In The Scenario, reporter Kirbie Johnson takes readers behind the scenes of the buzziest movies and TV shows to reveal how the best wigs, special-effects makeup, and more are created. For this edition, Johnson spoke with Kellie Robinson, Zendaya’s personal makeup artist on The Drama, to break down how the bridal makeup is the least dramatic element of the film. As you may expect, there are spoilers ahead.
The Drama lives up to its name. Ahead of its release, there’s been much discussion about the film’s horrifying twist, despite the studio trying to keep it under wraps (press screeners were kept uncharacteristically small and to a minimum). The dark romantic comedy stars Zendaya as Emma and Robert Pattinson as Charlie, a couple engaged to be married within the week. During a game of “What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?”—a game I can’t say is culturally popular or, frankly, that I’ve ever played—Emma and Charlie exchange stories with their couple friends, Mike (played by Mamoudou Athie) and Rachel (Alana Haim).
There is the bad: using a date as a human shield against an aggressive dog, like Mike. Then there’s the unconscionable: locking a child with an intellectual disability in a fort, like Rachel (which I personally feel is a horrendous act I would rather forget than mention). And then there’s Emma’s revelation: She shares after one too many glasses of wine that, as a bullied teenager, she planned a school shooting—a plan she ultimately didn’t follow through with. (She then ironically goes on to become the face of antigun activism in her school.)
This revelation rocks the foursome. Mike and Rachel are the best man and maid of honor, and we see the news take a toll on the couple throughout the week, through a variety of scenarios that make you question who actually wins the “worst act” award.
The Drama stirs up many emotions. During my press screening full of typically silent journalists, there was audible laughter, gasps, groans, and even sniffles. You’re charmed by the bridal couple, horrified by several situations, and anxious to see how it all culminates at the wedding. This is what makes the film interesting and controversial, and it’s destined to be watercooler talk (at least at the online watercooler, a.k.a. the comments section). But the one element of the film that is no drama, no fuss, and doesn’t make you squirm in your chair? Zendaya’s beauty looks throughout—but especially her hair and makeup during the wedding scene.
Makeup artist Kellie Robinson, who has worked with Zendaya on other projects like Challengers, describes her wedding makeup for the film as a “ballerina, baby doll, clean” beauty look. The star’s hair is swept off her face, but not in a tight, slicked-back bun; her makeup is a little more exaggerated for the wedding than it is in the rest of the film, but it’s not overpowering.
“[Zendaya] is very true to the character, true to the script,” says Robinson. “That’s the foundation of any character that we build. She [isn’t like,] ‘Oh, I need eyeliner.’ It’s like, ‘What does this character call for?’ So creating the look for the wedding was about who Emma was. The way that the story plays out, Emma would be a class act. It would be super classy, clean. She wouldn’t do anything extra. She wouldn’t add big hair and veils. That’s not who she is.”