‘The Social Network’: Brenda Song Took Away a New Skill From Her Iconic Fire Scene
When Brenda Song appeared in The Social Network, she raised the eyebrows of people who still thought of her as a wholesome Disney star. But Song was ready to move on from her younger self, and that was just the beginning. She’s changed a lot growing up post-Disney. In fact, during her time on set filming The Social Network, she learned a skill that she still uses today: using a lighter.
Brenda Song starred on Disney before ‘The Social Network’
Song’s breakthrough role came from playing the silly and spoiled hotel heiress London Tipton. She appeared as London on the Disney show The Suite Life of Zack and Cody from 2005 to 2008. She reprised her role in the spinoff series, Suite Life on Deck, from 2008 to 2011.
Song’s role as London made her beloved by a generation of Disney fans. She won hearts even as she played a self-obsessed rich girl.
Before Suite Life on Deck ended, Song began taking on more mature roles. Among the most notable? She played Christy in the 2010 movie The Social Network, about the creation of Facebook. The part was a far cry from London, so much so that Disney almost stopped her from playing the role.
But in the end, Song went ahead with the film. However, in one of her most memorable scenes, she needed a little coaching on one skill required to pull it off.
The actor learned a new skill during the fire scene
In one of the most memorable scenes from The Social Network, Song’s character burned a gift from her boyfriend Eduardo (played by Andrew Garfield). But before she could set the silk scarf ablaze, she had to learn one crucial skill.
“So the funny thing is, I didn’t know how to use a lighter,” she explained to Cosmopolitan. “[Director] David Fincher tried to take me aside and teach me how to use a little flick up lighter. So anytime I have to light, like a birthday cake, I’m like ‘David Fincher taught me how to use a lighter.'”
In addition to learning how to use a lighter, Song said working on the movie was “literally life-changing.” She loved working with Fincher. And she had only glowing things to say about Garfield as an acting partner.
But despite all that, Song can’t bear to watch the movie – and she probably never will.
Song can’t bring herself to watch ‘The Social Network’
Although Song is proud of her work in The Social Network, she can’t bring herself to watch it.
“I really haven’t seen this in, like, since probably we went to the premiere,” she said. “I don’t like watching myself. If I wasn’t in this, I’d probably watch this movie so many times because personally, take myself out of it; I think it’s such an incredible movie. But because I’m in it, I can’t watch it,” the actor explained.
Song doesn’t have much free time to enjoy her past work anyway. She’s working steadily, most recently starring in the Hulu series Dollface. She also became a mom last year, giving birth to a son named Dakota. She and fellow former child star Macaulay Culkin not only started a family together — they’re engaged.
