Ashley Park talks about the bold scene in Emily in Paris, how it was stressful to shoot, and how her team helped her get through the challenging experience.
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Ashley Park, who plays the lovable Mindy Chen in Emily in Paris, recently opened up about filming one of the most nerve-wracking scenes of her career.
The popular romantic comedy-drama, created by Darren Star, follows the adventures of Emily Cooper, played by Lily Collins, in the beautiful city of Paris. Ashley Park's character, Mindy, is an aspiring singer and Emily’s close friend.
In a recent interview, Park shared what it was like to film a bold and daring scene that became one of her most unforgettable moments on the show. She described the experience as “every actor’s worst nightmare” but also one that she is now proud of.
The Challenging Scene
The scene Ashley is talking about happens in the eighth episode of season 4, which is now streaming on Netflix. Mindy performs at the famous cabaret club Crazy Horse, known for its bold and artistic performances.
In this particular moment, Mindy must sing and dance, but there’s a twist – she has to perform topless, though cleverly covered.
Park said filming this scene was one of the hardest things she has ever done. She compared it to a recurring dream that many actors have, where they are on stage and don’t know what to do. “It’s like being on stage in your underwear and having no clue what you’re doing,” she explained. “That’s exactly what I felt, except I was surrounded by the most talented dancers in the world.”
Park credits the show's choreographer, Kyle Hanagami, for helping her make it through the scene. “If it wasn’t for Kyle and the amazing team around me, I don’t think I could’ve done it,” she said. The team made sure she felt supported and comfortable while filming such a difficult scene.
In the scene, Mindy is nervous about stripping down on stage. She discovers during rehearsal that her singing voice falters when she’s topless because of her nerves. But with the help of her best friend, Emily (played by Lily Collins), she comes up with a clever solution. While performing the song Oops!... I Did It Again by Britney Spears, Emily throws purses at Mindy from off-stage, and she uses them to cover herself as she dances.
Although the scene was incredibly tough to shoot, Park is now very proud of it. “I’m really proud of the scene,” she shared. “It’s one of those things I’ll never forget.” She also felt that the experience made her a stronger performer and gave her a newfound appreciation for the dedication of the dancers and the entire crew.
Park also talked about another memorable performance in the show’s latest season. In the final episode, Mindy and Emily are wandering through Rome at night.
The magic of the city inspires Mindy to write a song on the spot. Park explained that this song was special because it was an original piece written specifically for Mindy’s character. Songwriter Freddy Wexler wrote the song, and Park felt that it captured both her own emotions and Mindy’s character perfectly.
Season 4 Now Streaming
Parts 1 and 2 of season 4 of Emily in Paris are now available on Netflix, and fans are already buzzing about the exciting and dramatic new episodes.
If you’ve been keeping up with the show, you’ve probably already watched the Crazy Horse scene that Ashley Park talked about. It’s a moment that adds even more depth to her character, Mindy, and showcases the lengths Park went to in order to make the performance memorable.
As Emily in Paris continues to deliver stunning scenes set against the beautiful backdrop of Paris and beyond, Ashley Park’s performances stand out for their emotional depth and charm.
Whether she’s writing songs in Rome or performing in bold cabaret shows, Park’s portrayal of Mindy Chen is winning over audiences everywhere.
For fans of the show, season 4 offers more of the fashion, fun, and friendship that has made Emily in Paris such a hit. And for Ashley Park, it’s a season full of challenges that she faced head-on – and came out stronger for it.