Courtney Henggeler (Amanda LaRusso) Opens Up About Cobra Kai Season 3 | Entertainment Weekly

Ah! Hi, Courtney! We did it! [MUSIC PLAYING] We did it! I was just letting everyone know that tomorrow we will be wrapping up our "Cobra Kai" week with Mary, your daughter, at noon and then Tanner Buchanan at one o'clock. The world's ugliest person. The world's ugliest man. He's so handsome. It's not normal, it's not normal. Oh my God, Courtney. So we did a What To Watch video last week, and they asked me who the MVP of "Cobra Kai" season three was, and said Amanda Larusso for that slap. So whoo

! I like that, I hope you're not saying this to everybody that you interview. No. The MVP goes to-- thank you. No, no, I'll send the link to your publicist so that you can see on the video. I appreciated it, thank you. Of course, you're the MVP for many reasons. I mean, obviously that slap that we have discussed before, and we will be discussing again. But I also want to say that I love that they didn't portray Amanda as jealous with Ali around [INAUDIBLE]. I think it really-- I was like, oh my

God, how is this going to play out? And I really love how that was written. I loved it too, because I feel like I think there could have been a very fun version with a little jealousy as well. But I am so much happier that they made Amanda-- she's very confident her relationship with her husband, and we all do have the one who got away. Everybody does. I mean, I know that my husband has one-- I won't name her now, but I know he has one. And you know, we just-- it doesn't change the relationship

that we're in, it's just a fun little thing that exists in the world. And who am I to put up a fight about it? I mean, but it was more than that. It wasn't just like you tolerated it. It was like, hey girl, come here, let's be friends. Oh, because obviously. She's got some dirt on my husband I want to know. She's cool, and she's fun, and she's got better stories than I ever will. So fantastic, let's bring in Ali. And along the way too, Amanda also got some scoop on Johnny. Yeah. Oh yeah. I think

the connection is terrible, oh sorry. No, you look fine. Is it me? I see little circles happening. Oh no, I mean, I can see you fine so far. OK great. Yeah, I got a little dirt on Johnny too, so it's always good to get a little scoop on everyone. Well, I balled in the finale when we finally see these two guys who are, I mean, I feel like underneath if they could put everything behind them, they could actually be friends. But we finally see them join forces which was as an OG [INAUDIBLE] fan, on

e of the most epic moments. Can you talk about how that all played out and where do you think this will go? I read that script, and my husband is very big "Cobra Kai" fan. And I won't tell him anything-- while we're filming, I don't let him near sets, I don't want him to know anything, because he's such a fan that I don't want to ruin it for him. And I was in bed with him, and I was reading the script, and I was like, ugh! It's so good. And he's like, what, what? Like, I can't tell you, but the

ending is so good. And then when I saw it with the music behind it, with the Phil Collins, man, I-- and then we finally watched it. And my husband's like on the couch, like this is it! And I was just like, this is so good! I thought it was such a satisfying season finale that, of course, leaves you wanting more. But like, you just like feel it right there, you know? You're like, ugh. That beautiful face. But as far as the future, I'm dying to know. I'm dying to know. I mean, I think ultimately,

you can't have them getting along. I'm sure they will have ebbs and flows, but we love to watch the oil and water-- or is it oil and vinegar? Oil and water. Yes, oil and water, we like the oil and water relationship. So like I think that's-- I mean, I can just watch a whole series of just those two in a room together. I don't know about you. No, no, no, me too. And so last week we had Vanessa on here, and we were talking about what the future could look like now that, you know, they're together.

