Ayo Edebiri is set to captivate audiences as the vibrant pop star Mimi Rush in the new HBO series from creators Rachel Sennott and Jordan Firstman. During a recent interview, Sennott, who stars alongside Edebiri in the 2023 comedy “Bottoms,” shared insights into how Edebiri’s unexpected cameo came to life. The duo had jokingly decided that to catch up, they would need to write roles for each other due to their busy schedules.
Sennott had already envisioned a character that was a “diva pop star that is super kooky” and decided that Edebiri would be the perfect fit. “It was the day after the Met Gala,” Sennott recalled. “She Zooms me from her hotel room, it’s completely dark, and she’s like [tired voice], ‘What’s the idea? Let’s do it.’”
Edebiri took the concept and added her unique flair, enhancing the character of Mimi Rush beyond Sennott’s original vision. “She’s so funny, she improvs so much,” Sennott said. “She was like, ‘Can I have a mullet and a bedazzled vape and a British accent?’ And I was like, ‘Go off. Go off, girl.’”
Jordan Firstman, who has known Edebiri for over a decade, expressed excitement at the opportunity to collaborate with her, adding depth to his character, Charlie. “It’s an interesting place for Charlie to go so early in the season, because you see him being a brash guy that’s taking no prisoners, and then the second he gets with this person that’s employing him, he cowers,” he noted.
Firstman humorously admitted that he felt intimidated while filming alongside Edebiri, thanks to her commitment to the role. “Ayo was so scary as Mimi Rush, that I [was] stuttering more than I normally would,” he confessed. “Those scenes were so fun to play, and she just looks so insane in the best way, too.”
With Edebiri’s talent for comedy and improvisation, her portrayal of Mimi Rush promises to add a delightful and lively dimension to the show, ensuring viewers will have plenty of laughs and memorable moments to look forward to as the series unfolds.