Introducing June Starring Chandler Kinney
Chandler was photographed & interviewed by Alison Engstrom on location at Champers Social Club in New York; she was styled by Monty Jackson; makeup by Rebecca Restrepo; hair by Peter Matteliano.
Chandler is wearing Carolina Herrera
I ALWAYS LOVE TO ASK, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE GROWING UP, has it evolved over time or has it stayed with you to this day?
It has evolved as I have grown but the overall vision has always been the same and that has been to entertain and perform for others. I like to say I came out of the womb as a performer; I was the kid who was running down the rows of the grocery store dancing and twirling. I would always say, “Mommy, look at me, look at me!”. I started in dance since I was such an active child–I always loved to move and be on the go. I was a ball of energy and my mom was like, you have to be in class. I started at the age of three and I did everything—at my peak, I was dancing 30 hours a week in everything from ballet, contemporary, modern, hip hop, tap, flamenco, you name it I was doing it. I started acting around eight or nine years old, but I was still dancing. There was something about being creative with this very intimate self-expression of dance. It’s something you bring your own body and energy to and I just loved it; I couldn’t get enough. I also loved the element of entertaining and bringing other people into it, telling stories, and evoking feelings in other people. So, that’s why I say the overall vision has stayed the same but it has evolved over time since I am acting full time now.
Do you still dabble in the dance world?
I think, once a dancer, always a dancer. It will always be in me, that love, passion, and that insane muscle memory. I can remember choreography I learned years ago (laughs). Doing Zombies for the Disney channel was such a joy because I got to bring dance back into my acting career. Since it’s for a younger demographic–and kids love it–they try to learn the dances. It’s so sweet to see.
Chandler is wearing Sandro.
I’m sure dancing brings another dimension to your performing. Are you a triple threat, can you sing, too?
I do sing a little bit. When I was growing up, I played the piano, I don’t play too much these days. I know my way around a keyboard, my favorite song is River Flows In You and that one is one of the only songs I remember how to play (laughs). Music has always been something I have kept more personal and so it was a draw for me to do the Zombies movies because I knew I would have to get past that and break down that mental block. I used to have a physical, visceral reaction of singing in front of other people, it was just an insecurity that came from somewhere, so doing that project was huge for me. I remember the first song I ever recorded in Zombies 2–Zombies 3 is coming out this summer, which I am very excited about–I was in the booth, did my thing, and objectively I did fine. But after, I went to the bathroom and cried for like five or ten minutes, but then I cleaned myself up and I walked back out and said, thank you so much for the session!
Well you broke the barrier, it’s always scary doing something the first time but now I’m sure you feel much more comfortable and proud you did it!
I think if you are afraid of something, run right towards it, not away from it.
I completely agree with that sentiment. Did growing up in Los angeles have any effect on you wanting to enter into the business? I’m sure it was helpful to be so close. when did you want to take it to the professional level, it’s something that always interests me.
It was complete luck; I am so fortunate to be a SoCal girl born and raised. I was right there, right where the entertainment happens. Since I started at such a young age, I don’t think I had the time to be inspired and to realize how lucky I was. Certainly, it helped when I decided to take it to the next level. I remember the decision to go from my small town dance studio competition and start training at Debbie Allen Dance Academy, it was 60 miles one way for my mom to drive. It was a decision and a decision that we could make because we were in the area. I was lucky because it didn’t uproot my family when I started doing it professionally–I have two older brothers. Many of my friends have had to move to LA or New York and leave their families and home life and I didn’t have to do that.
Chandler is wearing Tory Burch.
Was there an early experience or opportunity that informed or solidified your path to where you are today?
I don’t know if there was a person or an event so much, I just hit the ground running; I was so focused on doing what I loved. I have an amazing mom who always instilled in me to follow my passion. She always reminded me that as soon as something didn’t feel right or when this is no longer bringing me joy, or fulfillment, we can stop. I never stopped, I had those blinders on, like a racehorse, and was so focused on my career, growing, having experiences, and getting to the next step. It’s funny now because I’m 21 and I now have gotten to a place where I am looking up and smelling the roses a little bit (laughs). I’ve worked really hard to be here. The last 11 years of my life have been jumping from thing to thing and now I am enjoying the fruits of my labor. I’m realizing now all of the beauty that goes into what I do and meeting people now who I am so inspired by, it makes me want to stay in this for the rest of my life.
It’s so important to revel in your successes. Did you feel like any roles you had were a career jump?