Because I loved when you guys ended up on this accidental double date together-- the salsa dancing, and like just, it was such a great-- even with the bickering, it was awesome. Is that something that you hope to see in the future? I would, I love those moments. I think when the writers find ways to take these characters who have such a, I don't know, such an interesting past and put them in place where they have to be civilized. And then you have someone like Amanda who is always just kind of

calling them out left and right and someone like Vanessa who is just so charming and sparkling. She's kind of like this outsider who's just like, wait, what's going on? So I don't, I don't understand. I think it's so refreshing to have those two women always as like, the check in, kind of like, are we still doing this? We're still doing this. [LAUGHTER] OK, we have a question from somebody in the comments that wants to know about the auditioning process you went through for this role. Obviously

your husband was a fan of "Karate Kid," so I imagine that you knew the originals. Is that what attracted you to it first? Yeah, of course I was a huge "Karate Kid" fan, but I was on my way out. I was quitting acting, I was done, I'd just had my son, and I was doing it for so long. I was like, this isn't for me anymore. And my husband encouraged me to hang in there just for a little longer. And the next week I got the audition for "Cobra Kai" which my husband lost his mind at. He was like, do you

know who is in that? I was like, know, babe. [LAUGHTER] I had no idea how big this was going to be though. For me, it was just like, OK, great. I've got a job again. Great, I can get my health insurance, this is fantastic. And it just took on this crazy life which is awesome. Through my conversations with all of you guys in the cast behind what the secret is-- you know, because there's been like remakes, reboots, all these things happening. But "Cobra Kai" is one of the only ones that they're d

oing it right. And so when I ask all of you guys, it comes down to the fact that the creators are really big fans of "Karate Kid." Do you agree? I think 100%, it comes from the top. And they are super fans with so much knowledge. Like they'll school you any day on anything. I'm like, I thought I knew the "Karate Kid," apparently I know nothing. And it's such it's such a labor of love for them. They are so passionate about this. I don't think-- it's fans writing the show. So of course it's going

to satisfy what the fans want, because they are genuine fans of this franchise. So I think that's-- that's my only answer. Everything's great, but like yeah, they know what they're doing. OK, I see that Marty Kove is in the room right now. Oh, hey Marty. Shoutout to Marty. So this is the perfect time for us to discuss the slap heard around the world, one of the most epic moments of 2021. And I mean, it literally came out on the first day of the year. [LAUGHS] So can you kind of talk about gettin

g to slap Marty Kove? Yeah, well Martin's just like, just a jerk, you know. Like in real life, he's just miserable. [LAUGHS] I never get to work with Marty, I never get to work with anybody on the "Cobra Kai" side of things. So it's awesome when I ever get to like, I don't know, see any of them. I'm like, hi we're on the same show, but I never get to meet you. I feel like I'm in "Game Of Thrones," you know? You know, like how long did like Daenerys Tarygaryen take to meet Jon Snow? You know, the

y never work together. So that's what I felt like, I was meeting my Jon Snow. And yeah, he was great. He's done a bazillion stunts, so he knows what he's doing. I did not come from a stunt background, and they were really nice. They had a stunt coordinator for me which was hilarious, because I'm like, it's a slap. They're like, we're going to show you how to do it. And they kept showing me, and we did it, and it was great. And I think of the last take I was feeling super confident, and that's wh

en I slapped him for real. And too, I think he just took a beat and was like, OK, we're doing this. OK. And then they'd be like, cut, Courtney, thank you, bye bye. Thank you for coming to set today. We've got it. He was lovely though. He's in the comments trying to recruit Amanda to join Cobra Kai next season. What's that? He's in the comments trying to recruit-- [LAUGHS] --Amanda to Cobra Kai next season. What say you? I would love to see what would it take for Amanda to join Cobra Kai. Like wh

at twisted story has to happen for Amanda to be like, OK, you hurt my children and my husband, but I'll join forces with you. So that would be interesting. I think that although it sounds like an interesting plan. I mean, it could be the cover. Like I'm going to go join Cobra Kai-- I know. I see all these funny rumors and I don't know, thoughts, and they're like oh, Amanda Kreese's daughter. And I was like, I'd love that, that would be great. This whole time she's like a mole living with Ralph M

achio and children. That's crazy, I love it. That's a long game, I'm here for it. That's a long game, that's some serious revenge right there. Super. And I mean with all the rumors that there could be a Kreese spin off. I mean, that's something that we could explore. I mean, I think, I'm not sure about you, but I love the Kreese back story. I love when people aren't just evil, because no one's just evil, right? We have our reasons, and people make their choices. And they're making it for the rea

