How did the “Late Show” people think of you to play Melania Trump?

When I was on in March, promoting “She Loves Me,” Stephen pointed out the resemblance. He held up a picture of Melania, and I did a sort of squinty-pouty impression of her. That was that. Then Monday, I drove down to Delaware, because Thursday is my grandma’s 92nd birthday. Tuesday morning, I was eating cereal, just thinking I was going to lounge, and then I get an email from Vinnie Favale [a CBS executive], asking will I come on as Melania and spoof her speech? And I was like: “Yes! But I am five hours way.”

So what did you do?

My mom and my sister drove me two and a half hours to the train in Wilmington, where I then studied, for two and a half hours, her speech. Much to the confusion of the man sitting next to me. Who was like, what is happening? I was listening to it over and over again, and I would repeat after her. Then I zoomed in really close on her mouth, so that I could see what her mouth was doing. I can’t even imagine what kind of a creep this poor guy thinks I am.

How much time did you have to prepare once you reached the theater?

I got off the train at 5:45. I was rehearsing by 6:15. And then it was a live show, which I found really exhilarating. But I come from the theater, where we only ever get one take. So I don’t really worry about that stuff.

Did playing off Stephen Colbert help your performance?

Kissing his cheeks a hundred times was really fun. He was standing not too far from me, so I could feel his positive energy, which really helped me. He gave me the most gigantic hug afterwards. We felt how well it went afterwards.

What kind of response have you gotten on social media?

It’s been overwhelmingly positive. I can’t think of a time that I’ve received so much — I don’t know what the word is — praise? It sounds gross to call it that. “The Sound of Music Live!” was the last time I felt this level of immediate — everyone being like, “Yay! We like you.” Of course, there are the handful of people who are like: “You’re a horrible person. You’ve been married three times.” They’re just mean. Then there’s also been the handful of Trump supporters who are like: “You’re a liberal idiot. But that was funny.” That feels like a real win.