Interview with Kate Keltie
At fourteen years of age, Kate Keltie is the youngest member of Ramsay Street's newest family. We know her as cheeky Michelle Scully, but what is she like in real life? Neighbours.com caught up with the delightful teenager and this is what she had to say
In which city were you born, and how would you describe it?
Melbourne. It's a great place to grow up - you have the city, and you can also get away to countryside. There are great beaches as well. A bit of everything.
Do you come from a large family?
I have one younger brother, Luke, who is 10. Apart from that there's just mum and dad.
When did you first decide to become an actress?
I sort of fell into it accidentally. I've always been performing as a little girl, always singing and mucking around with friends. Then I went to drama school, not so much to learn how to act but to boost my confidence. From that, a casting director asked me to audition for Blue Heelers, and I ended up getting the part. I played a girl called Sally Lamont - it was only a little role. Her father abandoned her, so there was a bit of an interesting storyline. I was 8 or 9 at the time. It was exciting for me, because I was a big fan of the show and all of a sudden I found myself in it. But even after that, I wasn't seriously thinking about becoming an actor. It just kind of happened.
Your first ongoing role was in a kids show called Thunderstone, which is very popular in Australia. Can you tell us about your character?
I played Becky Daniels. She's a very bubbly character - good fun to play and very witty. I enjoyed doing that a lot.
How did you hear about the role in Neighbours?
I was on the phone to a friend of mine, and the call waiting signal went off. So I put her on hold and took the call. It was my agent, and she told me about the role of Michelle. I said 'oh, yes, I'd like to do that'. I was very calm and together. But then I said goodbye and went back to talking to my friend, and I was like'oh, wow, guess what - I'm going for a role on Neighbours!'
Were you a fan of Neighbours before you won the part?
I was a fan from way back. I don't remember the first years of the show because I wasn't born, but I do remember as far back as the twins (Christina and Caroline Alessi, played by Gayle and Gillian Blakeney). I've watched it ever since, so I know everyone on the show after that.
It must have been very strange to find yourself acting on a show you had watched for so many years?
Yes, it was. It didn't seem real. It took ages for it to kick in.
Was it different to how you imagined it?
I didn't really think about it beforehand. But it was really interesting to meet everyone.
You joined the show along with the other members of the Scully family. Do you think it was easier for you to come on board with them, as opposed to joining just on your own?
Yes, definitely. We were all new and going through the same thing, so it felt good that I wasn't the only one.
How do you get along with the actors who play your on-screen family - Janet Andrewartha (Lyn), Shane Conner (Joe), Holly Valance (Felicity) and Carla Bonner (Stephanie)?
We're very close - sort of like a real family. We're always there for each other, which is great. All three of us kids treat Janet and Shane like a real mum and dad - we often call them that too!
Do you like the character of Michelle?
Sometimes I do! She can be fun, but also devious and manipulative at times. It's interesting to play those scenes, but looking at her as a person, I wouldn't say she's a very nice person to know.
You've been on the show for almost a year now. Do you have a favourite storyline?
The bullying storyline - it was something to really sink my teeth into, lots of crying scenes. I received lots of emails and letters about it too. A lot of people have said 'I did what Michelle did and it worked'. So it's a good feeling to know that it was a positive storyline.
In recent months, we've been seeing more of Bianca Nugent, Michelle's partner in crime. Do you enjoy these storylines?
Yes, I do. Jane, who plays Bianca, is lovely. We work really well together. It's great to have someone my age on the show.
Working with so many adults, do you feel that you are going to grow up faster than you normally would?
Yes, I think so. It's not just the other actors, everyone you work with is older. It's an adults industry. It was the same on Thunderstone. But I think it's good, but you still need to spend time with people your own age.
How does filming Neighbours compare to Thunderstone?
It's not any harder - it's just different. With Thunderstone, we were filming half an hour a week, so it wasn't as fast and there weren't as many scenes.
What do your school friends think of your success?
My school friends are really excited. I don't think I could do this if I didn't have so many good friends.
Do they constantly ask you questions about what it's like to be in the show?
My close friends don't ask me lots of questions, but people who don't know me do.
Is it hard for you to tell the different between true friends and those that might want to know you just because of who you are?
I've become more aware of it. I'm pleasant to people who ask me questions, but when it comes to people who might just be talking to me because of who I am, I think 'don't get too close'.
Is it hard to keep up with your school work?
It's pretty difficult to keep up with things, but you're forced to do it if you want to stay on the show. I'm in Year Nine at the moment.
What are your best subjects?
I'm an English/drama student. Not really into arts/ science.
You still attend real school as well as working with an on-set tutor. Is it hard for you to switch from acting in the studios to sitting in a classroom?
Not anymore. I'm quite used to it now. I can switch from one to the other really
easily.
In whatever spare time you have left, what do you get up to?
Hang out with friends, go to movies, shopping. All the usual things.
Looking ahead, what are your ambitions?
You can't really say 'I want to be an actor when I grow up,' because who knows what will happen? There might not be any work around. At the moment I'm enjoying acting, and it would be great if it continues, but I can't say if it will or not.