Photo: hgtv
Melissa McCarthyand her cousin, actress Jenna Perusich are doing more than their fair share when it comes to giving back.
“It was a great reminder that there is so much good, so much kindness in the world. It’s out there,” McCarthy tells PEOPLE. “We just wanted to celebrate these amazing people. And be reminded that we all can really make a difference.”
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Teaming up came naturally to the pair, who became closer after Perusich graduated from college, where she had studied theater, and moved to L.A.
“I thought well if she wants to act, she should come out here and see what a set’s like,” recalls McCarthy. “It took approximately three seconds, and we were completely connected at the hip.”
“It really is true,” adds Perusich. “We are so similar, but different, but weird. We’re not a mellow energy—I’ll leave it at that. You notice us in the best way.”
“We do have different opinions, but usually it’s a red flag,” McCarthy explains. Addressing Perusich, she adds, “If you would really not like something I wanted to do, I would be like, ‘Oh, wait, why?’ instead of fighting for it. I would be like, ‘Well, if you want green, and I want blue, maybe it’s lavender.”
Being able to hone in on each of the deserving nominees’ style was even more of an appeal.
“It wasn’t about us doing these houses for us. It’s really about how we make these renovations feel specifically catered to these great people,” McCarthy says. “And it was tremendously fun, because it’s kind of like when you build a character in acting, you don’t think of it in terms of yourself; you think how these people might think. What would make them really happy? What’s the little thing to put on the shelf that might surprise them?”
Working together has made the two even closer. “I think her integrity is remarkable,” says McCarthy of Perusich. “She’s always true to herself. And I feel like each day she will do what’s harder in order to do the right thing.”
McCarthy “stays true to what she believes in, and she does not waver and she doesn’t compromise. That is really inspiring,” adds Perusich. “We’re also super honest with each other. If one of us is having a bad day, I don’t think either of us would lie. We see each other.”
The cousins are also adept at making each other laugh, especially if Perusich pulls out her “cotton-eye Joe dance” moves.
“Her doing ‘Cotton-eyed Joe’ out of nowhere, I defy anyone not to laugh,” says McCarthy. “It’s just so weird. And she kind of does a club version of it.”
“I drop it low,” says Perusich. “I drop it very low.”
“She hurt her hips doing it,” adds McCarthy. “And then my kids [Vivian and Georgette] come in, and they’re like, ‘This should not be happening!'”
source: people.com
