Stephanie Hsu talks viral audition and Oscar-nominated performance in "Everything Everywhere"

It's no secret that "Everything Everywhere All at Once" is the critical darling of 2022. The film is up for eleven Oscars, including a Supporting Actress nom for breakout star, Stephanie Hsu. Hsu, who played Joy Wang AKA Jobu Tupaki in the film, started her career in experimental theater where she would eventually meet the directors of "Everything Everywhere" on the set of Comedy Central's "Nora From Queens." Stephanie joined host Brittany Luse to chat about her comedic roots and viral audition, the freedom of nihilism, and how this film was a moment for intergenerational healing.
You can email us at [e-mail].
WHAT IS “IT’S BEEN A MINUTE”?
Each week, It's Been a Minute features people in the culture who deserve your attention. Plus weekly wraps of the news with journalists in the know. Join us to make sense of the world through conversation. Email the show at [e-mail].
LISTEN TO "IT'S BEEN A MINUTE"
/ @npritsbeenaminute
FOLLOW NPR ELSEWHERE
/ npr
/ npr
/ npr
www.npr.org/
See “It’s Been A Minute” sponsors and promo codes
www.nationalpublicmedia.com/p...
The NPR shows you love are possible thanks to your support. Donate today: www.npr.org/donations/support
---------------
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
01:22 - Stephanie Hsu’s roots in experimental theater and comedy
04:41 - “Everything Everywhere All at Once” audition video
07:45 - Working with the Daniels
09:27 - “Turn Down for What” and “Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens”
11:10 - On playing the dual role of Joy and Jobu
14:06 - Are all children Jobu Tupaki to their parents?
15:49 - On nihilism
16:45 - Mixing wackiness and sincerity in “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
19:20 - The collaborative process in the hallway scene
21:27 - Intergenerational healing in the film
23:46 - Permission to dream
26:15 - Dream role

[@diananovus9321]

Stephanie is wonderful to listen to. I never get tired of her interviews. She gives us so much depth and authenticity

[@CharlieCharlie88]

She’s so well-spoken

[@ra3085]

This interview in particular was fantastic!

[@sayjaibao01188]

She's so comfortable in her vulnerability and weirdness which she openly embraces and it makes her very authentic

[@grandma4514]

HAHAH I AGREE

[@tunadoctorwong2443]

I love how she can articulate her thoughts and ideas so intelligently. Talented and brilliant.

[@isariyasuttakulpiboon2442]

Agreed. Great interview!

[@maggiechan33]

I have been posting how eloquent Steph is, since I first saw her; every interview she impresses me even more. Not only is she dazzling + entertaining, but she always radiates charisma, positive energy + just wholesomeness. I admire her real personality infinitely than the one of Joy/Jobu Tupaki. She has the most infectious laugh. It is uber refreshing to have a young Chinese-American actor that makes us over-the-moon proud. (Michelle always was the mature + sophisticated actor that is the gold standard.)

[@juellab9399]

This is such a standout interview. Big ups to Brittany for being so open and curious, asking such insightful questions and laying down a welcoming environment. Stephanie makes me so proud, her work is so incredible and I cannot wait for the heights she's going to reach going forward.

[@1000Orgasms]

Thank God for a host that's not dumb or constantly interrupts. 👍

[@bobthebuilderday6leader]

Love the energy Brittany created, following up with thoughtful questions about Stephanie. This was lovely.

[@MeepsNcheese]

Stephanie is so real for mentioning clowning work. Some of the silliest, stupidest work you can do, but is so grounded in sincerity, being present and honestly opens yourself up for so much. Hooray theatre school!

[@sayjaibao01188]

Opening up yourself to be vulnerable is so scary but necessary and powerful

[@ubersc00ber]

I JUST had a discussion with a friend how the absurdity of the film and its comedy completely disarms us and allows us to be even more emotional. So glad to hear Stephanie touch on this! What a great interview.

