Rising star Naoimh Whelton has revealed that she bonded with Hollywood heavyweight Paul Rudd over their shared love of stout as they worked on their new film project together.
And the Kerry actress said she is hoping her latest role in Irish director John Carney's new film, Power Ballad, will prove to be her breakout part.
Written by Carney and Peter McDonald, the film charts the story of a wedding singer (Rudd), a rock star (Nick Jonas), and the song that comes between them.
Whelton, who has been making waves in the industry, said starring alongside Paul was a career high.- 'Working alongside Paul was such a joy,' she told the Irish Mail on Sunday.
'He was such a grounded, generous presence on set. He brings this quiet ease to his work that's honestly inspiring to witness up close.
'You don't feel like you're standing next to a "movie star" - and I mean that in the best possible way.' The pair even had time between shoots for some chats about Ireland, with Paul revealing he's a fan of all things Irish - especially pints of stout.
But, according to Whelton, the Avengers and Anchorman star couldn't decide which he favours best, Guinness or Murphy's.
She told the MoS: 'He sat with us at lunch and during breaks, chatting with everyone, genuinely interested and open.
'We even got talking about Ireland - he loves Cobh [in Co. Cork], but I had to tell him he still hadn't seen Kerry yet. We had a good laugh about that.'
As for being cast by Carney, who directed the 2007 film Once - which won an Oscar for Best Original Song with Falling Slowly - and Sing Street, Whelton said the role came just at the right time.
'I had just returned from three months of travelling through Southeast Asia, so I was more than ready to get back working the creative muscle again and this project came at the perfect time.'
Naoimh has one pivotal scene in the film, in which she hopes her acting prowess will come to life on the big screen. 'My scene partner Marty Breen was an absolute blast to work with. We laughed a lot, and the whole shoot was honestly up there with one of the most fun ones I've been on.
'Our scene comes at a key turning point in the story. It was wonderful to be part of.'
As for her acting career, the actress - who has also appeared with Jayne Seymour in detective series Harry Wild - said she hopes her years of hard work are finally coming to fruition.
'I believe hard work always pays off, but for me, the real goal is to be doing this full-time - to be a consistently working actor,' Whelton said.
'Until that becomes your everyday reality, it's important to embrace the journey: all the in-between moments, the quiet periods, the lessons you pick up from each job, your own life experiences. Sit with it all. Reflect on it. Try not to be so urgent.
'That time is valuable - it shapes who you are as an artist and adds depth to your work. An acting instructor once told me: "We are human beings not human doings, so just be."
'I think of that often, and any time I feel I'm getting ahead of myself in any part of my life. Presence is key and something that takes consistent work, for me anyway,' she said.
She admits the idea of a 'big break' is tempting but added: 'I try not to focus on that. 'For me, success looks like being in a creative space every day, collaborating, learning, and feeling a strong sense of purpose in what I do. That's the goal.'
