The Mercury News

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Who else made you starstruck?

I had a conversati­on with Meryl Streep, but I honestly don’t remember what I said. Like I do remember hearing her voice coming down the stairs. And it’s like, that’s the one. That’s the queen. And she walked into the room and it was more than you could ever hope or dream. And she was so cool, too! I also got to work with Cate Blanchett [in Mrs. America], who’s another queen and a huge inspiratio­n because of the discipline that she brings to her craft.

On a non-acting note, you’re also a part-owner of the Angel City Football Club in L.A. with Natalie Portman, Serena Williams and Eva Longoria. Why did that interest you?

I grew up in a sports house, women included. I loved the experience of it, but there was a lack of female sports heroes who got prime-time attention. All you saw were tennis stars. But soccer is such a global sport, so when the ask came to get involved, I was so excited. I loved the idea of a female hometown sports team that little girls and boys could look up to as triumphant athletes.

As a former competitiv­e ice skater, could you lace up right now and do a big jump?

Yes. I could do a double axel, triple flip, loop, salchow. All the pick jumps. But I didn’t have a triple loop. And I can definitely still skate!

On the career front, how do you plan on upping your game?

I want to keep transformi­ng, keep growing, keep learning, keep encounteri­ng people who I respect as artists who can help bring my own game up. Look at someone like Viola Davis, who’s so superb at what she does. And

all my heroes are good humans. I want to be a good human and continue to love what I do.

Would you still like to star in a big shiny Broadway musical and do eight performanc­es a week?

God willing, I would absolutely do that. That’s my background!

It sounds like the 40s have treated you well so far.

Forty and fabulous. Let me tell you something: I’ve wanted to be 40 since I was 25. I was itching for my 40th birthday. And I really love it. It makes me want to know what 50 is going to be like. In my culture, you’re supposed to grow old because the opposite is far worse. So, I want to continue to enjoy this energy and keep the adventure I have in my life and do what makes me happy.

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 ?? ?? Aduba and husband Robert Sweeting are eûpecting their first child together.
Aduba and husband Robert Sweeting are eûpecting their first child together.
 ?? ?? FAVORITE MUSIC TO BLAST IN THE CAR?
FAVORITE MUSIC TO BLAST IN THE CAR?
 ?? ?? LAST TV BINGE?
LAST TV BINGE?

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