Naomi Grossman's character Pepper became the unlikely star in American Horror Story: Freakshow after the episode "Orphans" gave fans a touching view of her past and tragic future, and people can't seem to get enough of the kind-hearted and innocent freak.
Grossman talks to The Wall Street Journal and dishes out more on Pepper, and how she came to love the character and be one with her.
"She's just pure love. That's what people respond to. She has this innocence and despite everything that's happened to her, she manages to put on a smile and just wants to play. She's a survivor. She doesn't whine a whole lot," said Grossman.
Even when Pepper came to live with her horrid sister and equally vile husband, Pepper soldiered on. "Being stuffed into a jar is almost better than being in that house," she compares. "So I don't know if she (Elsa) did me a favor or not, actually. But you're right, she did give me life. Again, I'm the chosen one! I was the one monster she doesn't want to see go down."
But go down Pepper eventually did, after she was framed for murder and sent to Briarcliff Manor. It has been a horrible life for Pepper since, and it was extremely difficult for Grossman to part ways with her.
"I've lived with this character for so long. She's changed my life. She's put me on the map, she changed my hair style, she moved me to Louisiana temporarily. I'm so close to her. I'm very emotional because of the demands of the character, but of course, my own relationship with her. I knew this was probably the end and I would have to say good-bye to this little girl. I was crying as Pepper, I was crying for Pepper, I was crying for Naomi, you know? I was going to have to leave this new place that I love so much," she shared.