WAEN’s Interview with #NextGen Phenom Kyla Carter

(Last Updated On: May 1, 2021)

Photo Credit: Melissa Cohen @imagebymelissa

Rising star Kyla Carter’s talent runs deep whether she is acting (physical and voice-over), singing, songwriting, dancing, or performing on Broadway. She currently stars in the new DreamWorks animated series TrollsTopia and she can also be seen portraying the same character in the Netflix series Trolls The Beat Goes On. The singer/songwriter Kayla loves to pen and sing songs filled with messages that encourage self-love and building self-confidence. Kyla recently released new singles Average Puzzle Piece and Half Full Half Empty. When Kyla is not acting, she spends time writing her own original music, performing popular cover songs on her YouTube Channel, dancing, and modeling. And she also has her own podcast, Kyla’s Korner. Our #NextGen phenom, Kyla Carter!

Hi Kyla! Thanks for the interview! We will call you Ms. Triple Threat and then some! Please share with us your very first memory of performing.

Thank you for having me! My very first memory of performing is from live theater in a local production of Jungle Book Jr. as a bumble bee. I was four years old.

We read that your icon is Shirley Temple. Great choice! You are young…how did you learn about Shirley Temple? What drew you in about her?

I have been told that I was singing before I was speaking, so I was always drawn to music. I am also an old soul, therefore when the Shirley Temple DVD commercial appeared on the television screen, I immediately was intrigued. I was just 4 years old, and begged my parents for the whole set. I watched every single movie over and over and told them that I wanted to be just like her. As I got older, I learned more about her as a person and what she has contributed to society. I still remain a huge fan today.

An old soul…one of the best kind to have! You have performed on screen and on stage. In relation to acting, do you see your future on screen and on stage or more focused on one rather than the other?

I think I was born to entertain, whether that be on screen or on stage. But my heart and first love will always be Broadway.

Got it! Would you share one of your favorite roles from the screen and one from the stage.

My favorite role on camera is Young Nora in the HBO series The Leftovers. I enjoyed working with Christopher Eccleston and playing the younger self of extraordinary actress Carrie Coon. My favorite on stage role is Susan Waverly, in Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. I loved being the only kid in the show, having a solo and working with Randy Skinner, who has been nominated for four Tony Awards!

Wow! What an awesome opportunity! You are a voice actor also. How did you become involved in that?

It all started with my first lead in an animated television show for Nickelodeon, Wally Kazam, where I played Hattie the Witch. I auditioned when I was 6 years old and was the youngest cast member in the show. That job catapulted my voice-over career, because I was trained on the job at a very young age.

Okay let’s talk Trolls for the Trolls fans! And for those who might not be familiar, tell us about the series TrollsTopia and Trolls The Beat Goes On and your character in both, CJ Suki.

Trolls the Beat Goes On and TrollsTopia are spinoff series of the original movie Trolls. My character CJ Suki is cool and so sweet. She was created based on some of my own features, like freckles and blue eyes. She is a pop singer, a spunky firecracker, and loves her Aunt DJ! I really enjoy the great music, fun characters, humor, and positive messages built around friendship.

You mentioned that Wally Kazam “catapulted” your voice over career. We take it then that you have voiced other roles?

Yes, I have a really big voice over resume, playing lead roles for Nickelodeon, NBC Universal, and DreamWorks Animation. I recently booked the title role in a new DreamWorks Animated series, but it is on hold right now due to the pandemic.

With things starting to open back up hopefully that will “get off hold” soon. Before we shift a bit is there anything else (any other projects) in relation to acting that you have coming up?

I am currently working on a project with the Junga Franchise, which is a children’s book series about anti-bullying. I voice the lead character Heidi and am working with my brother for the first time, who is voicing the bully! I am super excited about this project, not only to voice one of the leads, but also to have the opportunity to collaborate with the director and co-write two children’s songs for the book, Junga the Dancing Yeti Meets Heidi.

Kyla everything about that sounds fantastic! Congrats! Since you mentioned singing how did your interest in singing come about? Or has it just always been there?

Singing is my SUPERPOWER! I don’t remember a day in my life where I did not sing!

Your newest single is titled Half Full Half Empty. Catchy title tell us more.

Half Full Half Empty is about perspective. There is a lot of conflict in the world and you can try to see the positive side and the blessings or you can constantly focus on the negative. It is your choice. I choose HALF FULL!

Amen! Shine a light on your songwriting process.

I have a song journal and have been writing song lyrics and melodies in it for the last 9 years of my life. When I am inspired, I can write for hours in my journal. When I am not, I do not force the process.

What themes are highlighted in your song journal?

A lot of the things that I currently write are about being inspirational, being yourself, and pushing forward. But, it doesn’t necessarily mean I want to forever be labeled like that. I want everything I write and sing to be honest and from my heart.

For example, my first single Average Puzzle Piece is a song about being comfortable in your own skin and being true to who you are. The story resonates with many in today’s society of being forced to fit into a box that you were not meant to be in. It’s a story about being ok with who you are and not blending into what society defines as normal. My message is to be unique, stand out and not be an “Average Puzzle Piece.”

Love it! You host your own podcast, Kyla’s Korner. Exciting!

It is! Kyla’s Korner is a 3- 5 minute inspirational segment featured on The Mark White Show. Every week I talk about important topics that have affected my life or those around me. I often speak out about bullying, confidence, chasing your dreams, and how to live life sunny side up. I receive many messages from fans of the show, thanking me for inspiring them and helping them get through tough times. I believe that if I can make a difference in someone else’s life, even if it is just one person, I am making a difference in this world.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Instagram

YouTube

TikTok

Twitter

WEBSITES:

www.kylacartermusic.com

www.kylacarter.com

www.kylaskornerpodcast.com

PODCAST:

Kayla’s Korner

YouTube Channel

MUSIC:

AVERAGE PUZZLE PIECE (on all platforms)

HALF FULL HALF EMPTY (on all platforms)

Thanks so much Kyla! Good luck with everything!

I AM KP Smith

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