Melissa Rauch was set free on the set of her new film, The Bronze. “Normally, I’m in some sort of Spanx situation,” the Big Bang Theory actress tells Us Weekly exclusively. “The fact that I didn’t have to wear a pair for 14-hour days was amazing.”
But while filming the offbeat gymnastics comedy — she plays washed-up hometown hero Hope — she breathed easy in an Olympic warm-up suit. “It’s the most comfortable thing I’ve ever worn in my life,” Rauch adds of her wardrobe in the indie flick (out now), which she cowrote with husband Winston. “Oh, my gosh — I want to market them because every woman should have one!”
The 35-year-old dishes to Us about going for gold on the big screen — and learning about her Big Bang character Bernadette’s pregnancy!
Us Weekly: What was the inspiration behind the film?
Melissa Rauch: My husband and I have always been interested in small-town celebrities and what that can do to that person’s psyche. Years ago, when I started having this little bit of success as an actor, I got a job on VH1’s Best Week Ever. I went back to my mall in New Jersey, which is what I do when I go visit my parents, and I was at a Wetzel’s Pretzels. The manager was like, “I love the show! It’s awesome!” and gave me a free pretzel. I was so excited! Then, like a year later, the show was canceled, and when I went back, the manager charged me my $3. It was highlighting how bad my life was at that moment.
Us: Did you pick up any gymnastics skills?
MR: I took private lessons, but you can’t teach an old broad new tricks. I’d get on the balance beam and fall off immediately. There were 3-year-olds at the gym like, “Who is that weird lady?”
Us: How is Hope different from Big Bang’s Bernadette?
MR: Bernadette has a sweet exterior but is like a boiling tea kettle, whereas Hope is the exact reverse. But she has a heart somewhere deep down.
Us: Who do you relate to more?
MR: I’m a combo platter of both. With Hope, I can definitely relate to feeling lost at certain places in my life. I’m also a sucker for a good scrunchie. Plus, I tend to swear more than I should. I find recently, if I’m talking on the phone to one of my friends who has kids, before they start talking, they go, “Melissa, you’re on a speakerphone!” With Bernadette, we’re both hardworking, career women. Unfortunately, I don’t have any knowledge of science like her. My high school science teachers are watching me on TV and calling a major bulls–t.
Us: Bernadette and Howard (Simon Helberg) are expecting! How do you think they’ll fare as parents?
MR: I think Howard is going to be a phenomenal father. I’m interested to see what the writers will do with Bernadette as a mother. We haven’t really seen her as the most maternal person. She does mother Howard quite a bit, though.
Us: Did you understand Howard’s initial terror after you told him about the pregnancy?
MR: I totally understood it. I, of course, haven’t experienced that myself, but when I talk to other friends who have, it seems like it’s pretty common. At the table read, I was just so in awe of how Howard was excited, and then it started chipping away at his brain. I looked into Simon’s eyes, and they were filled with tears. It was such a beautiful moment!
Us: What do you think their baby will be like?
MR: Bernadette’s voice and Howard’s cry are not the most appealing combination. I’m curious if this baby will be in a onesie with a belt buckle.
Us: Is this a hint you’re expecting?
MR: I’ve been asked if I’m pregnant in real life, so I actually called my parents before the episode aired and was like, “You’re TV grandparents. That’s all!”
