Star Power Vol.30

[NYOTA Magazine ]

star power

Kylie Cantrall Volume 30

from the editor

HELLO THERE, READER! In this Star Power issue, we got to chat with actress and singer Kylie Cantrall who can be seen in the hit Disney Channel show, Gabby Duran and The Unsittables.

We also have a quick chat with up-and-coming actor Rodney L. Jones III who already has acted alongside Chris Rock in Fargo and will be starring in the highly anticipated Candyman, which is out today.

As usual, I hope you enjoy reading the issue and that it inspires you to go after your dreams.

YOURS TRULY, Carol Wright EDITOR IN CHIEF @_CAROL_WRIGHT

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contents 1. Editor's Letter 3. Get to Know Kylie

4. Kylie's Playlist

5. Star Power: Kylie Cantrall

10. Kylie's Top Picks

11. Quick Chat: Rodney L. Jones III

Follow us @nyotamagazine

#StarPower

I’m left-handed! (The rumor is that all lefthanders are automatically very wise and creative geniuses)

I’ve had my classic Gabby D ombre hairstyle since I was 10 yrs old! I’ve always been obsessed with colored hair and I had my whole hair journey planned out at a young age. “Age 10: blonde tips, age 11: do pink tips, age 12: blonde ombre that starts at the middle of my head, age: 13 go full blonde, age 14: go full pink, age 15: dye my whole head jet black.”

Except…I booked Gabby Duran at age 12 with the blonde ombre and because of continuity for my character, my hair has indeed not changed in four years!!! It’s going to be quite the momentous occasion when I change it up and oh it’s coming!

Get To Know Kylie

When I was five years old, I went through a phase of telling people that my name was Jasmine. I would be at the park with my dad and a bunch of parents would come up to him and be like “Your daughter Jasmine is a sweetheart!” and my dad would awkwardly be like “Um… excuse me who?” Of course I did that because of the iconic Disney princess who I aspired to be and who I went as for halloween about three years in a row lol!!!

My first and only pet was a guinea pig named Sugar! We had to give Sugar away as I was not the best at taking care of it and it ended up being my dad who had to do all the heavy lifting, cleaning the cage, feeding him, bathing him, cleaning up poop etc...my job was more taking selfies with Sugar and the occasional snuggle.

#NyotaMusic

kylie's Playlist Doja Cat // Need to Know Kid Laroi // Stay Role Model // Blind Bee Gees // More Than A Woman Rihanna // Wild Thoughts Beyoncé // Crazy In Love Normani // Wild Side Tinashe // All My Friends Timbaland // Promiscuous Bruno Mars // Nothin' On You

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#StarPower

#StarPower

Kylie Cantrall Interview by Carol Wright | Photographer: Sarah Krick

Kylie Cantrall started creating videos and sharing her talents with the world via YouTube at a very young age before transitioning to acting and since then has been going full steam ahead. Cantrall talked to NYOTA about being the lead in a hit Disney Channel show, the advice she has for aspiring actors, and her burgeoning music career.

As a kid did you often gravitate to the arts or put on performances?

As a kid, I was a huge American Idol fan. That meant that every night I would put on a full performance for my parents (I’m talking hair and makeup, costume changes, and choreography…) all to see if the judges (my parents) would give me a ticket to Hollywood. Sometimes my parents would mix it up and say that I was not moving onto the next round and let’s just say that usually ended in a lot of tears haha!!

Transitioning from YouTube to acting as the lead in a Disney show is such a unique experience for someone to have. What did you learn through that process?

Making the transition from YouTube to TV was a definite learning experience. I don’t think people realize how much work goes into making a TV show. I know I didn’t! From table reads to fittings, rehearsals, and then the long nine-hour shooting days, it’s definitely a full-time job and a crazy life for a teenager lol!

Creating videos on YouTube is a big leap and you started at a young age. Do you have a favorite cover you recorded from those early years?

When I was younger, I put out covers on YouTube and the first cover I ever posted was “Replay” by Zendaya. The coolest part about it was that Zendaya actually retweeted my video and the views went crazy! I remember thinking to myself as a little 8-year-old, “wow I’m famous!”

What initially drew you to Gabby Duran and the Unsittables?

I was immediately drawn to the Gabby Duran and The Unsittables script the moment I read it!

I thought it was a fresh take on the classic “fish out of water” concept of a girl moving to a new town and finding her “calling” which in this case happened to be babysitting aliens haha. Also, as a strong “alien believer” I really connected with the SCI-FI element and knew this was the perfect show for me to be a part of!

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#StarPower

Do you feel as though you can relate to your character Gabby in any way?

I totally relate to my character Gabby! I think we both have a strong sense of self, love for everything 90s, and are always down for an adventure! Also fun fact: we both suck at math.

