‘STARS’ COVER EDITION - GLOBAL ISSUE
Photography by Pooya Nabei - www.pooyanabei.com - @pooyanabei / Stylist: Alvin Stillwell represented by CELESTINE AGENCY - @alvinstillwellstylist / MU: Hinako represented by A-Frame Agency - @nhinako_makeup / Hair: Eduardo Mendez represented by A-Frame Agency - @eduardomendezhair / Editor-In-Chief: Matheus Hooks - @directorhooks / Marketing Director: Matheus Lopes - @mathlopes / Fashion Director Hooks: Evely Oliveira - @evelyoliveira / Look Cover: Shirt from COS - Briefs from Dries Van Noten - Heels from Kurrizmatic
In the ‘STARS’ edition of Hooks Magazine, Karen Fukuhara shines as our cover star. Known for her strength on screen and her active voice in social issues, the international actress has been conquering Hollywood with her remarkable presence and commitment to representation.
Fukuhara gained prominence in the entertainment world with her role in “The Boys,” Amazon’s Emmy-nominated series. As Kimiko, the only female vigilante of the group, Karen brings a unique intensity to the role, blending action with emotional depth. Kimiko is a complex character, known for her superhuman strength and regenerative abilities, and Karen embodies these traits exceptionally, highlighting both the vulnerability and ferocity of her character. The series recently concluded its fourth season and has already been renewed for a fifth and final season, where we’ll see more of Karen’s dedication to her craft.
Karen’s career is marked by roles that demand not only acting talent but also a high level of physical preparation. With a background in karate and sword fighting training, she showcased her skills in films like “Suicide Squad,” where she portrayed the lethal Katana, performing most of her own stunts. This combination of technique and discipline is reflected in her roles, bringing authenticity and dynamism to the fight scenes that have become one of her trademarks.
Jacket from Lalo
In addition to her achievements as an actress, Karen is a passionate advocate for cultural representation and diversity in Hollywood. As an Asian-American woman, she understands the importance of using her platform to promote inclusion and combat Asian hate. Her firm stance on these issues has made her an influential voice in the industry, inspiring others to follow her example.
Karen doesn’t stop there. Her next project, “Stone Cold Fox,” an 80s-set revenge thriller, promises to be another milestone in her career. Starring alongside names like Kiernan Shipka and Krysten Ritter, Karen plays one of the cult members in a story full of twists and action. The film is highly anticipated and is expected to further solidify her position as one of Hollywood’s rising stars.
Another facet of Karen is her voice work, most recently in the acclaimed “The Boy and the Heron,” by Hayao Miyazaki. Growing up with Miyazaki’s films, Karen found a deep connection to the project, lending her voice to the character Lady Himi in one of the most celebrated animations of recent times.
Vest from Theo / Dress from Helene Galwas / Top from Marni / Trousers from Rabott / Heels from Mashizan
With a career on the rise and tireless dedication to both her craft and the causes she champions, Karen Fukuhara is more than a talented actress; she is a force in Hollywood, breaking barriers and paving the way for the next generation of talent. That’s why we invited Karen to be the face of the ‘STARS’ edition with an exclusive interview.
Check out the interview:
1. Your character Kimiko in The Boys is known for her superhuman strength and regenerative abilities. How did you prepare for this role, and what challenges did you face in bringing Kimiko to life on screen?
"Bringing Kimiko to life requires a lot of physical preparation. Training the right muscle groups to be able to do the stunts repeatedly and preventing injuries were of utmost importance. Working with Nick Robinson (he trained the Canadian National Breaking team that just won gold at the Paris Olympics!) who specializes my training in function has been a game changer! From Nick: "Full body strength and conditioning has been crucial, due to the way Kimiko moves and carries herself. Classic exercises such as barbell squats, full range of motion split squats, pull-ups, etc. are used to build overall strength, but also sprinkling in movements that require stability and full body coordination really give the physical freedom to bring Kimiko to life. An example of such a combination could be super setting a barbell back squat with a 2-point plank (only 1 hand and one foot on the ground simultaneously) or a lateral bear crawl. It’s also important to be powerful and explosive, so exercises like full range of motion med ball slams help me produce power in a fully extended position but also in a low squat. And of course, cardiovascular interval work such as treadmill sprints are helpful to prepare for intense scenes, especially if they are being shot multiple times!"
