Hold onto your spellbooks, Descendant fans! Kylie Cantrall is stepping into the spotlight.
Singer and actress Kylie Cantrall will turn heads and cast spells in her latest role as Red from the highly anticipated Descendants: The Rise of Red. The movie will premiere on July 12th on Disney+.
The 18-year-old, best known for her role in Gabby Duran & The Unsittables, is shaking things up by being a multi-talented actress, singer, and QUEEN.
From being fierce AF from her fashion choices and slaying performances, Kylie brings a fresh and fearless energy into the Descendants franchise. Our native LA queen’s character, Red, is not just a villain’s kid; she’s full of charisma, wildness, fun, and the right amount of evil.
Kylie is proving to us that she is a force to be reckoned with in the Disney universe, and we caught up to speed on the tea and how she’s doing it.
Here’s ETYNTK about Kylie Cantrall, her music, and the new Descendants movie
CosmoME: What inspired you to pursue an entertainment career, and how did you get started?
Kylie: I come from a musical family, and I’ve always been drawn to the entertainment industry. My parents work in music and dance, so I grew up surrounded by the arts. I’ve pursued my passion for music and performance from a young age, and I’ve recently started exploring acting as well. It’s been a great journey, and I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had, including projects like Descendants, where I can showcase my talents in singing, dancing, and acting.
CosmoME: Could you tell us about your character and Descendants: The Rise of Red?
Kylie: She is the rebellious teenage daughter of the queen of hearts, and she grew up thinking she was on the wrong side of the tracks, given that her mother is an iconic villain. As a result, she didn’t have a very loving household. This rough upbringing made her develop a hard outer shell, but after meeting Chloe, she starts to soften and realizes that maybe she doesn’t have to be a villain. Chloe helps her understand that she doesn’t have to be seen as good or bad – she can just be herself.
CosmoME: What is your favorite part of playing Red?
Kylie: I really enjoy playing her character because she’s so cool and athletic. Even though I don’t do my stunts, it’s amazing how much of a badass she is. The first sequence, where she has her musical number introduction, is especially significant. She smashes vases, jumps off rooftops, and does some incredible parkour. I love how she’s a princess but still kicks butt. It’s a cool new take on the princess title.
CosmoME: How do you think your fans will react to Red? Is there anything specific you’d like them to take away from the film?
Kylie: Everyone has been positive and open to Red so far. I found it funny that in the “What’s My Name?” Red’s version of the music video with China Anne McClain as Uma, there’s a line in Red’s rap where she says, “Look at all your VKs. They’re all middle-aged.” People are shocked by that line, and they realize that Red doesn’t have a filter and speaks her mind, which can get her into trouble. But something is inspiring about how she’s true to herself. I hope people can see past her craziness and appreciate that she’s 100% herself.
Photography by Irvin Rivera
CosmoME: Is there a part you feel you can relate to her? And if so, what part?
Kylie: Absolutely! We have a lot in common. What I admire about Red is how guarded she is. Having never gone to school before Auradon, she must have felt quite lonely, so, understandably, she keeps her guard up. However, her relationships with Chloe and Bridget show a different side of her – nurturing and caring. She wants to have friends and companionship. Once she feels safe with someone, she’s fiercely loyal to them for life. It resonates with me because I, too, have a small, close-knit circle, and I would do anything for my friends. We both share our loyalty, which I find is really cool.
CosmoME: Can you share a memorable or funny moment from the set?
Kylie: When Malia [Baker] and I arrived in Atlanta to film, we spent the first month training in parkour, sword fighting, and dance. It was hard for us to pretend to hate each other for our characters because we have a great relationship in real life. We laughed a lot during the scenes, especially in the musical number, where we had to be serious. We had to do about a hundred takes, and everyone on set was exhausted. It was difficult to stay serious, and we laughed in almost every take.
CosmoME: Stepping away from Descendants, how do you balance your acting and music careers? And do you have a preference between the two?
Kylie: I’ve always seen myself as a musician first, starting to play music at a young age. However, I also have a deep passion for acting. These two passions complement each other, especially in projects like musicals. I split my time between working on music in the studio and filming, and this balance keeps me engaged and energized. I’m grateful to be doing both.
CosmoME: Are there any upcoming new music or projects you’d like to share with us?
Kylie: Stay tuned for the Fall; a lot of music is coming!
CosmoME: How do you handle the pressure and expectations of being such a young star in the industry and Disney?
Kylie: My method is simple – I don’t dwell on it. I avoid letting other people’s opinions or perceptions of me influence me too much. That can lead to a negative spiral. So, I keep moving forward. I prefer to take each day and focus on being true to myself. That’s really all I can do.
CosmoME: Who are your biggest influences and role models in both acting and music?
Kylie: The first person that came to my mind was Rihanna. I just adore her. Ever since I was little, I’ve been Rihanna’s biggest fan. She’s so inspiring in so many ways. She epitomizes a girl boss and entrepreneur who does it all. That girl is a mother; I look up to her in many ways. She’s such a role model for me and so many girls. I hope to be even a fraction of that to other girls. I want to be a role model, and Riri is that girl. She’s my role model, for sure.
CosmoME: What kind of role model do you want to be?
Kylie: I am trying to figure out every day how I can be more of a role model to girls and people everywhere. I believe that there are many ways I can achieve that through music and using my platform as a force for good, positivity, and art. So, I’m taking it daily and still trying to figure it out.
CosmoME: Is there an artist or actor you dream of collaborating with in the future?
Kylie: I mean, I don’t know if Rihanna will still be making music, but so many people inspire me—Ariana Grande, Doja Cat, Victoria Monet… the list goes on.
CosmoME: What do you enjoy doing in your free time when you’re not working?
Kylie: I love being a homebody and focusing on self-care. I find peace in activities like listening to music in my room and making dance videos, although that can be quite intense. I also enjoy hanging out with friends and going shopping. It’s just regular teen stuff, I guess!
CosmoME: If you could go on an adventure with any character from a Disney TV show or movie, who would it be, and what would you do with them?
Kylie: Alex Russo from Wizards of Waverly place, of course. I don’t know. We’d cook up a little spell together and turn people into goats.
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