16 Year-Old Tenley Kellogg On Breakthrough Role In ‘Sunfish (& Other Stories on Green Lake)’

A breakout actress!

In the acting industry, Tenley Kellogg just became hot on the radar. The 16 year-old just launched into stardom with starring role in the critically acclaimed film ‘Sunfish (& Other Stories on Green Lake)’.

We had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Tenley about her dream franchises to star in, balancing her career with school, and more!

Was there an actress or TV show/film that you watched as a kid that inspired you to pursue acting?

T: “I have always admired Meryl Streep and the work she creates. Her versatility has always amazed me, and I hope that one day I can reach her level.”

Congratulations on your latest role in Sunfish (& Other Stories on Green Lake)! What was the filming experience of this film like?

T: “Filming was an amazing experience! It was like going to summer camp and getting to make a movie all at the same time. After shooting, the cast and crew would jump into the lake for a swim, or all eat dinner together, which really brought everyone closer and made us feel like a family.”

Do you think you have anything in common with your character Blue Jay?

T: “I believe Blue and I have a lot in common. The pandemic kept me from really experiencing middle school, so going into filming, I had never known what it was like to have a crush before. In a way, the things Blue was feeling for the first time, I was too.”

The film, especially your starring role, has already received some critical acclaim! What has been your reaction to getting this much attention and applause for your performance?

T: “I was honestly just really happy that people enjoyed the film and liked my character. One of the biggest challenges for an actor is making sure your character gets some kind of reaction from the audience. When I found out that people really connected with my character and her story, it made me feel happy and proud of what I helped create.”

At just 16 years old, how are you managing your rising acting career with your academic and social life?

T: “I do a hybrid form of schooling to help with my schedule. I only go into my high school for about two hours a day to see my friends before coming home to finish up and start working on scripts for my next class or project. I also make sure that my friends know how sporadic the film industry can be, so if I ever have to cancel last minute for a quick turnaround audition, there won’t be any hard feelings.”

Looking ahead, what are some of your acting goals, whether that be working with a dream co-star or taking on a specific type of character?

T: “The action and fantasy genres have always been my favorites, so I would love to play a character in one of those worlds! I especially love Marvel, DC, and Star Wars, so getting to play any character for one of those franchises would be a dream come true.”

Make sure to watch Tenley in ‘Sunfish’, available for pre-order now on Amazon Prime Video!

Photo Credit: Brie Childers

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.