No, Meryl Streep did not gain weight for her role as Florence Foster Jenkins.
Meryl Streep's Transformation for Florence Foster Jenkins
Instead of undergoing a physical transformation through weight gain, Meryl Streep achieved the distinctive look of Florence Foster Jenkins primarily through elaborate costuming and specialized padding. The acclaimed actress, known for her commitment to roles, presented a significantly different silhouette from her natural slim build to embody the larger stature of the real-life socialite.
Achieving the Character's Physique
To accurately represent Florence Foster Jenkins, who was a woman of considerable size, a custom bodysuit was meticulously crafted for Meryl Streep. This foundational piece of costuming was essential in altering her natural physique to align with the character's dimensions. The costume designers aimed to bring Streep's shape closer to that of Jenkins, recognizing the significant difference between the actress's naturally slender frame and Jenkins's more robust build.
The Role of Padding in Portrayal
- Extensive Padding: Meryl Streep wore extensive padding underneath her costumes from morning to night during filming. This padding, integrated into or worn with the bodysuit, consistently contributed to the character's fuller figure.
- Seamless Integration: The design ensured that the padding and bodysuit were worn with "great grace," allowing Streep to move naturally and perform convincingly without the artificiality being apparent on screen.
- Authentic Representation: This method allowed for an authentic physical portrayal of Florence Foster Jenkins without requiring the actress to undergo drastic personal body changes, showcasing the power of detailed costume design in character development.
Why Costuming Was Key
The decision to use costuming and padding rather than requiring the actress to gain weight was a practical and effective approach. It enabled a precise and consistent physical representation of Florence Foster Jenkins, emphasizing the character's unique presence and allowing Meryl Streep to focus on the vocal and emotional nuances of her performance. This highlights how film production often utilizes various techniques to create believable character appearances without necessarily requiring an actor to alter their body.
