Despite being an accomplished actress, with critically acclaimed movies and an Oscar under her belt, Jessica Chastain failed to act up when she met Meryl Streep in real life. Explaining how she got tongue-tied when she first came across Streep, Chastain opened up about her embarrassing moment during an interview with James Corden.
Admitting that she prefers not to meet actors she idolizes, Jessica Chastain explained birthing her decision after having awkward and nervous encounters with the ones she admires. Sharing a humorous story with James Corden, Chastain recalled an uncomfortable interaction she had with her iconic idol Meryl Streep.
Jessica Chastain Revealed Her Inability to Meet Her Idols
Rising to prominence in the early 2010s with films like The Help and Zero Dark Thirty, Jessica Chastain soon became a household name after starring in a wide variety of films. From delivering arthouse-oriented performances to appearing in superhero flicks like X-Men: Dark Phoenix, the actress even landed the coveted Oscar in her career.
However, despite her Hollywood accomplishments, Chastain apparently struggles when it comes to meeting her idols. Appearing on The Late Late Show with James Corden to promote her movie The 355, Jessica Chastain opened up about her inability to have a convenient encounter with the celebrities she admires.
“I prefer not to meet anyone that I idolize because I’m just awkward.”
Admitting to go tongue-tied and awkward upon meeting her idols, Chastain noted how she prefers not to meet actors that she admires. Apparently, it all started after she had a bizarre encounter with Meryl Streep in a theater lobby following her performance in a play in New York.
Jessica Chastain’s Embarrassing Encounter with Meryl Streep
During her appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden, Jessica Chastain admitted admiring Meryl Streep for her work and her overall personality. And therefore, when she finally met her idol after a theatre play in New York, Chastain had the worst and most embarrassing encounter with Streep.
“I had a very embarrassing moment with Meryl Streep, to be honest. I just want to save everyone the awkwardness of being like… I don’t know what to do with myself. I really feel so uncomfortable.”
“I was doing a play in New York. I came off stage and everyone’s there in the lobby, I was with my friend and said [does shocked, frozen face] ‘is that Meryl Streep?!’ And then she turns and looks at me and everything starts to kinda go crazy in my head and she walks towards me like we know each other.”
Recalling the interaction, which came after Meryl Streep attended her play, Jessica Chastain mentioned getting complimented by the actress. However, acknowledging her vulnerabilities, Chastain claimed to be starstruck and getting tongue-tied before she could reply. The actress admitted failing to function properly after her idol praised her performance.
“She says; ‘Jessica, you were so wonderful in this play.’ And I didn’t even know how to function. So I said ‘Thank you so much, it means so much to me that you came. Bye Bye.’ and I walked away, like an idiot.”
Perhaps, following the embarrassing encounter with Meryl Streep, Jessica Chastain decided that she should avoid people she admires. Chastain’s story certainly reminded us that even accomplished stars can experience moments of awkwardness and self-doubt. Moreover, her humorous revelation delighted fans, as it showcased her authenticity and willingness to share relatable experiences.
