BY MARIAH ESTRAN
PHOTO BY JACKLYN BARBER
Actress Genevieve Kang is a seasoned player within the industry. Beginning her career as a teenager, she developed a relentless work ethic that gifted her spots on shows such as The Strain, Private Eyes, and, most recently, the Netflix series Locke & Key. Kang has found acting as a creative outlet, yet, she is still down-to-earth. Aware of the reality of staying afloat, she is also an entrepreneur who shares her holistic education through her website KIKAN BLVD.
Kang took the time to share more about her journey as an actress, what it was like working on Locke & Key, while sharing advice on how to stay optimistic in a competitive field, and during these ongoing uncertainties we are currently experiencing.
I know that your first theatre production was in high school, but what made you finally decide to pursue acting as a career?
Genevieve: “Truthfully, I’ve wanted to pursue acting as a career for a long time. It was after performing in that high school production when I signed with my first agent and within a few months, booked my first professional acting job. That was also the first time I saw any potential for acting as a career. However, I grew up in a very academic family, where I felt a lot of pressure to get an education and a job that provided clear financial stability (read: lawyer, teacher, doctor). So, instead of going after my dream of performing, I spent several years completing multiple degrees and trying on many hats with numerous hobbies and side hustles — ultimately, afraid to take the leap and try something that was different from how I was raised. A few years ago, I was working as a holistic nutritionist and literally woke up one morning and felt a void in my life. That void was not expressing myself creatively through acting and storytelling. It was then that I finally began to pursue acting full-time and haven’t looked back since.”
Your resume includes appearances in great series like The Strain, Private Eyes, and now Locke & Key. What was it like growing as an actress and moving yourself up to these roles?
G: “Each of these appearances and every role that I’ve had has taught me so much about myself as an actor and artist, but also and perhaps more importantly, as a person. Every opportunity has been gifted to me at the exact moment it was supposed to. Even these three projects that you mention — The Strain, Private Eyes, and Locke & Key. I booked each of these roles at such pivotal points in my life, let alone my career. As such, I’ve been able to bring very different personal experiences to each character and project. My growth as a human being impressed upon my growth as an actor. Additionally, with each role, I’ve gained more confidence not only for crafting more complex or dynamic characters but also for working on set. Because it’s only been a few years that I’ve been acting more steadily, I still consider myself a rookie in so many ways and I’m 100% that actor constantly asking questions about how things work.”
What are some of your major inspirations? Or what actors and films have inspired you over the years?
G: “I’m inspired by people and their relationships, to self and one another. I’m inspired by how people feel or don’t feel, their psychology, why people do the things they do, the motivation behind their actions. I’m inspired by nature. I’m inspired by people and their relationship to nature.”
With any creative field, it’s very easy to feel defeated at times. Regarding acting, how have you kept yourself moving forward?
G: “I’m a stubborn goat who has a difficult time giving up — it’s both a blessing and a curse. I’m extremely driven and ambitious, sometimes to a fault. If I want something, I’ll attain it. That said, it’s no secret that there’s an awful lot of uncertainty within such a creative field, let alone the rejection and superficiality of the industry. What has kept me grounded, while at the same time moving forward, is acknowledging all of these things but not letting any of them get the better of me. Consistency outside of the industry is important to me; having other interests and passions, other avenues for creativity like cooking and wellness. These other outlets enable me to let go of say, the rejection, and put my energy elsewhere. I’m also very selective about who I include in my social network and what relationships I choose to cultivate. A strong support system is invaluable; people who really understand and care about my well-being. Meditation helps, too.”
As mentioned earlier, you have a role in the recently released Netflix series Locke & Key. Can you tell us more about that? What was that experience like?
G: “I love every time that I’m asked this question, because I’m yet again reminded of our incredible cast and crew. Right from the very beginning, when we all came together for our first table read, I felt a real sense of cohesiveness. Even though at that stage we all had such a long road ahead of us in terms of getting to know one another and filming, there was this collective understanding that we were all a part of a really special project. Filming the show itself was a lot of fun, especially once the magic was revealed to my character Jackie, and I got to play in that world a bit more. I’m excited to return for a second season!”
