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August 7, 2007
1,073 visits
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Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, Charlotte. Vince, E, Turtle, Drama. Tony, Christopher, Adriana. The Fishers. Too many, it's just a rambling list of names.
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But last winter, when she announced her retirement from the ASP World Tour in order to pursue her acting gig on the show, no one knew her character would become such a regular role. So when Keala was in town for the U.S. Open, we took the opportunity to get the scoop on John. SURFLINE: So many people see you in their living rooms every Sunday night before Entourage. Some of those viewers have never so much as swam in the ocean before but they recognize you, not for your surfing, but as a character on an HBO series. How does that feel? KK: It feels strange. I'm so used to being recognized as "that pro surfer" and when people recognize me from the show I get thrown off for a second. But it's cool. They get really excited to meet the real life Kai and most people seem to love the show and want to discuss it with me. It's actually refreshing to be able to have conversations with fans that isn't the standard surfy chat. How did you first find out about the role? Got a random phone call from an old friend who was writing and producing for "this new show that's going to involve surfing. We'd love you to be a consultant. We'll pay you to go to lunch and we'll pick your brain about surfing." The creator, David Milch, is known for his spontaneity. At some point during that first lunch he decided that he'd create a character for me to play. "That's not to say I didn't have those surreal moments when we're all out at a bar, Luke Perry's buying me a drink, Al Bundy's telling me a joke and I'm thinking to myself, "how the hell did a surfer girl from Kauai end up here?"
-- Keala Kennelly
What made you want to pursue this serious an acting role? I love a challenge. I'm a risk taker and this was well outside the realm of my comfort zone. I've always had a theatrical side since I was a little kid. I didn't stop playing make believe until I was 12 (OK, 28) and, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I couldn't pass up. Some of the most experienced actors on the show have been waiting their whole careers to work with David Milch and I got the opportunity without even knowing who he was. Right place, right time, everything happens for a reason. I don't know -- the universe threw this one at me way out of left field. You can either catch or duck. Where was it mostly filmed? I live in Hawaii and had to uproot my life and move to L.A. at the drop of a hat. Now I live downtown. We film mostly on a soundstage north of L.A. in Santa Clarita. Sometimes we film on location in Imperial Beach. Basically, everything that takes place inside is filmed up in L.A. and all the exterior stuff is filmed in Imperial Beach. Did you still find time to surf? I tried to surf during the filming; it's just really impossible when you work a 13-hour day. Even if I had days off it didn't usually coincide with a swell. The life of a pro surfer is a life of leisure -- I have a lot more empathy for the average working stiff and the die-hard weekend warriors. You guys rock. How did you prepare for the role? I have an acting coach. Her name is Julie Ariola and she's wonderful. As far as preparing for the role, I just had to find a time in my life that I could reflect on and be able to relate to Kai. For me, once you get me in wardrobe and on the set, I truly believe I am that person. I think and feel the way she would in that situation. Plus, as you become more accustomed to the dialog, you develop tighter bonds with the cast and crew. How does it feel to be working with Dylan McKay [Beverly Hills, 90210], Stanford Blatch [Sex and the City] and Al Bundy [Married with Children]? It's so cool to be working with all these really talented people. They were all very kind and welcoming to me. I'm not a star struck person in general, so it's easier for me to have normal relationships with them without being hung up on their fame. But that's not to say I didn't have those surreal moments when we're all out at a bar and Luke Perry's buying me a drink, Al Bundy's telling me a joke and I'm thinking to myself, "how the hell did a surfer girl from Kauai end up here?" There are so many different types of characters on the show. Can you tell us about Kai? I think her background will reveal itself. Surfing is her outlet as well as painting. She grew up around the Yosts. She has a long history with Butchie. She's been a mother figure to Shawn and on a deeper level, she wishes Shawn was her son with Butchie. Like so many women, Kai's lived her life for other people and sacrificed a lot of her own dreams for other people's comfort. I think she's suffered a lot of disappointments in her life. There's a lot more to Kai than meets the eye. Stay tuned. I know you can't give a whole lot away, but what's the deal with John? Nobody truly knows the answer to that question, with the exception of David Milch. My own speculations are as good as yours. *parasocial (Definition: A recently coined concept by social scientists. It describes a condition of self-identification with TV that is marked by illogical and often emotional responses to storylines and television characters, i.e. "You're as evil as J.R. Ewing," or "He thinks he's as enigmatic as Locke on Lost.") MORE WOMENS SURFLINE HOME PAGE |
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