sons that make the most sense to them, whether it's misguided or not. And I love to see that Kreese is a human being. And I think you see it on this season too. The way he takes care of Tory, and he has an interest in like-- I think that he does have a good heart, he just has different interests than the rest of "Cobra Kai" the series. No, no, for sure. I mean, when I interviewed him, Marty, he was saying that he would love to see him find a new love interest. And I'm thinking, do we all duke it

out [INAUDIBLE] Ali, and then we can become classic quasi-friends, and then we can see a triple date between Kreese and his new date. And then Amanda and Daniel and John and Carmen, what do you think? I think that sounds awesome. People have so much better story ideas than I do. My ideas are so boring compared to the these, it's fantastic. I mean, I just came up with that. I love it. Anything that we could do to expand this world more. I know, right? Now we also have the story-line this season

of the dealership being in trouble. Right. Oh, it looked like you froze. Which I kind of was sad that Amanda didn't get to go to Okinawa. I think I was too. Obviously when it makes sense for the journey that Daniel was on. But when we heard that they were actually going to Okinawa, I think the entire cast was like, me too? And alas, none of us got to go. But it was a very important journey for Daniel, and he needed that time, obviously. Somebody in the comments wants to know what it's like worki

ng with Mary who plays your daughter, Sam. Another jerk. Just a miserable-- working with Mary is like working with like whipped cream. She's just delightful, and sweet, and you're kind of like, yes, I would like some whipped cream on that. This is maybe getting a little inappropriate. [LAUGHTER] But she is light, she is sweet, she is kind, she is way more knowledgeable about things than I am. And we both love "Twilight," so I respect her a lot. Is there anything like an inside scoop about her th

at I could ask her about tomorrow? Oh, inside scoop about Mary? Oh, too much pressure. I don't do well at this, I'll text you later. [INAUDIBLE] ponder that, little bit more time. So Amanda's role has grown throughout the season. Do you have any favorite moments? I always love/hate, I think that the writers have a good time with Amanda, and she always has like one line a season. I think last season it was, the warring karate dojos. Oh, they have warring karate dojos. They always give me like one

extra word in these lines. And this season when I meet Ali for the first time, and it's the, oh, have the man boys caught you up on the-- I mean, I can't even say it now anymore. I love when they give me these lines just to kind of neutralize the situation even though I secretly am terrified of them. Because they always give me like that one extra word, and I'm like, how am I going to say this out loud? I just say it and hold my breath. But yeah, I think they made they gave a lot of fun moments

for her this season, so I hope for more. Somebody just asked something that I have on my list to ask you though to too. We want to know how Daniel and Amanda met, their love story. Do you know the origin story of their relationship? It's something that Ralph and I talk about. We kind of want to know where they met, how they met. I would love to explore that, because she is not Ali. And you know, fans have their romanticized views of who Daniel should have ended up with. And I think that you you

're here 30 years later, and he's with this woman, Amanda, and who is Amanda? And they run a car dealership, but where did she come from? And I think that I would love to know. I don't know, I mean I have all sorts of stories in my head that I think would be hilarious, probably not appropriate for the show. [LAUGHTER] Share the inappropriate one. I was like, ooh, maybe she was an exotic dancer, and she was at the club. And he was like, I'm going to take a chance on you. That's probably my most i

nappropriate one. I just love to see something with Amanda that's completely opposite. Aside from when she's slapping Kreese, she's very put together, she's very tailored, she's very sensible. And I would love to see like, when we first met Amanda, she was kind of a wild child. Maybe she had a sordid past, I don't know. And Daniel obviously went to the club for lunch. Yes, no. He was there, his car broke down, he got a flat tire, he needed someone to help at the club. [LAUGHTER] I actually reall

y like the thought process behind who she was before. [LAUGHTER] We need to see that happen. We need a spin-off where we just go to the origin story of all of these people. I think so, I think that's fun. Or at least every season we just do a background on each character and find out why they are who they are. And if they can dance on a pole. I mean, that would be interesting to watch. I mean, with Sam being into karate, I mean, it could have gone either way where she could have been like an exo

tic dancer. [LAUGHTER] Is that what it is? Either karate or exotic dancing, these are your choices, daughter. What are you going to do? I mean, they're both fitness, right? Yeah, you have to be very agile to do both of them. Somebody is asking if they think Amanda will ever get more involved into the karate world, maybe you could be an instructor. I mean, I pitched this since the beginning of the show. And I'm like, and she does karate. And they're like, oh no, Amanda's never going to do karate.

