Elle Fanning'S Alien Transformation: The Green Glamour Of 'Hungryghost'

Putting on a compelling show is crucial to building a legion of fans – no matter the platform. In the Apple TV dramedy, "Margo’s Got Money Troubles," single mom Margo Millet, played by the ever-talented Elle Fanning, learns this lesson early in her quest to become a bona fide OnlyFans star. Following in the footsteps of her ex-pro-wrestler father, Jinx (Nick Offerman), Margo steps into a new kind of ring – the content studio – where she crafts playful videos for TikTok as teasers for her main event on OnlyFans. Her alter ego? The attention-grabbing alien known as “HungryGhost.”

Margo’s intriguing HungryGhost persona draws inspiration from a poem penned by her former lover, and college professor Mark (Michael Angarano), who just so happens to be the father of her baby, Bodhi. As Margo navigates life as a single mother, she finds a steady source of income on OnlyFans, allowing her to combine her creative writing skills with her newfound online persona. In episode 6, "Grudge Match," with the help of her roommate Susie (Thaddea Graham), Jinx, and fellow OnlyFans creators KC (Rico Nasty) and Rose (Lindsey Normington), Margo elevates her content to an out-of-this-world level.

The series, adapted from Rufi Thorpe’s novel and brought to life by creator David E. Kelley, takes a grounded approach to Margo’s alien transformation. “I think it can take you out of a story when we're looking at real people in a real world, and it suddenly looks like they have had a professional makeup job,” explains makeup department head Erin Ayanian Monroe. “That was also important with the HungryGhost look. It took a tremendous amount of work and time to do it, but it also had to look like, conceivably, Susie could have done it.”

Fanning’s transformation into HungryGhost is a collaborative effort of the costume, makeup, and hair departments. Costume designer Mirren Gordon-Crozier, who first dressed Fanning when she was 18, describes Margo’s early outfits as "preppy-with-a-twist" – a reflection of her character's search for identity. The team aimed for authenticity, with Monroe and hair department head Jaime Leigh McIntosh ensuring Margo's look appeared both genuine and relatable.

The highlight of Margo’s transformation into HungryGhost involves a jaw-dropping use of prosthetics and makeup. Autonomous FX, known for their realistic body rigs, crafted several pregnancy bumps and a birthing rig for Fanning's character, enhancing the show's realism. The alien transformation itself was nothing short of a masterpiece. Monroe reveals she used around 100 bottles of green eyeshadow to achieve the perfect extraterrestrial hue, layered with glittery eyeshadow for added sparkle. "Elle was game. She’s always game if she feels like it’s the right thing," Monroe shares.

Margo’s wardrobe also reflects her journey, with early OnlyFans photos featuring costumes from Susie’s cosplay box. Gordon-Crozier recalls, “I think we all wanted to try on those outfits the most.” Ultimately, Margo’s imagination and flair for the dramatic shaped her online persona. “Because she's doing it in her own way, trying to captivate her own audience," Gordon-Crozier notes.

As Margo embraces the alter ego of HungryGhost, she channels her childhood influences of wrestling personas into her content. The process of creating HungryGhost was a blend of fantasy and reality – a testament to Fanning’s commitment to her role. "We worked out the fantasy HungryGhost first because it’s the most glorious situation," McIntosh explains. From a dazzling pink wig sewn from three wigs to a star-studded makeup look, HungryGhost is a visual feast for the eyes.

However, Margo’s real-world challenges require her to adapt. Her real-world HungryGhost persona opts for cost-effective yet creative solutions – a testament to the resourcefulness and creativity of the character. Fanning even had a hand in bedazzling her costume’s space motifs, proving that sometimes life truly imitates art.

"Margo’s Got Money Troubles" showcases Fanning’s versatility and dedication as she brings the vibrant, otherworldly HungryGhost to life, all while keeping one foot firmly planted in reality.