Interview: Kylie Cantrall on ‘Gabby Duran and the Unsittables’ – Exclusive

Kylie Cantrall can currently be seen starring as Gabby on the hit Disney Channel series Gabby Duran & the Unsittables. Currently airing its second season on the network, Gabby Duran and the Unsittables explores a world where extraterrestrial children hide amongst humans.

We spoke with Kylie about what viewers can expect from season 2 of Gabby Duran and the Unsittables, what she is most looking forward to the audience seeing in the new episodes, her upcoming movie “Ron’s Gone Wrong”, and what her fans can expect from her exciting music career.

Read on for our exclusive interview with Kylie Cantrall below:

Can you talk a little about what initially inspired you to pursue acting as a career?

I’ve been dancing and singing my whole life because my mom was a dance choreographer and my dad was a music producer. I always grew up around performers. My mom would drag me to all of her rehearsals and I would be that kid in the back trying to learn the choreography. I remember around age 11 my dance agency sent me out on a dance audition for a Target commercial. I was originally just going to try out for a dancing role as a background dancer but then the casting director was like “You have such a great personality, you’re so funny. Would you like to read the lines for the main speaking role?”

I was like “Do not hand me a script! I’ve never acted before!” But I tried it and ended up booking the main role for a national commercial. Since then I got an acting manager and starting getting sent out on Disney auditions and booked guest roles like Bizaardvark and Raven’s Home. Then I ended up booking Gabby. I really fell in love with acting ever since.

And the rest is history.

Basically! [laughs]

Can you share a little about your character in Gabby Duran & the Unsittables?

Gabby is a very rebellious, young teen who moves with her mom and sister from Miami to this new town Havensburg. Gabby starts off rebelling because she hates this new town and wants to move back home to Miami. But then she discovers that the town is way more interesting than she thought when she figures out there are aliens hiding amongst everyone in this town. That’s how she lands a job as the best babysitter in the galaxy.

Would you say you’re like your character at all?

Oh, for sure. I think we have so many similarities from our fashion style to our love of everything 90s, bucket hats, overalls…I think we both just stand up for the people we love and are very passionate and adventurous. We both suck at math [laughs]

It’s funny that you mention that because I was looking at your Instagram before and all of your pictures are so colorful and vibrant that it looks like you stepped right out of a 90s photoshoot.

Aw! Yeah, I’ve always been obsessed with 90s fashion icons like TLC and Aaliyah, Spice Girls, so many fashion inspos and I try to incorporate those people I love into my style and aesthetic.

I didn’t appreciate the style in my youth. Now it’s coming back and I can’t wear it.

No, girl, you can definitely pull it off!

[laughs] Thank you! So season 2 of Gabby just premiered on the Disney Channel. What can you tease about what viewers can expect from the new episodes? Is there anything you’re excited for them to see?

I think the show has stepped up so much from season 1. Everything from the overall production values, the VFX, the wardrobe, the action scenes…I’ve gotten to do so many cool fight sequences this season. And so many new aliens. Of course, the crazy storylines. I actually get to fight a robot of myself in one of the episodes coming up this season.

There’s definitely so much for viewers to check out. And also Gabby gets a boyfriend later this season. There’s a lot of drama that happens with that.

How has that experience been being a part of the Disney family? Were you a fan beforehand?

It’s literally such a dream come true. I remember watching shows like Shake It Up and Wizards of Waverly Place and going in my mirror trying to do the Wand ID, you know the “Hi, I’m Kylie Cantrall and you’re watching the Disney Channel!” [laughs] I remember doing that when I was 6 years old. I actually made a vision board when I was 9 or 10 and I remember the biggest thing that I put on my board was “Be on my own Disney show one day.”

I definitely have so many “Pinch me” moments even just being on set and going to the Disney building and seeing the Gabby posters on the wall. I’m so grateful.

I remember doing the Disney wand in like 1999. That’s definitely a life goal.

It’s iconic. When I first got to do it, I cried. It was a crazy moment.

Are you able to tell us a little about Ron’s Gone Wrong and what viewers can expect from that character?

It’s such a cool movie. I’m starring alongside Dylan Grazer and Zach Galifianakis and it’s such a cool spin on this new world where we see teens who all have these B*Bots. They’re like life-size phones and can do everything a phone can do but it’s with you 24/7 in this world where Instagram, followers and likes just take over and that’s all anyone really cares about. The overall lesson of the movie is there’s just so much more to life. I think that’s really special. My character is really fun and we see a really cool arc where she is super invested in social media and getting her followers up and later in the film we see her realize that that’s not what really matters in life.

What inspired you to pursue your musical talents and a career in music as well?

Growing up with my dad who was a music producer, I was in studios all my life. I was in writing sessions from as early as 3 years old. I remember always knowing this was something I wanted to pursue. I’m in this really cool situation where I’m about to sign a record deal. I’m gonna start releasing more music and I’m really excited to start this new chapter and focus on my music career.

What do you love most about music when you compare it to acting? Is there one that you prefer over the other?

I really love both. The cool thing about music is that you have so much creative control. Music is such a direct reflection of who I am. I’m the one writing the songs and the concepts and the music videos and what I’m wearing, whereas with acting I don’t have too much control. That’s all dictated for me.

What can your listeners expect from your sound?

As we talked about with the 90s, I have so many inspirations from Brandy, TLC, SWV, Beyonce, Rhianna. They are some of my favorite inspirations. I think that’s a representation of what my music is like. That 90s feel but still pop. I love so many artists like Ariana Grande and Doja Cat. That’s kind of the vibe.

Do you have any hopes to tour once it’s safe to do so?

That’s my biggest dream to headline a tour. With everything opening up again that’s definitely the next step. Performing is one of my favorite things ever to combine both worlds of singing and dancing. I’m excited about that soon.

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Thank you so much to Kylie Cantrall for taking the time to speak with us!

Be sure to keep up to date with Kylie by following her on social media on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Tune in to Gabby Duran & The Unsittables airing on the Disney Channel.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

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