Alison Fernandez – Team Kaylie

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) Well, I’m currently working a few days on episode 14 of Season 2 “Sydney to the Max” as a guest star, but I just finished four months of filming for Upside Down Magic a Disney Channel movie which is likely to come out this coming summer. Also, Part Two of my new Netflix series called “Team Kaylie” is coming out on December 2nd just in time for the holidays!

Q) In the holiday episode Kaylie wants to get Amber a dollhouse. Why is this so dear to Amber’s heart?

A) This episode is on my favorites list! It’s one of those moments where Kaylie (Bryana Salaz) gets the holiday spirit and shows she cares about more than just herself. In the beginning of the episode Amber opens up to Kaylie when they have both just gone through a few monumentally revealing and tough moments during the previous two episodes. I think that during this episode they both start to find that they care about each other a lot more than the other thinks.

Q) What is it about Amber that makes her and Kaylie such BFFs that Kaylie is willing to go out of her way to make Christmas so special?

A) They balance each other out in a way. Kaylie is trying to loosen up Amber and get her to trust again and Amber is trying to give Kaylie a sense of responsibility and help her mature. It is a very important relationship that I think everyone should have once in a while.

Q) What initially made you want to be a part of this series?

A) I think that I felt that this was a special project from the start. It focused on people of various cultures, opulence and backgrounds coming together to overcome common struggles. It enchanted me from the beginning because the stories managed to make it comedic at the same time. Also, the character Amber is referred to as the “anchor” of the show and I had never really been offered a role that was as complexing as Amber’s. I found things that normally other shows would be afraid to say really witty and I just kind of fell in love with it.

Q) How was Amber originally described to you?

A) Amber was pitched as a tough witty street smart but not book smart type of girl who is still recovering from the loss of her mother. She was the athletic adventurous type who cared for her three brothers, single dad and supposedly every stray dog and a raccoon in the neighborhood! It was an exciting challenge to have so many intricate layers needed to portray this character.

Q) Were you familiar with any of your costars before working with them on this show?

A) Bryana and I previously met at a screen test audition for Nickelodeon the year before. We instantly recognized each other again at chemistry reads for “Team Kaylie.”

Q) Does the cast hang out much together off screen?

A) Unfortunately not since all the cast members live over two hours away from each other. Between the commute time and everyone’s personal extra activities it’s really difficult for us to coordinate a get-together, unless it’s for a special event.

Q) What were some of your favorite scenes to film from the holiday episode?

A) For me, it was the cold open where there is a little stunt that will have you doubled over in laughter. We actually have some BTS footage of how it happened! I’ll post the BTS clips on my Instagram. It was really funny to film.

Q) What do you think it is about “Team Kaylie” that makes it such a fan favorite series?

A) I think it has a lot of humor that people can connect to and says a lot of things people would normally be afraid to put “out there!” There is also a lot of references to current events and jokes around the world for people to actually immerse themselves in it.

Q) You are a part of social media. Do you enjoy the instant fan feedback to the work you do?

A) Definitely! I love interacting with my fans, too. It helps me connect with them. I learn more about them and what they like and care for. It helps me become a better actor and, after all, I’m really working for all of them. It makes me adore them even more for sticking with me!

Q) What are some of your personal favorite holiday memories?

A) Well, for me, it’s sitting by the Christmas tree with the whole family on Christmas Eve at midnight with eggnog, hot chocolate and rice pudding and watching each other open presents. It always a good time!

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and the work you do?

A) Wow, great question. I would say, I appreciate every single one of my fans and supporters. I know you all have so many choices when you want to what a movie or a show and understand your time is valuable. So, I’m making a commitment to you that no matter what role I have, big or small, I will be thinking of you, my fans, my friends, my audience, my supporters. To you all I promise to always be as entertaining, exciting, suspenseful and crazy as I can be. We are on this journey together. It’s just beginning and it’s going to be wild.