Chloe East – Ice

By: Kelly Kearney

Q) You play Willow Green in Antoine Fuqua’s crime drama “Ice.” Tell the fans a little something about your character and how she fits into the show.

Chloe: I play Willow and my character has grown up around diamonds. Her father and grandfather own a diamond company called G&G Diamond Company, which is probably the top diamond company in Downtown Los Angeles. There’s a lot of crime and a lot of drama and my character is learning about diamonds and has to deal with all the craziness that’s going on around her in the underbelly of the diamond industry. So, there’s a lot of grit and crime that goes into the diamond trade. It’s a very tense show, but it’s about family as well. The Greens are trying to keep their family together while this craziness is happening.

Q) What was the audition process like for “Ice?”

Chloe: I auditioned for it thinking nothing of it. The character was so different from myself, at least in the pilot because they totally changed my character after the pilot. But the audition called for a dark character that’s headed down a really dark path and she’s drinking and partying. I thought, “Well, I’m fifteen, I really don’t fit this character so they’ll probably cast someone older.” So, I didn’t think much of it and then a couple days later they asked me to shoot the show and if I could be in Canada by Tuesday. At the time I was testing for another show too so I kind of had to choose which one. I chose “Ice” and we moved to Canada for five months.

Q) What was it that drew you to this role?

Chloe: Originally, I was drawn to playing a dark character, someone who has this gritty backstory. I was really attracted to playing someone who was a rebel.

Q) Are there any similarities between Willow Green and Chloe East?

Chloe: The Willow that they rewrote and pursued throughout the entire season, she’s very mature and loves her family. She’s very smart and knows right from wrong and I feel like I’m a very mature person as well. I like the fact she lives around diamonds. I don’t live around diamonds, [giggles] but I think that would be really cool.

Q) You work alongside veteran actor Donald Sutherland. What’s something you have learned from working with him?

Chloe: Donald? Oh, my gosh! Yeah, I saw him in Clue and he was so good. I really love his work. A lot of people recognize him and talk about him when I talk about “Ice.” Everyone just loves him. I didn’t work with him a whole lot this season, but there was this one day where I met him and I was sitting down and he was sitting next to me. He said [abruptly], “I’m Donald,” and I was like, “Oh, uh, hi! Uh Hello!” [laughing nervously] It caught me off guard. He was very down to earth and even though I didn’t get to see him work, when it came out I loved his character so much.

Q) You’ve acted in all types of film and television genres with such diverse roles, what draws you to the characters you play and how do you know that specific role is the one for you?

Chloe: If I get the opportunity to read the full script right off the bat, I’ll maybe think, “This is it” or “No, it’s right for someone else.” So, I really look for films and television projects that have good people attached to them and who I respect, but also the quality of the material. If it’s with good people and it has a good script, I’m totally in.

Q) Do you have any advice for people your age looking to get into acting?

Chloe: I’m always researching and watching for inspiration. You don’t really have to look for inspiration, but I appreciate watching films to learn from people. I think that’s my biggest motivation, watching your craft and then doing it. I don’t know…I guess find what works for you? I feel like I get very motivated and excited about working while watching the quality of someone else’s work. Find what works for you, I guess. If watching movies gets you excited, reading or whatever it is for you…It’s a very personal thing I would say. Of course, hard work too That always pays off.

Q) You have a very popular YouTube channel with over 240,000 subscribers! Tell the fans what the channel is about and what made you want to host a YouTube channel on top of your already busy schedule?

Chloe: My YouTube channel, and you can see everything on there, it’s kind of like when I post you really won’t know what you are going to see. I’ll post a D.Y.I., I could post a comedy video, I could post a relatable video…It’s all very spontaneous. If I have an idea or if there is a recurring theme, I’ll post it. I love filming and editing the videos and I have a lot of fun doing it. I hope the people that watch the channel can see the fun I’m having while making them.

Q) When you are not acting or modeling, what do you like to do in your free time? Do you have any hobbies?

Chloe: I watch a lot of movies if you haven’t noticed. [laughs] I’ve mentioned it in this interview like a million times. There is nothing that I love more than going to the movie theater, sitting down and looking at that big giant screen. In L.A. I think the people that go are very respectful. Like at the Arclight in Hollywood, everyone is so respectful. I just love it and I love baking, too. If I can bake some cookies and take them to the movie theater, that would be the perfect night for me.

Q) What can you tease is in store for the finale of “Ice?”

Chloe: Well [pause]…I’m not really sure what I can say, but I will say a lot goes down and it’s very exciting and leaves you hanging like crazy. The end of the episode is absolutely insane with what happens. You will not see it coming.

Q) Besides “Ice,” do you have any other projects the fans should look out for?

Chloe: I do…but I can’t specifically say what it is. It’s going to have to stay a mystery. I’m really excited for it though. I literally hate when people say that, it makes me cringe and I feel like I might as well say I have nothing coming up If I can’t talk about it [laughs]. Just know that I do and I am really, very excited about it.