As I reflect on the story of the young actress who juggles singing and acting, I can’t help but see some parallels with her journey and my own. Like her, I too have had to balance two creative passions that demand equal attention and energy. And just like her, I’ve learned that it’s not always easy, but it’s definitely worth it.
It’s safe to assert that Kylie Cantrall was destined for the role of a Disney princess, given her early aptitude for performing. Starring in Descendants: The Rise of Red, this L.A. native showed her artistic parents at the tender age of two that she had an innate talent for dancing, singing, songwriting, and acting. This natural ability was further honed into skills such as these. Coincidentally, Cantrall also nurtured a strong affinity for Disney and its programming, particularly those that showcased young, groundbreaking performers like Zendaya, Selena Gomez, and Miley Cyrus. At the age of eight, she transformed her fondness for Disney into a YouTube series titled Hello Kylie, where she critiqued Disney Channel shows and covered the music of its young stars.
A while after that, Cantrall began trying out for different parts in the local area, yet she found it hard to move away from the dream of following the Disney career path, as she believed it was her optimal route.
“Cantrall shared with The Hollywood Reporter that he tried out for Nickelodeon productions, receiving many encouraging comments. However, he often felt out of place and believed he was destined for Disney. Now, he’s thrilled about collaborating with Disney as it feels like a perfect fit.”
In her career with Disney, Mila Cantrall’s breakthrough role was in season two of the show “Bizaardvark.” This led to a rapid progression, as only 18 months later, she landed the lead role of Gabby Duran on the Disney Channel series “Gabby Duran & the Unsittables.” The character of Gabby Duran opened doors for her next title role, that of Princess Red of Wonderland in Jennifer Phang’s “Descendants: The Rise of Red,”, which is the fourth movie in Disney Channel’s musical fantasy franchise. As an avid fan of the “Descendants” series, Cantrall was thrilled to have the opportunity to portray the franchise’s first title character.
“Cantrall expressed that no amount of preparation could truly ready one for such an extraordinary occasion. Having her character’s name in the title made it incredibly unique and exceptional. She couldn’t help but feel amazed, exclaiming, ‘This is unbelievable!’ The journey, from playing with Princess Red dolls to wearing a Halloween costume, has all felt like a dream come true.”
The “Descendants” series narrates the stories of offspring from renowned Disney characters, primarily the antagonists. In “The Rise of Red,” Princess Red teams up with Chloe Charming (portrayed by Malia Baker), who is the daughter of Cinderella (Brandy) and Prince Charming, to thwart Red’s own mother, the Queen of Hearts (Rita Ora), from orchestrating a coup at Auradon Prep, an educational institution where each new generation has studied. To stop this, the unconventional duo of Red and Chloe travel back in time to when Auradon Prep was called the Merlin Academy, with the aim of preventing Red’s mother from ever turning into the malevolent Queen of Wonderland.
After debuting on Disney+, “The Rise of Red” was the biggest 3-day premiere for any show on Disney Branded Television, and its concluding scene hints at a follow-up story. Creator Cantrall is quite certain that viewers will be intrigued by how Red and Chloe handle the consequences of their time-traveling adventures.
“Cantrall expresses that time travel can be complicated, hinting at a deeper narrative yet to unfold in Red’s tale. He’s eager to delve further into this story and emphasizes that this is just the start.”
In my latest chat with THR, Cantrall delved into the blueprint that is Zendaya and how I, as a gamer, can resonate with her character Red.
Hey there! It’s only been a little while since the movie premiered, but it’s already breaking some serious records on Disney+. I can’t help but feel energized and excited by all the buzz surrounding it. Have you had a chance to watch it yet and experience this incredible vibe?
