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‘Obsession’ star Megan Lawless has wanted to be an actor for as long as she could talk. She began actively pursuing the career at 13, but even before that she was so determined to perform that she channeled her energy into pageants. As a child, she idolized Miley Cyrus, so living her own Hannah Montana double life, balancing actress Megan with every day-job Megan, came naturally. For years, the now 26-year-old juggled multiple jobs while chasing her dream. “I was a math tutor, I worked at a grocery store and a couple restaurants, and up until very recently, I worked at a tennis club”, she tells us. It wasn’t until the global horror hit that Megan finally got her big break, and even at her last job, fans would regularly approach her to show their love.
In Obsession, Lawless plays the ill-fated Sarah Harper, a fan-favorite character whose intentions sparked heated debate. Yet one thing everyone could agree on was her impeccable sense of style, something the actress herself couldn’t help but admire and learn from.
In an exclusive interview, Megan Lawless opens up about filming Obsession’s famously frightening car scene, the close friendship she formed with lead star Inde Navarrette (including catching Sombr live together), how seeing Wicked on Broadway as a child ignited her desire to perform, and much more.
Q: Did you expect Obsession to become such a huge global hit?
I don’t think anyone could’ve anticipated what has happened! I always believed in the project, but to witness how people are responding to our film, how much of the world has seen it, how many records Obsession is breaking– that’s extraordinary. I am constantly pinching myself.
Q: The car scene is one of the scariest in Obsession. Do you remember how many takes it took to get it right?
We only had two takes to get it right and luckily on the last shot, we filmed what you see in the movie. We rehearsed that scene a lot before the cameras started rolling to make sure we were on our A game. Everyone committed fully to making sure that moment was the best it could be. And how impactful audiences find it now is a testament to all of our cast and crew’s hard work. I’m so proud and happy with how it turned out.
Q: Sarah had such a cool sense of style in the film. How did you feel about her look overall, and did you enjoy wearing the septum piercing?
I think Sarah is SO cool! I remember my fitting with Blair, our costume designer, and just being so stoked to get to wear Sarah’s wardrobe. Blair sent me the photos from those fittings and I admired them. I kept thinking that I need to learn how to style myself like Sarah haha.
“The septum ring was funny because it kind of feels like someone is tickling the inside of your nose constantly. But I got used to it and it pulled the whole look together.”
Q: Do you have any idea where the dummy version of Sarah ended up after filming?
No clue! I should probably ask. Maybe they’ll put that head in a museum somewhere one day. I gave up the right to keep it after filming. They asked me, but I thought it would be weird. I think the doll being in a museum would be a better home for her than my apartment.
Q: Looking back at the story, do you think Sarah and Ian were purposely sabotaging Bear’s attempts to confess his love for Nikki in the beginning?
Well Sarah was naïve to the fact that Bear had feelings for Nikki at the beginning. So no. I think if she found out, she would definitely be disappointed and probably not encouraging of it. Last she heard, Nikki sees Bear as a brother. That’s why ultimately when Bear and Nikki begin dating, it feels like a total switch up and she can only deduce that Nikki lied to her about her feelings. I do think Ian may have been sabotaging Bear, but that’s more of a question for Curry and Cooper. From my perspective, even if it wasn’t intentional, Ian seemed to dissuade Bear from being with Nikki because he wanted to maintain his relationship and access to Nikki.
Q: Sarah develops feelings for a taken man. Do you see her more as a “bad person” for wanting to kiss him, or as someone trying to save him from a bad relationship?
I think it’s a bit of both. She both wants Bear and wants him to not be in (what she sees) as a toxic relationship. The fact of the matter is, no one is perfect, and if this was going on in real life, no one would behave perfectly either. I believe Sarah is extremely hurt and confused. Her feelings for Bear haven’t disappeared. And I think she views Nikki as having disrespected her and with that comes desires to be spiteful. How Sarah responds to all of this is very human. I certainly don’t think she is a perfect person or a bad person. Just a very hurt person.
Q: How would you feel about an Obsession prequel that explores the origin of the “one wish willow”?
I love that idea! The beauty of what Curry wrote is the One Wish Willow story could be taken in so many directions. I feel like a prequel would be very cool. Maybe we discover the One Wish Willow origins? Maybe we discover who the voice behind the One Wish Willow voicemail is and their story? Or we could see the One Wish Willow affecting people from many different backgrounds with all sorts of desires. The possibilities are endless.
Q: At what age did you realize you really wanted to be an actress?
Since I could talk. I’ve always been singing and putting on skits. A core memory I have is idolizing Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus. I was her for Halloween on three separate occasions. I also saw Wicked on Broadway when I was about seven years old and that was the moment I truly conceptualized that I could have a career as a performer, vocalized it to my parents, and started chasing after it.
Q: Did you have any other jobs before (or alongside) acting? And have people at work started recognizing you from your films?
Yes! I’ve had so many jobs whilst pursuing acting. I was a math tutor, I worked at a grocery store and a couple restaurants, and up until very recently, I worked at a tennis club. Several people at work have spoken to me at length about Obsession. It is very sweet because as every day goes on, I discover more and more people that support me and are rooting me on.
“I’m also discovering how many people have seen Obsession and that is really cool.”
Q: You seemed to have had such a great time on the set of The Hate U Give based on the BTS content you shared. Do you still keep in touch with Amandla Stenberg or Sabrina Carpenter?
I have so many great memories from that set. I was already a fan of Amandla and Sabrina before we started working together, so when I found out I booked the role, I was so excited to get to meet them. I haven’t seen Amandla or Sabrina in years, but those girls were genuinely the sweetest and I have the best impression of them. I follow their careers on social media and have continued to root for them.
Q: What’s your favorite scary movie?
Hereditary. I’ve seen it so many times now. Toni Colette is pure perfection in it. I would love to work with her. And it’s also very cool how Hereditary was an inspiration for us.
Q: What is your most-played song right now?
‘My Body Isn’t Ready’ by Sombr. Of course, I’m obsessed with Inde in that music video and have had it on repeat. We were already fans of Sombr and I had been listening to him nonstop since we saw him at Coachella together. Getting to see Inde and Sombr working together is just perfection.
Q: What are your thoughts on Lorde’s song “Tennis Court”?
I love that album! ‘Tennis Court’ is phenomenal as well as every other song on that album. Takes me right back to eighth grade. Ribs is one of my favorite songs ever.
Q: What’s your favorite Sabrina Carpenter song?
Manchild. The music video’s similarities to Thelma and Louise is divine. Thank you Sabrina for the nod to my feminist icons.
Q: If you were granted one wish right now, what would you wish for?
In actuality, I wouldn’t get anywhere near that thing. But for the sake of this interview, there are a few directors I dream to work with – Chloe Zhao, Greta Gerwig, Bong Joon Ho, Martin Scorsese. I wish for an opportunity like that.
Q: How many pageants did you win when you were younger?
Wow, throwback! Back before I could act, my vehicle to perform on a stage was musical theater and pageants. I won a few, maybe five or so, when I was a kid. It was incredibly fun and I love being in front of an audience. It also was a great opportunity to do volunteer work. Giving back to the community was a big part of the pageant systems I was involved with. Those pageants taught me a lot of valuable skills.
Curry Barker’s Obsession is now playing in theaters and available on digital.