If you could play any role or play in any genre of film, what would be your dream project?
G: “I’m most interested in playing roles that I’ve yet to touch, so any part that’s different than my last. I love anything character-driven with beautiful, natural aesthetics. One of my first favorite films is Before Sunrise with Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, and anything within the same vein. I really like movies where people simply talk. It’s so captivating watching people communicate. I love Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, independently of one another but also together — Frances Ha is one of my favorite films, forever. Marriage Story breaks my heart and gives me hope every time I watch it, which is a lot. I would love to work with either or both of them. On the other end of the spectrum, I would also like to play a superhero or action star of some kind. I’m a very physical person, I’d love to be able to bring more of that physicality to my work.”
Aside from acting you’re also the founder of KIKAN BLVD., which focuses on holistic nutrition. Why did you decide to start a platform where you could share your education with others?
G: “I first became interested in holistic wellness after experiencing my own health struggles with an autoimmune condition. I was in between degrees when I was determining my next move — what kind of work could I do that was interesting, paid the bills, and was flexible enough to accommodate last minute auditions. See, I really wanted to continue to pursue acting but still needed to afford groceries. With my growing passion for holistic health and wellness, very much predicated on personal experience and self-education, I decided to become a certified holistic nutritionist. I could then start my own business and set my own hours, leaving lots of room for auditions. The truth is that I became a holistic nutritionist so that I could continue acting, but doing so has been one of the best and smartest things I’ve ever done. All of the knowledge that I acquired during that program is information that everyone should have access to.
PHOTO BY JACKLYN BARBER
KIKAN is near and dear to my heart. Evidently, this is the last of many side hustles I had before shifting into acting full-time. It was a welcome transition since acting is what I’ve always wanted to do, but I’m still very passionate about the holistic lifestyle. I’m not currently working with clients one-on-one, hosting wellness workshops and dinner events, or collaborating with brands on menu and recipe design — all things I used to do as a part of the brand, but this is not to say that I have moved on from the wellness sphere entirely. My philosophy in well-being remains unchanged and I am deeply passionate about this work, so there is always an opportunity for me to re-enter that space at a later date and on a greater scale. For now, I’m happy to share and help educate others about health and well-being via my social channels.”
PHOTO BY JACKLYN BARBER
Lastly, with the current situation that is taking place, a lot of our readers are at home. I’ve noticed on Instagram you are documenting your time as well. How are you staying creative, positive, and healthy while self-isolating? What advice would you give to others?
G: “Moving everyday. I’m getting my blood circulating and lymph moving by dancing in my kitchen, practicing yoga by The Sequence Project, taking complimentary classes with Limbus Movement (these are incredible!), or the rad workouts posted by Jason Walsh (also free, by the way). Staying hydrated with lots of herbal teas. My favorites are tulsi, which is a potent Ayurvedic herb known for its adaptogenic properties, helping the body adapt to and cope with stress. I’m also really loving pau d’arco, which is anti-viral. Broths are also on regular rotation in my home. They’re nutrient-dense and so easy to make, a great way to reduce food waste by using up vegetable scraps. Though it can be a bit more of a struggle, I’m trying to practice good sleep hygiene, which means reducing my caffeine intake overall, powering down my electronics well before bedtime, and winding down with a bath, stretching, and/or a good book, always clocking an adequate number of hours of deep sleep for maximum recovery.
This is a time of great uncertainty for all and I feel so privileged to be able to stay at home and to physically distance, for the health and safety of not just myself, but of everyone else, of everyone on the front lines. If you are also in a position of privilege, my advice would be, as best as you can during these stressful times, to move intuitively. Listen each morning to what your body needs that particular day or moment, be gentle with and take care of yourself. Move your body if you can, nourish your body with proper hydration and nutritious foods, and cultivate a sleep routine like your life depends on it.”