Every year, the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival (SXSW) gathers an exciting crowd of actors and filmmakers in Austin, Texas. This weekend, actor Avantika (who you may know from Mean Girls) was among them, promoting her new film, Pretty Lethal, a ballet-themed action film co-starring Uma Thurman, Maddie Ziegler, and Iris Apatow.
“This is my first film at a festival, ever,” Avantika tells Vogue, “and for any movie-lover, it’s nothing short of a dream to be in an environment like SXSW—let alone have a release here.”
While in town, Avantika made a point of exploring her surroundings. “There were a plethora of opportunities and excursions,” she says. “I had so many friends who had movies coming out here, as well—my co-star from my upcoming show NSWF, Jack Martin, and my best friend Joshua Colley. Friends, films, good food: What’s not to be thrilled about?”
Getting corseted in the elevator by my hairstylist, Davey! Wearing Wiederhoeft.
Photo: Anna Koblish
The star’s fun-filled SXSW began with a kitschy car ride from the airport. “Upon arriving, I took a karaoke cab, which was incredible,” Avantika says. “Granted, I don’t know how the residents felt about me terrorizing the streets of Austin with an incredibly off-key rendition of ‘Valerie,’ but I had a blast!”
From there, it was straight into work mode. Avantika attended a press day for Pretty Lethal in a black and white Wiederhoeft dress, sitting for interviews with her co-stars Thurman, Ziegler, Apatow, Millicent Simmonds, and Lana Condor. “Pretty Lethal is best described as a bloody ballet action thriller featuring the most badass cast of women,” says Avantika. “The idea of the Hungarian mafia hunting down a group of feisty ballerinas was such a fun world to play in.”
The star adds that venturing into the action genre was a whole new experience for her. “Don’t get me wrong, it was definitely a challenge—but none of us girls are scared of a little blood, sweat, and tears,” she says. “I was in ballet bootcamp during the day and frolicking around Budapest in the night with my girls.”
We had five minutes to get the premiere shot in my hotel room (which, yes, had a full-length cement pillar in the middle of it).
Photo: Anna Koblish
The following day was the film’s splashy premiere, held at the historic Paramount Theatre. Avantika and stylist Katie Qian landed on a pink peplum gown (and a dramatic matching chapeau) by LA-based designer Erik Charlotte for the occasion. “Man, am I so grateful that she let me wear it,” Avantika says of her theatrical red carpet look, finished with makeup by Robert Bryan and hair by Davey Matthews. “I’ve admired her work for so long, and this dress just felt perfect for this moment.”
The actor reveled in the chance to celebrate the film with her castmates—and to see how other people responded to it. “The most exciting part of the premiere, by far, was getting to experience Pretty Lethal in a thousand-seater theater,” she says. “A completely sold-out, full house. To witness audiences cackle and cry and gasp countless times at a completely female-led action movie was priceless.”
These games are rigged. I never win.
Photo: Anna Koblish
After the credits rolled, Avantika headed to the film’s after-party at The Betty cocktail lounge in a beaded, fringed lilac PatBo dress. She was also sure to stop by the annual Austin Rodeo, where she played some classic fair games, watched the barrel racing, and even noshed on a turkey leg. “I loved going to the rodeo, eating Tex-Mex, and chatting with the locals,” says Avantika. “What a fun time!”
Up next? The East Coast. “I’m excited for our screening in New York,” Avantika says. “Beyond that, I am excited to start press for my upcoming show, Not Suitable for Work.” Of the latter project, she adds: “Leading Mindy Kaling’s next show is absolutely surreal, and I am so eager for audiences to see what we’ve cooked up.” We can’t wait, either.
Below, a closer look at Avantika’s Austin trip.
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Photo: Anna Koblish
It’s 6 a.m. and I’m answering all my emails, and my black coffee still hasn’t kicked in.
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Photo: Anna Koblish
Iris and I are gabbing (as usual) as we rush to our first interview of the day.
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Photo: Anna Koblish
The look.
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Photo: Anna Koblish
My girls and Uma! We’re all cheesing, but Millie and Uma decided to serve face.
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Photo: Anna Koblish
My makeup artist, Robert, talked me into a pink highlighter for my premiere look.
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Photo: Anna Koblish
Davey is playing multiple roles this trip because Katie (my stylist) couldn’t make it. We missed her!
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Photo: Anna Koblish
My favorite glam shot of the entire premiere day!!
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Photo: Anna Koblish
At least you can’t see how awkward I looked sitting in the car.
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Photo: Anna Koblish
Cinderella moment! I love running across the streets in a big gown!
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Photo: Anna Koblish
How surreal to be standing with my girls in front of the Paramount Theatre marquee. Pinch me!
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Photo: Anna Koblish
Millie looked angelic! That’s why I’m grinning ear to ear.
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Photo: Anna Koblish
Afterparty in PatBo!
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Photo: Anna Koblish
We’re running late! To no one’s surprise!
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Photo: Anna Koblish
Maddie and I giggling at some ridiculous gossip at the after-party, probably.
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Photo: Anna Koblish
My first rodeo ever!
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Photo: Anna Koblish
I mean, clearly I’ve never consumed a turkey leg before.
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Photo: Anna Koblish
I won a baby cow for smashing a hammer better than the dude who went before me.
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Photo: Anna Koblish
In many ways, this is a tour bus, and of course I’m asleep. Black coffee still didn’t kick in!
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Photo: Anna Koblish
Neither of our shoes are functional—but fashion doesn’t always warrant practicality.
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Photo: Anna Koblish
More press.
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Bait. Another stellar release.”,”contentType”:”photo”,”credit”:”Photo: Anna Koblish”,”segmentedSources”:{“sm”:[{“height”:400,”width”:320,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69b95940167010524b45caef/master/w_320,c_limit/SXSW28.jpg”},{“height”:800,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69b95940167010524b45caef/master/w_640,c_limit/SXSW28.jpg”}],”md”:[{“height”:800,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69b95940167010524b45caef/master/w_640,c_limit/SXSW28.jpg”},{“height”:1600,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69b95940167010524b45caef/master/w_1280,c_limit/SXSW28.jpg”}],”lg”:[{“height”:1280,”width”:1024,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69b95940167010524b45caef/master/w_1024,c_limit/SXSW28.jpg”},{“height”:2560,”width”:2048,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69b95940167010524b45caef/master/w_2048,c_limit/SXSW28.jpg”}],”xl”:[{“height”:1600,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69b95940167010524b45caef/master/w_1280,c_limit/SXSW28.jpg”}],”xxl”:[{“height”:1600,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69b95940167010524b45caef/master/w_1280,c_limit/SXSW28.jpg”}]}}}” data-testid=”GallerySlideWrapper”>
Photo: Anna Koblish
What an honor to see Riz for his upcoming show, Bait. Another stellar release.
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Photo: Anna Koblish
Couldn’t be happier to eat Tex-Mex with them.
