Camila Mendes Draws Inspiration from ‘Project Runway’ and ‘The Hype’ for Her Role as a Reality Producer in ‘Idiotka’
Camila Mendes draws inspiration from the complex dynamics of reality television for her latest onscreen performance.
The producer and co-star of Idiotka revealed that Project Runway played a significant role in shaping her character, Nicol Garcia, a fashion reality TV producer. This comedy, written and directed by Nastasya Popov, is set to premiere in select theaters on February 27.
Mendes shared her process, stating, “But also, the one that we kept referencing for this was The Hype. I watched that one quite a bit, ’cause, tonally, it felt like this is more DIY reality.”
She elaborated on her character’s intent, saying, “We’re the cutting edge of reality TV. Like, we’re trying to do things differently, and that also felt very in line with Nicol’s character. Like, we’re not those cut and dry fashion shows; like we’re doing it differently.”
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In Idiotka, the character Margarita, portrayed by Anna Baryshnikov, navigates the challenges of supporting her multi-generational family in West Hollywood’s Russian district. She does this by selling counterfeit designer clothes online while striving to fulfill her dream of becoming a designer. After landing a role on the fashion competition reality series Slay, Serve, Survive, Margarita must confront her family’s dysfunction on national television as she competes for victory.
Mendes reflected on advice she received during her preparation, stating, “And one main thing that he told me was that these people, they really befriend you and they get close to you. But they’re also kind of provoking you and trying to get you to open up on camera and start drama for no reason. And he told me a lot about that complicated relationship.”
Continuing, Mendes said, “So, I wanted to bring that side out of her, the manipulative side, that very much has something to be gained from it. But also, I wanted it to feel like Nicol really sees herself in Margarita and admires her ambition, and I think respects her as an artist, but is trying to get real with her and say, ‘This is how the world works. If you want to make it in this business, it’s about so much more than talent; it’s also about spectacle. So, in a way, she’s manipulating her, but she’s also helping her through that.”
