Kiana Madeira FAULT Magazine Covershoot and Interview

Kiana Madeira X FAULT Magazine

Photographer:
Petros Kouiouris

Fashion Stylist / Creative Director:
Mickey Freeman represented by The Only Agency

Hair Stylist:
Cheryl Bergamy

Makeup Artist:
Tommy Napoli represented by The Only Agency

Stylist Assistant:
Genese Legere

Model #1:

Juzar Dean with State Management 

Model #2:

Yannick Sako with State Management  

Words: Miles Holder

Kiana Madeira, a Canadian actress known for her roles in Trinkets and Fear Street, is set to star in the upcoming movie Perfect Addiction. In the film, Kiana Madeira plays Sienna Lane, a boxing trainer seeking revenge on her cheating boyfriend by training his rival, Kayden.
We caught up with Kiana Madeira to discuss the role, the movie and of course, her FAULTs.

What initially drew you to the role of Sienna Lane in Perfect Addiction?
It was Sienna’s fierce nature that initially drew me to the role. Immediately after reading the script, I was so energized at the prospect of bringing a young woman to life who is fueled by her passion and uninhibited when fighting for what she wants. Her energy is contagious and I wanted to experience what that would feel like in my body.

Can you describe your preparation process for the role?
The physical preparation for the role was key for me; I began MMA training at Anderson’s Martial Arts Academy in New York City 8 weeks before traveling to Poland to start production. I was training 5-6 days a week in MMA while simultaneously weight training with my trainer Jerry Joseph. The physical training was necessary for the action that was required in the film, but it also really helped me understand Sienna’s psyche and the discipline that is vital in order to succeed in the sport. Training and eating clean and healthy helped prepare me to fully embody Sienna and her lifestyle and way of thinking.

How did you approach the emotional scenes in the film?
Honestly, I was blessed to work with an incredibly talented supporting cast who were so present and generous with their energy and craft so I was able to approach the emotional scenes by simply being present and surrendering to the circumstances. Sienna’s emotional journey is intense and I just embraced the intensity and truth of what she was experiencing. It also helped that our director, Castille Landon, is a true professional and created a safe working environment for us to be vulnerable in.

What was the most challenging aspect of filming Perfect Addiction?
The action scenes were definitely the most challenging aspect of filming. It was important to me that I portrayed Sienna as a believable trainer and fighter and I quickly learned that my desire for perfectionism had no place in the world of fighting. I was challenged to get out of my head and into my body and it was a constant practice for me throughout filming. Our stunt coordinator, Keith Davis, did an amazing job at guiding me through that journey.

What message do you hope viewers take away from the film?
That forgiveness will set you free. It is ultimately our choice to hold on to the pain that others have caused us, or to hold on to the pain that we have caused others. By giving them and ourselves grace, we can be weightless and reach our true potential. It’s all a journey but it’s worth walking the path.

What do you think makes Perfect Addiction stand out from other films centered around MMA fighting?
I don’t think I have ever seen a film that has been centered around a female character who is not only a great fighter, but a trainer as well! MMA is male dominant sport and to see a character like Sienna who is thriving in that world is empowering. We have not seen that very often on screen and God willing, this is just the beginning!

As an actress with a diverse background, how does your identity shape your approach to your roles?
I am so grateful to be a human with a diverse background and be able to draw on all of my cultural experiences and history when I approach my roles. I think that being a mixed-race woman has allowed me to have compassion and understanding for people from all walks of life and that is key to me when I am bringing life to my characters. I strive to fully understand my character’s mental and spiritual states of being and I think that their cultural experiences play a huge factor in what those states are, or become throughout the story. I am truly grateful that there are roles being written for people with diverse backgrounds that have depth and substance and I pray that the opportunities continue to materialize in abundance.

What can fans expect from you in the coming months, and do you have any upcoming projects you can tell us about?
I am excited to be promoting two films of mine in these upcoming months! Perfect Addiction and Brother, which is premiering this month as well. I am energized to be speaking about my experience filming both of them, and I am thrilled for audiences to see how vastly different these two films are, in the best way. In terms of upcoming projects, I can’t share at this current moment but some very exciting things are in the works! Stay tuned!

How did you decompress after filming such an intense project?
We were filming in Poland and right after wrapping I treated myself to a solo trip to Spain and Portugal! It was my first time traveling alone for something other than work and it was absolutely incredible. I went to Barcelona, Valencia, Lisbon and the Algarve and it was the perfect way to decompress.

Kiana Madeira, what is your FAULT?
Honestly, I would say my personal flaw is that I tend to be really hard on myself. I am constantly reminding myself that life is about progression, not perfection but that instinctual desire to be perfect comes up often. It’s a practice of making mistakes and giving myself grace. Sometimes I wish it came easier!