coat. Prabal Gurun
top + skirt. Anoeses
shoes. Femmes Sans Peur
hat. Binata Millinery
gloves. Laruicci
rings. Dinosaur Desins
stockings. Wolford
opposite
coat. Prabal Gurun
top. Anoeses
hat. Binata Millinery
When Paul Thomas Anderson calls, you answer — even if you don’t quite know who he is at first. For multi-hyphenate artist Shayna McHayle, better known to the world as Junglepussy, that serendipitous moment arrived mid-tour with Tame Impala. A text from Anderson soon followed, and what began as casual hangouts in New York unfolded into a cinematic collaboration that feels as inevitable as it is revolutionary.
In Anderson’s latest film, ‘One Battle After Another’, McHayle doesn’t just act — she embodies. The director, long revered for creating layered, genre-defying worlds, wrote a role specifically for her: a defiant, enigmatic member of the French 75 collective whose power lies in her refusal to dilute herself. The character’s name? Junglepussy. For McHayle, this merging of art and life isn’t a performance but an evolution. Known for her fearless lyricism, razor wit, and radical self-possession, she brings to the screen the same raw magnetism that’s made her music a manifesto of autonomy and audacity. “The JP movement is revolutionary,” she tells Schön!. “Having one of the greatest filmmakers want to mirror the magic and essence of Junglepussy — whether for my artistry or the platform I’ve built as an independent artist — is beyond dope.”
In conversation, Shayna McHayle reflects on her time on set, the future of Junglepussy, and more.
coat. Melitta Baumeister
eyewear. Chris Habana
earrings. HOME by Areeayl
cuff + ring. AGMES
opposite
coat. Melitta Baumeister
eyewear. Chris Habana
earrings. HOME by Areeayl
How did the opportunity to join ‘One Battle After Another’ first come to you, and what was your reaction to working with Paul Thomas Anderson?
I was on tour with Tame Impala, and my agent told me PTA had reached out and asked for my number. She wanted to know if she could give it to him because he wanted to speak with me directly. I was like, “Who? Who is that? Okay, I guess, give it to him,” lol. Then a day later, Paul texted me. He was in New York, we hung out a few times, and he told me all about the film — that he was writing a character for me.
What about the script or concept initially drew you in?
Initially, I was curious because he had all these Junglepussy references — “pussy this, pussy that.” The character names were unique and mysterious. The storyline was intriguing and brilliant, especially knowing he had me in mind for so much of it.
top. Anoeses
hat. Binata Millinery
gloves. Laruicci
ring. Dinosaur Desins
headpiece. J.R. Malpere
opposite
top (skirt worn as top) + glove. Laruicci
trousers. Dian Jin headpiece. J.R. Malpere
The film uses “Junglepussy” not just as your stage name but as your character’s revolutionary alias. How did it feel to see that part of your identity repurposed within this story world?
To have my stage name, Junglepussy, included in this capacity made me feel honoured. The JP movement is revolutionary. My body of work, my lyrics, my art — they’ve always been brazen and empowering. Having one of the greatest filmmakers want to mirror the magic and essence of Junglepussy, whether for my artistry or the platform I’ve created as an independent artist, is beyond fucking dope.
Did playing a character who shares your stage name make it harder — or maybe easier — to separate yourself from the role?
Being Junglepussy IRL is not easy-peasy. As I stated before, I am truly independent. This means I work harder. I write. I study. I create. I hustle. I collaborate. I advocate for myself endlessly. I used these same dynamics in approaching this role. I wouldn’t say it was harder or easier; some days were challenging, but I just showed up and got to work as I usually do.
top + earrings. Skndlss
bodysuit. Anoeses
shoes. Laruicci
eyewear. Chris Habana
bangles. Alexis Bittar
top, skirt + earrings. Skndlss
bodysuit. Anoeses
shoes. Laruicci
eyewear. Chris Habana
bangles. Alexis Bittar
stockings. Wolford
opposite
bodysuit. Anoeses
earrings. Skndlss
How did you make sure “Junglepussy” the character wasn’t just an extension of Shayna McHayle the person, but a distinct figure in the French 75 collective?
