Anna Sawai Brought the Glamour to the Fast & Furious 9 Premiere

In F9, the ninth and latest installment of the mega-successful franchise Fast & Furious, Anna Sawai plays a leather-clad, sword-wielding badass. But for the Japanese-New Zealand actor, being a part of the project was more than a fun opportunity to kick some butt. “I grew up watching the Fast films, which has always been special to me because, unlike most films in the early 2000s, I saw myself in the characters of the franchise,” says Sawai of its diverse cast. 

In the new film, which is out on June 25th, Sawai plays Elle, a girl from Japan who lost her scientist parents at a young age. She joins the gang—Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, and all—to defeat Diesel’s character’s evil brother, played by John Cena. “She was left with a huge responsibility and had to learn how to fight so she could keep herself safe,” says Sawai. “I was thrilled that she not only can kick ass, but she also has a great backstory.” 

The first red carpet premiere for the film was held on Friday night at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. And unlike her sleek, no-frills character, Sawai chose a decidedly more glamorous look for the affair. She wore a two-piece Brandon Maxwell ensemble consisting of a red cut-out top and draped pink skirt. “I loved the bright summer vibe with the wide slit, which allowed it to flow as I walked down the carpet,” Sawai says. The ensemble was styled by Erin Walsh, and accessorized with elegant jewels by Tiffany & Co. and silver sandals from Sophia Webster. (We’d love to see her do a fight scene in this look.) 

This being her first major motion picture, Sawai says her favorite part of the premiere was both dressing up and seeing the audience’s reaction to the big screen. “My favorite part was hearing them laugh and clap,” Sawai says. “That’s what makes going to the cinema so special!” As for what you can expect from the film, if you’ll be going on opening day? “You can expect bigger action, unexpected locations, and more drama,” she says. Sign us up. 

Below, Sawai’s getting-ready diary from the F9 premiere.