If you’ve been watching INSP’s hit series ‘Wild West Chronicles’, in Season 4 you have no doubt come across rising actress Kayla Manuel‘s breakout role as Cassie. The series, which is also available to stream on Amazon Prime, Peacock and other platforms, is a Western period drama that follows the story of a man who murders his wife in a jealous rage and goes on the run. The local lawmen are stunned when the first black US Marshal Bass Reeves accepts responsibility for bringing the killer to justice because the murderer is none other than Reeves’ own son. Kayla’s portrayal of Cassie, a young woman who gets married too young, and succumbs to her husband’s jealous rage is a key moment in the series.
A proud native of Inglewood, California, Kayla Manuel began her journey in the entertainment industry as a child, training in various Los Angeles performing arts programs and dance schools under the tutelage of Debbie Allen and Alvin Ailey. Kayla’s early involvement in the arts included being featured in Debbie Allen’s “Hot Chocolate Nutcracker,” which aired on BET.
Kayla studied at Long Beach State University, where she graduated from the Theatre Arts program and has since performed in numerous theater productions. In the world of film and TV, Kayla has made on-screen appearances including commercials for Apple and Dove Men+Care, which aired during Super Bowl XLIX on NBC, as well as for Instacart. She first made her film debut in the award-winning short film “Justice Delayed,” directed by Janine Anne Uyanga and Phyllis Bancroft’s ‘…with Salt’.
Outside of acting Kayla is an entrepreneur, building her wellness and holistic brand Grounded Closet, which sells yoga mats and jewelry, while also filling your social feeds with the kind of vibes we need more of in our our chaotic world – calm, centered, and well, grounded! Kayla’s passion for living a well life also includes advocacy in her community. She is actively involved in shaping the future lives of children in inner city Los Angeles schools, and gives back through the the arts.
As she makes her foray into the world of ‘Wild West Chronicles’, we had the opportunity to learn more about Kayla’s role as Cassie, how she stays grounded, and what advice she would give to people who might be uncomfortable or triggered by the terms “wellness” or “holistic”.
Where did your acting career begin?
My acting career began with my 11+ year background in dance, where I trained with Debbie Allen and a few other dance schools in the inner city of Los Angeles, CA. I trained in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and modern. While performing outside of school, I joined acting conservatories over the years. Upon applying for college, I knew I wanted to be a well-rounded artist, so I studied Theatre Performance-Acting at Cal State Long Beach.
After being featured in Debbie Allen’s ‘Hot Chocolate Nutcracker’, televised on BET, I graduated from Long Beach State University’s Theatre Arts program, receiving the Dramatic Allied Arts Guild scholarship for Fine Arts in Acting. I performed in several theater productions, and I was blessed to appear in commercials such as Apple and Dove Men+Care in the Super Bowl XLIX on NBC, to name a few. I made my on-screen debut in the award-winning short film Justice Delayed, directed by Janine Anne Uyanga and Phyllis Bancroft’s ‘…With Salt’.
Right now, I’m proud to announce my first TV debut, booking an episode of Wild West Chronicles Season 4 Episode 2 in the role of Cassie. It’s a Western TV series streamed on Peacock, Amazon Prime, and other platforms in Fall 2024.
What can you tell us about your upcoming role as Cassie in the highly-anticipated series”Wild West Chronicles”?
My character, Cassie, is a relatively young woman who gets married, and her husband’s jealous rage changes her fate. Her husband is the son of the First US Black Marshal Bass Reeves. For a long time, I’ve always wanted to be in a period piece. When this project came across my desk, I knew I had to be a part of it.
Auditioning was a smooth and quick process. I received the breakdown from my Manager, got a reader, and filmed it. A day or two later, I received a callback. Less than a week passed, and I got the call saying I booked it.
When I look back at my audition compared to my in-person callback, which has been rare since the start of COVID-19, to being on set, the character I created grew inside of me. She had more color and dimension. I got to bring more humanity to a young woman getting married and trying to figure things out. It was a dream role, and I can’t wait for more people to see it.
Can you talk about some of the dynamics at play in this series between the characters – racism, gender violence, intimate partner violence?
Since this is a period piece based in the Wild West of the 1800s, women are misunderstood at this time and even today. As the story unfolds, it leaves room for the audience to choose what happened and drove her husband to his demise. I approached the role of Cassie from a lens of understanding and wonder. Cassie is, in many ways, layered. I enjoyed playing with all of these complex factors.
What do you hope audiences will be drawn to most about the series when it premieres this Fall?
I hope the audiences will be drawn to the level of excitement and depth in storytelling this season. This season, the series is embracing new faces, new cultures, and new traditions. I’m grateful to be a part of the series’ evolution.
Outside of your acting career, you are an entrepreneur! Can you share more about Grounded Closet and what the brand is focused on?
Grounded Closet is my brand of holistic, athletic, and wellness essentials. It’s based on my ability to make my customers feel grounded when using their products. They are guaranteed to feel balanced and ready to receive stability and wellness. It was based on enjoying things that aligned me, such as symbolic jewelry pieces, yoga mats, and spiritual aromas like sage and palo santo. It’s a brand I am still pouring into every day and growing over time.
Why is holistic wellness important to you personally, and what are you hoping to share with customers?
It’s important to have a positive source to turn to. I see how essential protecting my peace is, and by doing so, I have a spiritual gym, I like to call it, that supports me when I’m feeling down or not at my best. These essential tools are journaling, doing yoga, and herbal tea. They all keep me balanced and on track.
For people who have not yet prioritized individual wellness or are uncomfortable with the word/movement, how would you empower them to understand its importance?
I will empower them to get curious. There is more to life than what is in our bubble. I have grown more because I took risks in discovering what else is out there to support me. I would empower people to broaden their points of view.
What is the most challenging aspect of building a wellness brand in a market that is very saturated right now? How do you stand out from the rest?
Consistency and reinventing yourself are the main challenges. It’s essential not to get distracted and to remember the “why.” It’s challenging when you’re an ambitious woman with many hats and talents, such as acting, family, and personal life. It’s hard to find the balance, but when you do, the vision and brand become much clearer.
With so much noise and platforms competing for our attention right now, what message do you hope Grounded Closet will impart to new followers and customers?
I hope it will impart to new followers the message of expanding their spiritual gym. New followers will have better tools to support their energy sources and identify what keeps them at peace, happy, or at ease. Grounded Closet is a source of support.
Can you tell us more about your creative directing work, and what you have been working on lately?
I enjoy creatively directing artists in album rollout photo shoots and video directing. I’ve always wanted to step behind the camera, so in my free time, I create developments and treatments for photoshoots for musical artists. It’s a passion I’m looking to grow over time.
As an advocate for change in your community, we’d love to hear more about the work you are doing with children in inner city schools in Los Angeles!
I am passionate about supporting students and giving them opportunities to visit colleges, providing behavior support, and providing overall resources to help them succeed.
You can keep up with all of Kayla Manuel’s work by following her on Instagram, and watch her as Cassie in ‘Wild West Chronicles’ Season 4 on Prime Video, Peacock, INSP, and other streaming platforms.
