Exclusive: Marisa Tomei Means Business

This spring, Marisa Tomei is set to premiere her latest film, High Tide, whilst also generating excitement for her portrayal of a tough executive in Amazon Prime’s series, Upgraded - a modern twist on the Cinderella story. The journey of this Academy Award-winning actress, originally from Brooklyn, has been characterized by unforgettable onscreen performances that have truly made their mark. Notably, her portrayal of Mona Lisa Vito in My Cousin Vinny was much more than just an acting role, it was in fact an awakening. The way Tomei combined sass, sophistication, and a generous quantity of hairspray undoubtedly set the bar for depicting Mob-wife style. However, her appeal extends far beyond her iconic characters, as evidenced by her memorable performance in The Wrestler and her heart-wrenching depiction of May Parker, Peter Parker's dear aunt in Spider-Man. Tomei possesses a remarkable ability to alternate between humor and potent emotion.

"Oh, it was an incredibly enjoyable experience. The character I played doesn't mince words. It was a delight to play such a role. Nonetheless, she retains a good heart. Ultimately, she is very supportive of her protégé and aims for her success, even if she can sometimes be overwhelmingly candid, which I truly reveled in portraying. It was indeed a fun experience."

"Costumes, hair, and makeup are absolutely pivotal to any role. I devote a considerable amount of time in these areas, and occasionally they offer my first insight into the character. Questions such as 'What does this person wear?', 'Where does she shop?', 'What are her experiences?', 'What kind of underwear does she wear?' prove to be imperative.

In terms of appearance, I usually prefer to collaborate with the hair and makeup team ahead of time, if feasible, possibly a few weeks in advance. This gives us the opportunity to work on different possibilities: 'If we resort to this hairstyle, how would this eye makeup look?', 'If we opt for this eye makeup, should we go for a shorter haircut?', 'Can we use a wig?', 'Can the production afford a wig?'

The challenge then becomes how rapid this can all be done in the mornings. I get restless sitting in the chair. I dislike spending more than an hour in that chair. I prefer to get straight into work mode and get started. It is always best to establish an understanding of the character's background and then move forward quickly on the day."

"Most often, I use what the makeup artist has when I'm on set. For my skin, I adhere to a fairly simple routine as I have very sensitive skin. Lately and for some time now, I have been using Intelligent Nutrients moisturizer. To lessen puffiness under my eyes as well as possible, I apply a 111Skin eye patch. I continue to use 'Mr. Big' mascara by Lancôme, which I typically undercoat with the mascara 'They're Real!' from Benefit. But that's just for me."

"Sure, it might seem outmoded, but it works for me. My skin doesn’t react well to changes."

"I don’t usually do that. I just never got into the routine. As I get older, I realize its importance more, but it's still a struggle for me to integrate it into my routine. My skin is sensitive, so I have to avoid certain products. When I'm in L.A. though, I relish a good facial massage. I absolutely love them. Facial massages, particularly ones that involve lymphatic drainage, appeal to me. I always fall asleep during them because of how much I enjoy them."

"I believe it's a trivial matter to be judged by."

"The advice I would give to my younger self is to keep up the fun and partying, enjoy the late nights and take up every opportunity that comes your way. That is the right time for it."

"In the spring, I have a new film, High Tide, due for release. Directed by Marco Calvani, the film has just been shown at South by Southwest and tells a beautiful love story. I portray an artist in the film and I’m really excited for people to see it. As for what I'm looking forward to in the spring? I'm always anticipating the spring season. I thrive on the first day of spring. The pleasure of Easter, the crisp air, and the sense of fertility always leaves us all feeling exuberant."