Marisa Tomei Talks 'Wrestler' Nipple Rings And Stripping

"The Wrestler" has garnered huge award buzz for its comeback star Mickey Rourke, but Oscar-winner Marisa Tomei's turn as a stripper has earned her a Golden Globe nomination as well. Tomei plays Cassidy, the love interest of Rourke's Randy "The Ram" Robinson.

Tomei talked about the stripping aspect of the film with Premiere:

Could you talk about your research and talking to strippers?

I talked to a bunch of different girls and a bunch of different dancers. It wasn't like I sat and had big interviews with them or anything; we just went out, had some drinks, went to a bunch of clubs, watched a lot of dances, got some dances, brought some guy friends with me, brought some girl friends with me... It's like anything, any subculture. You get in there, and it's all individuals.

You had a lot to do with the costuming and the design of her clothes and the tattoos.

[There were] so many layers of having to find just the right thing because the script called for certain points where the Ram has to put money in my G-string, so I definitely had to be wearing a G-string -- I couldn't be wearing boy shorts. And I didn't really want to be topless in every single dance number because you wouldn't be anyway, because you start off with your bra on and even your little dress on sometimes, so I didn't see why I needed to do that, but there were certain things called for in the plot, and then I wanted to feel comfortable as her and I wanted it to be flattering...

The nipple rings were the most fun to settle on, actually.

Was that your idea or was that in the script?

No, that was my idea... They were clip-on. They were stuck on with eyelash glue and then kind of pinched on. It hurt a little bit.

Read the whole Premiere interview.

See stills of Tomei dancing in "The Wrestler"

Watch the trailer for "The Wrestler":

Comments

[trollsbwild]

It's only playing in NY or LA. Nowhere else on xmas day. I'm pissed.

[ChuckFarley]

That ultimate dream job- Fake nipple ring applyer

[rzzza]

this movie looks pretty good, a real tear-jerker.

but is it bad that I have no idea who mickey rourke is?

[yareallygotmegoin]

Then rent "The Pope of Greenwich Village"

[mallan317]

Do you think she really likes short, stocky, balding funnymen? If so, I hope to meet her someday.

[WriterRoss]

Wow. What a shock. Another movie about a wizened old has-been male and a female stripper. It's not like women are good for anything else...
say like roles that call for women to think with their clothes on..
Enough!

[BadgersBite]

I love Marisa - I'll go see any movie with her in it - check her out in "Before the Devil Knows Your Dead"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Jhrxn7QVDc

[ColoradoDan]

Same here. Marisa is still alluring as all hell. Whew. Fine actress in everything I've ever seen her in.

That film was my personal favorite for last year hands down. Superb acting and just very realistic and riveting. Yeah its a heart breaker but so worth the 2 hour viewing. Viewed it 3 times now ... and I just never do that.

Was viewing My Cousin Vinnie on HBO or whatever a month ago. Still a very funny movie and her acting seems as fresh now as then. She does 'serious' well also. I wanna see this film.

[geobushono]

do we have the audio clip of beautiful Marisa saying, " They were stuck on with eyelash glue and then kind of pinched on. It hurt a little bit. "
Please.

[LouisLouis]

I saw this movie and it is wonderful. Of course, while not a feel-good movie so to speak, it really draws you in and "The Ram" is so lovable. I felt the soul of Mickey R. coming through this movie, and it really got to me. At the end I was very emotional. The story was very real, and having watched that type of wrestling with my kids when they were small, I could really appreciate the insight into that world. However, I think you would really dig the movie even if you aren't into that stuff, because it's about people, life, consequences, etc. This was one of the best I've seen this year and Mickey Rourke was amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jaydeedub]

Marisa Tomei still looks great. Mickey Rourke not so much. They are both great actors.

[jojojo]

I hate pro wrestling, but this is about people, not wrestling. Looks terrific, and so does Tomei.

What was the movie she was in with Philip Seymour Hoffman, about two brothers who rob their parents' jewelry store? Fine film.

[hardesty]

Something like, "Things to do When you're Dead"...?

[GeeBee]

It's "Before the devil knows you're dead" I just saw that. Pretty good.

[nankipoo]

It was called "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead". Excellent film.

[Sparty1]

Marisa Tomei deserves an Oscar for being able to keep a straight face while trying to be Mickey Rourke's love interest. I would've run for the hills as soon as he came in the room. My goodness what has happened to that once pretty face?

[leatherbunny]

Its called make-up, maybe you should try some on and go blog a life.

[Sparty1]

Huh? Maybe you should go 'blog a life' for that asinine followup. Do you really think Mickey Rourke's face looks that way because of makeup?

[senorplaid]

I dunno. Jack Palance is no longer around, so she probably doesn't have a shot.

[Giada]

Mickey spoke of hitting a personal wall with his childhood shame and abandonment issues. And he fortunately looks like he is in his way to being the comeback kid.

This type of film is not for me...but I'm pleased he found his way back.

[113]

wow i am surprised by that trailer...that actually looks really really good

[estreya]

Few things turn me off more than wrestling. Those men are grotesque. Tomei is great, but i won't be watching this movie.

[emncaity]

The film's not about wrestling per se, but the decline of someone once famous and his attempt to make some kind of life on the other side of fame. Could have picked any profession that led to celebrity.

[THE JEDI 69]

WOW this looks good