Wow, absolutely! The past month since “The Rise of Red” released has been nothing short of a whirlwind. I’ve noticed an incredible increase in the fan base and the Descendants community, with their overwhelming show of affection not just towards me, but the entire cast as well. It’s been an incredible deluge of love, and it was particularly evident at D23 this past weekend. While I’ve seen comments online and fans creating videos to our songs, meeting them in person and shaking hands or giving hugs made a world of difference. We had a meet-and-greet that lasted nearly three hours at D23, and the lines of people waiting to meet us were endless. That was an eye-opening experience for me, realizing that not only did people watch the movie, but they truly connected with it. It was an incredibly special moment to witness this firsthand.
To understand how you ended up here, you’ve spent your whole life as a performer, but prior to working for Disney around the age of 11, you were a dedicated Disney fan on YouTube and elsewhere. Did it always seem like a Disney career was destined for you from the start?
Indeed! Ever since I was young, I’ve had a profound affection for Disney, just like many kids who adored the Disney Channel shows and their stars, such as Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, and Zendaya. They were role models for me growing up, and I always felt drawn to Disney in an unusual way, as if it was where I belonged somehow. As a child, I even auditioned for Nickelodeon shows and received positive feedback, but I never felt like I fit there. Instead, I sensed that my place was with Disney. I’m thrilled that the planets have aligned, allowing me to collaborate with the Disney family. It feels like it was destined, and each opportunity leading up to this moment has seemed equally preordained.
Were you also a fan of the Descendants franchise since its early days?
I couldn’t get enough of movies, particularly “Descendants”. Since it debuted when I was nine, I became an instant fan. As soon as it hit the screens, my friends and I were glued to the TV. We couldn’t stop discussing the characters and songs from fourth grade onwards. The larger-than-life personas in the movie left a lasting impression on me, influencing my career choice as a performer, whether I was aware of it or not. In essence, “Descendants” played a significant role in shaping who I am and my performing style. Strangely enough, when I received the script for “[The Rise of Red]”, it felt like a perfect fit. The character of Red resonated with me deeply, and of course, there was singing and dancing involved – two things I’m passionate about. So, in many ways, this project seemed destined from the start.
In 2016 or 2017, you joined forces with Disney on various projects. Since then, it seems like one project has led to another. Could your past experience with Disney have provided an advantage during the casting process for “The Rise of Red”?
Although I was offered the role after auditioning, it wasn’t as if Disney simply handed me an offer outright. Instead, Disney, being a company known for its loyalty towards its actors and those within their family, provides opportunities for advancement. This system allows individuals to progress regardless of whether they’ve collaborated with them in the last three or ten years. Disney maintains a strong bond with its long-time collaborators, such as myself, who started with them at a young age. I began my journey with Disney when I was 11, landing a guest star role on Bizaardvark. Now, having turned 19 and spent nearly a decade working with them, I am incredibly grateful for their continued trust and support in me.
You must have been thrilled beyond words when you learned that your character was the one given a title role in a Descendants film, as it’s quite rare for a character to be named in the title.
Wow, absolutely! Experiencing something like this can’t truly be anticipated, and finding my character’s name in the title is incredibly unique and meaningful. To say I was surprised would be an understatement – it felt surreal, from the dolls to the Halloween costume, every aspect has been a dream-come-true moment. This project stands out as something distinct from anything I’ve worked on before.
As a devoted fan, hearing about Zendaya’s determination to join the Descendants series, despite facing multiple rejections, definitely resonates with me. It’s heartening to know that even such a gifted performer had to work hard for her place in the spotlight, making my own aspirations feel validated as well.
Absolutely! Zendaya has been an inspiration and a model for me since my earliest memories, and she’s been a guiding light on my Disney journey. Just like her, she began at the company when she was young and climbed up the ladder by taking on various projects before creating “K.C. Undercover”. That was her final Disney project before moving onto everything she’s doing now. She’s truly paved a beautiful path for other young artists to follow, including myself, and continues to inspire me in all aspects – from fashion to artistry and acting. In many ways, I can envision myself following in her footsteps as a multi-talented figure.
How far along were the songs when you were cast? Were they ready to be rehearsed?
