It’s formally senior yr for many of the Wildcats, and a few newbies are going to be shaking issues up in Excessive Faculty Musical: The Musical: The Sequence season 4. A type of characters is the sassy and pushed Dani, performed by Disney Channel alum Kylie Cantrall. You’ll positively be feeling Sharpay Evans vitality from this character.
HollywoodLife spoke EXCLUSIVELY with Kylie forward of the ultimate season’s premiere on August 9. She teased that Dani “needs the highlight,” and he or she’ll go to nice lengths to get it. The actress and singer additionally opened up about getting into the Descendants universe and her newest single. (Be aware: this interview occurred previous to the SAG-AFTRA strike.)
How does it really feel to affix the HSMTMTS franchise?
Kylie Cantrall: I began watching the unique HSM after I was slightly child, and I keep in mind the third film was caught on repeat in my home. So, to reply “what does this imply to me” is so troublesome to reply. Surreal or a “pinch me second” might be the one approach to describe it. After I obtained the decision from my agent, I fainted. After I wakened, I used to be in East Excessive, in full hair and make-up, filming a close-up whereas dancing to “I Need It All.” That’s how briskly all of it occurred.
Have been you forged in season 4 earlier than or after engaged on the brand new Descendants film with Dara [Reneé]?
Kylie Cantrall: I used to be forged in HSM first, then Descendants about 6 weeks later. However an odd twist to the story is that Dara and I labored on a Disney particular known as Descendants Remix Dance Occasion a couple of years again, however neither of us would have ever believed we’d be bringing this new Descendants chapter to life. And really, Sofia Wylie was on the present with us too. So loopy! I simply keep in mind wanting as much as each of them a lot, and I used to be simply excited to be making TikToks with them in between photographs.
How does Dani match into the world of HSMTMTS season 4?
Kylie Cantrall: Properly, Dani doesn’t actually attempt to “slot in.” She actually makes it her mission to face out as a result of she’s the kind of lady that wishes the highlight and all the eye in each room she walks into. That’s what actually drew me to the Dani character, getting an opportunity to play somebody so sassy and overly assured. I positively suppose I’m far more refined in actual life although.
Will she be a good friend or foe for the Wildcats?
Kylie Cantrall: I do know I’m not supposed to offer lots away, so I’ll simply say this: Dani is just not coming to East Excessive to make mates. She is available in with one purpose, and that’s to take over the college. It’s going to be so enjoyable to see what followers take into consideration her. She is fairly spicy so that you both love her or hate her. I positively love her…however possibly I’m slightly biased.
Dani positively offers off Sharpay vibes. Have been you impressed by the unique Excessive Faculty Musical character?
Kylie Cantrall: Dani positively offers off Sharpay vibes, however I additionally needed to drag from another basic highschool teen villains. I attempted so as to add slightly Regina George and ‘Maddy Perez. I don’t know why I’ve at all times liked these imply lady characters. I believe we deep down love a personality that is available in and brings the drama.
Are you able to tease any of Dani’s musical numbers?
Kylie Cantrall: I don’t actually need to give something away, however I’ll say Dani is coming in HOT. She needs everybody to know that she has an agenda to be the star of East Excessive. From day one, she is fearless in grabbing the mic and ensuring her vocals are heard.
What impressed your upcoming single?
Kylie Cantrall: I began this sequence on my TikTok known as “10 Minute Songs” the place my followers give me three phrases, and I’ve 10 minutes to write down a music round these phrases. I by no means thought it might result in my subsequent single, nevertheless it sparked this music known as “Textual content Go Inexperienced.” It’s a few good friend concerned in a poisonous relationship, and it’s killing you to see your good friend going by means of a lot disappointment, so you don’t have any selection however to inform them, “You’re so significantly better than that. It’s time to maneuver on.” It’s loopy to me to know that this comes from precise conversations in my life. Possibly that’s what makes it so relatable. I believe we’ve all been there earlier than.
You’re becoming a member of one other large franchise with Descendants: The Rise of Pink. Was it intimidating in any respect stepping as much as the plate for this subsequent chapter?
Kylie Cantrall: Yeah, it’s nonetheless unbelievable I went to purchase some balloons at Occasion Metropolis final week and noticed an entire Descendants part. I wandered up and down the aisle pondering, “Wow, subsequent yr that is going to be us [the new cast] on these plates, napkins, and decorations.” We wrapped the film in March, so it’s killing me realizing what number of superb songs, dance numbers, struggle scenes, stunts, and so forth are coming quickly. I can’t look forward to an entire new era to say, “I grew up on Descendants.” I suppose it means a lot to me as a result of I used to be a kind of children saying that just some years in the past.
How would you say Pink compares to unique Descendants leads Mal and Evie?
Kylie Cantrall: Properly, I believe the followers of the opposite Descendants motion pictures will probably be so joyful that the general vibe has stayed true to the franchise, however the writers positively needed to discover a new voice for the character Pink. We get to see a personality who’s combating looking for her personal independence and breaking free from her mother’s [the Queen of Hearts] evil clutches. Pink is bored with being informed how one can stay her life and realizes she has issues with constructing friendships as a result of she doesn’t belief individuals. I believe this pertains to so many younger people who find themselves attempting to determine the place they slot in and, ultimately, it’s the relationships she kinds that give her life a lot love and that means. Pink teaches us all that you must belief that there’s a higher life out for us all on the market.
How did you react once you discovered Rita Ora could be enjoying your mother?
Kylie Cantrall: I used to be in literal disbelief. I used to be truly obsessive about Rita’s music “Black Widow” after I was a child, in order that was truly one of many first ideas that got here to my thoughts after I came upon she was going to play my mother. Does this imply we’ll get to sing “Black Widow” and harmonize collectively between takes? We truly by no means did… however hey, Rita, in case you are studying this, let’s do a “Black Widow” duet subsequent time I see you!
