Interview by Carol Wright | Photographer: Jonny Marlow
We got to chat with actor Dallas Dupree Young about Cobra Kai, his character Kenny, and his advice for aspiring actors. The new season of Cobra Kai drops tomorrow only on Netflix.
What initially sparked your interest in acting?
The love I had for embracing new character’s emotions at an early age. The joy and happiness I felt every day watching TV shows such as Jessie, Hannah Montana, and Family Matters inspired me to pursue acting.
Cobra Kai has truly paved the way to show how rebooting or revamping a popular franchise can be done. How does it feel to be a part of the Karate Kid legacy through the show?
Being a part of the iconic Karate Kid legacy has truly been an honor! Working alongside Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, and Martin Kove – along with other incredible actors – has been a once in a lifetime experience that I am so grateful for. By being a part of such a popular franchise – that is known worldwide – gives me the opportunity to pave the way for young African Americans who are inspired by the karate moves and lessons they see on Cobra Kai.
Tell our readers about Kenny. Are there similarities between you and your character?
Kenny is a bullied new kid in school who is struggling with a rough home life. He turns to karate as a way to defend himself and gain confidence through the teachings of karate. Kenny and I are similar in many ways because of our love and passion for karate – we both are athletic and love learning new and exciting karate moves, which will be showcased in Season 4. We try to be the best student possible – on and off the mat!
What did you do to step into Kenny’s shoes and how does Kenny grow throughout this upcoming fourth season?
To step into Kenny’s shoes, I needed to remember that we all, at some point in our life, struggle with self-confidence. Specifically with Kenny, I had to remember that he was struggling with a lack of friends and attempting to find his identity while being a teenager in a tough world. Throughout this upcoming season, you will see that Kenny finds his strength through karate as he continues to grow as a teen, a student, and a martial artist.
Is there a lot of training on set to help you and the rest of your castmates master karate technique?
During the season there was a lot of training that was involved to master the art of karate. We have a very strong and knowledgeable stunt choreography team, led by Don Lee and Ken Barefield, that taught us the art of karate while incorporating exciting choreography into fight scenes.
What advice do you have for aspiring actors?
Always dream big, do the extra work for anything you are passionate about, and never give up because difficult challenges will occur. Always remember: “tough times don’t last; tough people do.”