NEW YORK – Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose shares that for her, movies typically embody “cupcakes, sprinkles, and joy,” aspects that are far from what her new film, “House of Spoils” (now streaming on Prime Video), portrays. This horror flick takes the actress into new, unsettling realms.

“I believe horror can serve as a way to confront fears,” DeBose, 33, explains to YSL News. “Some people enjoy the thrill of being scared, but that’s not me.”

Despite her reservations, DeBose gained appreciation for the genre, finding it an intriguing venture.

“Filming this specific movie taught me that horror has its own craft,” she elaborates. “It requires significant skill—it’s not merely about screaming.”

Taking on her leading role with great seriousness, DeBose was mindful of her behavior on set, drawing from both positive and negative past interactions. She playfully refrained from naming any colleagues who left a negative mark, mentioning she wants to keep working. In terms of positive influences, she quickly cites her “West Side Story” co-star Rita Moreno and Jamie Lee Curtis.

“The sense of joy and curiosity I perceive in Jamie Lee Curtis, even in how she nurtures industry relationships, is genuine,” DeBose praises. “She wants to connect—she’s all about understanding others’ thoughts and feelings.”

‘House of Spoilers’ Delivers Chills Alongside Culinary Delights

In preparation for “House of Spoils,” DeBose honed her culinary skills, but this is not a traditional slasher film. Her character, a chef, leaves a high-end eatery in New York City to manage a new trendy spot upstate. She faces several challenges, including an undesirable restaurant owner (Arian Moayed) who assigns her an unqualified sous chef (Barbie Ferreira) and contends with the hauntings of the establishment’s previous proprietor.

To prep for her role, DeBose trained under Chef Ayesha Nurdjaja at Shukette, a Middle Eastern eatery in Manhattan’s Chelsea. She describes the experience as “enlightening.”

“Witnessing the dynamics of a kitchen and how each chef relies on one another was eye-opening. Every chef has their unique style of leadership,” she shares. “I learned a lot from Chef Ayesha and spent each filming day chopping vegetables.”

Could a Broadway Comeback Be in Store for Ariana DeBose?

DeBose is set to travel to Nashville for a new Prime Video series: the recently announced “Scarpetta” alongside Curtis and Nicole Kidman. She is also actively involved in several initiatives aimed at encouraging voter turnout, particularly for the Democratic party.

“Not everyone on social media wants to engage in meaningful discussions,” she points out. “Many prefer to critique or analyze your views without wanting genuine dialogue, which is disheartening. I recall times when people could have respectful conversations about differing opinions instead of shaming each other.”

“As a woman who’s Puerto Rican, Black, and queer, I believe all these identities are pivotal when voting. When I cast my ballot, I’m not just representing myself but also my loved ones.”

In December, DeBose will hit theaters as Marvel’s Calypso in “Kraven the Hunter.” When asked about the possibility of hosting the Tony Awards for a fourth consecutive year, DeBose chuckles at the thought.

“I’m not so sure,” she replies when asked if she plans to go back to the awards event. “Whenever I have a concept, I bring it to the table. I enjoy being part of my theater community, but I feel like I might have run out of concepts.”

“To be honest, my desire is to return to performing on stage. The inspirations I’ve encountered over the past three years have motivated me. While these experiences have helped me stay linked to Broadway, I’m eager to actually get back into the action. I’m hoping that will happen soon.”