KiKi Layne is known for her brilliant and moving performances in projects like If Beale Street Could Talk or Native Son and her turns in streaming successes like The Old Guard and Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers. But the general public has not heard her beautiful and crisp voice until her newest role as the titular character in Dandelion.
Her co-star, Thomas Doherty has the opposite recognition. As I pointed out when I spoke with him and KiKi in a recent interview, a third of his credits has some sort of connection to music. Whether it’s his start in Disney Channel projects like The Descendants series and The Lodge or the remake of High Fidelity or his comedic turn in season 3 of Girls5Eva, Doherty has actively chosen work that revolves around some kind of musicality.
Both Layne and Doherty stretch their musical chops in Dandelion, a film about two singer/songwriters who connect at a musical competition while one is reevaluating her dedication to her craft. Feeling inadequate and unhappy with where you are in your career is a sentiment many can relate to, including these leads.
I sat down with them to talk about that feeling, the film, and what it was like to sing together for the first time.
