Nicola Peltz is 19-years-old, and she has already experienced success with a wide range of roles in her budding acting career, including her role on television’s Bates Motel and her introduction to the big screen with her role in Transformers: Age of Extinction . Peltz latest role, as a self-absorbed teenage American debutante facing the economic crash of 2008, was her most challenging to-date, but Nicola confesses that it was also an enjoyable experience to play someone so different from herself.
“I liked playing Kate. She’s definitely a dark person when you get to know her. And she’s very different from me and that’s what’s fun about acting.”
Ms. Peltz plays Kate Miller, the teen daughter of an affluent Long Island family facing the consequences of the 2008 economic meltdown, which forces her to come to terms with more than just the normal growing pains of the average American teenager. Nicola’s character is quick to reveal herself as a spoiled, unsupervised teen with virtually unlimited access to funds. Although she is adored by nearly all of the other characters with whom she interacts, it becomes clear that she feels no appreciation for their affections, treating them with little respect at all.
Even so, Peltz feels that that there’s something tragic about this character. As the film develops, Peltz’ character reveals a deep connection to Dylan Carson, but Kate Miller’s preoccupation with her materialistic world becomes an obstacle that is perhaps too powerful to overcome, reports Bustle .
“Talking about ‘Affluenza’ the film, Kate is someone who should be happy, she has all the materialistic things that she wants, but she’s one of those unhappy people. She’s a broken person inside.”
The atmosphere of the film and the world in which Nicola Peltz’ character, Kate, must live has been compared to the setting in the novel The Great Gatsby , written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, but with a darker, seedier undertone. The film exposes the apathy behind the walls of the country’s most affluent homes, exposing the isolationism and lack of guilt in a rich-get-richer world. It was this perfect storm that appealed most to Ms. Peltz, reports We Got This Covered .
“‘The Great Gatsby’ is my favorite book, so anything having to do with that storyline in the least made me really excited. Kate was a really interesting character to play. I had a lot of fun with it. I also love Kevin Asch, he’s such an amazing filmmaker.”
The daughter of model Claudia Heffner and Nelson Peltz, a billionaire businessman and philanthropist, Nicola is familiar with wealth, but not as familiar with the attitudes toward money, as they are portrayed in Affluenza . Peltz comes from a large family with four older brothers, two younger brothers, and a sister, so the single child life of Kate Miller was a new concept to her as well.
Just last week, it was revealed that Peltz has landed a starring role in Lowriders as well, replacing Lily Collins. This latest opportunity can only add to the impressive list of credits on Nicola’s resume with Hollywood buzz already surrounding the young actress. Look for Ms. Peltz in Affluenza , which will be released in theaters as well as leading On-Demand platforms on July 11.
Earlier this year, Inquisitr reported more on Nicola Peltz’ career, proving her star is definitely on the rise.
