Saturday, April 4, 2026
News

Camila Mendes reveals reality shows she binged to prepare for 'Idiotka' role

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend    Print this Page   COMMENT

Washington DC | February 18, 2026 10:20:49 PM IST
Actor Camila Mendes revealed that she turned to popular reality TV shows to prepare for her role as a reality TV producer in the upcoming comedy 'Idiotka', according to People.

Speaking at the film's New York City premiere, Mendes shared that she watched multiple competition series to better understand the dynamics behind the scenes.

"One of my go-tos was Project Runway," she said, adding that HBO's streetwear competition show The Hype was a major reference point. "The one that we kept referencing for this was The Hype. I watched that one quite a bit, because tonally, it felt like this is more DIY reality."

"We're the cutting edge of reality TV. Like, we're trying to do things differently, and that also felt very in line with Nicol's character. We're not those cut and dry fashion shows - we're doing it differently," she added, according to People.

In 'Idiotka,' directed by Nastasya Popov in her feature debut, Mendes plays Nicol Garcia, a producer navigating the competitive world of fashion reality television.

The film also stars Anna Baryshnikov as Margarita, a struggling fashion designer, alongside Julia Fox and Benito Skinner as fictional judges on the show within the film, according to People.

Mendes said she also spoke with former participants of the fashion competition series, many of whom described intense experiences with producers.

"Many of them mentioned crazy experiences where producers would be their best friend, before eventually becoming kind of manipulative," she said. "That was a very helpful perspective to have."

The actress explained that she approached her character's manipulative streak from a place of sincerity. "I was grounding her manipulation in a place that felt honest and well-intentioned. Ultimately, Nicol is really trying to uplift Margarita and give her the platform to succeed," Mendes noted, according to People.

She also shared that working alongside friends made the project even more special. "I adore Benito, and I've been wanting to do something with him for so long. I was so happy that he joined the project," she said, according to People.

Recalling one of her favourite on-set moments, Mendes pointed to an improvised scene by Fox. "It's an iconic moment, and it makes me burst out laughing every time," she teased, according to People.

'Idiotka' is set to hit theatres on February 27. (ANI)

 
  LATEST COMMENTS ()
POST YOUR COMMENT
Comments Not Available
 
POST YOUR COMMENT
 
 
TRENDING TOPICS
 
 
CITY NEWS
MORE CITIES
 
 
 
MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Dennis Quaid to star in 'Thunder Road' b...
Blake Lively's sexual harassment claims ...
Sonam Kapoor cradles baby boy in adorabl...
Ali Abbas Zafar kicks off high-octane ac...
Dwayne Johnson announces production wrap...
Anshula Kapoor celebrates bachelorette i...
More...
 
INDIA WORLD ASIA
'Ensure free, fair and fearless polls in...
Fire breaks out at ONGC Mumbai High plat...
'Will probe alleged ties between CM Sarm...
'No confusion on candidates, Stalin hidi...
'LDF confident of winning more seats fro...
Dharmendra Pradhan hails Ujjain as 'livi...
More...    
 
 Top Stories
Pakistan to return $3.5 bn UAE debt... 
Tamil Nadu polls: DMK's KN Nehru ca... 
Unseasonal rain, hail destroy wheat... 
Ask him what is Strait of Hormuz: D... 
'Run for Jesus' rally organised in ... 
"Condition of people in Bengal wors... 
Two arrested, accused injured in De... 
"We have to rely on coal and wood":...