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Woman Crush Wednesday
Hey, you know what’s a great two-for-one? Hump day AND Woman Crush Wednesday! Here’s a midweek low down on our new crush to help get you to the weekend. This star ain’t your typical gal…introducing Brigette Lundy-Paine!
WHO’S THAT GAL: Brigette Lundy-Paine
WHY WE’RE CRUSHING: Lundy-Paine stars in Netflix’s Atypical, which is returning for a third season this Friday, November 1. Atypical follows the life of an autistic teenage boy, Sam (Keir Gilchrist), who has decided to start dating. With the support of friends and family, including his mother Elsa (Jennifer Jason Leigh), his father Doug (Michael Rapaport) and his sister Casey, played by Lundy-Paine, Sam begins to gain more independence and develop a better understanding of the dating world.
Overall, the show is a powerful portrayal of an “imperfect” family, but Lundy-Paine’s character Casey is clearly a standout. As the snarky and strong-willed, but extremely protective, younger sister of Sam, Casey is very hard not to like. From her hilarious one-liners to the vulnerability she allows herself to display, Casey is a deeply complex and deeply real character. And it’s easy to see why so many viewers have identified with her. The actress calls Casey an “underdog,” noting that that she’s gotten “a lot of messages from people who have siblings with autism” and from “young queer people and young people who don’t feel quite like they fit in.” Her character is unabashedly and completely her own person, and we’re so here for it.
From just one look at her Instagram or the many interviews the actress has given, it’s clear to see that the apple doesn’t fall so far from the tree. The real Lundy-Paine is also totally bad ass. Not only is she Co-founder of an alternative art magazine, Waif, but she’s also created an experimental art band, Subtle Pride, with three of her NYU classmates. In 2018, she opened up about her sexuality to The Advocate, identifying as queer. And while she says her understanding of her identity is still evolving, Lundy-Paine is not hiding any part of herself from the world. Her red carpet looks range from a glittery dress to an expertly groomed mustache and beard. This actress is celebrating her identity, and consequently giving others the space to do the same.
WHERE YOU’VE SEEN HER BEFORE: The 25-year-old has already made quite the name for herself in Hollywood, and in only four short years. She got her start appearing in an episode of MTV’s One Bad Choice, which features young people sharing the consequences of a single decision, along with dramatic reenactments. Her first feature-film was Woody Allen’s Irrational Man in 2015, which stars Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone (sounds like some pretty good names for a first timer!). Lundy-Paine followed this up with her first major role: starring in Nike’s original series Margot vs. Lily as the title character Margot.
It’s undeniable that the actress’ break-out moment arrived in 2017 when she snagged a part in the highly-anticipated film The Glass Castle. Lundy-Paine played Maureen, the daughter of nomads Rex (Woody Harrelson) and Rose Mary (Naomi Watts), and the younger sister of Brie Larson’s character, Jeannette. Following this appearance, Lundy-Paine’s career picked up speed (as it should) as she landed even more feature film roles, among them the girlfriend of Christoph Waltz’s character Dusan in Downsizing and Lara in The Wilde Wedding, starring Glenn Close.
WHERE YOU’LL SEE HER AGAIN: Recently, Lundy-Paine completed a short called Fix, which centers on two sisters who take a vow of silence and head to a remote cabin to “detox” one of their boyfriends. The actress will also appear in one of the most anticipated films of the season, Bombshell, the true story of the women who took on Fox News’ Roger Alies. While Lundy-Paine has a smaller role, she will be shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the greatest actresses out there, including Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie, and Nicole Kidman.
And finally, in August 2020 Lundy-Paine will be appearing in Bill & Ted Face the Music, the third film in Keanu Reaves’ and Alex Winter’s franchise. This time, the two middle-aged men and rocker-hopefuls are visited by a time-traveller who tells them their music can save the future. I think it’s VERY fair to say that Lundy-Paine is on her way up. Get ready to see her grace our screens more often.
