Chase Infiniti studied cults to prepare for The Testaments
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Chase Infinity, the breakout star of One Battle After Another and now a leading figure in The Testaments, shares her remarkable journey from dancing in Chicago to landing a role in a Best Picture-winning film and stepping into the dystopian world of Gilead. Her path began with viral K-pop dance covers that caught the eye of casting director Cassandra Kulakundas, leading to her casting by Paul Thomas Anderson after an intense four-day karate audition. Chase reveals how she prepared for her role as Agnes, the sheltered 'Princess of Gilead,' by studying people who grew up in cults and oppressive religious environments, focusing on themes of shame, obedience, and the subtle difference between being 'God-fearing' versus 'God-loving.' She recounts the emotional moment of meeting Margaret Atwood on set and the profound respect she holds for the author’s wisdom and humanity. The conversation also touches on her transformative experiences working alongside legends like Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn, the importance of mentorship, and her commitment to advocating for younger cast members. Her story is one of resilience, artistic passion, and the power of support systems in navigating an unpredictable industry.
Researching cults and oppressive religious upbringings helped Chase Infinity authentically portray Agnes’s internal conflict between obedience and emerging self-awareness.
Her casting in One Battle After Another came from viral dance videos—proving that online presence can open doors in Hollywood.
Meeting Margaret Atwood on set was a career-defining moment, reinforcing the weight of storytelling and legacy.
Working with legends like DiCaprio and Penn taught her about quiet leadership, intuition, and the importance of creating a safe, supportive set environment.
Chase is committed to being a mentor and advocate for younger women in the industry, especially on set.
Introduction and the Power of Dance Videos
Tom Power introduces the episode with a brief segment on pop culture, then transitions into Chase Infinity’s journey from dancing online in Chicago to being discovered by a casting director.
From Grease to the Stage: A Performer’s Awakening
Chase recounts how seeing Grease in high school sparked her passion for musical theater, fueled by a supportive family that encouraged her artistic dreams from a young age.
The Breakthrough: From Chicago to One Battle After Another
“I was like, I'm going to fully commit to this because I'm going to leave everything out on the floor.”
Preparing for Gilead: Researching Cults and Oppressive Systems
“The shame was definitely one of the things that I brought to it because especially from what I was finding about people who had left and who grew up in very oppressive religious households...”
Meeting Margaret Atwood: A Creator’s Legacy
“She lit up. She's incredibly knowledgeable. She has taught all of us so much.”
“I was like, I'm going to fully commit to this because I'm going to leave everything out on the floor.”
“The shame was definitely one of the things that I brought to it because especially from what I was finding about people who had left and who grew up in very oppressive religious households...”
“She lit up. She's incredibly knowledgeable. She has taught all of us so much.”
Host
Guest
Chase Infinity
person
The Testaments
other
Margaret Atwood
person
Paul Thomas Anderson
person
Gilead
other
One Battle After Another
media
The Handmaid's Tale
other
Leonardo DiCaprio
person
Cassandra Kulakundas
person
Sean Penn
person
Charlotte Cornfield cried when she heard Feist's vocals on her song
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