Iman Vellani, Brie Larson.Photo: The Walt Disney Company via GettyIman Vellani’s character onThe Marvelsis apparently a big fan ofBrie Larson’s character on screen. But off-screen, their friendship is even closer.The actress, 20, opened up to PEOPLE Saturday at the Gold Gala in Los Angeles where she explained that she sees Larson, 33, as something of a “big sister.“Brie Larson.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic"We’re close and then she’s honestly an older sister at this point,” Vellani told PEOPLE. “But yeah, I think she’s really taught me a lot about how to take care of myself and the importance of self-care mentally and physically, and I really value our friendship.“As for the advice that Larson has given her, Vellani says: “Get a Theragun.“Of course, the actress joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe asthe title character Kamala KhaninMs. Marvelon Disney+ last year, as Larson makes her return as Captain Marvel (Carol Danvers) in their upcoming movie that hits theaters Nov. 10.An official synopsis reveals that in the film, Captain Marvel “has reclaimed her identity from the tyrannical Kree and taken revenge on the Supreme Intelligence.““But unintended consequences see Carol shouldering the burden of a destabilized universe,” the synopsis adds. “When her duties send her to an anomalous wormhole linked to a Kree revolutionary, her powers become entangled with that of Jersey Citysuper-fan Kamala Khan, a.k.a. Ms. Marvel, and Carol’s estranged niece, now S.A.B.E.R. astronautCaptain Monica Rambeau.“Jon Kopaloff/WireImageNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.On Saturday, Vellani explained to PEOPLE that theMs. Marvelcomics “were such a monumental thing in my life in high school” in terms of representation.“I didn’t ever realize that a story like this could just exist out in the open,” she added. “I think the fact that we got to have it on Disney+, and Marvel is one of the most successful franchises in the world. It means the world that little girls are going to grow up and have this be something that they could watch on a Friday afternoon.“Marvel Studiosdebuted the first trailerfor the new movie last month, which followed Larson tellingVarietyin September at the D23 Expo how long she expected to continue playing Carol Denvers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films, in an answer thatappeared to hint at long-running backlash against her character.“I don’t know — does anyone want me to do it again?” theOscarwinner said. “I don’t know, I really don’t know. I don’t have the answer to that.“Larson, at the time, appeared to address fan backlash her casting and character have received since she joined Marvel Studios' roster of superhero actors in 2016. Her starring role inCaptain Marvelmarked the MCU’s first woman-led film, and she’s since reprised the role in 2019’sAvengers: Endgameand made appeared in 2021’sShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten RingsandMs. Marvel.She is listed among the expected cast for 2025’sAvengers: Secret Wars, perIMDb.
Iman Vellani, Brie Larson.Photo: The Walt Disney Company via Getty

