Exclusive: What Advice Rita Ora Gave Kylie Cantrall
When Kylie Cantrall joined the Descendants franchise for the newest spinoff, Descendants: The Rise of Red, she was in excellent company.
The 19-year-old singer and actress who plays the title role is the rebellious adolescent daughter of Rita Ora, the Queen of Hearts, who embarks on a fantastical time travel to avert a crucial moment in the current day.
Cantrall, who is exclusively speaking with PEOPLE, remembers being an enormous fan of the original franchise, which debuted when she was in the fourth grade.
Regarding the Disney Channel Original Movies starring Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson, Booboo Stewart, and the late Cameron Boyce, she says, “Descendants was such a cultural phenomenon.”
“It seems like such a timeless idea and a timeless concept that it can work generations later and a few years later,” she continues, “which is what makes Descendants really special.” “I’m incredibly delighted to be a small part of the upcoming chapter.”
Despite having previously starred in Raven’s Home and the last season of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Cantrall is no stranger to the Disney family; this is one of her first leading roles in a motion picture.
Fortunately, she traveled with a fantastic cast that included her former costar Dara Reneé from HSMTMTS.
Reneé, who plays Ursula’s younger sister and Uma’s aunt Uliana in the movie, is referred to by Cantrall as “that buddy to go into it with.” This comfort comes from knowing that Reneé will be there.
It felt fantastic since she’s the most special person and makes everyone around her feel so loved and unique.
Naturally, Rita Ora, who plays Cantrall’s mother the Queen of Hearts in the movie, thrilled her to collaborate with as well.
Cantrall states, “I never in a million years would have thought that she’d be playing my mom one day in a project,” and she was a major fan of the singer before the two collaborated. It seemed quite strange to collaborate with her.
She’s a pop star boss woman, after all, and I believe she was able to imbue the Queen of Hearts with that air.
She does point out that Ora was really kind and kind off-screen, quite different from the role she played.
“I definitely look up to her in so many ways,” the speaker declares.
She continues by saying that while they were filming, Ora truly offered her some motherly guidance. She remembers, “She’s really, really funny.” “She gave me some very wise advice about boys in her tiny British accent.
“Boys are a waste of time,” she says. Never put your trust in them. That has been with me ever since.