Jacket from Theo / Boots from Phillip Lim
2. Kimiko communicates through sign language. What was the process of learning and incorporating this form of communication into your performance? Were there any difficulties in conveying emotions and nuances through sign language?
It was liberating getting to finally communicate through sign language because in Season 1, she truly was mute and had no way to communicate. Everything was done with facial expressions and body language, and that can be difficult when trying to convey a specific need. Above all, playing Kimiko taught me how to truly listen to a partner and to send an intention at every opportunity - within a scene and in my personal life as well. Learning sign language with my coach Amanda has been incredibly helpful in playing the part. She not only creates this beautiful language for us, but she has given me so much insight into the hard of hearing community and what her experience has been not fitting into the box of what society deems the standard. The frustrations she goes through because the world is not made convenient for her...what kinds of foresight she needs to have before diving into certain difficult environments. All things I've never had to think about because of the privileges I have been granted through speaking a "universal language". What I love about her is that these experiences have never deterred her from living life to the fullest. She's still one of the most outdoorsy, loud, outgoing people I know!
Jacket and trousers from Kim Perets / Heels from Mashizan
3. You have impressive training in martial arts and sword fighting. How do these skills influence your approach to action scenes in The Boys and other projects, such as Suicide Squad?
I never thought that my hobbies growing up would become so useful today! It's been a true blessing because I get to do what I love for work. Without a doubt, competing in the forms division for karate has helped me learn fight choreography. Back then, I remember imagining opponents while performing "kata", and now I don't have to imagine them because there are real stuntees. Getting to work with legends like Richard Norton and Guy Norris for Suicide Squad (Madmax), and John Koyama for The Boys (Emmy Winner) has been absolutely awe-inspring. I can't say enough good things about them and am grateful for what they've taught me. For each project, we go into depth about my character's abilities, style of fighting, and how we can achieve that through different forms of martial arts. It's not just about whether I can do the movements but about the stylization of those movements. Katana was a well trained sword-wielder so she had 芯(shinn), which translates to a straight backbone and strong core much like what a ballet dancer has; there is this stoicism and stillness about her, and her kills are straight to the point. Kimiko's fighting style is much like a wolf, or Laura from X-men/Wolverine - low to the ground and explosive. Training for these fight sequences, sometimes for weeks, months at a time and then accomplishing them has been some of my favorite shoot days. I usually come home buzzing with adrenaline.
Jacket from Gustavo Apiti / Top from Esthe / Trousers from Baruni
4. You’re set to star in the 1980s revenge thriller Stone Cold Fox. Can you tell us a bit more about your role in the film and what you’re most excited for audiences to see?
Yes! Stone Cold Fox is a fun action film starring Kiernan Shipka, Kristin Ritter, Kiefer Sutherland, Jamie Chung, the list goes on... about a lesbian cult member escaping the cult. I play one of the cult members. Working with Sophie Tabet (writer director) and Julia Roth (writer) were one of the highlights. It's loosely autobiographical and it was so much fun being on set that was lead by these badass women.
Jacket from Gustavo Apiti / Top from Esthe / Trousers from Baruni
5. In addition to your acting work, you’re known for advocating cultural representation and diversity. How do you use your platform to address issues of Asian hate and promote inclusion?
I'm still learning how to exercise my voice, but I think speaking up about these topics whenever possible is important. There's so much work to be done to uplift our community, and I want to be more proactive about it. Culturally, we've been taught to keep our heads down and be grateful for what we are given. Although I love that philosophy, I don't think anybody has made progress without advocating for themselves. We have to support one another to make positive changes in inclusion and racism.
Jacket, vest, trousers from Schai / Heels from Mashizan
6. In The Boy and the Heron, you voice ‘Lady Himi’. What was the experience of working with Hayao Miyazaki and contributing to such a critically acclaimed film? What was the most rewarding part of this project for you?
Working on a Ghibli film was a true dream come true. I grew up watching Miyazaki films and those movies shaped my childhood as well as who I am today. I never got the opportunity to meet Miyazaki-san himself, but voicing such a strong character like Himi for a film that was based on his own life was truly special. My favorite memory with this project was attending the Golden Globes with Hisaishi-san (Joe Hisaishi, composer). His music unlocks core memories within me and I was definitely trying not to fangirl too hard meeting him!
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