Already have an account?
Get back to the

Orange Is the New Black Cast Sings Whitney Houston Together on Set

Taylor Schilling and Uzo Aduba
Orange Is the New Black stars Uzo Aduba and Taylor Schilling tell Us Weekly what it's like to work on their breakout Netflix series.

Uzo Aduba and Taylor Schilling know snitching has consequences. So they’re not about to spill Orange Is the New Black Season 3 plot points, which are as closely guarded as the ladies in lockup at Litchfield Penitentiary.

Related: PHOTOS: Before they were on Orange Is the New Black

Asked by Us for some scoop on the prison-set dramedy, Aduba, 34, who won an Emmy in 2014 for playing unhinged inmate Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren, jokes about the show’s solitary confinement: “I would be thrown in the SHU if I tell!”

Broadway star Aduba and Schilling, 30, (aka jaded convict Piper, the on-off love of Laura Prepon‘s Alex), are more forthcoming when it comes to behind-the-scenes hijinks (cast sing-alongs) and intense fans (one sent dolls!). Both Boston natives, the stars of the Netflix hit submit to Us’ interrogation.

Related: PHOTOS: Summer TV of 2015

Us: What’s the best part of working with each other?

UA: Well, Taylor’s funny, and she’s up for anything. And she’s just my friend!

TS: Uzo’s wonderful. [In our scenes] the intensity of it is shared; it’s not one performing and one receiving.

What can you tell Us about Season 3 that won’t get you in trouble?

UA: Faith is a big thing we explore. What is it that these women, in this particular situation, choose to believe? Do they believe in a higher power? Love? The good of man? It’s different from person to person.

TS: Piper is finding her footing. She learned the rules, and she’s playing by the rules.

Taylor Schilling and Uzo Aduba in Orange Is The New Black
Taylor Schilling and Uzo Aduba couldn’t spill many secrets about Orange Is The New Black Season 3.

Piper ratted on her ex Alex, who’s back behind bars. Does Piper feel guilty?

TS: Piper feels a bazillion things. When you’re close with someone and there’s information not expressed, it’s difficult.

Related: PHOTOS: Stars' big breaks

Some of the scenes are intense. Is it hard to switch into character?

UA: Yeah, absolutely. It’s like, I’m going to pee in front of Jodie Foster [who directed two episodes]. Then you have to be like, “It’s okay! I’m an actor! I’m not really peeing!”

You’re not getting glammed up for TV. Does that mean less time in the hair and makeup chair?

TS: An hour and a half. I love our hair and makeup room, so I kind of like the time to make the transition.

Related: PHOTOS: Celeb mugshots

Orange has such a large, diverse cast. Give Us a glimpse of what down-time is like on set.

TS: Everybody talks about their own lives.

UA: We do a lot of gabbing, catching up, and singing. We sing gospel songs or Whitney [Houston] songs, Mariah [Carey] songs. And the [production assistants] will be like, [claps], “We’re ready to shoot!” and we’re like, “Oh, okay. Right after that hymn!”

For more from the Orange is the New Black cast — including which person they’d like to be trapped with behind bars — pick up the newest issue of Us Weekly, on sale now!

In this article

Got a Tip form close button
Got a tip for US?
We're All Ears for Celebrity Buzz!