“Ma” actor Gianni Paolo revealed on the “Boyfriend Material” podcast that co-star Octavia Spencer paid in full for him to have a publicist during the press tour for their 2019 horror movie when she found out he could not afford one due to credit card debt. Oscar winner Spencer headlined the Blumhouse-backed film as a murderous middle-aged woman who becomes obsessed with a group of high schoolers. Paolo, also known for his role in Starz’s “Power” franchise, had a supporting role.
“I didn’t have any money for a publicist because at this time, this was pre-‘Ma’ coming out and I was like, I just can’t spend $5,000 a month for a publicist,” Paolo said (via Entertainment Weekly). “I only made $6,000 on the movie. I’m in $20,000 worth of credit card debt. So, I’m like, I’m just not going to get a publicist.”
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When Paolo got cast in “Ma,” he only had four episodes of “Power” under his belt and no other real income. He said that Spencer invited the young cast over to her house for dinner right before the movie’s press tour was about to begin.
“She was talking about doing press for the movie and this was my first real big thing. So, I didn’t know anything,” Paolo said. “And she basically was like, ‘We’re going to do press. [Get a] publicist.’ And I told her, I don’t have the money to do that. I’m not going to get a publicist.”
In two days’ time, Spencer turned the situation around completely for Paolo, as he explained: “She had called her publicist, paid for it completely, and then set me up with her whole team. And then [she] said, ‘Now you have a publicist.’ She didn’t ask for the money back. Never.”
Variety reported in June that Blumhouse Productions is in development on a “Ma” sequel, with Octavia Spencer reprising her role as the eponymous killer. The project is in its early stages and has no director attached or release date set. The original film became a viral sensation and grossed $60 million worldwide on a $5 million budget.
“‘Ma’ has proven to be a social phenomenon since its release in 2019, with fans eagerly embracing the film and Octavia’s iconic performance as Ma,” Jason Blum said. “Ma likes to say ‘don’t make me drink alone,’ so we’re thrilled Octavia will join us again for a second round.”
Watch Paolo’s full interview on the “Boyfriend Material” podcast in the video below.
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