Allison Janney ('I, Tonya') on giving heart to a monster: 'I hooked into her sadness'

Allison Janney ('I, Tonya') chats with Gold Derby editors Marcus Dixon and Chris Beachum about giving heart to a monster: 'I hooked into her sadness.' Janney takes on the real-life role of LaVona Golden, the mother of troubled Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding (Margot Robbie). However, as Janney tells us in our exclusive video interview (watch above), the LaVona we see on screen is "kind of an amalgamation" because the filmmakers couldn't track down the real LaVona.
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[@tlaw9540]

I love this woman. So glad she won the Oscar. She deserved it and I hope we see her break into films even more now

[@jeanettequesada8979]

Walked out of the theatre saying, "Allison Janney carried that movie from beginning to end. She is going to win an Oscar." Congratulations and thank you for making a night out at the movies so enjoyable.

[@samanthalucas8070]

She such a wonderful talented actress great interview

[@davidpar2]

She’s right, Lavona is fascinating

[@joc1977]

She's going to the Oscars!

[@captainkev10]

It looks like Wes Anderson did the cinematography for this interview. ;) She's such a wonderfully talented actress. Great interview.

[@pumalaivellai2524]

In the 90s environment. Imo, the mother seems ("great character thing to have in there. I don't even think the real LaVona smoked" ) - seeking attention/acknowledgement in contrast to Tonya having a skill/talent - At 15 and 17 and 19 - Tonya's doing adult decisions, and making them real? 1994 - Tonya could have asked her qualified coach for personal guidance on her status.

[@Landrew0]

Bad camera angle; makes her look small and insignificant.

[@bonniedeibel1546]

Not necessarily true about abuse! My husband & his siblings parents were extremely abusive & my husband & his siblings are & were the nicest easy going people! I don’t know what I would do without him! The case is most likely true about abuse continuing on but there are exceptions to the rule, thank God!

[@Moore-s5p]

I think she took a heart and made it a monster.... A lot of artistic license.

[@chriscoyne9717]

I happen to think her portrayal, no fault of her own, but the writing, was a bit over the top, very good but I think they should’ve have a softer scene at least once, Tonya’s mom at least played nice once in a while, maybe like a on camera moment at the ice rink circa ‘94 because those were the moments where Lavonna had played nice, mother of the year for the cameras.

[@yfa6244]

It would have made her more real, no one is 100% monster. She did, after all, work three jobs so Tonya could skate and she did sew her skating outfits as well.. I haven't seen the movie, but these are the good points after listening to tons of Tonya's interviews.

[@sophiefrost]

Some people aren't affectionate, but show support in other ways. Lavona was an amalgamation of many ideals. I think having a soft scene would have spoiled it. Janney was right, the monologue in the diner says so much about her character.