EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Kai Cech Talks ‘Dear Santa,’ Working with Jack Black, and Future Projects
Photo by Shervin Lainez
Kai Cech is a talented young actress quickly making a name for herself in the entertainment industry. Known for her captivating performances and natural on-screen presence, Kai has already garnered attention for her roles in several high-profile projects.
Last year, Kai Cech shined with her role in the holiday film Dear Santa, a touching story about the magic of Christmas and the power of believing in oneself. Her performance as a spirited and determined young girl captured the hearts of viewers, further solidifying her status as a rising star. She also appeared in Ba, a poignant drama exploring themes of family, identity, and resilience. Kai’s versatility as an actress allows her to seamlessly transition between genres, from heartwarming family films to emotionally charged dramas.
From a childhood surrounded by film sets to becoming one of Hollywood’s most promising young actresses, Kai Cech talks in this interview about her experience working with legendary figures like Jack Black and Post Malone, the emotional challenges of playing complex characters, and her enthusiasm for the genres that inspire her most. She also shares her pride in her Japanese heritage and her future aspirations, including her desire to further explore horror films and musical roles.
How did your journey as an actress begin, and what inspired you to pursue a career in acting at such a young age?
My sister Miya, who is 4 years older than me, started acting when she was really young. So I ended up spending a lot of time hanging out on her sets when I was little. I was really friendly, so I mostly loved getting to talk to people and raid the candy at Crafty. When I was 6 or 7 years old, I decided that I wanted to try acting too.
What was it like working alongside seasoned actors like Jack Black and Keegan-Michael Key in Dear Santa?
It was a dream to work with legends like Jack Black, Keegan Michael Key, and Post Malone. I was really nervous the first time I met Jack, but he was so incredibly nice and friendly that I forgot about being nervous. He was very kind to everyone on set and made everyone feel important and valued, and he was a super fun scene partner. Post Malone was also incredibly nice and fun to do scenes with. He was so funny and up for anything—even getting goofy and silly.
Can you share some behind-the-scenes moments from the set of Dear Santa that were especially memorable for you?
I loved hanging out with my cast mates. We would hang out pretty much every day after work and explore Atlanta. We especially loved shopping and getting dinner at Ponce Market together. The boys (Jaden Carson Baker and Robert Timothy Smith) were so sweet and always up for my many trips to Sephora and Starbucks, haha! I made lifelong friends on that set. My other great memories were getting to hang out and talk with Jack between scenes. He was like a big kid and so fun to hang out with.
Your role in Ba is so emotionally complex. How did you prepare to portray Collette and tap into the darker themes of the story?
I was so young when I filmed Ba. I remember thinking of being separated from my own mom and dad during the really emotional scenes, and I could get really sad. But also, crying is something I’ve always been able to do pretty easily, so that made it easier to tap into the really sad scenes.
How do you balance the challenges of dramatic roles like Ba with the lightheartedness of a holiday comedy like Dear Santa?
I actually like darker emotional roles more than comedic ones. I find them to be really interesting to play, and I like the grounded style of acting. But I’m always up for comedy as well. I’m almost always very lighthearted and bubbly in real life, so maybe that’s why I like the contrast of playing grittier roles too.
Having started in the industry as a child model, how has that experience shaped your approach to acting today?
Modeling and commercial acting were a great introduction to being in front of a camera. I learned a lot of skills like how to hit your mark, listen to directions, and convey emotions. I think that I also learned how to work in an adult environment and about being professional on set. It felt really natural, transitioning from commercial to film.
Photo by Shervin Lainez
You’ve explored different genres, from indie thrillers to holiday comedies. Is there a particular genre or type of role you hope to tackle next?
I love horror movies, so I really hope that I can do another one soon. I’ve already done 2 horror films, but they are so fun to be on, especially if there’s lots of special effects makeup. They are also fun because there are lots of night shoots, and those are my favorites.
Your love for music and being part of the Madrigals Chorus is so inspiring. Can we expect some music in your career in the future?
I’m always up for a musical role. I still love to sing, so hopefully one day, I’ll be able to play a role that involves some music.
Can you tell us more about your Japanese heritage and how it influences your identity and creative work?
I’m very proud of my mixed Japanese heritage. My family has a rich history. I always love playing Asian American roles that aren’t stereotypical. I’m thankful that there’s so much more representation and diversity in film and TV now, and everyone has a chance to shine.
What upcoming projects are you most excited about, and what can fans expect to see from you in the near future?
I have 2 new movies I’m excited about that are coming up. The first is a sci-fi horror movie called "Marshmallow." I star in that with Kue Lawrence and Corbin Bernson. Another is a drama called "Under the Lights," which was written and directed by Miles Levin. It’s about a boy with epilepsy who wants to go to prom even though the lights might cause him to have a seizure.
As one of Hollywood’s rising stars, what advice would you give to other young actors hoping to break into the industry?
You have to have the right mindset of the industry to enjoy it and have any success. You get so many “no’s” that if you dwell on the roles you don’t get, you’ll just be down all the time, and then you won’t enjoy it at all. You have to look at every no as an opportunity for something else because that one wasn’t meant for you. But there will be another one that IS meant for you.