Which I understand, not everyone in the series can do karate. It is a little jumping the shark a bit. But I think that it would be my dream. I will just let you know, my other dream-- besides being an exotic dancer in a past life-- is that it's just an isolated scene, no one's around, maybe she's at the grocery store, maybe she's somewhere, something happens, an altercation, someone kind of gets in her way, and she just whips out some badass karate moves, picks up her groceries and leaves. And

that's it, and no one sees anything. But we just know that like, of course Amanda knows a little karate. She can't like be married to the Karate Kid all this time, and have children doing karate, and have a dojo at her house, and not know a thing or two, you know? I love that, you have some great ideas. Thanks. [LAUGHTER] We can send those to the creators so that they implement some of the stuff in there. Mostly the stripper stuff, I hope, God willing. Somebody wants to know who you think is goi

ng to win in the final battle at All Valley? Who who's up for it? You mean Cobra Kai, Myagi Do, or Eagle Fang? Or Eagle Fang, Myagi Do? No, because aren't they like working together? Yeah, I'm trying to figure out what their name would be together. Who's going to win? Miyaji Fang. [LAUGHTER] Can we just take a second for the name Eagle Fang has brought me the most joy this season, Eagle Fang just cracks me up. That's a very Johnny type thing though, to think that an eagle has fangs. I can't thin

k of a funnier name for a dojo, I really can't. I think it's hilarious. I think it's got to be Cobra Kai this time. I think Cobra Kai's got to dominate a little bit. I think we got to see our underdogs keep fighting. But that's just, I mean, I'm also the woman who thinks that Amanda should have been a stripper, so I don't know if you really want-- No, but that's a really good idea. [LAUGHTER] I don't know if you want my opinion on it. Someone else asked, are there any similarities between Courtn

ey and Amanda? I mean, I think we're the same person except she wears clothes, and I'm usually in a bathrobe. [LAUGHTER] I think we're both pretty sarcastic, I think we're both-- maybe that's why, we have the same hair and we're both sarcastic. That's my similarities with Amanda. She's more put together than I ever will be. But strong, badass women, right? Also that, also that. Also, I like to slap grown men if they get out of line. [LAUGHS] Somebody said that like if Cobra Kai wins, then in the

final battle, it could be against Kreese. I am looking forward to that. That's a good point. And I think that Amanda's work with Kreese is not done. That was the one thing that I was, in this season, I was like, she never got closure on that. He got the last word, he got the restraining order, he got her kicked out of the courtroom-- not the courtroom, the whole valley. So I think she needs to come back, she needs to get one back in there. Yeah, because he put in a restraining order, no? Yeah,

yeah, right now it's Amanda one, Kreese one. And I think she needs to-- maybe not physically, but she's got to do something. Hopefully that doesn't keep her from being able to attend All Valley. Hopefully. OK, everybody keeps asking about season four. We know that we can't talk about season four, some of you don't even know what's going on in season four. I think that the biggest question everybody is asking though is, when is season four going to air? So I have to repeatedly tell them during th

ese chats that we don't know. No. I mean, I'm with you, I was just as excited as everybody else when I saw the finale. And I was like, when are we doing it? Oh, we have to film it probably first. So I mean, the good news is there's a season four, and that's all I can say. The good news is that eventually we will make a season four, and hopefully we'll be able to bring it to you in a timely fashion. But that's all I know so far. They really keep us in the dark for our own safety, I'm sure. Yeah,

so for those of us who are like super Ralph Macchio fans, I've seen lots of questions in the comments. We want the scoop. What is he really like? Oh, gosh, it's such a good question. He's very weird. [LAUGHTER] It sounds so bogus to say that like everyone is so lovely on the set, but it's true. And when I say when it comes from the top, like why our show has like that special something, you know, Ralph and Billy are on the top right there, you know. They're executive producers, they have-- espec

