Kayla Manuel Talks About Her Recent Role In ‘Wild West Chronicles’ And Teases Sci-Fi Movie

A rising actress you need to be paying attention to!

From her incredible role in the short film ‘With Salt’, to her recent role in Season 4 of ‘Wild West Chronicles’, Kayla Manuel is quickly proving herself as an asset to the acting industry.

We had the absolute please of speaking with Kayla about how ‘Wild West Chronicles’ was a validating moment for her, getting a college education, and more!

When did you first realize you wanted to pursue a career in the entertainment industry?

K: “As a child, my parents always knew I wanted to be in entertainment. Whether performing, dancing, or acting, they knew I had a gift for it. I would perform and coordinate talent shows with my cousins during family gatherings and events and have an outlet. I remember my cousin having a Michael Jackson VHS of all his music videos as a compilation. We would reenact the content and the energy Michael had as a performer. Being seen as a young talent, I wanted to keep going. This fueled my desire to perform and pursue a career in entertainment.”

Congratulations on your role in ‘Wild West Chronicles’! Can you tell us more about your character Cassie?

K: “Thank you! I appreciate it. Playing Cassie in Wild West Chronicles was a dream role for me. I’ve always wanted to be in a Western period piece. Cassie is a relatively young woman who gets married, and her husband’s jealous rage changes her fate. Her husband is the son of the First Black US Marshal Bass Reeves.  This role challenged and excited me to be part of history. It’s a project that pushes you to dig deeper and do lots of research.”

What was the filming process for your episode like? Any interesting/fun stories you can share?

K: “Yes, we filmed this project in Acton, CA. The set felt like a time capsule from the 1800s. You feel transported back in time as soon as you step on set. It was freezing on the day of filming, about 33 degrees Fahrenheit. However, I was so excited I didn’t care. Everyone on set was excellent and professional. It was an experience I can’t wait to do again.”

Based on your Long Beach State University studies, do you recommend that performers pursue a college education?

K: “Absolutely! I wanted to study and go to college to be a well-rounded Artist. I think it pushed me to understand my power. I was able to learn a more robust vocabulary for the work. I gained more respect for the job. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t hone in on my craft and study the origins of what I’m doing. I now have the tools to understand my actor instrument and pull from other places to build more powerful characters in any capacity.”

What has been the most validating moment in your career thus far?

K: “The most validating moment is after being told no serval times, booking a project like Wild West Chronicles, confirmed I am born for this. It can be discouraging to keep getting back up after being knocked down. But the more you get back up the stronger you will be. I never take no for a final answer, so to push forward through adversity is the most validating feeling because image if I stopped or gave up I wouldn’t be here today sharing my story.”

We hear that you will be starring in an upcoming Sci-Fi film! Can you tease what fans can expect?

K: “Yes, it’s an exciting project I had the pleasure of being part of. “There Were Trees”, cast by Jeremy O’Keefe and directed by Travis Stewart was a fun project to participate in. The film will take you on a journey of questioning reality, and I’m excited to see how all of the elements come to life.”

Where can we follow your amazing journey?

K: “Yes, you can follow me and see what I’m up to on Instagram @imkaylaali.”

Make sure to watch Kayla in ‘Wild West Chronicles’, available to stream now on INSP!

Photo Credit: Andrea David

Je’Kayla Crawford– Founder and Director– Je’Kayla has been a journalist for years and decided to start a publication of her own, New Scene Magazine, back in October 2020. When not helping her team and working on their print issues, you can find her watching a movie on Netflix or baking using a viral TikTok recipe.