While in Australia to promote the March 25 release of her eagerly anticipated sequel, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, Nia, 53, admits she insisted on ‘keeping it real’ during filming.
Despite the director’s and producers’ protests, the actress/writer shunned the hair and make-up trailer so certain key scenes would be as authentic as possible.
“The director and the producers came to me and were like ‘you don’t want to look this bad’ and I was like ‘yes I do because that is what I look like during the day’,” Nia explained to Daily Mail Australia at the film’s Sydney premiere.
“At the beginning I was trying really hard to depict what I am like when I drive my daughter to school, so I thought very hard about not wearing make-up.”
The award-winning actress adds that it’s vital for women to appreciate their natural beauty and to be aware that it “takes hours” to become red carpet ready.
In the upcoming sequel, Nia reprises her role as Toula Miller, while John Corbett portrays her handsome husband Ian.
After spending most of their time focusing on their troubling teenage daughter, Paris Miller (Elena Kampouris), Toula and Ian are facing marital problems while also having to deal with yet another Greek wedding – this time, even bigger and fatter.
The film’s star and writer was joined by dozens of Australian relatives at the world premiere in Sydney, including her brother Nick, who she had surprised earlier that day with a visit.
“(He) has a cafe in San Souci and I just walked in and tried to order a burger, but there were just too many screams,” she says.
With so much family support in Australia, Nia also says she’d love to film the follow-up in Sydney if she can.