[@julianna1365]

oh man now i’ve also been squished 😭 esp loved stephanie’s emphasis on moments of healing, nihilism leading to self compassion, and that last bit about giving yourself permission to dream (😭😭😭)… i feel like everything about EEAAO makes me cry but this just brought a whole new dimension to it lol. thanks so much for this incredible interview!

[@nprpodcasts]

We loved that part too! For anyone interested, the section on intergenerational healing is at 21:27.

[@PhotogrrlFilms]

Also CAN WE TALK ABOUT THAT SUIT?!?!?

[@heiders]

v classy

[@blackwidow1417]

the color shouldn't work, but it really does. it doesn't wash her out

[@davidnunya8331]

That was just an incredible interview, very insightful and not a lot of the typical media fluff. Excellent and thoughtful responses from the incomparable Stephanie Hsu, kudos to Brittany!

[@alexevansphotography]

So refreshing for an interviewer to be this smart, organized and thoughtful. Stephanie looks so comfortable and at ease, and not ONE question or comment feels out of place.

[@mindymmk]

Fantastic actress and an equally great interviewer

[@bibliophilelady6106]

I love her last answer. She was like, "Look at this suit, my perfect role is obviously IN CHARGE!" 😍 This woman deserves every good thing that comes her way.

[@MIGUEMIGUE123]

This was one of the best interviews I've ever listened to! Such raw and powerful insights from Stephanie. Love this

[@maggiechan33]

She is wise beyond her years.

[@annabethchase2569]

Props to the interviewer too. Asked amazing questions and truly noticed things in the movie

[@eduardoking8402]

So happy for Stephanie. She deserves it. Her ability to portray the different characters in the movie with so much depth is truly amazing.

[@davfb8622]

These two women…. What a treat. What a conversation.

[@AM257.]

All those years she turned down projects that didn't resonate with her deeply and to finally be a part of EEAAO and acted alongside those legends. just wow. I am so proud of her although I don't know her and I cannot wait to see more of her!

[@NoteFromSELF]

Damn. I love this woman. Stephanie Hsu was a little bit overshadowed by the sheer success of the film while also very much contributing TO the success of it. It's so cool that she knows who she is and what she wants to do and be, while also being willing to be vulnerable. I simply cannot wait to see her in the next thing. Go, Stephanie. Excellent interviewer in Brittany also.

[@operaticxingenue]

I just wanted to say that this move made me cry about a pair of rocks. It was amazing

[@MikuHatsune159]

She's so eloquently talking about that intergenerational healing. I well up in tears too knowing that we can at least make a couple steps forward. It doesn't seem like much in the general scheme of life, but it still means a lot.

[@sarameitner6770]

Every interview Stephanie Hsu gives - is always a revelation. She defies all labels, yet everything that has already been mentioned here is true of her. Her thoughtful sharing is something to be carefully listened to - and treasured. Thank you both.

[@maggiechan33]

She has insights that many older actors will never achieve.

[@BlackGirlMarvel]

Shouout to the host. I rarely enjoy hosts and she's fantastic. Stephanie Hsu deserves everything all at once. Her performance was amazing and she seems like a genuine soul.

[@DarienChen]

Exhilarated that she is nominated, please give Jobu her Oscar!!!

[@maggiechan33]

Also give one to Michelle.

[@asahinose79]

Yeayyy, OSCAR NOMINATED Stephanie Hsu 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@yourvirtualmom]

I find myself scouring for Stephanie Hsu interviews, I know not why. Compelling storyteller, sincere to the core. Love her voice and that giggle to boot.

[@jenniferchiang8759]

This interview is so beautiful 💕💕 I love when Stephanie Hsu said : "I had nothing to lose, I am here to show you my heart, take it or leave it , and I love you guys "

[@square721bt]

PUT HER IN MORE STUFF she's so charismatic

[@xoxjelloxox]

i wish she won that oscar - she is so talented!

