Check out our interview with talented actress Kathryn Kohut who stars in the new Hallmark feature Feeling Butterflies.
Kathryn plays Mandy and will star alongside Kayla Wallace and Kevin McGarry in Feeling Butterflies. A bit more about the film. It follows Emily’s booming butterfly business as she delivers monarchs to a birthday party where she meets single dad, Garrett. With the help of Garrett and his daughter, Emily’s business begins to take flight.
Kathryn’s character Mandy is a colourful and very bold character. She comes across as superficial and almost bitchy but on the inside she is sweet and just wants to be accepted. She is Emily’s rival, and the only other person in the butterfly business that could give her a run for her money, until a challenging job brings them onto the same team.
Follow Kathryn @Kathrynkohut
Hi Kathryn, please tell us a little about you?
Hi! I was born in Alberta, and now I live in Toronto. I have a lot of hobbies! I love dirt-biking, wake-boarding, dancing and Muay Thai. I try my best to always have a positive outlook on things and I always try to see the best in people.
Describe yourself in 3 words
Feisty, Hard working and Caring.
How did you get started into acting?
I discovered acting later in my life. There wasn’t really an emphasis on the arts where I grew up and I don’t think there were programs dedicated to acting, not at least while I was there. I loved playing make-believe when I was young and I grew up without a TV in my house, so I first fell in love with stories through books. When I got older and started watching more films, I knew I wanted to be a part of them in one way or another, and decided to try. I applied to acting school and when I finished my program I moved to Toronto, got an agent and haven’t looked back!
What is the best and most challenging part of being an actor?
The best and most challenging part of being an actor is definitely trying to transform into another character. I always bring parts of myself to the characters I play, and in doing that I also learn so much about myself. It’s not always easy as sometimes I might not want to face certain parts of myself at that time, but I eventually suck it up and do that work and it’s always so rewarding in the end.
How do you prepare for a role?
It really depends on the role but one thing that is consistent across all of them for me is doing a lot of research. I try to know as much as I can about the story and my character. Sometimes other special training is required maybe if the role is more physical or there will be a lot of stunt work! I’ve started creating playlists for each of the characters I get to play and thats a lot of fun and helps get me into the right headspace.
Tell us about your work on the new Hallmark feature “Feeling Butterflies?”
It’s a cute, feel good romantic comedy. I think people can expect to laugh a lot, especially at my character, Mandy. She has a big personality! She is the main competition for our heroine and the only other woman in the butterfly business who can give Emily a run for her money. At first, it seems like Mandy just wants to win and be the best, at any cost. However, towards the end you see what she really wants is to feel a sense of friendship and belonging.
What kind of roles do you like or would like to play and why?
There are so many roles I want to play! I need to break it down into categories haha. Genre wise I would love to be a part of a big action movie, a Scifi, a classic western and a period film. Some professions I would love to play are professional athlete, detective, soldier, superhero and musician. As for characters, I want to play them all and the more complicated they are the better.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
I think the most rewarding part of my work is all of the new things I get to learn about. Diving into a new characters life and learning about who they are, what they do, and how they do it is really fun and exciting. Its always different and always presents a new challenge. My imagination is always being worked. Also getting to work with wonderful people who are so talented and creative is really rewarding too.
What would you say are the greatest lessons you learned so far in this business?
I am still learning, but so far some of the greatest lessons I’ve learned in this business are:
Not to take things personally.
That you have to believe in yourself first.
If you work on the creative side of this industry, its equally as important to educate yourself on the business side of this industry.
What advice would you give to your younger self and why?
My younger self is damn strong haha. I would just give her a big hug. I would tell her to believe in herself and keep on doing what she’s doing because I love the path I am on now, and I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for all of the things she went through and decisions she made.
What is your favorite healthy food?
A big salad with lots of fresh veggies and protein. One of my favourite healthy snacks is frozen blueberries.
And your favorite cheat food?
Pasta! And more pasta.
What is your own definition of happiness?
Happiness is your state of mind and perspective.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
Martin Luther King Jr and Princess Diana because they were leaders who inspired so much change and showed so much care to the world in all the ways they could. I would also love to meet Angelina Jolie, because I respect that she uses her voice, resources and her influence to create change.
Best advice ever given?
I once introduced myself as an “aspiring actor” and the person I was talking to, who was an established actor, said to me “if you don’t take yourself seriously, then no one else will”. I have never forgotten that, and from that moment on when people would ask me what I did for work, I would say “I am an actor”.
Do you support any charities?
Yes I do! I am passionate about women’s rights and education, and support the Malala Fund. I also support the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking.
Favorite song? Why?
It changes all the time, but at the moment it’s King of Wishful Thinking by Go West! I heard it when I first watched Pretty Woman. It’s just really catchy and makes me want to scream-sing it anytime I hear it.
What do you think of Social Media?
Its complicated. I think there is a lot of good that comes from it, we are gaining access to things we wouldn’t have before, however I think more education and awareness should be taught about it, especially to the younger generations.
Where can we follow you?
Instagram: @Kathrynkohut
TikTok: @Kathrynkohut
Twitter: @KohutKathryn
Book: The Untethered Soul by Michael Alan Singer
Quote: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
Movie: Pulp Fiction
TV Series: Behind Her Eyes
Favorite Food: Italian
Travel Destination: Costa Rica
Sports Team: The Toronto Raptors
