[…] Cruz also reunited with Darren Criss at the lavish afternoon polo match, her co-star in American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace. Both are top Emmy contenders for their work in the FX limited series, which has been praised by critics—though Cruz isn’t sure whether the real Donatella Versace, whom she played in Versace, has watched her emotional performance.

“I don’t know if she has seen it, because I think it’s a tricky subject,” Cruz said. “But she sent me flowers as good luck at the premiere. I sent things to her, and we both talk about each other. Somebody asked her in Spain during an interview, and she talked a little about me with affection, so that’s very important for me that she knows that I have played her with a lot of respect.”

Cruz also said that the role of the famed designer, whom she has met only four or five times at parties, was one of the most “challenging” performances in her career.

“I have a lot of respect and affection for her, so I was very intimidated by the idea of playing her. I wanted to show that she’s a force of nature that she is,” said Cruz. “So when I talked to [Versace show-runner] Ryan [Murphy], I knew he wanted to do the same. I talked to Donatella and she said, ‘If someone is going to play me, I’m happy that it is you.’ So it was like her blessing for me to do it.”

Cruz’s dramatic physical transformation, meanwhile—which required multiple blonde wigs to replicate Donatella’s iconic platinum hair—was the least stressful aspect of embodying the character.

“I’ve been blonde before for other projects, so I wasn’t very shocked when I saw myself with the wig on,” she said with a smile. “I liked it!”

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