Former face of MTV Australia, Keiynan Lonsdale is currently making his US debut starring as Uriah in the highly anticipated follow-up to Divergent, Insurgent. FAULT caught up with the 23 year old Aussie star who spilled the beans on his love for Michael Jackson, how it feels to break America and more.

 

FAULT: Insurgent is just about to hit the big screen and things seem to escalade quite quickly for you as an actor right now. Could you tell us a bit about your character in the film?

Keiynan: I play Uriah Pedrad, from the Dauntless faction. Uriah’s also a Divergent, so he doesn’t always conform to the rules. There is a lot more depth to him and his way of thinking, than he often lets on.

 

How did you get involved in the Divergent series?

I sent in my audition for Insurgent via video, because I was living in Australia at the time. A month after my initial tape, I did my final call back on video chat with the director, Robert Schwentke, and was lucky enough to be cast a few days after that.

 

Had you read the books beforehand? Did you have an interest in the series before getting the part? 

I watched the film (and loved it) the night before I found out that there was an audition for the sequel, so the story and the world still felt fresh in my mind, which was helpful. I read all three books quickly after I found out I had been cast.

 

You’re originally from Australia and were shooting a number of projects over there before Insurgent. How does the production differ in the US than from Australia?

Production wise, everything was a whole lot bigger, but the environment still felt pretty familiar. As daunting as it was to step into such a big film set, everything was pretty relaxed, so I felt comfortable.

 

Whether you have seen the first film, Divergent or you haven’t, what do you think is a good reason to see Insurgent?

It has such a stellar cast of all ages and experience; I’m personally of a fan of every actor in the film. It’s also a great story, and it makes you question how you would survive and who you would become if you had to live in a society like the one in Divergent. I can’t wait for people to watch it.

 

Let’s talk a bit about you as a performer, musician and television presenter. What was your transition like from the face of MTV Australia to landing your own dance show on ABC Australia to then receiving a role on US blockbuster Insurgent?

I feel like at times the transition felt smooth & other times it has felt pretty sharp – and that’s probably because I wasn’t expecting my first job in the US to be such a huge and amazing film franchise. MTV was always supportive of the acting side of my career, so I never felt like presenting got in the way or hindered my chances of crossing over to film.

 

When did you discover your passion for performing, whether it was acting or dancing?

I was obsessed with Michael Jackson from the age of two, so I danced all day every from that point on. When I was about 15 I really started to get passionate about acting and music. I don’t ever remember not wanting to be a performer, it’s just what I’ve always done.

 

You’re a singer as well and you released a single last year. How is your music career coming along?

I think a few days after I released “One and Only” independently, I found out that I got Insurgent and would need to fly out to Atlanta for filming. My whole mind set had to change if I really wanted to give acting my best shot. I’m not going to rush anything with my music just for the sake of it, when it’s my focus again and when I know I’m creating the music I want to, then I’ll push it out there.

 

What other projects do you have planned? What else would you like to get yourself involved in?

I wrapped filming on “The Finest Hours” in December, which was extremely challenging but such an incredible learning experience, that film comes out in October. I just really want to continue working with creative people, and continue to push myself further outside my comfort zone which each role I do.

 

Lastly, what’s your FAULT?

I let my own doubt control my confidence.

 

Words: Adina Ilie