*Trigger warning: This article includes mentions of SA* Anna Van Patten has opened up about how she prepared for the role of Kitty in Euphoria season three, and it’s troubling to say the least given what happens to her character. The actress is the sister of Tell Me Lies star Grace Van Patten (she even played her on-screen sister in The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox). She made her Euphoria debut in Sunday’s season three episode four as a dancer at the Silver Slipper, and her story soon took a very dark turn when she went into a backroom with a number of patrons. One of the men starts having sex with her, before appearing to sexually assault her with a champagne bottle. Rue watches this incident play out on the security cam, clearly dismayed at what’s happening to Kitty. Credit: HBO When it’s over, Rue finds her in the bathroom with tears in her eyes and shaking hands. She asks if she’s being forced into sex work, but Kitty simply insists, “I like to dance.” It’s clear to see that Kitty is traumatised by what she’s just been through, but for whatever reason – whether it’s trafficking or simply needing the money – she puts on a brave face. And that’s exactly why Anna Van Patten’s preparation for the role seems so disrespectful. Kitty star went to a real life strip club after landing Euphoria season three role Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, the actress revealed that when she found out she’d landed the role, she went to a strip club for research purposes. “I had never been to a strip club in my life. But I’ve always wanted to try pole dancing so when I got the call back, I started taking pole-dancing lessons. I think I kind of manifested the part with those lessons,” she explained. Credit: HBO “And then, when I heard that I got the part, I was in Budapest, so I went to one club there and tried to ask the girls questions. There was a language barrier, but I got a lot of inspiration.” Her approach feels especially jarring given the severity of Kitty’s situation – she’s the victim of exploitation and trauma. The idea of “manifesting” the role and treating the visit as “inspiration” trivialises what’s actually being portrayed on screen. Even the idea of trying to question dancers despite a language barrier feels uncomfortable, as it comes across as more of a surface level observation than truly engaging with the realities of the environment Kitty is in. There is a big “but” though: There’s all the chance that Euphoria creator Sam Levinson didn’t fully reveal the character description. Anna may have simply been told that she’s going to play a pole dancer, in which case her comments are far less concerning. Credit: HBO That said, some of her other quotes from the same interview still feel difficult to ignore. Anna acknowledges she could ‘wash off’ the role at the end of the day, highlighting how disconnected this is from the traumatic experiences of the women Kitty is supposed to represent. “I’m fortunate in that I’ve never been in Kitty’s situation, but yeah, it was tough. It’s sad and it’s dark, but it serves a purpose in the greater story,” she said. “And luckily, I had so many people there to support me through it. There was an intimacy coordinator, and you’re surrounded by the crew and the cast, and everyone was being very delicate. “So, I felt like I could go to a darker place and put myself in Kitty’s shoes. Then I went home and took a shower and washed it off.” For all the latest film and TV updates and hot takes, like our Facebook page. Featured image credit: HBO Post navigation Next storyPrevious story
