KiKi Layne, known for movies like "If Beale Street Could Talk", takes on a new role in "Dandelion" as a struggling singer-songwriter trying to find her way in the music industry. The film presents a captivating tale of romance, ambition, and the quest for authenticity.
She portrays a Cincinnati-based singer-songwriter named Dandelion who develops a relationship with Casey, a guitarist played by Thomas Doherty. As the plot unfolds, viewers witness the complex dynamics between their creative processes, career dreams, and their romantic relationship. The tunes they produce together contribute a deeply real element to the narrative. During the creation of "Dandelion", Layne felt a personal connection to the role because of her own background as a Cincinnati native and her dream of performing her own music. Despite launching a successful acting career since her graduation from The Theatre School at DePaul University, she has never abandoned her songwriting pursuits. Throughout the film, Layne had to merge her skills as a musician and an actress, a creative endeavor she describes as "amazing". The treatment of her character, an aspiring singer-songwriter, gave her the chance to reconnect with her latent passion for singing.
In her journey to portraying Dandelion, Layne found her theatre background to be fundamental for her understanding of the artistic process. "I carry [the craft and work ethic I learned in the Chicago theater scene] wherever I go," she shared. Her objective was to resonate the struggles of most artists through her character Dandelion - the identity crises, self-doubt, and the pressure to balance personal ambition with reality. The movie's setting on a budget became a platform for realistically depicting the commitment and sacrifices made by artists to create despite monetary limitations.
"Was my face weird? Was my mouth doing that weird thing that it does? Is that actually how I walk and talk? I need to see this!" revealed Layne. But eventually, she learned to trust in Nicole, the director, who confirmed, “I got the shot. I got what I needed.” While acting in "Dandelion", Layne drew inspiration from her family, her hometown, and her personal experiences, enabling her to inject a unique personality into her character. It was also an opportunity for Layne to establish herself beyond acting and into the domain of original music. She viewed starring in "Dandelion" as a thrilling challenge that pushed her beyond her comfort zone to reveal an unseen side of her artistry.
"Dandelion" releases on July 12 at IFC Films theaters.
