Jenna Willis Wants Leo to Win That Oscar

Bianca Teixeira January 29, 2016

Jenna Willis is ecstatic that audiences will finally get to see American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson — even if she’s a touch too young to recall the actual trial herself. “I remember the kids at my school reciting, ‘If the glove don’t fit, you must acquit,’ and having no idea what it meant!” she laughs.

The 29-year-old New Jersey native stars in the upcoming FX miniseries — which premieres this Tuesday, February 2nd — as Tanya Brown, the sister of Nicole Brown Simpson, alongside a preposterously stacked cast. “Watching John Travolta, Nathan Lane, Courtney B. Vance and Cuba Gooding Jr. work in a room together is the best acting class you can hope for,” Willis says.

As the daughter of a criminal defence attorney and an ardent fan of true crime stories, Willis is confident the show will be a massive draw for both those who watched the real events unfold and the ones, like her, too young to remember them. “I think that in a strange way, everyone can relate to these stories and want desperately to be a fly on the wall,” she says. “This series was made to show everyone’s perspectives. The storytelling is beautiful because it’s not actually trying to sway anyone.”

Would you rather have to sing everything you say or rhyme everything you say?

I would absolutely prefer to have to sing everything. Even though that kind of rhymed. I’m not a great singer, but I love to sing.

Would you rather win an Oscar or finally see Leonardo DiCaprio win an Oscar?

Wow! That’s a tough one! You know what? In this moment, right now, I will give my Oscar to Leo. He’s deserved one since What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. It’s overdue.

Would you rather live without music or live without TV?

These are tough. Without music, I think. As much as that breaks my heart I use the TV to study. Plus, if I’m singing everything I say, that’s enough music.

Would you rather be gossiped about or always be gossiping about others?

I’d rather be gossiped about. Only ever gossiping would get boring and I’d never be bettering myself.

What’s the worst thing you’ve ever heard about yourself?

Oh god, I think it goes back to middle school. Like that I picked my nose or something. Which was, of course, super embarrassing. Now it wouldn’t be a big deal, but in middle school it was brutal. My life was over.

Would you rather be able to change something in your past or see into your future?

Change something in my past. I don’t know what I’d change, but seeing into the future scares me.

Would you rather be a one-hit wonder with a novel or a song?

I would rather have the novel. There are a few ideas I have that I’d like to write about. I think I’d write an autobiography.