Quvenzhane seems to have no trouble at all juggling stardom and her own childhood. She tole Elle magazine, “I feel like I’m five sometimes, because I still enjoy myself. I enjoy what I do. I don’t want to grow up.” However, being a kid cannot last forever, especially in Hollywood. The starlet thoughtfully added, “I know it’s not going to last much longer.”
Of course, she was referring to her youth, not her career. That is absolutely blossoming in full force. This month Annie will hit theatres, retelling an old tale with Quvenzhane in the lead role. Next up, Fathers and Daughters, followed by Counting by 7s; an adaptation of the best-selling novel about a little girl who moves in with a surrogate family after the death of her adoptive parents and struggles to gain a sense of control in her life. It seems there will be no shortage of work for this exuberant young talent who has been praised up and down since her debut role in 2012’s Beasts of the Southern Wild.
As well spoken as Quvenzhane is, interviewers note time and again her whimsically childlike behavior when they spend time with her. The London Evening Standard recently described her falling asleep in a pink barbie-doll hoodie rather during an early morning meeting. She had fashioned a pillow for herself from the interviewer’s bag, after being fed a bagel by her mother who explained that “Quvenzhane is not a morning person.” Later on that day, she excitedly read off her long christmas list, full of toys.
On another occasion, Quvenzhane met with Times magazine at her favorite hang-out spot: the Airline Skate Center. There, she roller skated and played video games to her heart’s desire, answering questions in-between all the fun.
Both a child and a young lady bursting with talent, Annie was written around Quvenzhane’s presence. The modern retelling casts her in the title role, which is a huge departure from the iconic redhead image. But director William Gluck told Elle: “When you see the
movie, it’s not about her race. It’s just about a headstrong girl who cares about everyone around her. And that’s Quvenzhane.”
Photo: ELle
