What Minae Noji, Star of the New “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” Can Do With Her Toes and Other Factoids

 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fans, get excited – the live action movie is set to hit theaters on August 8! Though the action film is darker and grittier in contrast to the animated show, it promises not to disappoint with action scenes that are out of this world.

Starring in the film is also Minae Noji who plays Karai, the second in command to the villainous Shredder. As fans of the series may know, Karai is a woman with strong ideals and kick-ass fighting skills. Noji, who is a popular voice performer in a multitude of video games, says she has been a longtime fan of TMNT, and that this opportunity was a “no brainer” when it came her way.

 

 

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Minae Noji as Karai. Photo by Newell Todd/Paramount Pictures.

 

Perhaps best known for her role as Kelly Lee on General Hospital, not only is this Noji’s biggest Hollywood film ever, she was particularly in awe of working with Whoopi Goldberg, who plays Bernadette Thompson, April’s (Megan Fox) boss. Upon her introduction to the world-renowned actress, Noji jokes that she felt like “one of those creepy prank callers who would call a person and just breathe on the phone and then hang up.”

 

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Here, we get a glimpse into the person behind the star:

Pet peeve: Litterbugs, Dutch Ovens and people who use their speaker phones at grocery stores.

Guilty pleasure I don’t feel guilty about: Watching Family Feud bloopers on YouTube. It’s my favorite thing to do.

Hidden talent: I have a double-jointed thumb and can dislocate my shoulder blades, and I am also really good at making animal sounds (i.e., cat in heat, a salivating dog and a frustrated chicken). And I have the strongest, most malleable toes ever — I can zip and unzip, button, unbutton, tie and untie anything with my toes. It’s intense … and talented.

Last movie that made you cry: The Bodyguard with Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. Oh … I will always love you!  Excuse me, I have something in both eyes.

Celebrity crush: Jason Sudeikis. He is manly, sexy and very, very funny. And Bobby Hill from the animated show King of the Hill. If he were older, taller and well … human.

Current favorite song: “No Matter What” by Bad Finger.  I know….it’s an oldie, but the tune makes me feel so happy.

Favorite hash tag: #StopExcessiveHashTagging

Favorite city: Ape City. Conquest of the Planet of the Apes fans will understand this reference.

Favorite quote: “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde.

Professional inspiration: Lucille Ball. She’s a comedy genius, but [also] a game changer. She’s a hilarious leading lady who also happened to be beautiful and produced a show about an interracial married couple during the ’50s.

Occupation in another life: A barnacle on a whale … if that can be an occupation.  Can you imagine having a tour guide of the ocean for the rest of your life?

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