[@isaacnathan1960]

As someone who doesn't leave comment, i feel the *need* to leave one here, just to say this is a really spectacular and high quality interview(or podcast talk wtv). I would say this has become my favourite interview of all time. This content is good and its from all direction. First, the host asked really good non-cliché and even technical question so smoothly that we got a more deep insight to both the artist AND the art. Plus it was done so SO smoothly to the level the interviewee let out many surprising new facts that has never been said, to the table, such as when stephanie talk about her previous clowning work(which she mention its a fact that she never talk to anyone about it). That just show how good she is. I also love how she also mention an intern's view on something that show inclusiveness on her part, then her intelligence really show through from her question and knowledge(you could watch her going on technical stuff, that you get she really did her research) that make it easier for stepahnie to talk about it, and also her humbleness really shine from the start. Second, from the artist direction, when stephanie talks, you can just really see how genuine, sincere and passionate she is about her art. Like a lot of comments here said, she is really articulate, which a joy to listen to, but also what shines to me the most from this interview is that we get to peek her core system as an artist and also as a person. Love it when she mention on what is taught to her from her past experience, shows that she is someone who took the lesson and carries it. And based on this interview alone, we got to know she really did contribute a lot to this movie(surprised that she said she felt she *maybe* contributed something after all during the audition tape talk). Also, love that she gave her answer delve deep and give it more that what the question is while slipping in light jokes. Also, i also felt through this interview, this podcast channel have a very good team which i said it earlier that its good from all direction. I really felt this should be the standard of interviews so a lot more actors can talk in depth about their movies AND themselves like this.

[@TITOFROG1]

I didn't know Stephanie Hsu before this gorgeous movie and listening to this interview, I can say and admit that I am now a big fan of hers. Love listening to her articulate her feelings and past experiences which she described and expressed so intelligently and vividly. She's well-spoken and we love that with most actors. Thanks and can't wait to see her next movie or show.

[@williamshields8228]

This was so beautiful and insightful. Stephanie is a powerhouse of a human and Brittany so effortlessly, yet intentionally, brought that out even more. Both ladies deserve the world.

[@thetriplethreat3]

Great interview. The host asked great questions and it felt like a genuine connection

[@BrokenDarkFire]

Stephanie’s answers were so insightful and in-depth, and also, I’m really impressed with Brittany Luse’’s observations and questions. I definitely want to hear more of the interviews she conducts!

[@wazoowi]

Brittany is a great host, effortlessly directing the interview This was a pleasure to watch, love it when interviews get nerdy

[@marniewoodrow3432]

She was incredible and the actual supporting actress in the film with a substantial role.

[@Epaulshi]

Wow this interview made me cry. Stephanie is beautiful, articulate and authentic. Well deserved recognition!

[@yuratchkaplisetskys3063]

Thank you Brittany for researching thoroughly and therefore creating the space for an insightful and genuinely intriguing interview! Your questions were brilliant and allowed us viewers to better appreciate Stephanie's personality and worldview.

[@scottmead854]

Great interview - both the Stephanie and Brittany. They managed to reveal quite intimate, revelatory facets of life and art in a semi-formal setting. For a more informal setting, I highly recommend to the Las Culturistas podcast where Stephanie talks freely with her old pals - Matt and Bowen.

[@John-ct9zs]

I thought she was a teenager, this woman is 32 years old!!! Wow. Though she looks older in real life then in the movie.

[@rosemarywessel1294]

I adore her. Soooooo smart and talented. Watching her shift characters in a single shot, let along scene, is just chilling. Even brilliant in her interviews - all while looking THAT good. Looking forward to whatever she takes on next.

[@neoshinok]

She has the best laugh I've ever heard. Can't wait to see her in so many more things.

[@Splurge24]

i LOVE this woman. Stephanie Hsu is a gotdamn STAR

[@michaelwong8008]

I've never watched an interview that touch my heart so much. Yes, maybe nothing matters but let's figure out together.

