About me, my market, and what I love most about my work:
Hello! I’m a Filipino-American host, critic, and producer living in my hometown of Los Angeles. After graduating with a fashion degree, I worked briefly in the industry and hated it. I’ve always been outgoing and curious in conversations, so I took a bet on myself and decided to leap head-first into an on-camera career in entertainment. It’s been almost 10 years, and I’ve never looked back.
As a host, critic, and producer, I have been with the nationally syndicated television show Hollywood First Look for most of my career. It is one of the few television programs that specifically brings A-list celebrity interviews and Hollywood content to the Asian American community. I’m very proud of how this program has and continues to support AANHPI directors, actors, and creatives in Hollywood.
“Spoiler Alert” is a fun film critique segment I co-host that airs on KHON’s Living808, which broadcasts in the Aloha State.
Most recently, Electric Entertainment brought me on to produce and host some of their aftershow content, reviewing episodes and interviewing cast and crew from their series Almost Paradise.
What I love most about my work is that it never feels like “work.” My affection for cinema came from my father, whose massive movie collection kept me busy as a kid most summers. The television, my babysitter. That being said, having a career where I host a television show, watch movies, interview A-list talent, and review films is an absolute dream come true.
I’ve also met and befriended so many like-minded colleagues that I’m constantly surrounded by people I admire and adore, which is incredible.
It’s not lost on me that I’m one of the lucky ones to have a career in this industry, and I’m grateful that I get paid to do something I love.
This is my passion project, or passion in general:
Aside from having a really fun career, my family is my passion. At the end of the day, when the lights, the cameras, and the red carpet have all been put away – this main character comes home to the real stars.
What it means to me to be part of the CCA:
Becoming a CCA member was a milestone. I grew up when there were hardly any Asians in film or television. There definitely weren’t any hosting tv shows or reviewing cinema and tv, so as a kid, I didn’t know this was an attainable career as an Asian American female. It makes me very happy knowing that kids in the AANHPI community will have a different upbringing being able to regularly see faces like mine on tv, representing voices like theirs.
My favorite film/TV series that I am currently watching and why:
My favorite film at the moment is Barbie. If you have already seen and loved it – there’s no explanation needed. It’s made over a billion dollars for a reason. Greta Gerwig can do no wrong in my eyes, Margot Robbie is a phenom, and in my opinion, it’s Ryan Gosling’s best big-screen performance to date. It is cinema at its very finest. If you haven’t seen it, go now. If you hated it, we’re not friends. Just kidding. But seriously, don’t talk to me. 😀 jk
A TV series I am obsessed with is The Last of Us. I couldn’t wait with the rest of humanity, so I cheated and binged watched ALL OF THE SCREENERS (hey, it’s a perk of this gig). Season one was well-written, and the cinematography, production, and costume design were stellar. 10000%, Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey’s performances deserve CCA awards, but I must talk about episode three, “A Long, Long Time.” It is one of the most gut-wrenching yet heartfelt love stories television has ever seen. The series almost made me want to start playing the video game. Almost.
My social media and where you can find my work:
You can find me @kiyralynn on all social media platforms. While you’re there, please say “Hi” and/or give me a follow!
Congrats, and THANK YOU for reading all the way to the end of my spotlight. Feel free to fist-bump me if you see me in person. If you do, I’ll know what you did. ;D
