Instagram: @chandlerkinney

Twitter: chandlerkinney

Who is Chandler Kinney?

Chandler is a 17 year old actress. She is an aesthete through and through. She has a deep love and appreciation for nature and art. She thrives off of creative energy and positive human interaction. She lives to learn, love, and grow. She also has a very passionate soul, and with everything she does, she does wholeheartedly.

How would you describe yourself in a nutshell?

In a nutshell, I would say I'm an artistic person with a great deal of perseverance and stamina. Where are you originally from? I'm a Cali girl, born and raised. I was born in Sacramento, and my family moved closer to the LA area when I was one. Lucky for me, I'm growing up in the perfect place for what I want to do in life. Tell us about your hometown. My "hometown" is just outside of Los Angeles, so there's less traffic and more hills and horses. It’s a quite, peaceful and beautiful place, and it will always have my heart. Growing up as a dancer, it seems performance has always been a part of your life.

Can you tell me a little bit about your relationship with performance art?

I started dancing at the age of three, so entertainment and performance has really always been a part of my life. I remember, even from such a young age, being aware of the separation between art and the artist. Whenever I hit the stage, all my troubles were completely irrelevant. Every part of me was focused on executing the piece. Performance also taught me about being present in time. When dancing on stage, I was truly living in that moment. It's such a special thing, and I've taken these experiences and lessons with me and have applied them to my work as an actor.

What set you on the path to becoming an actor?

I had the opportunity to audition for a GAP holiday commercial and online spot through my dance studio, and when I was cast, I had no idea what to expect. While on set, I had the best time. It was truly more than I could have ever imagined. Through that experience, I signed with a commercial agent. At the time, I had already done a little theater but hadn't taken serious acting classes. Once I started, I was so intrigued by the craft and fell in love with it early on.

Can you tell me about your first big acting break?

I honestly don't know exactly what my first "big break" was. My career really has been a gradual progression. Each project lead to the next. I think all of my hard work is just now starting to pay off. It's a process that requires persistence and patience. Tell us about the character you play in Lethal Weapon. I play Riana Murtaugh on Lethal Weapon. She is very confident, independent, headstrong, and fierce. Riana can be quite stubborn as well, especially when she's defending something she believes in. And she is also very clever and quick-witted. I'm sure you can imagine by this description just how fun she is to portray!

What are some memorable moments you’ve had on set for Lethal Weapon?

There really have been so many memorable moments on set. I think one of my favorites was filming episode 4 of season 2. My character gets arrested and taken in to be interrogated by her dad. I remember the night we filmed that scene, Damon and I talked about so many different things. He told stories and gave me advice. It was kind of a bonding experience for us, and it was a moment that meant a lot to me.

What direction do you see yourself going in as an actor?

It's hard to say what direction I'll go in as an actor, but I'm looking forward to being surprised. I definitely see myself doing both comedy and drama in my future, along with some action! With whatever I do, I hope to have fun and I hope to be challenged. I wish to tell important stories for people that may not have the voice to tell them and to affect people's lives through my work.

What's your proudest achievement?

My proudest achievement thus far is definitely Lethal Weapon. I can't even express how grateful I am to be a part of a show with such incredible, kind talent. Everyone on our show from the writers, to the producers, crew, and cast, is so skilled at what they do. I am a true fan of this show, and the fact that I am lucky enough to be a part of it is crazy to me.

What experience has most shaped you?

The show really is a big part of my life. Being part of it has definitely shaped me the most, more than any other experience I've had. It has affected not only me personally, but also so many different parts of my life in more ways than I could've imagined. I owe so much to the show.

What are you reading?

I am currently reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I'm not kidding.

What keeps you busy aside from acting?

Outside of my work life, I am a senior in high school trying to maintain my straight A's while looking at and applying to colleges. That's like a full time job in and of itself. I also have an organization that I created called Chandler's Friends that I work on a lot. Our mission is to help kids who are at a disadvantage and let them know that they have someone who cares.

Currently binge watching?

I'm currently binge watching Parks and Recreation! A classic.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

I think one of the best pieces of advice I've received was to "shoot for the moon, and if you fall short, you'll land among the stars." I've always strived to structure my life in a way that would leave no chance for failure. If Plan A fell through, Plan B would be nearly as good as A. That advice inspired my way of thinking and my strategy for success in life.

If you had the chance and opportunity to help a specific charity , what would it be and why?

I have recently become a fan of an amazing organization called Whole Child International. They work with orphanages, foster homes, and organizations for children from low-income, at risk families to improve the quality of care the children receive. The results are remarkable.

TEAM CREDITS:

Photography: Victoria Innocenzi

Makeup: Hendra Nasril

Hair: Shawnt'a Johns

Styling: Monica Cargile

Catch Chandler as Riana on Lethal Weapon!