Iman Vellani’s character onThe Marvelsis apparently a big fan ofBrie Larson’s character on screen. But off-screen, their friendship is even closer.The actress, 20, opened up to PEOPLE Saturday at the Gold Gala in Los Angeles where she explained that she sees Larson, 33, as something of a “big sister.“Brie Larson.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic"We’re close and then she’s honestly an older sister at this point,” Vellani told PEOPLE. “But yeah, I think she’s really taught me a lot about how to take care of myself and the importance of self-care mentally and physically, and I really value our friendship.“As for the advice that Larson has given her, Vellani says: “Get a Theragun.“Of course, the actress joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe asthe title character Kamala KhaninMs. Marvelon Disney+ last year, as Larson makes her return as Captain Marvel (Carol Danvers) in their upcoming movie that hits theaters Nov. 10.An official synopsis reveals that in the film, Captain Marvel “has reclaimed her identity from the tyrannical Kree and taken revenge on the Supreme Intelligence.““But unintended consequences see Carol shouldering the burden of a destabilized universe,” the synopsis adds. “When her duties send her to an anomalous wormhole linked to a Kree revolutionary, her powers become entangled with that of Jersey Citysuper-fan Kamala Khan, a.k.a. Ms. Marvel, and Carol’s estranged niece, now S.A.B.E.R. astronautCaptain Monica Rambeau.“Jon Kopaloff/WireImageNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.On Saturday, Vellani explained to PEOPLE that theMs. Marvelcomics “were such a monumental thing in my life in high school” in terms of representation.“I didn’t ever realize that a story like this could just exist out in the open,” she added. “I think the fact that we got to have it on Disney+, and Marvel is one of the most successful franchises in the world. It means the world that little girls are going to grow up and have this be something that they could watch on a Friday afternoon.“Marvel Studiosdebuted the first trailerfor the new movie last month, which followed Larson tellingVarietyin September at the D23 Expo how long she expected to continue playing Carol Denvers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films, in an answer thatappeared to hint at long-running backlash against her character.“I don’t know — does anyone want me to do it again?” theOscarwinner said. “I don’t know, I really don’t know. I don’t have the answer to that.“Larson, at the time, appeared to address fan backlash her casting and character have received since she joined Marvel Studios' roster of superhero actors in 2016. Her starring role inCaptain Marvelmarked the MCU’s first woman-led film, and she’s since reprised the role in 2019’sAvengers: Endgameand made appeared in 2021’sShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten RingsandMs. Marvel.She is listed among the expected cast for 2025’sAvengers: Secret Wars, perIMDb.
Iman Vellani’s character onThe Marvelsis apparently a big fan ofBrie Larson’s character on screen. But off-screen, their friendship is even closer.
The actress, 20, opened up to PEOPLE Saturday at the Gold Gala in Los Angeles where she explained that she sees Larson, 33, as something of a “big sister.”
Brie Larson.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

“We’re close and then she’s honestly an older sister at this point,” Vellani told PEOPLE. “But yeah, I think she’s really taught me a lot about how to take care of myself and the importance of self-care mentally and physically, and I really value our friendship.”
As for the advice that Larson has given her, Vellani says: “Get a Theragun.”
Of course, the actress joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe asthe title character Kamala KhaninMs. Marvelon Disney+ last year, as Larson makes her return as Captain Marvel (Carol Danvers) in their upcoming movie that hits theaters Nov. 10.
An official synopsis reveals that in the film, Captain Marvel “has reclaimed her identity from the tyrannical Kree and taken revenge on the Supreme Intelligence.”
“But unintended consequences see Carol shouldering the burden of a destabilized universe,” the synopsis adds. “When her duties send her to an anomalous wormhole linked to a Kree revolutionary, her powers become entangled with that of Jersey Citysuper-fan Kamala Khan, a.k.a. Ms. Marvel, and Carol’s estranged niece, now S.A.B.E.R. astronautCaptain Monica Rambeau.”
Jon Kopaloff/WireImage

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
On Saturday, Vellani explained to PEOPLE that theMs. Marvelcomics “were such a monumental thing in my life in high school” in terms of representation.
“I didn’t ever realize that a story like this could just exist out in the open,” she added. “I think the fact that we got to have it on Disney+, and Marvel is one of the most successful franchises in the world. It means the world that little girls are going to grow up and have this be something that they could watch on a Friday afternoon.”
Marvel Studiosdebuted the first trailerfor the new movie last month, which followed Larson tellingVarietyin September at the D23 Expo how long she expected to continue playing Carol Denvers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films, in an answer thatappeared to hint at long-running backlash against her character.
“I don’t know — does anyone want me to do it again?” theOscarwinner said. “I don’t know, I really don’t know. I don’t have the answer to that.”
Larson, at the time, appeared to address fan backlash her casting and character have received since she joined Marvel Studios' roster of superhero actors in 2016. Her starring role inCaptain Marvelmarked the MCU’s first woman-led film, and she’s since reprised the role in 2019’sAvengers: Endgameand made appeared in 2021’sShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten RingsandMs. Marvel.
She is listed among the expected cast for 2025’sAvengers: Secret Wars, perIMDb.
source: people.com