Ronny Sianturi
The prestigious SXSW London conference, a vibrant hub for innovation, technology, and creative industries, was poised for a thoughtful exploration of acting and career trajectory during a late Thursday keynote session featuring Emmy-winning actress Claire Foy. Known for her nuanced and powerful portrayals, particularly as a young Queen Elizabeth II in the acclaimed series The Crown, Foy was engaged in a Q&A following her address when an unforeseen, yet remarkably memorable, interaction unfolded, transforming the formal setting into an impromptu celebration of personality and genuine human connection.
The event, held at a venue described as a repurposed church, provided a grand backdrop for discussions on the future of entertainment and the challenges faced by artists. SXSW London, in its inaugural year, aimed to replicate the success of its American counterpart, attracting a diverse array of speakers and attendees from across the globe. Foy, having recently garnered praise for her role in the 18th-century dark satire Savage House and her impactful performance in the ghost story All of Us Strangers, was a highly anticipated speaker. Her keynote delved into the complexities of portraying historical figures, the evolving landscape of comedy versus drama, and her experiences navigating the industry.
An Unscripted Interruption
As the formal Q&A segment was drawing to a close, a spirited voice from the audience cut through the polite applause. An energetic man, later identified as Sugapuff, a pop culture presenter from East London, eagerly requested the microphone. Foy, who had throughout the evening demonstrated a warm and engaging demeanor, marked by self-deprecating British humor and infectious laughter, readily gestured for the usher to pass the microphone. She met his request with an expectant smile, prepared for another thoughtful question from the assembled audience.
"Yeah?" she prompted, her tone open and curious.
Sugapuff, whose presence was amplified by a distinctive rhinestone grill bearing his moniker and a constant urge to film the interaction, immediately launched into a series of effusive compliments. "Claire Foy, it’s so beautiful to see your natural self and not acting," he declared. He continued, "You have such a beautiful soul and I really like your vibe." His enthusiasm was palpable, setting a tone far removed from the typical, measured inquiries of a professional conference.
Foy’s reaction was a spontaneous eruption of laughter, a sound described as a "caw-caw!" of surprise and delight, a stark contrast to the contained emotions she often conveyed on screen. This unexpected outburst from the actress seemed to embolden Sugapuff further. "This is what I mean, your beauty is just confusing me at this point!" he exclaimed, his admiration evident. He then proceeded to ask a series of questions that veered into the realm of personal curiosity, a departure from typical industry discourse.
"So, what are the everyday things that you still do, like now that you’re a superstar?" he inquired, while also noting the "two giant, dangling rhinestone brooches" adorning her tuxedo jacket and complimenting her as "a very stylish woman."
A Conversation Unfolds
Foy, demonstrating her adeptness at handling unexpected situations, responded to the compliments with grace. She affirmed that she continued to engage in ordinary activities, a sentiment that only seemed to fuel Sugapuff’s rapid-fire questioning. He then shifted to queries about her "guilty pleasures" and what she enjoyed purchasing from "the cheaper part of things," specifically mentioning Tesco supermarkets. Foy, with a knowing wink, shared a surprising anecdote: "I know what goes on there and I don’t shop there anymore," a subtle nod to her past employment as a Tesco cashier. This brief, personal revelation added a layer of relatability to the acclaimed actress.
Despite the gentle nudges from an usher attempting to retrieve the microphone, Sugapuff remained undeterred. His next question focused on her preferred packed lunch while on set. Foy, unfazed by the sustained interrogation, shared her dietary habits, noting, "I have so many snacks. I eat only 100 percent dark chocolate, which most people find really gross." Sugapuff, in turn, offered his unsolicited advice: "No, you need to be healthy!" he asserted, as if engaged in a private conversation. He continued with more compliments about her appearance, stating, "You look good! And it’s so worth it, because your skin is TEA!"
Foy, deflecting the personal praise by noting the heavy makeup she was wearing, skillfully steered the conversation toward a new topic: gardening. She passionately recommended it as a hobby, recounting her experiences with Miracle-Gro. Sugapuff, however, persisted with questions about her summer plans, an interrogation that led Foy to exclaim, "Nobody cares about this!" she declared, dissolving into laughter. She confessed her newfound adult feeling derived from nurturing her plants, admitting, "And I talk to them."
The Improvised Duet
By this stage, the attempts by ushers and the moderator, Clarisse Loughrey (film critic for The Independent), to conclude the session were becoming more pronounced. However, Sugapuff had one final, audacious move. He declared, "Well, Claire Foy, my name is Sugapuff, and I’m adding love to pop culture because a lot of entertainers are depressed and I believe it’s time that we show artists like you love and we see your personality, because you are a true star, Claire Foy!"
Foy’s amazement was evident, likely believing this was the culmination of the unexpected encounter. But Sugapuff announced his impending departure due to a prior engagement: "And before I go, I’m going to sing something for you because I must go. I’m getting late!" Foy’s jaw dropped, but she ultimately embraced the surreal moment.
Sugapuff then launched into an off-key, yet remarkably loud, rendition of Adele’s hit "Someone Like You." The sheer volume and earnestness of his performance sent Foy and the entire audience into fits of laughter. "Never mind, I’ll find someone like you," he sang, followed by an extended, improvised vocalization of the chorus: "I wish nothing but the best, for youuuuuuuu, toooooooo!"
As Sugapuff, still singing, began to make his way toward the stage, security personnel and ushers, who had been observing the unfolding spectacle, sprang into action. Yet, Foy, gamely participating, joined him for a brief duet, singing, "Sometimes I laugh and sometimes I… something else instead?" Her tentative contribution artfully brought the impromptu performance to a close.
The entire episode concluded as abruptly as it began. Sugapuff, citing the need to catch his Uber, dashed out of the venue. The Hollywood Reporter later confirmed the microphone’s recovery and Sugapuff’s timely departure via ride-sharing service.
A Philosophy of "Adding Love"
In a subsequent email to The Hollywood Reporter, Sugapuff elaborated on his motivations. "With AI taking over and less humanism being encouraged, I believe it important to see the personalities and celebrate stars for who they are and how they are," he stated. He expressed disappointment with what he perceived as a lack of "fun" among UK film publicists. His actions, while unconventional, stemmed from a desire to inject spontaneity and genuine appreciation into industry events, highlighting the importance of seeing and celebrating artists as multifaceted individuals beyond their public personas.
Foy’s Professionalism and Insights
Throughout the entirety of this unscripted interlude, Claire Foy maintained a remarkable level of composure and good humor. Her willingness to engage, laugh, and even participate in the impromptu duet underscored her professional grace and her apparent appreciation for authentic, albeit unconventional, moments of human connection. This stood in stark contrast to the highly controlled environments often surrounding celebrity appearances.
Foy’s presence at SXSW London was primarily to premiere Savage House, a film that delves into the world of 18th-century social climbers. She shared her perspective on comedy, noting that it is "more scary than drama" because its success hinges on audience reception, leaving the performer in a state of vulnerability. She admitted that pursuing comedic roles has made her feel "a bit more vulnerable, actually, weirdly, doing things that are supposed to be funny, because what if they’re… not?!" This candid admission resonated with the audience, eliciting further laughter and applause.
The discussion also touched upon her iconic role in The Crown, a series approaching its tenth anniversary. Foy offered a profound insight into her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II, defining her character by "simplicity." She elaborated, "I don’t think she was a very complicated woman. I think she had an incredibly complicated existence." Foy explained that the Queen’s unexpected ascension to the throne following her father’s death, coupled with the immense responsibility, shaped her existence. She suggested that the young Elizabeth would have preferred a life outdoors with her animals, aligning with director Stephen Daldry’s observation that she was an "ordinary woman who became extraordinary because of all the ideas that people projected onto her." Foy emphasized the importance of never losing sight of the Queen’s inherent "ordinariness."
Her career retrospective also included discussions about her role in the critically acclaimed All of Us Strangers, a ghost story that she noted "moves people the most." She also provided an update on her involvement in Danny Boyle’s upcoming film Ink, which chronicles the rise of the Murdoch empire. In this project, Foy plays Jules, a composite character created for the film to represent the often-unseen contributions of women in the male-dominated newspaper industry of the late 1960s and early 1970s. She highlighted the significance of acknowledging these women who "fought their way into the kind of boys’ club that was the newspaper business," emphasizing their lasting impact on contemporary journalism.
The final moments of the Q&A saw Foy fielding a question about her striking Louboutin platform boots. With characteristic humor, she explained that the height was a necessity rather than a stylistic choice, quipping, "I’m too short for all clothes. This isn’t necessarily a choice; it’s more of a need." When asked if she could navigate the stage in them, she admitted it was anyone’s guess. However, following her brief musical interlude with Sugapuff, she was indeed on her feet, making a swift exit.
The SXSW London keynote with Claire Foy, initially anticipated as a standard industry talk, evolved into a memorable testament to the unpredictable nature of live events and the power of genuine human interaction. The unexpected interjection by Sugapuff, far from derailing the proceedings, injected an element of joy and spontaneity, offering a refreshing counterpoint to the often-formal atmosphere of such conferences and highlighting Claire Foy’s remarkable ability to navigate both the scripted and the utterly unscripted with grace and humor.
