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Melissa Rivers Channels Her Mother Joan Rivers In Jennifer Lawrence’s ‘Joy

Joan’s daughter Melissa talked about what it was like to portray her late mother Joan in the upcoming film Joy with Entertainment Tonight!

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In a first look at Melissa’s cameo in the comedy, Joan meets Miracle Mop inventor Joy Mangano, played by Lawrence, at the QVC studios. Playing the role of her mother was an emotional choice for Melissa Rivers, although she told ET that her fellow cast members were “lovely and supportive”, the leading lady reciting her favorite Joan Rivers jokes.

“I thought, ‘Seriously when am I ever going to get to work with Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and David O. Russell?'” she explained.

Melissa also revealed that even though the hair and makeup test had freaked her out, she didn’t fully realize the “emotional risk” she’d taken in portraying her mother until she was done shooting.

It’s been just over a year since Joan Rivers passed away but she still lives on in our hearts – and soon on the big screen! “It was all very hush-hush and top secret, and I went, ‘OK.’ In our family when they offer a job, we always joke the answer is, ‘Yes, how much?'”

While Melissa said that she was happy she filmed the role, she did not think she could watch her performance back. Watching the clip, Melissa Rivers “teared up”, ET reports. Speaking at the time on Today, Melissa said of her decision to take legal action against the clinic, she asked of the clinic, rhetorically, ‘How about paying attention to the vital signs?

Watch the full interview with Melissa below. “I want to go on as me” as QVC president Bradley is aghast.

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Melissa totally nails her mom’s NY accent, 1980’s blonde bob hair and her chunky jewelry.

Melissa Rivers as Joan