It was probably Lethal Weapon, it was my first series regular job and we filmed on the Warner Brothers lot. You walk into that set and you feel like you have made it. I would commandeer the golf carts and drive around the back lot, I was 15 when we filmed it. I would drive around the set and see where all of these iconic films and TV shows were filmed and the Pretty Little Liars OG filmed there and it’s so funny to fast forward six years later and here I am doing PLL (laughs). Working with Damon Wayans on Lethal Weapon, he is obviously an absolute comedic genius and mastermind, was epic. It was such a growing experience and at the time I felt like he was my mentor. Every day on set with him was a master class and it showed me how much fun you can have and I think now about Pretty Little Liars, it feels fun to do these projects. I love bringing stories to life, especially the stories that go untold. I find importance and responsibility in that.
now to talk about your newest project, Congratulations on Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin! It’s hard to believe the original show first came out more than 12 years ago. Can you talk about how this project came to you and what excited you the most?
I was definitely a fan of the original, I remember watching it in middle school and feeling so adult (laughs). I told my mom everything but that was one detail I remember, I seemed to leave out (laughs). I was watching it with my friends at school and I felt like a little rebel. I fell in love with it, there is something about that YA drama space that’s addicting to watch. When the opportunity came around to do Original Sin, I jumped at it, especially with the stacked creative team, obviously Roberto (Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa) is quite the master with all of his work in Riverdale and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, he knows the formula that works. It’s addicting; he knows how to tap into that. When I read the script I was wowed by it; I was immediately drawn to the darker elements of it. There is this horror aspect that I think when viewers tune in, they’ll hopefully be very excited to see that it has a feeling reminiscent of 90s slasher movies. I think it will have people on the edge of their seats.
I know that it’s been a bit hush hush when it comes to the new series but CAN YOU say anymore ABOUT playing YOUR CHARACTER, Tabby?
It was fun to sink my teeth into such a complex character. She unravels and comes undone over the course of the season. You meet her in this closed-off space and I think viewers will feel that when they are introduced to her. There is definitely more there than meets the surface. She is a bit distrustful, but she’s fun and quirky, and a horror movie buff. She has a film reference for literally everything (laughs). It adds some levity to some darker scenes we have but I was super excited for the challenge to step into the shoes of someone like that.
What are you most proud of when it comes to the series?
Without getting into too much detail, I will say, the show tackles some difficult topics—it doesn't shy away from them like it absolutely could. It should serve as a conversation starter and hopefully, it will give visibility to certain people and communities that feel less represented, especially in the media we consume today. I think overall, of course the entertainment industry has done a better job at being inclusive but I think that this show, particularly, with such a young cast talks about things that young people go through. It does a good job of handling that material and hopefully, people feel less alone. It’s crucial that our show doesn’t leave young people out of that conversation.
One of the things I immediately noticed when meeting you is that you had such a great spirit and energy. How do you cultivate and maintain that even when some days can be more challenging?
I think I am still trying to figure that out for myself. I lean very heavily on my support system and that includes my friends and family, I have a very tight-knit group. You have your go-to folks and I have mine. I am someone who is very extraverted and I am fueled by being around people with good energy. I try to have as much as that in my life as possible.
I think naively, when it comes to mental health since I am naturally bubbly and optimistic that I thought I would never be someone who struggles with their mental health. I was totally wrong, I was slapped in the face with depression in 2020, as were many of us, because we experienced something that none of us were equipped to deal with. Being thrown back into this world, where the general sentiment is, let’s pretend that didn’t happen, and let’s keep moving, it’s really hard to not honor the pain and struggle we all experienced and the lasting impact of that. It’s awful you turn on the news. I am someone who absorbs other people’s energy and these days it’s easy to feel so, so heavy. So, I don’t even know if I have an answer to that question because I can’t speak like I know what I am doing because I don’t. Coming out of this last year, for me, I was very fortunate to be on a movie set from April to August and then I had four days between that and starring PLL and I have been working since because we wrapped in May. In some ways, I think I have been living under a rock because I tend to become so immersed in the world I am creating and the character I am portraying–I zero in on that.
You have to, it’s so important to cultivate that inner life, so you can help yourself and the world.
Since I’m coming out of that world, I have no idea what to do with myself. I feel this pressure, this self-inflicted pressure because no one is standing over me telling me I have to work. I feel anxious like I need to be working and my value and self-worth is tied to my level of productivity. But we have to be patient and treat ourselves with love, and grace. I am saying this for everyone and for myself because I know, I need the reminder sometimes. Especially as creatives, oftentimes the way we live, we use as inspiration to pour into our art. It’s hard when you step back into that life to find the inspiration.
Your future is going to be bright, I am all about manifesting! What is your dream career when you look out over the next few decades?
I love what I am doing, I love creating and I just want to continue on that trajectory. I’d love to move into the behind the scenes space, as well, and do directing and producing. I love the idea of overseeing things creatively and making sure all the puzzle pieces come together.
A special thank you to this team, Champers Social Club and the Pomme Creative team