As a seasoned performer with years of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that crafting a musical is no small feat – it’s like piecing together a jigsaw puzzle where every single piece matters. From the haunting melodies to the intricate costume designs, each element takes months upon months of meticulous planning and execution. This particular production, however, was something else entirely: VFX-driven, meaning we were building an entire world from scratch.
Does your knowledge or experiences coincide with Red’s in any way? Has she acquired information that you too had to learn, or perhaps something you had learned earlier?
Just like many teenagers, Red is on a continuous journey of self-exploration, striving to find her unique identity beyond the expectations set by her parents or her family background. As the potential future Queen of Wonderland, she faces immense pressure, leading her to question whether she wishes to follow in her mother’s footsteps. Instead, she aspires to forge her own path and define her destiny. This journey mirrors my personal experiences, as I too have been navigating my way through life. I’ve had the good fortune of discovering my passions early on, but there are still aspects of myself that I am continually uncovering. It’s essential to embrace change and avoid comparing oneself to others’ paths, which is something I strive to do regularly. Red embarks on a similar journey, and I hope her story inspires people to remain true to themselves and grant themselves grace at every stage of their lives. The process of growth is a lengthy one, and it’s never truly finished.
To your point about not comparing yourself to others, that’s a healthy outlook to have, and while it’s easy to get caught up in the successes of someone like Zendaya, there’s a valuable takeaway in that story I mentioned. Even she was told no from time to time.
What resonates with me is its ability to bring tranquility to my thoughts, a quality that I deeply appreciate. It’s not about you failing at this role or being an incorrect fit; it was simply destined for another person. We all have our unique paths, and I firmly believe that what’s intended for you will eventually manifest. Therefore, it’s unfair to measure yourself against someone else’s journey since each of us is on a distinct, individual voyage – a lesson that I’ve had to learn over time. Every day, I strive to grow in this understanding, most definitely.
Exploring ‘The Rise of Red,’ we delve into the pivotal experiences shaping our identities. For Red’s mother, Queen of Hearts (portrayed by Rita Ora), a practical joke at a school dance transformed her into the villain we know today. Can you identify a significant memory from your past that molded you into who you are now?
Instead of having a defining moment where I declared my desire to become a singer, my journey was subtly nurtured from an early age due to my parents’ artistic background. Being surrounded by artists, my interest in performing and creating wasn’t surprising but rather expected. As I leaned towards the arts, my parents encouraged me, making it seem natural to pursue a creative path. There wasn’t a single epiphany, and my passion for singing or dancing can be traced back as far as I can remember. My father often recalls that from the age of two, whenever I saw a stage, I would make a beeline for it. So while my story may not have the dramatic flair of a sudden realization, it reflects the truth of my lifelong calling to the arts.
Have you found it challenging to balance your focus between your acting and musical pursuits overall?
Absolutely, it’s quite challenging as both require substantial commitment and resources. Finding the right equilibrium to give equal focus to both isn’t easy, but numerous individuals have managed it successfully. Artists like Jennifer Lopez and Sabrina Carpenter serve as inspiring examples of individuals who have successfully navigated the realms of pop music and acting. Thus, I am confident that I too can find a way to continue in both fields. These domains complement each other, and opportunities such as Descendants make it possible to merge them, which is an exciting prospect. So, I anticipate a future filled with musical roles, and it’s thrilling to be part of this dynamic environment.
The conclusion of “The Rise of Red” implies that there are further chapters to this tale, given Red and Chloe Charming’s (Malia Baker) interference with time. Are you hopeful that we can delve into the continuation of their story?
Of course! Tinkering with time’s structure isn’t without consequences. Therefore, Red and Chloe have quite a bit of work ahead to rectify and tidy up the mess. Time travel is inherently chaotic, so there are certainly more intriguing twists in this tale. I can hardly wait to delve deeper into Red’s narrative. This is just the start.
***
Descendants: The Rise of Red is now available on Disney+ and Disney Channel.
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2024-08-15 22:26