Tell our readers a bit about Ron’s Gone Wrong. Did you prepare for your role in the film any differently from how you prepare for Gabby Duran and the Unsittables?

I’m super excited to be a part of the new fox animated film Ron’s Gone Wrong! The cool thing about doing this movie was it was all voice-over, which means I could show up to the studio in sweatpants, no makeup, and chai latte in hand.

Definitely different from shooting Gabby, where I would have to arrive two hours early to set for hair and makeup and shoot for nine hours a day.

What advice do you have for aspiring actors?

My best advice for aspiring actors would be to start small and take baby steps toward your goals each day. Whether it’s memorizing a scene from your favorite movie and recording yourself acting it out or performing in your high school play and uploading it to YouTube. It’s all about being proactive and taking each opportunity!

Music is your other creative outlet. Has the pandemic and those early days of staying at home given you time to work on new music?

I haven’t had much downtime over the last year since I’ve been so busy filming Gabby Duran Season two. Now that shooting is over, I’ve had a lot of time to kick back into music! I just recently signed with the record label APG and I’m really excited to start this next chapter.

Everyone can expect a lot of music on the way!

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Tell our readers about your upcoming single “Sad Boy.” Well, I just signed my record deal so I’m still in shock that I have a single “Sad Boy” hitting the radio on September 3rd. The other thing that blows my mind is the collaborations on the song.

We had two amazing DJs create the music, R3HAB, and Jonas Blue, and I share the vocal duties with one of my favorite artists, Ava Max. It's crazy to think that a year ago I’m doing TikTok dances to Ava’s song “Sweet but Psycho”… and now we are singing on the same record!!!

#StarPower

Kylie's Top Picks Movie: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Book: The Complete HighSnobiety Guide To Street Fashion & Culture

TV Show: New Girl Fashion Trend: Dad Sneakers

Fun Fact: My all-time favorite movie is Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. I actually tried to emulate that Ferris Bueller punkiness into my character Gabby Duran. I see a lot of similarities between the two characters. They’re both troublemakers that kind of live by their own rules.

Except for the major difference that one of them gets slimed on a daily basis haha!!

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#QuickChat

#QuickChat

Rodney L. Jones III Interview by Carol Wright | Photographer: Sergio Garcia

NYOTA got to chat with actor Rodney L. Jones III about his role in Candyman, what he learned from working on Fargo, and his advice for aspiring actors.

You started acting at a young age. Did a certain television show or movie spark your interest in performing?

I’ve watched a lot of cartoons, westerns, and action films throughout my youth, so I was really drawn to superheroes. Batman is one of my favorite characters. I like that he’s a superhero despite the fact that he doesn’t actually possess “superpowers”. His superpower is his preparedness to face any situation. Plus, he wears all black and black is my favorite color.

In season 4 of Fargo, you played Satchel Cannon and worked closely with Chris Rock. What did you learn from your costars through working on that project?

I learned to always be fully prepared when it’s time to go to set. My castmate Chris Rock put a lot of work into his character. You could see a clear difference in him as himself vs. him as Loy Cannon. Whether it’s on the page or not you have to understand who your character is, and be ready for anything. In ep. 401, the scene where Satchel is in the car with Loy was completely improvised. I had no knowledge of it until I got to set and the director Noah Hawley told me what he wanted us to do.

What initially drew you to Candyman?

How did you prepare to step into your character Billy’s shoes?

I reeducated myself on that time period. Did a lot of research on the Cabrini-Green projects and what life was like there during that time. I did a full walkthrough of my scenes to prepare, and I’d also listen to some old-school music by The Jackson 5 in my trailer before heading to set.

With Candyman, you’re bringing a beloved film to a new generation. How does it feel to be a part of the Candyman legacy?

It feels incredible! Urban legends are so popular and are, in a way, eternal. So to be a part of this one and witness how it’ll impact this generation of people is an honor.

What advice do you have for aspiring actors?

First, figure out if this is something you really want to do and devote your time to. If so, then be like Nike and Just Do It!

It’s a horror film, and I’m a big fan of horror. I also loved that it’s based on a beloved urban legend film that I genuinely enjoyed. Besides that, it was an opportunity to work with amazing creators such as Oscar-winner Jordan Peele and Nia Dacosta. It’s a win-win opportunity any way you look at it.

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NYOTA Magazine STAR POWER TEAM EDITOR IN CHIEF

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

CAROL WRIGHT

WWW.ISSUU.COM/NYOTAMAGAZINE

CAROL WRIGHT

HTTP://NYOTAMAGAZINE.COM

COVER ACTRESS

PUBLISHING

Kylie Cantrall

CONTRIBUTORS PHOTOGRAPHER

Sarah Krick

PHOTOGRAPHER

Sergio Garcia

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