Taylor Takahashi & Taylour Paige Interview: Boogie

In Boogie, author and celebrity personality Eddie Huang wrote and directed his love of basketball for the big screen. He also cast first-time actors, such as his assistant Taylor Takahashi, in lead roles to emphasize the authenticity of the story.

Takahashi’s costar was the more experienced Taylour Paige, and the two stars spoke to Screen Rant about developing their onscreen chemistry and connecting to their characters in real life.

This is a first-time director, first-time writer and your lead is also a first-time actor. It’s kind of unprecedented. Can you talk to me about the character Boogie, who wants to play in the NBA but has so much pressure coming from his family, his new relationship and his responsibility? Talk to me about how you related to Boogie.

Taylor Takahashi: I had hoop dreams, we’ll call them that, as well. I think for me, as a kid, I always correlated my success in the sport based on a scholarship I can get or playing professional. Trying to navigate that, there’s pressures to that. But, for me, it was about proving people wrong. This is a battleground, and basketball was just the forum to test what you’ve been through.

With Boogie, to navigate his journey and see New York through his lens, it was fun to tell. It was fun to get back into the young adolescent self, being a little bit more naive and you don’t have as much life experience. You’re just a little bit more black-and-white and cut dry. It was just an amazing experience, and I’m just grateful to be a part of it.

Taylour P, correct me if I’m wrong, but we’re both from Inglewood, California.

Taylour Paige I grew up on 64th Street!

We grew up on the same block. This is kind of crazy. But Eleanor is strong, assertive, confident and grounded. Can you tell me about how she helps Boogie navigate his dreams and aspirations, but also keeps him grounded? And also how you guys developed your chemistry, it’s amazing. 

Taylour Paige: Thank you. With all due respect, I think women awaken sooner than men, and we help awaken men. Naturally to kids, I think a woman is like – don’t get me wrong, we’re all hormonal. We’re kids. But I think, overall, she brought the Divine Feminine quality to this. The understanding, the empathy, the heart of it, the like, “What the hell is this?”

Taylor was just easy. He’s super kind and disciplined and willing and open and available. There was no ego. We got to know each other as homies, and we just were like, “Yeah, we’ve been this age before. Let’s just be present and see where it goes.”

Taylor Takahashi: “Let’s do it again.”

Boogie is now playing in theaters.