my blow… you’re a terrorist!
Obviously, espresso martinis are now overexposed since we are making them with other than vodka!
Not gonna lie, The Substance has me thinking about that perfect being inside of me now. Who is she tho?
Why do gays need a costume with a mood board and a 2-minute backstory?
Halloween this year seems so tame compared to the impending election doom.
The eternal conundrum between Halloween candy versus slutty costume!
Remember when applying Halloween makeup: Today’s eyeliner can be tomorrow’s smokey eye!
