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Amy Schumer on fame, pregnancy, and her new Netflix special

“Being cool is powerful in this industry, but there’s nothing more powerful than not giving a f--k."

Aidy Bryant, Busy Philipps, and Amy Schumer star in I FEEL PRETTYCredit: Mark Schäfer/STX

A still from the movie I Feel Pretty, starring Amy Schumer (right). Source: Supplied

Amy Schumer is back. 

In an interview with the New York Times, the comedian and actress opens up about impending motherhood, dealing with fame and returning to stand-up and writing after a sabbatical following her commercially successful but critically panned films “Snatched” and “I Feel Pretty.”

“The last two movies I didn’t write," said Schumer. "I didn’t really have anything to say. I now do.”

In the profile, a pregnant Schumer, who rose to fame with incisive commentary on body image and sexuality, is featured running nude in a park.

With a new Netflix special "Growing" and film 'The Human' (based on a play she starred in) on the way, Schumer says she's worked to evolve herself and take on criticism but also learn to deflect the daily hate that comes with fame. 

“Then there’s internet rumours and just the hate out there,” she said. “They hear my name and think whatever, you know. So it’s kind of fun to go in with the deck stacked against you.”

“Being cool is powerful in this industry, but there’s nothing more powerful than not giving a f--k," she said. 

Schumer said fulfilling her ambition to be rich and famous did not give her the joy she expected, but is one she feels with expecting her child. 

“Young me thought [fame] would bring some other level of joy,” she said. “I think I will experience that with a baby, but other than that, it doesn’t exist.”
She is already channelling motherhood and pregnancy in her comedy, including pointed remarks about the backlash against the #MeToo movement. 

“I hope it’s a girl,” she reportedly says with a hint of sarcasm, “because it’s such a scary time for men.”

The profile ends with a quote from Schumer which gives an insight into her current state of mind. 

“I’m ecstatic and furious,” she wrote, then: “And pleased and peaceful and manic and hopeless and so hopeful it’s crazy.”


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By Sarah Malik

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