Kylie Rogers Talks ‘Beau is Afraid’, Growing Through Opportunities, And How She Got Her Start.
Kylie was photographed by Daniel G. Castrillon in New York.
She was styled by Enrique Melendez. Hair by David von Cannon using R+Co; makeup by Vincent Oquendo using Chanel Beauty.
Kylie is wearing a look by Monot; shoes by Dolce & Gabbana; rings and earrings by Grace Lee Designs
Congratulations on your new project ‘Beau is Afraid’, The latest film from Ari aster. What’s it been like promoting such an anticipated film?
It’s been so much fun; I’ve had the best time. I got to reunite with the cast and Ari. It’s also been so fun hearing everyone’s responses because I filmed it two years ago.
Are you someone who can easily watch their work?
I have never had a problem with it. I went through a phase where I couldn’t but I feel so separate from my characters. When I finish working on set, I let that character go. So it’s fun when I watch it, I think, oh that’s who I was for a month.
To talk about the project, you play Toni, Roger and Graces daughter–played by the great Nathan Lane and Amy Ryan. Can you talk more about her?
Without giving too much away, Tony is a very complex character, more complex than some people think. She’s been through a lot. They have some family issues and she lashes out in unhealthy ways to cope with her own big, bad feelings.
How does she weave into the storyline?
The movie is about Beau, who is going on a journey to get home to see his mother. He encounters some interesting things and people along the way.
How was it working with the whole cast?
It was amazing; I worked with Joaquin (Phoenix), Amy (Ryan), and Nathan (Lane)—it was the best ever. It was my dream movie, my dream cast, and crew. I couldn’t be more thankful to work with so many hardworking and purely talented, loving people.
How did you prepare to play her?
The biggest thing for Tony is that it’s loosely modeled on Dennis Hopper in Blue Velvet. Ari told me I needed to watch the movie. He was so excited about it. I watched it and it helped me see and grasp a different side of Tony that maybe I didn’t fully see before. That was a process because it isn’t a character that I relate to very much. For all of my characters, I try to understand them and see why they are the way they are.
Did you feel like you learned and grew a lot through that role?
For sure, especially working with an actor like Joaquin Phoenix. Pretty much all of my scenes are with him. I was so nervous going into it, because Ari Aster is one of my favorite directors, and Joaquin is one of my favorite actors—they are both people I look up to. I was really anxious going in but then I was immediately relieved. Joaquin pours his heart and soul into it, he’s such a hard worker. I like to think I have always done this but I always like to put in 110%. I think everyone can learn from that. No matter what, even if it’s helping another person. The cast and crew did that every day.
How do you move past when you feel overwhelmed, I know excitement and anxiousness are close cousins.
In general, I am a massive over-thinker and anxious so of course I was even more anxious going into it. But honestly, it was so much anticipation and nervous energy that when I actually stepped onto set and into the world of Beau is Afraid, all of my anxiety just melted away. Everyone was there, fully into their characters, and being the best scene partners in the word.
What do you think the audience will walk away with when they finish the film?
I think it’s a movie where everyone can walk away with something different. So much happens in this film. There are so many different types of people, traumas, and things they have lived through. It’s hard to pinpoint one specifically because it’s so extremely layered. Some people could view the message of the movie differently than someone else. I think that’s what makes it so beautiful.
I was reading that you moved to LA at 8 from Texas. Tell me more!
I am originally from Houston. When I was four years old, I was watching TV with my mom and a commercial came on. It was for these glitter shoes that came with lipgloss. I turned to my mom and said, I want to do that. She said, what? I said, be on TV! She left it alone saying maybe when you are older. A few years went by and I was still on it. I turned seven, I said, remember you said when I got older I could be on TV? She said, okay. I did some silly improv class, got a small agent in Texas, and then I branched out to LA. For a while, it was back and forth, but when I was nine we fully moved to LA. I live in New York now, but I still have so much love for LA.
Was there a job where you felt momentum after?
I’ve had a lot of great jobs but one that is standing out to me is Fathers and Daughters with Russell Crow, Aaron Paul, and Amanda Seyfried. Russell took me under his wing and was so amazing to me, we are still so close. He is like another dad to me. After that I felt like, this is serious, I am an actor (laughs). It was an awesome feeling.
You also play young Beth in Yellowstone. What has your experience been like filming that show?
For the first three seasons, I would always film in Park City Utah. For the most recent season, I have been filming in Montana, which is beautiful. We film on an actual ranch.
What are you the most proud of so far?
I think doing Beau is Afraid is what I am most proud of. I dive into a character that I haven't had the chance to dive into yet. I feel very happy and so grateful, I think, how did I pull that off? (laughs).
Any dream roles or genres for the future?
I want to try anything. The industry has so many different types of movies and characters that I want to play. I love character-driven pieces, I think those make such beautiful films. I like playing real people and maybe a character can make someone feel less alone in what they are feeling–even if it’s just one person.
Anything on the horizon people should know about?
I am still working on Yellowstone. In August, I have another movie coming out called Landscape with Invisible Hand, which is director and written by the amazing Cory Finley. It’s an interesting, crazy sci-fi, romance trip.
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‘beau is afraid’ now in theaters
With thanks to Rogers & Cowan PMK