Interview by Carol Wright | Photographer: Carin Curry
Keslee Blalock is an up-and-coming actress from Dallas, Texas, who is soon going to be seen in the Netflix film series Ivy & Bean, based on the New York Times bestselling book series. Blalock talked to NYOTA about playing Ivy and learning from her co-stars.
Was there a certain television show or movie that sparked your interest in acting?
Yes! Victorious on Nickelodeon, I liked how all the characters are all different and have very unique personalities. I also loved that they got to go to school to learn to act and sing.
You can soon be seen in Ivy & Bean on Netflix. Did you read the books to help you prepare for the role?
Yes, and my sisters, who have read most of them, told me a lot about the character as well. My sisters have been huge fans of Ivy and Bean my whole life, so it was a really fun family affair when I booked the role.
Tell our readers about your character Ivy. What did you do to step into her shoes when filming? And are there similarities between you and Ivy?
Ivy is a girl who likes to pretend that she has magic and loves to read and research everything. She sticks up for friends too. We have lots of things in common, actually! Like Ivy, I am not afraid to catch frogs, and I love to wear dresses, and you better believe I am always ready to stick up for my friends.
Ivy & Bean has a great cast that includes Jane Lynch and Jesse Tyler Ferguson. Did you learn a lot from your co-stars?
I did! I love to watch my cast members work and improvise on set. Jane Lynch and Jesse Tyler Ferguson are such funny people, and I admired how they gave lots of variety in each performance and each take.
What advice do you have for aspiring young actors?
No matter what people say, never give up on your dreams, and keep on praying.
Ivy & Bean has a message of not judging a book by its cover and being open to being friends with different types of people. Do you hope viewers of the film series can learn these important lessons?
Yes, it’s such an important lesson. It happens too much, and I hope that Ivy and Bean inspires people to give new friends a chance and to always be kind to one another. There are actually many valuable lessons for people of all ages to learn in the Ivy & Bean film series. I cannot wait for the world to see these special films.