SIXTY SECONDS WITH KYLA FRYE

In celebration of Black History Month, our poster girl  is the multi talented award winning black British actress/model/performer Kyla Frye.

Blessed with an infectious megawatt smile which could instantly light up a remote Scottish village; the 24year old black British beauty is one to watch out for. Her radiant positivity beams brilliantly than the scorching hot summer sun, spreading quickly as a wild bush fire in the Australian outback such that anything or anyone Kyla Frye comes in touch with has the golden touch of Midas. Not only is her inner personality enchanting, but so too is her physical beauty. These days it is uncommon to find such a combination of beauty, talent, grace and good manners. It is almost as rare as finding a hen with teeth.

So who is Kyla Frye?

Born in  East London 1987,  Kyla's early brush with success, fame and celebrity came  at the tender age of three when she scooped the crown for TV Toddler of the Year in 1999. Hosted by Eammon Holmes, it signalled the start of Kyla's career in the arts industry. With the support of her parents(Mom Adrienne Fry was a former hair and beauty model while dad John Frye was a professional singer whose career has seen him work with Julios Iglesias, Freddie Starr, etc...and yes she was raised by both parents.), Kyla's acting career continues to go from strength to strength, flourishing like a palm tree with firm roots deeply embedded by the river bank.

She has starred in countless theatre productions, films and TV whilst modelling on the side. Nomination for Best British Actress at the 2009 Black British Filmmakers Award for her role in The Hydra ensued, while winning last year's BEFFTA Award for best model. This year has seen her clinch two nominations for Black Youth Achievement Award 2011 and BEFFTA  Award for Best Actress in Film.

MsEthnicMinorityUK meets up with Kyla Frye:

What challenges are there for you and any other black actresses/actors in 21st century Britain?
 I think the main challenge for Black British actors at the moment is the fact that there are very few Black "Gate Keepers" i.e. writers/directors/producers etc. within the mainstream industry and as a result, we find ourselves playing to the stereotype. Fortunately enough that is slowly changing and what is more, the "Urban" film industry is really taking off at the moment too, meaning we're seeing a lot of new faces and hearing a lot of new voices. The future of the industry and for Black British actors is very exciting and I am so looking forward to being a part of that new dawn.

Why is there a lack of Positive Black British on our screens and in the media as whole? Popular soaps such as EastEnders, etc help fuel this negative stereotype.
I think it goes back to what I was saying before, about a lack of Black British writers/directors/producers etc. who are not able to document the Black British experience accurately thus relying on what they "know" from what's available to them through the images that are already out there. I also think that we, as Black British creatives, have a duty to ourselves to not play up to or further push this negative stereotype, as it would be seem that we "endorse" such images and that it is acceptable for them to be recreated. I do believe like I said earlier, that this is slowly changing and we will see more films like 'Zion', written by Sheila Nortley, that do well to accurately portray the Black British experience.

Are you happy with your career up to date? Do you think race has played a part in where you are today or where you wish to be?
I am very happy with my career to date! Like you say, it's a career and a career takes time to build. I am still young and I have been so fortunate to have received the blessings I have had in my career so far. I don't think that my race has played a huge part in shaping my career as I believe that every role I have had so far, I was meant to have and I believe that going forward, there will be more "colour- blind" casting as this is more representative of society on a whole.

 
Any advice to anyone wishing to pursue acting?
Don't be defined by other people's opinions of you! This is a very tough business where you are judged on your appearance and where you will hear the word "No" A LOT! You have to keep your faith in God, believe in yourself and KNOW that this is the path that has already been laid out for you. It will be difficult but then if it was easy, EVERYBODY would be doing it! Remember... NOTHING is IMPOSSIBLE!

Where can we see more of you in theatre?
My next performance will be at the Oval House Theatre on Saturday 1st October, "Give Me A Voice: Not A Label" which will be a creative response to the riots. Following that, I will be performing as Alice in Writer's Avenue's "The Next Stage: Obsidere" at Soho Theatre on Saturday 12th November. Currently, I am in rehearsals for a play called "Bag Ladies" written by Babi Isako and features a fantastic cast. It reminds me of the classic, "Set It Off", except it is young and British. Definitely not to be missed!

Your best quote/words of wisdom?
BELIEVE and ACHIEVE... POSITIVITY breeds POSITIVITY... Darkness always comes before dawn but the dawn ALWAYS comes!

For further information about Kyla Frye and to keep up to date, visit : http://www.kyla-frye.com
To vote for Kyla Frye in 2011 BEFFTA Award, visit: http://www.beffta.com