IN CONVERSATION WITH REINA HARDESTY

interview by JANA LETONJA
photography LAUREN WITHROW

Reina Hardesty can be seen in Greg Jardin’s debut feature ‘It’s What’s Inside’, which released on Netflix on 4th October. Upcoming, Reina will also star in Prime Video’s series ‘Butterfly’.

skirt KIKI RIKI

Reina, we can watch you in horror comedy ‘It’s What’s Inside’, which just released on Netflix. What can you tell us about the film and your character, Brooke’s story?

‘It’s What’s Inside’ is such a unique, wild ride of a movie. It’s part thriller, part dark comedy, part sci-fi. It’s about a group of old friends reuniting for a party the night before a wedding. One of the estranged friends of the group shows up with a body-swapping machine to play a game and, as you can imagine, chaos ensues. My character Brooke is an energetic, party-loving girl whose journey through this film is particularly tumultuous. 

What excited you the most about being part of this film, and what was your favorite scene to film?

The challenge of pulling off such a daring concept and playing multiple characters really intrigued me. The opportunity to work with an up-and-coming visionary writer and director like Greg Jardin also drew me in. It was so clear from the script and the pitch deck that he knew exactly what he wanted to accomplish and had such a passion for what he does, with a healthy sense of play. He’s a part of the AAPI community and it brings me so much joy to see and be a part of the rise of AAPI voices and talents in entertainment. It’s genuinely so hard to choose a favorite scene, and I don’t want to give too much away, so I’ll just say “peanut butter” for now.

jacket CHRISTIAN DIOR
gloves OAK
shoes SAINT LAURENT

Fans have gotten to see you previously guest starring in CW’s ‘The Flash’ and DC’s ‘Legends of Tomorrow’. Which role has left the biggest impact on your career so far?

Most roles I’ve played have impacted me tremendously. I learn so much about myself, I meet incredible people, and more often than not, I get to spend time in a new city far away from home. If I had to choose, I would say my most recent project I filmed in South Korea this year, called ‘Butterfly’ was the most impactful. It’s the longest I’ve lived out of the US and my character Rebecca is an extremely complicated and layered person. I really learned how to trust myself on that set.

How and when did acting become your passion?

I was 8 years old and “borrowed” my sister’s copy of ‘Moulin Rouge’. I was absolutely transfixed by Satine. I would reenact the scene where Nicole Kidman is in her dressing room dreamily saying “I’ll be a real actress”, and her death scene. I started taking acting classes shortly after and never considered anything else for myself.

If you could manifest a next role for yourself, what kind of role would that be?

I’d love to play something non-human. It would be so much fun to get super weird and creative with prosthetics, sounds and movement. But really, I’m happy to play any role that I connect with. I don’t know how to define what it is, but sometimes it just clicks and feels so right. I’m always seeking that feeling.

jacket Reina’s own

Outside of acting, what are your biggest hobbies and passions?

I’m a sucker for an escape room, scuba diving, game nights. Lately, I’ve been teaching myself how to play the piano. I’ve been learning some of my favorite songs via YouTube tutorials and singing along. 

How do fashion and acting complement each other in your opinion, and how important is fashion to you?

Clothing is so informative to who a person is. The right costume can truly make or break a character. Fashion is an opportunity to decorate your physical being and influence how you interact with the world around you. It can be a barrier to hide behind, and enhancement to expose your soul, a disguise, an extension of self. Fashion allows us to tell the world so much about ourselves without even opening our mouths. I’ve been falling more in love with expressing myself through my wardrobe lately and it’s brought me so much joy.

Next up, we’ll also be seeing you in Prime Video’s series ‘Butterfly’. What can you share with us about this series and your role in it?

‘Butterfly’ is an espionage action thriller with an emphasis on complicated family dynamics. I play Rebecca, an assassin who is struggling with her identity in the world. Under all the action and thrills, it really is a story about love, belonging and acceptance. I’m extremely excited for this one to come out. We were in South Korea for 6 months with an incredible team. It’s looking great. 

jacket MUGLER