Before filming the latest installment of the “Hunger Games” movies, “Sunrise on the Reaping,” the actress Whitney Peak was thrilled but anxious to be joining the franchise.
“It becomes sort of a habit to think you can’t do things,” Peak said. “Then something forces you to push yourself, and then there’s that high of just facing fear.”
In the prequel, which opens in theaters on Friday and takes place 24 years before the first “Hunger Games” movie, Peak plays Lenore Dove Baird, a member of District 12’s Covey community and the girlfriend of Haymitch Abernathy, who competes in the 50th Hunger Games. After reading the popular novels by Suzanne Collins, Peak, 23, was drawn to her character’s confidence, and by the end of filming, she herself felt more emboldened.
“I’m just a little bit less afraid of not being perfect or making mistakes,” she said. “Just show up to work and give it your all, and if you make a fool of yourself, then who cares?”
In a phone interview ahead of the film’s release, Peak talked about her favorite soup in Lower Manhattan, the power of a nap and some of the books she read earlier this year. Here are excerpts from the conversation.
Sleeping (Almost Anywhere)
Oh my God, I’m a huge napper. Being an actress, so much of it is hurrying up and waiting, so you have to get really good at napping because you can have breaks anywhere from five minutes to three hours. I can pretty much sleep in any condition, except I’m really bad at sleeping while sitting down. I don’t play with my sleep.
Movie Nights
I just watched “Wildwood” last night. My boyfriend is a filmmaker, and he’s been waiting for that movie to come out for so long. I left the theater with so much lust for life.
Ruthang Momo Soup From Cafe Himalaya
I was introduced to it through Reign Judge, a good friend of mine. She took me there maybe three or four years ago. It’s a Tibetan restaurant, and it’s so delicious. I’m getting over a cold, and that soup is so incredible. It has all the good things. Their ginger tea also has just the strongest flavor. I love ginger. When I was growing up, my mom said garlic or ginger and honey heals everything.
Sweets
I’m not addicted to sugar, but I love desserts. If we’re doing chocolate bars, I’ve always been a Snickers girl. If we’re doing baked goods, I love an éclair, but there can’t be too much filling. I love Werther’s candy. I’m in grandma mode and always have some sort of sweet in my bag.
Journaling
I’ve had one since I was 15 or 16. Sometimes I’ll just wake up in the morning and have something that I need to put down onto paper. It’s just my brain in a book and things I want to reference later on. Sometimes it’s ideas. I have pictures in there. I have different mementos, memories, ticket stubs or gifts and cards friends give me.
Photography
I have been lucky to work with some great photographers and have been gifted some pretty great cameras. A lot of my friends worked in fashion, styling and photography, and photography became a hobby of mine. I just like to take great photos of my friends.
Staying Moisturized
I have really, really dry skin. I was making this list while I’ve been sick, and that’s something I noticed. I put moisturizer on, and my skin just immediately sucks it up, so I feel like I’m constantly reapplying throughout the day. I don’t like when my skin is dry or my elbows are ashy. In the morning, I always mix cream with body oil.
Hairbrush
I need a hairbrush all the time. I can’t travel anywhere without one. I can’t go over to a friend’s house and have a sleepover without a hairbrush because I have curly hair. If I’m wearing it straight, I maybe can get away with it more, but I don’t wake up with perfect hair. I have to wet it, brush it, de-tangle and let it dry. When my hair is not looking right, I don’t feel too good about myself. My hair was damaged when I was younger, and then I nursed it back to health, so now I can be a little more lax in my routine.
Sunglasses
Protect your eyes. I have pretty sensitive eyes. I have some incredible pairs that Chanel has given me that I really, really love — there are so many different shapes.
A Reading Project
I’m an avid reader. Earlier this year, I went through such a heavy John Steinbeck phase. I read “East of Eden,” “Of Mice and Men” and “Tortilla Flat.” It’s usually not really related to what I’m filming or working on, but it ends up informing my work in some way.
About The Author
