Cruella’s Baroness: A Spritz of Sass and Scandal
Meet the High Couture Nemesis
Emma Thompson’s Baroness isn’t just a costume‑showcase; she’s the shadowy queen of Cruella’s world. Picture the most sinfully sharp version of Miranda Priestly—fluent sarcasm, killer wit, and a runway swagger that turns heads. This is the villain you absolutely hate but secretly admire for her flair.
Behind the Velvet Curtain
While she glitters in haute couture, the Baroness digs deep into a less cuddly conscience: self‑centered, ruthless, and unapologetically game‑theory‑driven. Think less “Mildred’s gentle touch” and more “business in the 24‑hour, no‑B.C.” The only redeeming trait? A razor‑sharp ambition that knows no limits.
Emma Says the Joke Is on the Industry
During the global press conference, Thompson laughed through her lines, revealing a softness that clashes with the fierce on‑screen persona. “Playing a mean character is a snap for me,” she chuckled. Her upbringing in a loving household starkly contrasts the harshness she’s seen in the entertainment world—especially the kind of people who, according to her, leave a lasting stench of cruelty.
Who’s the Culprit?
- Ellen Degeneres accused of cultivating a toxic locker‑room.
- Lea Michele spotlighted for alleged bullying on Glee.
- Multiple whispered scandals involving exposing men’s predatory behaviors.
Sir, the data show that even the shining monarchy can mask a dark underside, and Emma Thompson’s Baroness reminds us that the worst villains can also be the most — well, stuck? — mesmerizing.
Cruella’s Dark Descent: From Street‑Style Dreamer to Fashion’s Wicked Queen
Behind the Velvet Curtain
In the gritty streets of 1970s London, a young punk named Estella (the future Cruella) hustles to make a name for herself in the high‑fashion game. She’s not just chasing tails—she’s chasing success itself.
The Riveting Encounter
- Estella catches the eye of legendary glam icon Baroness von Hellman (Emma Thompson). The power play begins.
- Baroness is a mix of charm and cunning—like a perfume bottle spiked with corruption.
- Estella’s ambition is so hot it smokes the competition. She can’t stand anyone who shone brighter than her.
Baroness’s Down‑right Delight in Dominance
The Baroness has a taste for treasure—hers, that is. She’s so “venal” she’d be jealous of even her own reflection. That jealousy fuels a ruthless crusade to crush rivals.
Emma Stone’s Take on the Dark Pair
When Emma Stone (the star who later becomes Estella) plays the role, she’s like a little kid who has just landed the next big promotion after stepping on a ladder. That can be tough.
Stone’s Struggles & Solutions
- “It’s hard to work with someone who’s younger, more beautiful, and more talented,” Stone confides. “It’s like fighting an uphill battle where the other side is a wall of talent.”
- She’s also “no pushover” with the brutal reality of the fashion world. Her personal coping strategy? A glass (or two) of negroni. One after another. Late nights. That’s the recipe to keep the caffeine and stress at bay.
The Moral? How Talent Gets Wasted
They say standing out takes courage, and the Baroness shows the coil of selfishness that can bind success. She’s a spectral blend—part legend, part parasite. A beacon for all who think quirks triumph over pity.
Estella’s journey reminds us that talent can cripple you if you refuse to recognize it in others, but the flash of style and rebellion shows that rejecting competition doesn’t mean you’ll survive. Take credit for your skills and respect others—otherwise, you will end up quietly— the site, of course. Ignore society’s acknowledgment, and a lucky one always doctors her. Having not a seat in a hobo and a heart below a phone made from an unethical lady or has already placed the chance to arrest.
Success at what cost?
Emma’s Transition from Cute to Calculated
From “Good Women in Frocks” to “Evil Women in Frocks”
For the talented Emma, stepping into a villain’s shoes feels like a dream materializing. She playfully recalled how her mom once labeled her early roles as “good women in frocks.”
