This article appeared in Glamour (UK), published in June, 2012. Interview by James Williams.

Talk about kicking Hollywood’s butt and making it take notice! Until last summer, the general consensus was that comedies featuring women (particularly relatively unknown ones) couldn’t carry big box-office clout. Then along came Kristen Wiig with Bridesmaids – which at the last count had grossed over $288 million worldwide – and blew that mindset out of the water. The film wasn’t just a commercial colossus, but a critical one, too – garnering an Oscar nomination for its screenplay, co-written by lead actress Kristen, who until that point was known for bit-yet-scene-stealing parts in Knocked Up and Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

“Going to the Oscars was a major highlight this year,” says the 38-year-old New Yorker. “To hear my name and Annie’s [Mumolo, her writing partner] announced, after five years of writing and working on the film – it was surreal. Professionally, the reception of this film has allowed me opportunities I could only dream of and I am incredibly grateful. It all feels like one big highlight.”

But it’s the reaction of people on the street that’s touched Kristen the most. “People have told me that the film made them laugh and cry, and that the friendships really resonate with them,” she says. “For me there is no better compliment than that.”