I don’t think Paul Thomas Anderson wanted it to be distinct. I believe he wanted some of the real-life JP in this role. Whatever made him reach out to me to play this part had to come with me into it. I talk the talk in my music — my lyrics are intense, startling, and hilarious — all the attributes needed for this role.
Did Paul Thomas Anderson encourage you to fold elements of your real persona into the character, or was it more about inventing something completely separate?
Yes, he did. From using my lyrics and artwork from one of my popular songs (“Pop for You”), to my knee-high Doc Marten boots, my jewelry, and honey-blonde hair — he wanted as much Junglepussy as possible. All these details were replicated to appear as the real-life JP.
coat. Destroyer O Worlds
trousers. Ocean Savae
earrings. MISHO
necklace. Alexis Bittar
bangle + ring. Dinosaur Desins
coat. Destroyer O Worlds
earrings. MISHO
necklace. Alexis Bittar
rings. Dinosaur Desins
opposite
coat. Destroyer O Worlds
trousers. Ocean Savae
earrings. MISHO
necklace. Alexis Bittar
bangle + ring. Dinosaur Desins
Has inhabiting a version of “Junglepussy” on screen made you think differently about how you embody her in music, on stage, or in videos?
I wouldn’t say differently — I’m constantly evolving as I work on myself and my craft. Being creative requires that. I’ve always been mindful and open to how JP shows up in music, on stage, or in videos, because that’s exactly how I’ve gotten all my movie and TV roles so far. Those opportunities came directly from me embodying my true, authentic self.
When you’re rapping as Junglepussy versus acting as Junglepussy, what are the biggest differences in how you express her?
When I’m rapping as Junglepussy, it’s all on me — my words, my direction, my performance, my purpose. On the other hand, acting as JP requires me to interpret someone else’s words, concepts, direction, and expectations for the role.
top + skirt. Skndlss
bodysuit. Anoeses
bangles. Alexis Bittar
opposite
top, skirt + earrings. Skndlss
bodysuit. Anoeses
bangles. Alexis Bittar
dress. Nasty Gon Zhu
earrings, choker + bangles. Alexis Bittar
cuff. AGMES
Did this role shift your relationship to authorship of your name and image — since for the first time, “Junglepussy” is being shaped by another writer/director?
I own everything Junglepussy. I granted PTA limited access to use it in OBAA. The name was trademarked a while ago — it’s mine. And being part of this film isn’t that different from being featured on another artist’s album.
Are you curious about how your fans will interpret the difference between the Junglepussy they know from music and the one they’ll meet in the movie?
My true fans — especially my day ones — will be inspired and happy for me, period. Honestly, I don’t value anyone else’s opinion, especially people who’ve never listened to my music or my message over the years. I am an artist. Art is supposed to be interpreted subjectively.
Do you see “Junglepussy” as a singular identity, or does she evolve and take on new meaning depending on the medium — rap, performance, film?
Junglepussy is constantly evolving — versatile, multi-hyphenate. I clearly can’t be boxed into a singular identity.
After this experience, do you imagine “Junglepussy” as a persona you’ll continue to reinvent across platforms, or do you want to keep her rooted in music primarily?
While I’m grateful for the opportunity and experience to be in this movie with so many outstanding actors, it’s not my first one — this is my third film — and it’s all because writers and directors have been inspired by Junglepussy. All of my roles are still played by me, Shayna McHayle. I’ve done some television as well, and so many of my songs have been synced in movies and TV over the years. I love it. I’m an artist — a painter, a performer — music won’t be my only outlet. I show up and take root wherever I’m called.
bodysuit. Anoeses
top + earrings. Skndlss
bangles. Alexis Bittar
‘One Battle After Another’ is in theatres now.
photography. Will Pippin
fashion. Anthony Pedraza
talent. Junglepussy
hair. Christina Rendall
make up. Raisa Flowers @ E.D.M.A. World
dp. Anyelo Troya
set designers. Phairyz + Nami
fashion assistants. Mia Jackson, Jenny Chan, Daryl Jervis,
Spencer Bispham + Tineya White
trousers. Armani
