“Bridgerton”’s Michelle Mao Reveals How She Manifested Her Role and Handled Fan Reaction to Her ‘Antagonist’ Character (Exclusive)

Michelle Mao has opened up about her experience starring in the latest season of the beloved Netflix series “Bridgerton”. Joining the cast as Rosamund Li, the stepsister to Sophie Baek—played by Yerin Ha—Mao has embraced the duality of her character as both a mean-spirited sibling and a focal point of her mother’s affection, portrayed by Katie Leung as Lady Araminta Gun.

At 27 years old, Mao’s journey to securing the role has been described as a mix of hard work and manifestation. She recalled the moment she first saw the show during the pandemic, an experience that inspired her to venture into her own period piece aspirations, even going so far as to wear a period costume for her audition reel. Mao remarked, “If I could go back in time to COVID and be like, ‘By the way, you’re going to be on this show,’ she would have lost her mind.”

In an interview, Mao expressed her feelings regarding the fan response to her character. Although the reception has largely been positive, as she enjoys witnessing the memes and fan-made videos emerging from the show, she acknowledged that being cast as a main antagonist also opens one up to scrutiny. “Navigating the online discourse comes with its own territory,” she said, referring to the challenges of dealing with viewers’ frustrations.

Mao candidly revealed that the experience of being a new face in the industry, coupled with her character’s portrayal, has been an emotional journey. “It’s the first time people are meeting me,” she explained. While she has been able to remain grounded amid online criticism, she appreciates that it reflects her success as an actor. “I’m getting better at not letting it get to me and just holding on to the idea that it means you did a good job as an actor,” she added.

To prepare for the intense scrutiny that often accompanies high-profile roles, Netflix provided support for the cast, as Mao highlighted during a Zoom meeting with showrunner Jess Brownell. In that meeting, Brownell shared her previous experiences with fandom, offering reassurances and resources for coping with fan reactions. Mao remembered thinking she would be unaffected by negative commentary, but she now finds herself gaining strength through the experience.

Mao has also been able to lean on her co-star Katie Leung, who herself has faced intense fan feedback since her role in the “Harry Potter” franchise. Leung offered wisdom and advice that has been invaluable for Mao, making the challenges of being perceived as an antagonist feel less isolating.

Reflecting on the impact playing a character like Rosamund Li has had on her personal growth, Mao stated, “Honestly, I think it’s been great for me… It’s like exposure therapy for me, where I’m like, ‘Wow, I feel so free portraying this character that is unlikable, and she’s meant to be unlikable.’” This newfound liberation has allowed her to step away from her past identity as a people-pleaser.

Alongside the complexities of fan engagement, Mao is grateful for the cultural representation that her character brings to “Bridgerton”. The incorporation of Cantonese into the script, alongside visual reflections of her culture in the set design, has made her experience even more meaningful. “It was everything for me,” she said, further expressing that the opportunity to represent her heritage on such a prominent platform is a dream come true.

With the release of part two of the season now available for streaming on Netflix, Mao reflects on her journey fondly. She describes the experience as bittersweet, aware that her time in the series is coming to an end. However, she also sees it as a significant launching pad for her future career. “I feel really acutely, I think, what Bridgerton has done for me… since booking this role, I’ve been working at a frequency that has never happened before in my entire career,” she said, eager to embrace the opportunities ahead.

As “Bridgerton” continues to capture the hearts of audiences, Michelle Mao stands out as a rising talent, embodying the dual challenges of portraying a complicated character while navigating the ferocity of fandom. The fourth season of “Bridgerton” is now streaming, and with it, Mao’s powerful performance as Rosamund Li leaves an indelible mark on the series and its viewers.