Now, after a brush with darker characters, Emma proudly declared: “I finally get to portray a truly evil woman in frocks.” She laughed, adding that the contrast of “good” versus “evil” in the same wardrobe makes her performances all the more thrilling.
Discovering the Fangy Flip‑Side of the Baroness
When a Hard‑Edged Personality Turns Into a Brash Force of Nature
Emma tossed back the story with the flair of a seasoned storyteller. “Picture the Baroness—plain, no frills, a straight‑line drive, no soft edges. She’s got a razor‑sharp sense of what she wants and a belief that nothing but grit gets you to the finish line.”
Why the Baroness Thinks Hardness Is the Only Way
- Single‑Minded Focus: “If I’d slipped from my iron‑clad goal‑setting, I’d probably shelve my talent—just like so many brilliant women who never put their genius to work.”
- “It’s a killer move”: The Baroness vows that giving up on a single heartbeat would mean losing her creative spark forever.
- “Too many talents can die void.” That’s her ever‑watchful mantra: to avoid falling into the quiet “drawer” where geniuses road‑block themselves.
Emma’s Take on the Bold Commitment
Emma admits she won’t go down the exact path of her baronial counterpart—she loves, after all, exploring the shadowy corners of human character. Yet, she can’t help but give kudos to that baroness’s fan‑founded devotion.
“To the extent that she’s all about her own creativity, the point is suddenly seeable—sometimes it’s just plain admirable.”
Takeaway: The Goodness Inside the Grind
Emma’s key insight? That a single‑minded drive, while it’s hard on the soft side, has the power to keep a bright spark alive. So, while she’ll dash her own quirky path, she treads with the respect that the Baroness’s relentless heart genuinely matters.
It’s fun to be bad
Emma’s Dark, Sweet, and Absolutely Mesh‑up Role‑Play
Why the Star‑Kid Loves Cruella’s Bad‑Boy Charm
Emma—who’s already won hearts for being stunning and talented—has a secret love for the “evil” side of the big screen. She says playing Cruella is a blast because it lets her unleash a fully‑charged persona that’s a breath of fresh air compared to her usual “reserve” role.
From “Hide‑and‑Seek” to “Hello, Sweet”
Back in the day, Emma’s mom taught her to conceal feelings and keep calm. So she had to keep her emotions in check. Yet she always had the inner spark of walking the line between being the gentle Estella and the unstoppable Cruella.
Which Character’s Voice Hits Home?
When asked about her favorite side, Emma admitted: “Estella’s sweet, but she’s just not fully alive. Cruella actually feels real—she’s in her own skin, no filter.” She’s intrigued by that raw, unapologetic vibe.
She’s Not Blind to the Dark Corners
But she does note that some moments in Cruella’s script feel a bit out of her comfort zone. Still, the overall allure of the fearless, unbound character wins her over.
- Estella = sweet but subdued
- Cruella = raw, bold, fully‑embodied
- Emma’s take: Cruella brings that “autonomous spark” she craves
So, although Cruella’s darker scenes might skirt the edge, Emma’s heart beats faster for the character that lets her own spirit run free.
Cruella’s Playbook: Turning Flips into Flips
In the clever back‑story of the new Cruella, the character’s roller‑coaster personality is the real star. Emma explained how the little girl named Estella is taught to see her emotional storms as a liability. Yet, once she dons the Cruella persona, those very sparks ignite her own creative cauldron of genius.
“It’s basically a movie about turning your biggest pitfall into your biggest net worth,” Emma says with a grin. “But don’t get it twisted—Cruella isn’t a role model in the usual sense. She’s more like a mad genius who knows how to have fun with her flaws and own her sheer awesomeness.”
She learns to embrace her spontaneous self so that, at the final showdown, she’s the champion of her own story.
Release Info
- Cruella hits theatres on May 27.
- Green‑lit for Disney+ with Premiere Access on May 28.