[@chrisosantowski885]

Brittney is such an excellent host and does such an amazing job of guiding the interview, but not dominating it. And Stephanie, just wow. Such an incredible artist. The Oscar Nomination is so well deserved and I am so happy you are getting the recognition you deserve.

[@tundrasretreat]

Give Brittany a raise, this was an excellent interview. Intellectual, human and compassionate, and some really thoughtful questions. Really really well done.

[@shinyki]

Amazing interview. It was such a pleasure listening to Stephanie talk about her experiences. Thank you to the host Brittany for doing so much research for the interview and coming fully prepared. Exceptional work.

[@YaleStewartArt]

I'm actually shocked this was only ~27 minutes. I swear, I feel like there was a 2 hour interview's worth of insight and information delivered in this conversation. Truly incredible interview.

[@SilentStormfall]

This is such a great interview! I love hearing Stephanie's thought process and Brittany asked really amazing questions. The clowning bit especially really interested me 👀

[@nprpodcasts]

We're so glad you enjoyed it! That part was fascinating. (For those interested, this was around 16:45 - The section on mixing wackiness and sincerity.)

[@brandonprows]

Stephanie is just a marvelous person. I can't wait to see what she has lined up for her future.

[@LittleBrownToast]

I've been a fan of her's since the off-broadway production of Be More Chill, and I'm so glad she's getting so much attention!!!

[@MattHorton]

Put her in more movies! She was incredible in Be More Chill on Broadway, too.

[@Breizh29200]

Love her! She was amazing in EEAAO! She has an amazing carreer in front of her! She totally deserved the oscar and i am sure she will get one soon. ❤

[@rtjahyadi7868]

She’s so well spoken and intelligent

[@monikaz5763]

This is amazing - see that the goodness of EEAAO is welcome in human hearts and shows a clear (though not easy) path to being kind. The Daniels are an angels from God, I'm sure 🥰 Stephanie, you won my heart and I wish you win an Oscar too! ❤

[@Catalystresource]

Stephanie is such a wise, deep, intelligent young woman with equal zaniness and artistry. And great interviewer.

[@joelface]

Love Stephanie. Loved the interview. And I'm feeling inspired to kegel up my own creativity muscles after watching that.

[@jenniferchiang8759]

I am sooo thrilled for Stephanie's success !!❤ I really like Stephanie Hsu, she's so kind and adorable! (and I am thankful that Aquwafina had schedule conflict so Stephanie Hsu can be in this movie 💕💕💕🎬🎼🥁) Both are adorable and courageous for sure! Shout out for all Asian women !

[@missgreendayfan]

She deserved the Oscar so much 😔 I'm sure she'll win one day. So excited to follow her career from now on ❤️ This interview was amazing 💕

[@theyoshow]

She's so awesome. My FAVORITE breakthrough actor of the year! Hope to see her in TONS of projects.

[@ivysayshello]

Late to this wonderful interview but!! The first time I saw the movie, me and a friend were deciding on the way there whether to watch EEAAO or Bad Guys, and I jokingly pitched EEAAO as "well since it's from A24 I know we'll come out of that theater as Changed People™ lololol" and WOW am I so glad that we ended up watching that movie instead-I'm certain everyone in our decently-filled screening felt the same way. And because I was wearing a Hadestown shirt, we chatted beforehand with a fellow Theater Kid going to our same screening about how excited we were to see Stephanie because we knew she was fantastic on Broadway! All that to say, Stephanie was my favorite part of the movie, and I'm so excited to see all that she'll do next!!

[@kimmirandaart9909]

Stephanie is so freaking cool. I wanna see her in more things!

[@tillypipstudios6731]

This was such a great interview. I love watching Stephanie in interviews because she's so articulate, funny, intelligent, and authentic. But this interview was so insightful and thoughtful which showed Brittany's great ability as an interviewer. I loved watching this! I can't wait to see where Stephanie's career goes. I hope she can have better roles, main roles especially.

