Pharrell Williams
Talking Hidden Figures with the film’s producer, a man of many not-so-hidden talents
Singer, producer, designer, philanthropist, successful wearer of hats — there aren’t many career boxes left for Pharrell Williams to tick. Last year, he moved into film, producing and co-creating the soundtrack for Hidden Figures
— the true story of three African-American women blasting through boundaries at Nasa — which, despite not converting any of its three Academy Award nominations, was America’s biggest-grossing film of all the “best picture” contenders. Take that, La La Land. ESQUIRE: Hidden Figures was your first time producing a major film. What about the project appealed to you?
PHARRELL WILLIAMS: Lots of reasons. The story takes place in Hampton Roads, Virginia, where I’m from and I love the Sixties era it’s set in. It is rare for a script to be about three women, especially three African-American women. ESQ: And you’re a Star Trek fan with a son called Rocket: was working on a space film a dream come true for you?
PW: There’s no real correlation there, but it is pretty serendipitous right? ESQ: It is a difficult but interesting time for feminism. Do you think it was particularly important to go back and highlight these unrecognised accomplishments?
PW: Sure, can you imagine achieving something historic and nobody ever knowing about it? We often overlook things women have done and some people even purposefully dismiss the female contribution. I think the narrative is changing and it is time for women to have their moment. ESQ: What about masculinity, is it more difficult growing up as a man now than it used to be? PW: It is difficult to be young, period, guy or girl. We all have our challenges; if we didn’t we wouldn’t learn very much. I think masculinity has its adversities but right now it is women and girls that are going through it so that is what we need to shine the light on. ESQ: We aren’t the first to point out that you’re a snappy dresser, but how do you feel being constantly asked about it? (And yes, we’re asking you about it.)
PW: I think fashion and style are a product of how you see yourself, whether you like it or not. I like producing because it means I’m holding up a mirror to other artists rather than looking at myself. Talking about my own style feels like holding up a mirror to another mirror.
— Hidden Figures is out on digital download on 19 June; and on DVD and Blu-ray on 3 July