Newsmakers

No stranger to the Hollywood scene, Rebecca Ferguson has seen it all, from the adrenaline-fuelled Mission Impossible instalments (Rogue Nation and Fallout in 2015 and 2018 respectively) to the award-winning thriller flick Girl on the Train.

Let’s not forget her stunning performance in The Greatest Showman, the fifth- highest grossing live-action musical of all time. In her career, she has worn many hats, consistently flexing her acting chops, and she continues to be on a roll. This month, Ferguson returns to the silver screen as the top hat-wearing chief villain Rose the Hat in Doctor Sleep, a gripping tale of horror based on the 2013 novel of the same name by Stephen King, and a sequel to King’s 1977 novel The Shining.

What is the first thing you do in the morning?

Brush my teeth.

What makes you deliriously happy?

My…oh my gosh I am boring! I am going to say my children but yes, I just got a video from my nanny of my little one-year-old walking and that made me happy.

Which movie has impacted you the most?

Oh my goodness. You are saying movie, but my head goes to The Secret Garden. I never saw it but I loved the book.

Most valuable skill to have as an actor?

Accept being free and throwing yourself off the cliff.

One reason you would trade places with Rose for a day.

Well, she has incredible powers. The idea of reading someone’s thoughts and transporting in time? I mean, why a day?

Your go-to comfort food?

Chocolate dipped in chocolate.

Your guilty pleasure?

Chocolate.

How is Doctor Sleep different from your other movies?

I get to play a ruthless, limitless, evil character whom I madly love. Things that went into the preparation for Doctor Sleep. Watching interviews with psychopaths and constantly wearing a top hat.

Who was your biggest celebrity crush growing up?

Leonardo DiCaprio was one. I had a momentary glitch for Tom Cruise as well but he already knows about that so that is not new. I told him while we were training for Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation that I liked him as a vampire!

What makes you most nervous?

Any form of presentation in front of a large group.

Quick tips to looking great?

Pretend.

Word association

Rose – Hat

Home – London

Happiness – Family

Doctor – Sleep

Murder – Children

Money – Difficult

Teamwork – Important

Love – Butterflies

UNRESERVED – Freedom

Related: Portraits: Lai Pei Si