The ASL Performer Welcoming Everyone Into Barbie World, Leila Hanaumi

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Life in plastic just got even more fantastic. Yesterday, “Barbie” started streaming on Max, along with a version interpreted in American Sign language (ASL) — making it possible for even more people to enjoy the blockbuster film from their own Dreamhouses. It’s part of an effort to “build upon the film’s empowering message of inclusiveness” and features ASL performer Leila Hanaumi, a deaf creator and writer known for her ASL song covers. To learn more about working on “Barbie with ASL,” we interviewed Hanaumi. Here’s what she had to say…

Q: How did you prepare for “Barbie with ASL?”

For weeks, I watched “Barbie” over and over — every night before bed, while washing dishes, folding laundry, cooking. Basically, whenever I had spare time. I even played the soundtrack in my car every day. Plus, I worked with my ASL coach, JAC Cook, which was an essential part of the process. Since ASL and English are different languages, there were often multiple ways to translate the meaning of the lines. So I’d film myself interpreting scenes, and she’d respond with feedback in video format — which really helped me make better choices. [Because] ASL is a visual language, it was important to see how my translations were received. 

Q: What was your favorite scene to interpret?

Undoubtedly, America Ferrera’s epic monologue. It exposed what it’s like being a woman living under patriarchy in such a real way. I saw so much of myself in her monologue that it permanently altered my worldview.

Q: What about the most challenging?

That would have to be when we first meet Stereotypical Barbie [played by Margot Robbie], who’s living her best day, every day. [It] opened with “Pink” by Lizzo — which was my favorite song to interpret in the movie — and it immediately segued into events in Barbie Land, which had such fast-paced dialogue that it was incredibly challenging to keep up with who was speaking. Not to mention, I had different sign names for different Barbies, and I had to memorize which Barbie sign names I would be doing and in which role-shifts — when the position of the body reflects who’s speaking. That scene had the most takes for sure.

Q: I imagine that doing the ASL performance for an entire movie is quite different from producing and performing an ASL song cover. Was that indeed the case? 

With my ASL song covers, I take more creative license with sign choices because they’re more about my own artistic expression, and I’m often the sole performer on the screen. But doing the ASL performance for a movie is more about making the movie itself accessible — so my job is to become a part of the movie and stay as authentic to the lines as possible.  

Q: Speaking of your ASL song covers, how and why did you start doing those?

I’ve done ASL song covers throughout my life, but I mostly did them privately. I finally had the guts to post during the Covid-19 pandemic, because Warren “Wawa” Snipe, a Deaf artist, released a song and was asking the community to join his dance challenge … [One of the things that’s been most surprising to me is] that people genuinely enjoy and relate to my song covers. Being born profoundly deaf, I always loved listening to music with my hearing aid, but I thought my understanding of music was inferior. I now realize even though I may never understand what it’s like to hear music like a hearing person, my relationship with music is just as real. 

Q: In recent years, there’s seemed to be some real strides in accessibility and inclusivity. Would you agree with that?

Absolutely. I go to the Austin City Limits Music Festival every year, and the accessibility experience gets better every time. The last one had the most Deaf interpreters ever, and it’s wonderful to see how the Deaf and hearing interpreters [join forces] to provide a truly stellar experience. So shout out to the Amber G Productions team. It’s not like that with most music festivals, though. Deaf people still have to fight for accessibility at many places instead of being able to just show up and enjoy themselves.

Q: What do you hope is the impact of “Barbie with ASL?”

I hope it makes Deaf children everywhere — especially those without access to the Deaf community — feel seen. I hope it creates a ripple effect where more movies and other content become accessible in ASL. And that it inspires more people to learn sign language. My biggest hope is it crystallizes the belief that sign language and Deaf people have a place in the world.

🙃 In adulting…

It’s holiday time — and nothing feels easy. But apparently, picturing yourself as a fly could help. Or, if anxiety’s crashing the holiday party, buddy up with the nearest “vibe pope.” And give yourself the gift of a little treat. Particularly now that Mercury is again in retrograde. Because, of course. 

💅 In beauty…

Laminated brows may be losing their hold, but the nail tattoo trend is looking more permanent. Oh and if you missed the memo, “memo” nails are the sharpest way to send a message. Just make sure to take a .5 nail photo.

🍪 In food…

While some are shaking up snow globe cocktails, others are tied up with adding pink bows to their food. That’s as the Watergate salad — which, FYI, isn’t at all like a salad — is making a fresh comeback. And what’s sweeter than a book cover cake? This snowman cookie trend.

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