ially Ralph-- he has such a investment in this franchise and in who Daniel is. And I've seen him go to bat for ideas that he thinks that wouldn't serve the character. That he knows what Daniel would do, and I've seen him voice his opinion. And it's actually very inspiring to be like, I know who he is, and I know what he would do, and I know what is right for my character. And I love that about him, I love how he knows what he wants, and he's not afraid to speak up and get it done. Because he's r

eally speaking for the fans, he knows what everyone loves about this whole universe. So he's awesome. Do you think we could ever see Daniel and Johnny battle out again? Like officially. God, I hope so. I hope so. Don't you want to know who's going to win that fight? We tease it all the time in the show. They get in there, things happen, they get pulled apart. But I want to know who's going to-- I want to see that. I want see who's going to win that. Like, who's the real champion? Who's the real

champion? Ooh, yeah. I mean, I have to say it's going to be Daniel, because he's my fake husband. But-- And you're going to train him, because you're the real karate girl underneath. [LAUGHS] What's that? I said, and you're the one who is going to train him, since you're like the real undercover MVP-- Undercover. He's going to whip out some dance poll moves. Johnny's not going to know what's coming, what hit him. He's like, [LAUGHS] I didn't see that. It's going to be like the Olympics where we

have like all these different competitions where we could see more. I think so too, see everybody's specialty. I've seen Mary talk about when they work with stunts with the kids, everybody has their own flavor. Stunt coordinators kind of give-- it's not like a one brand karate across the way. Everybody is inspired by different things, and I remember her talking about how like, oh, maybe Samantha took ballet when she was a kid, so maybe that's kind of influences her style of karate. And so I'm ju

st thinking, I'm just going to keep spit balling on this whole stripper idea that maybe Amanda does a few tricks, but they are involving, you know, what she learned in the club. [LAUGHTER] Listen, I 100% support that, by the way. Thank you. Do you have any theories? Like I have this theory about how the different movies that we're following, and it looks like we're going into "Karate Kid III" in this next one. But following that is the next "Karate Kid," and this rivalry between Samantha and Tor

y feels like that's kind of setting up there. What do you think of that? I mean, I love to give all characters a voice, but I do love to give Samantha and Tory's story a little weight, because I think that they handled it really interestingly this season. I like that Samantha is dealing in reality. She's not just getting back up on the horse or just whatever, she's actually suffering from this thing that happened, which is a very serious thing that happened. The show down at the school was a ver

y serious thing. But also, I think for Tory, I mean, she's getting this bad girl rep. And yes, she is my daughter's arch nemesis on the show. But I think Tory has her own bag that she's dealing with. And she's just a kid trying to figure it out too, so I would really love to see that explored. Because it's not just like I'm a tough guy, and you kissed my boyfriend. You know, there's stuff there, and they're young, and they're learning, so I am all about that. All about this chick power. I really

love that we got to see more of that mother-daughter relationship as Samantha was going through this PTSD that was just lingering. And we can see the parents differently. I mean, we are used to seeing Daniel mostly as the karate guy. But also good to see him as a dad and you as a mom. Can you kind of talk about those scenes where you're working with Mary on this, where it's like such a tough topic. She has an incredible-- well, I think ultimately, and I know I'm not alone on this, you just love

Mary. I mean, when you see her on screen, there's something-- you just immediately care for her. She has a very sweet, vulnerable thing that you just want to hug. And so when she does those scenes, and she can turn on a tear, she can get to that emotion like that. You can't help but be drawn in, and there's so many times that I just-- there was a scene in the hospital where she's there again, and when Demetri breaks his arm. And I embraced her, like that was all 100% like-- when I watched that,

