Chris Lilley says Jonah Takalua is fun to play
JA’MIE might be Chris Lilley’s fan’s most popular character, however he insists Jonah Takalua is far more fun to play.
REBELLIOUS teenager Ja’mie might be Chris Lilley’s fan’s most popular character, however the 39-year-old actor insists Jonah Takalua is far more fun to play.
“It’s a relief to finish Ja’mie — she is hard work, just so intense,” the Australian comedian told Who magazine.
“And it’s more awkward because I’m playing a girl who’s biting her dad’s shoulder and flirting with teenage boys.
“It’s weird stuff to do as an actor.”
While some claim Lilley’s controversial character Jonah is a racist portrayal of Pacific Islander’s, Lilley, 39, insists it is innocent and they love it.
“I’ve never had any negative feedback,” he said.
“I have people all the time come up and claim that they’re Jonah!
“It’s all in context and it’s designed to be shocking and confronting.”
While it’s well known Lilley has a legion of Aussie supporters, it has come as a surprise to him that international celebrities like Lindsay Lohan, Katy Perry and Paris Hilton also love Lilley and his larger-than-life characters.
“It’s very weird, because these popular-culture icons have latched on to Ja’mie,” he said.
“Not long ago, Paris Hilton tweeted something about “quiche,” so I followed back and she flipped out — she posted a screen shot of my follow and starts private-messaging me, going, “Oh my God, I can’t believe you follow me!” So it’s the middle of the night and I’m lying in bed and chatting to Paris Hilton.
“I’ve chatted with Lindsay, too, and she’s so into it, and I’ve heard Victoria Beckham loves Ja’mie and Naomi Campbell got onto it after Kate Moss lent her a Summer Heights High DVD.
The six-part series Jonah From Tonga (premiering Wed., May 7, at 9 PM on ABC1).
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