Exclusive Interview With The Irresistible Lea Delaria

I cherish my interview with Lea Delaria. If you’re not familiar with her work, you’ve probably been living under a rock! She’s the powerhouse behind characters like Carrie “Big Boo” Black in “Orange is the New Black” and Miss Fritter in “Cars 3”.

I’ve never seen a role fit someone so perfectly as Miss Fritter, though! If you’ve read any of my interviews from the Cars 3 red carpet, you’ll know that Lea Delaria inspired Miss Fritter’s character. She was always their top choice. Receiving a call from Pixar is a moment that alters the course of one’s life. I’ve experienced the awe-inspiring atmosphere of Pixar firsthand, and it’s a dream to one day work there. When we inquired about her phone call experience, here’s what Lea had to say:

Oh, what went through my head? I’m buying a house!  I jumped up and down;  I can’t even tell you. We were so excited when they called. I mean, I love Pixar. I love cartoons, I’m a big fan of animation, and I’m a huge fan of Pixar’s. Always have been. See all of their movies. So, when we got the call it was like- that’s like bucket list stuff for any actor. There’s not an actor on the planet that doesn’t want to do that, you know what I mean? So, yeah, I was excited. 

Pixar went the extra mile and presented her with an exclusive T-shirt adorned with Miss Fritter. Her reaction when we questioned her about it was truly priceless:

They made a little t-shirt for me of the actual original drawing of Miss Fritter.  When I saw it, I was laughing, we were all laughing. I was like, well of course they came to me for this; look at her. You know?

When I saw the character, I knew she was demolition derby.  I grew up where there’s demolition derby and went to demolition derby as a kid.  I knew exactly who she was.  So I thought, if this is anybody, it’s definitely me.  Perfect casting.

Given that Cars 3 revolves around automobiles, we were intrigued to learn about Lea’s experiences with cars and her favorite models.

When I went to school, like I said I’m fifty-nine, so when I went to school in the tiny little town of Illinois that I went to school in, it was a requirement for girls to take typing and home ec. You were required by your gender to do those things.  I didn’t want to take home ec, and I didn’t want to take typing, so I brought my parents in.  We sat down, and I took auto mechanics.

I used to be an assistant manager at a gas station, and I actually taught a course of basic auto mechanics for women – this is how you change an oil filter, this is how you change your oil, his is how you check to make sure your battery’s okay, stuff like that.  I love cars, and I work on their engines.  Pretty much anything until 1976 I can roll my sleeves and fix that car.

I’m desperate to own a nineteen sixty-six Ford Mustang, convertible. But, if not that, then the seventy-nine Ford hatchback Mustang is a beauty of a car. It’s a beautiful car. 

We also inquired if there was a role she was eagerly anticipating, as every actor harbors a dream project. While Lea initially responded with a joke, she soon delved into her sincere aspirations for her ultimate dream role.

A role that I’m dying to grab a hold of is any role where I get to kiss Angelina Jolie.  No, I’m still waiting for somebody to write that musical for me.   I’ve actually had someone just write a play for me, so I will be doing off Broadway next fall.  It’s called Innocence, written by  Aaron Mark.  It’s an amazing play, but, I’m still waiting for somebody to write that musical. I want that. I want it.  I’m hoping it will happen sometime.

In Cars 3, the character Cruz faces constant discouragement and people telling her she can’t accomplish certain things. We inquired whether Lea had ever encountered someone explicitly telling her she couldn’t do something.

Look at me.

My entire life. Always. You know, everyone from, from the nuns in Catholic school on.  I’ve heard nothing my entire life except, you can’t do that, which just makes me want to do it more.  I was blessed with amazing parents who encouraged us to be who we were, to speak our mind, to think for ourselves, and not be afraid to say what you think. That’s a part of my upbringing.  Watch me has always been my response

That’s what I like about this movie. This is something that we’re teaching young girls.  When I was a kid, I was taught that ladies don’t spit and holler and ladies sit with their legs crossed.  I was told constantly what it was I wasn’t supposed to do, rather than, you can do anything you want, you can be who you are, you can get your dreams, you can have any of that. You can be president of the United States. You know, my mom used to say that: you could be president of the United States.  My mom would say that to me in the sixties!  As a young girl, under the age of ten in the sixties, I think I was lucky to have that mother.  I know that the girl next door’s mother was not saying that.  She was saying, you’re never get a boy if you eat that cookie.

She also shared insights about her family with us.

You should meet the rest of my siblings, because I’m not the trouble maker.  I might be the quietest one, in fact.

If you’re familiar with Lea, you know she’s a force to reckon with. I’d be thrilled to meet the other members of the Delaria family! We sought her advice during our conversation about girls emerging from their shells.

I think the words for inspiration to give anyone in that sort of situation is first of all, you’re absolutely perfect as you are.  By that, you don’t have to do anything that you don’t want to do, you don’t have to say anything that you don’t want to say, and if you feel like you want to say something, when you know what it is that you want to say, you’ll say it!  I think it’s a good thing, because kids are always pushed to do things.  In your own time and your own way, that’s good enough. 

Lea Delaria’s down-to-earth nature and relatability shine through. Despite her fame, she remains grounded and approachable, which is refreshing. I’d jump at the chance to catch up with her anytime—whether grabbing a drink, sharing a meal, or just hanging out. As for questions, do you think we overlooked any that we should have asked her? And did you glean any insights or learn something new from my interview with her?

Gets Cars 3 Digitally in HD and 4K Ultra HD™ on Oct. 24 and Blu-ray 4K Ultra HD™ & Blu-ray™ on Nov. 7!