I was almost uncomfortable to watch that, because I was literally just grabbing her being like, you're OK. Because I care about her just the way, you know, the rest of the world is caring about her. So it's really wonderful to work with such a young actress who can make me want to cry and protect her. Oh, that's really sweet. What is it like for you to work with all these younger actors? I've talked to almost all of them so far, and I hear about Xolo and Jacob being these pranksters and all the

se things kind of going on behind the scenes. What can you tell me about that? Well, except for Mary, I never really get to work with any of them. So I think I'm just as star struck with them as the rest of the world. [LAUGHS] Because they're kind of like, I see them occasionally, and I'll be like, oh, once again, we're part of the same show, how is it? I adore all of them so much. I think the work that they do is so-- I mean, especially Xolo, the day of the table read, our first table read ever

, he read with Billy, we were all at the table, and they were doing their dialogue. And I was just like, I think I was like a creepy cougar who like texted him, I DM'd on like Instagram, I was like, I just think you're really good. [LAUGHS] You know, I read the script, I thought it was great, but until they brought it to life and I saw that chemistry that they had, I was like, oh, this is what's going to make the show. Their relationship is so great to watch, the way they play off each other. So

yeah, I'm just kind of in awe of them, I just stalk their Instagram and hope that someday I get to work with them. So if Miguel and Sam continue on this path, maybe he will be around more. I mean, maybe, God willing. We had a scene, the scene where they do the whole All Valley speech where Samantha and Miguel come back and convince everybody that we need the All Valley. Xolo and I are not that scene together, I leave and then he comes, but that was the most I've ever spent with him, because I w

ould leave, and then they would be filming the rest of the scene, and me and Xolo would be like, sitting in chairs like, being like, it's almost your turn to go. And I'm like, how are you? What's going on? What's your favorite music? Just like a creeper with the younger kids. No, but they're so cute and talented. They're so nice, they're just like good kids. Even though they're in their 20s, I'm sure they are despising that I'm calling them children. Well, I was talking to Gianni yesterday who,

I guess, he was still even going to school while shooting this other scene. Right, fine, Gianni's Gianni. Fine. [LAUGHTER] He is a youth, but I'm sure he doesn't want to be referred to as a child by me. No, no, well, I mean, I'm probably the same age as you, so I'm like, all the kids, the kids. 32, right? Exactly. Plus or minus a decade, right? At least for me. [LAUGHTER] OK, any wishes? Any wishes for the continuation of the series for Amanda? What do you want to see here? Besides, obviously, h

er origin story as a stripper? My biggest thing is my origin story and just one, I just want one kick ass Amanda-- like, I want to go to stunt training. I want them to like bring me to the gym where everybody goes every day and where I see them all stretching, and they're like doing things. I want a stunt double, because I'm doing stunt. These are my simple wishes for Amanda-- stripper and stunts. I love that. Well, Courtney, thank you so much for joining us today. It was fun to chat with you. O

ur "Around The Table" that we did was so fast, and there were so many people. And I was like, wait, we need to talk more about Amanda, your role that continues to grow, and I want to see much more from you, especially like on a pole. Thank you, thank you, I look forward to it too, and I look forward to watching the Mary/Tanner interview. Stop by tomorrow, she will be on at noon. Yes, so if everybody's watching, Mary will be on tomorrow at noon, and Tanner will be joining us at 1:00. So we can ki

nd of discuss that whole love triangle, what they want to see as far as like the relationships. Who do you want to see Sam end up with? Xolo. Me too, me too! I think-- but mainly because I feel like Robbie needs love from like his parents, from-- He's got some healing to do first. Yeah, he has a lot of healing to do. You know, I love therapy, I want to see more characters go to therapy. Even Sam could. [LAUGHS] Oh my God, that's hilarious. Can you imagine like Kreese and Daniel and Billy all hav

e to go to therapy together? [INAUDIBLE] Yes! I love that. We should write this show, look at this. We've got ideas. It's like a sitcom spin off of these three guys going through therapy. I think it's hilarious, I'd watch it. Yeah, and then it leads into like that whole where they go to the [INAUDIBLE] and all that stuff, right? And there you go, see? Full circle. We just tied a bow around it. What a great interview. [LAUGHTER] Courtney, again, thank you so much. Good luck, we can't wait to see

more from you. We want more stunts and all kinds of fun stuff from you next season. Thank you, it's good to see you guys. Thank you guys for joining us. [MUSIC PLAYING]