[@The2010arian]

Wow 😮what an intelligent, articulate, emotional and talented actress ❤

[@got2bjosh]

I love this interview. 14:09 This section is so key. 23:20 from intergenerational trauma to healing

[@lseh4720]

I once laughed so hard in a movie that my husband had to tell me to be quiet. I turned around, and realized NO ONE was in the theatre but US. To our delight, we both just let it all out, throughout the entire movie…laughed, scream, and cried from my laughter. I had so much fun. The movie was Kung Fu Hustle.

[@SuzanaValenca]

She is so smart and articulate, hope to see her in movies more and more

[@Belbecat]

Thank goodness she is getting the attention she deserves! I was worried as people mostly mention the big names when reviewing this movie

[@cspo]

She's amazing. Just amazing.

[@setsabilenkambule4152]

I just discovered that she's 32 years old,she looks phenomenal!

[@willemdafart7597]

fantastic interview!

[@jellybellytelly]

It's so wild that she got this after Awkwafina had a scheduling conflict. She brought so much depth of character to it and I can't imagine anyone else doing it.

[@PhotogrrlFilms]

Love this interview so much!

[@YH-rf7hn]

What a fantastic interview this was!

[@moontripper1029]

Thank you Brittany for an amazing interview!

[@KristyRadio]

This was so wonderful!!! More of this!!!

[@Jedlersong]

Just such a fantastic interview. So happy the success and masterclass of this movie and its stars is being documented and celebrated so much.

[@jeffchow6722]

This is an amazing interview!

[@hisillyrabbit]

ugh i love her, i watched her audition last night and seeing this is just so inspiring.

[@jackchow397]

such an insightful interview

[@maggiechan33]

Beside being a extremely trippy flick(seeing hallucinations without drugs), EEAAO is also a homage to Hong Kong Cinema, with it's Gung Fu, zany comedy, hot dog fingers( 1991 Dances with Dragon) + WKW reference. Steph alluded to the intergenerational healing from this unique film, but this marvelous movie also alleviated some of the trauma, that the Asian-American Community endured with the Covid Hate.

[@MsLeni11]

What a great interview!

[@RayMak]

Her audition was divine

[@judyz.9439]

I love the host !!, such a good interview

[@MonieMusic]

What an excellent interview! So authentic and deep! Thank you for this. Her acting in this movie is so superb!

[@dialmstyle]

Had to pop out to watch the music video…and I’m back! Love this interview ❤️ Such a talent.

[@teddyruxbin9300]

Steph is amazing! Cant wait to see what she does next! ❤

[@offxcialsam8172]

Im really inspired by her such a great talent🙏🏾❤️

[@yjayyy]

this was so insightful but also you both have the most soothing voices! loved every second of it

[@pagantalks5993]

She gives me hope for the genre.

[@bentrayn]

As in more movies like EEAAO?

[@jbg_music]

Amazing interview, thank you 🥹

[@samisfun868]

i LOVE listening to her! so smart and articulate!

[@robharr1]

amazing interview!

[@KRG30001]

Great conversation

[@2tsc654]

This is such a wonderful interview

[@theotterdanny5800]

This was very beautiful, it was nice go get to know her more ❤

[@catalinamartinez3447]

Amazing interview!!!

[@valeriatalavera1795]

THIS CAST IS SO AMAZING! ALL OF THEM! IM IN LOVE

[@berbudy]

Soo much wisdom in this video. This is a requirement viewing after the movie.

[@leslyquiambao6263]

I was not ready for that interview 😭❤️‍🔥. Her way of thinking and expressing her thinking leave you so inspired!

[@israel-fn4cj]

This interview was amazing

[@sparrowgeiller9360]

Amazing interview! thank you.

[@Historian212]

Ms. Hsu mentioned Mass MOCA. For those unfamiliar, that’s the Massachusetts Museum Of Contemporary Art. Great place, very cool that she mentioned it. Love her in Mrs. Maisel, loved EEAAO. I’d love to see her win the Oscar.