Hollywood is rife with unlikely friendships: Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart. Eminem and Elton John. Kris Jenner and Jennifer Lawrence. And the latest unlikely celebrity friendship has quickly become my all-time FAVOURITE: the leads of A Star Is Born, Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga.
Cooper, an esteemed actor with a one-year-old daughter and Gaga, an award-winning singer known for her eccentricity, seem like total chalk and cheese on paper which is why their casting as the leads in the iconic tale seemed an unusual but totally intriguing choice.
Their portrayal of the star-crossed lovers proved to be an absolute triumph, scoring rave reviews from critics and bringing the Venice Film Festival audience to their feet for eight minutes.
So what was it that bonded these beloved stars so quickly? According to Cooper it was their shared fear of venturing into the unknown.
“I think what allowed us to become so close as friends is doing something that we both risked so much,” he tells me as I visit his hotel room in New York City. “I think the fact that she had never done a film before and I had never really sung live in front of people, there was a vulnerability there and we needed each other and I think that was a great way to become friends quickly.”
The Academy-Award nominee goes on to tell me that their intense connection was formed instantly after their first meeting, adding that if it hadn’t then they would’ve been royally fucked.
“The chemistry was already there when we met and we both acknowledged it like wow, we were finishing each other’s sentences,” he says.
“If we showed up on the day and we weren’t jiving, the movie comes to a grinding halt because the whole movie hinges on these two, the movie’s anchored by the two of them, if you don’t believe this love story then the movie doesn’t work.”
Meanwhile one can’t help but wonder, what’s it like having the outspoken, meat dress-wearing icon as a pal?
“It’s kind of cool,” Bradley says with a chuckle. “It’s surreal man, it’s crazy.”
A Star Is Born is already receiving rave reviews from fans and critics alike. Go check it out when it hits Aussie cinemas tomorrow, me and my new pal Brad implore you.
