Old School. Biblically Independent.
By Mike Redmond | News | March 19, 2026
With The Super Mario Galaxy Movie set to hit theaters on April 1, Anya Taylor-Joy dropped by TODAY on Wednesday morning to promote her returning role as Princess Peach. And, look, I don’t want to say this dismissively, but we’re talking about a kids movie based on a video game here. Craig Melvin apparently didn’t get that memo.
After making an insane comparison between Peach and Taylor-Joy’s character in The Queen’s Gambit — they’re both “trapped,” you see — Melvin continued to run the ball into Crazy Town by equating the video game princess with Joni Mitchell. Yup, you read that right.
Via EW:
“You’re rumored to be playing Joni Mitchell, speaking of through lines,” he began. “One of the, arguably, most singularly important women in music over the last generation or so. Princess Peach, one of the most iconic women in gaming history. What’s the connection there?”Taylor-Joy takes a beat, staring at the NBC studio’s ceiling as she repeats the curious question. “What’s the connection between Joni and Princess Peach?”
“Yeah,” confirmed Melvin.
“How they’re both singular; you can’t touch them,” replied Taylor-Joy, artfully. “They’re in a league of their own.”
First off, both props and sympathies to Taylor-Joy for fielding that like a champ. Yes, it made a great viral moment because what the hell, dude? But none of us had to sit there on live TV and unpack that one in real-time. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Mario games. They are wildly creative and a blast to play. But I’m pretty sure my mind would melt if someone looked me in the eye and said, “Daniel Day-Lewis is arguably one of the greatest actors of our generation. Luigi kicks his legs back and forth when he jumps. What’s the connection there?”
You can watch the bizarre exchange below. Teed it right up for you:
