IN CONVERSATION WITH SIMONE MILLER
interview by JANA LETONJA
Simone Miller will be starring in MGM’s highly anticipated series ‘The Institute’, which premiered on 13th July. She most recently recurred on Hulu’s ‘Run The Burbs’ and was a series regular on Max’s ‘Detention Adventure’. Outside of acting, Simone is also a singer/songwriter and has performed on several stages across Toronto.
Congratulations on landing the lead role of Kalisha in ‘The Institute’. What was your first reaction when you found out you got the part?
I was floored, literally. There was a good two weeks after my last audition, during which I'd been waiting to find out whether I'd booked this role or not. The waiting warranted a lot of anxiety-driven pacing and obsessive re-reading of the book. After so much anticipation, when I received the call that I’d booked Kalisha, I was the picture of joy. Funnily enough, I was in the backseat of my friend's mini-van babbling on about how much I wanted this role. It was almost cosmic as that's when I got the life-changing call from my team. The van erupted with screams and I was practically shaking. I couldn’t believe it. Of course, the first thing I did was call my mom who burst into tears. Slowly the news started feeling real. I was so overwhelmed with excitement that I collapsed to the floor squealing like the little girl I am. A lot of that excitement is still resonating approaching the rollout of the show. I am abundantly grateful for this opportunity and everything it has taught me.
Stephen King stories have such an intense legacy. How did you prepare to step into the world of ‘The Institute’?
While I felt the gravity of representing such a loved story, I also felt immensely spoiled in having so much material to adhere to. The book became my bible as I was constantly rereading and annotating it. I also had a little notebook where I would journal as Kalisha through each stage of the story just so I always had multiple points of reference. I wanted to make sure that before I stepped onto set, I had no hesitations or uncertainties about Kalisha or how she navigates the institute. In doing so, I felt I had a lot more room to play during scenes as I was very grounded in her core attributes and felt confident in my choices.
Kalisha is described as sarcastic but friendly, and becomes one of Luke’s closest allies. How did you tap into her complexity and strength?
I did feel that Kalisha’s sense of humor and amiable manner were fairly synonymous with my own. However, she is still a kid so keeping her youthful spirit present was always top of mind. As was highlighting her strength. Despite being brutally exploited in the institute, she dares to hold onto hope and keep her smile alive. I believe these traits are what drew Luke to Kalisha and spark their close dynamic. I found getting to lean into her playful yet altruistic nature to be such a treat. Genuinely loving your character is a gift, but being inspired by your character and becoming a better version of yourself because you’ve played them is something entirely different. Through Kalisha I am reminded to lead with love, laugh fully, and spread light even in places that feel devoid of it.
This role requires balancing vulnerability with leadership. What part of Kalisha’s journey resonated most with you?
I would say her friendships. I found these feelings really translated to how I felt towards my other cast members, specifically the other kids. In a city we’d never been in, on a production so much bigger than any of us could comprehend, we all became very close quite quickly. In a sense, we were all each other had in those months and I couldn’t help but feel instantly protective over them. We’ve had countless movie nights, broken glasses, 3 am heart to hearts, ice cream runs, the list goes on. In many ways, they have become family. Truly, they are all so talented and really lift their characters off the page beautifully. I love them all so dearly and am so proud that I got to experience this standing alongside such astounding performers yet grounded people.
The show blends supernatural mystery with real-world themes of control, friendship, and freedom. What do you hope audiences take away from it?
I believe this show to be a love letter to our younger generations. Now more than ever, kids have become wonderfully insatiable in challenging systems of oppression and abuses of authority. I hope this series is a reminder that every kid has the capacity to make waves from ripples. I hope our audience feels seen through our characters and captivated by their stories. But above all, I hope people just dig in and enjoy.
You’ve had roles on ‘Run The Burbs’ and ‘Detention Adventure’, and now you’re leading a major Stephen King adaptation. Does this moment feel like a turning point for you?
Absolutely. ‘Detention Adventure’ was the first series I’d ever booked when I was 12 years old. We had a marvelous 3 season run, led by heartfelt creatives Joe Kicak and Carmen Albano. I learned practically everything I know in regard to navigating a set on that production. I have so many fond memories of tripping through school hallways, laughing until my stomach hurt and accidentally breaking just about anything I touched. In many ways, I grew up in that show, with each season I felt my admiration for not just acting, but filmmaking solidified.
Soon after, I was lucky enough to book ‘Run The Burbs’, led by the brilliant Andrew Phung and Scott Townend. On this set, the laughter never stopped. It was such a lively environment full of so many vibrant talents. I know I wouldn’t have been able to take on this role had I not played Raign and Mannix first and I am forever indebted to both productions.
How do you stay focused and grounded while navigating such a fast-growing career?
My family and friends. I have the most supportive family you’ll ever meet. They are always the first ones to get my new songs stuck in their heads and rewatch every series I’ve worked on. There isn’t a day that goes by where they aren’t constantly cheering me on and keeping me motivated. They have seen me at every bad audition, every premiere, every wrong note and every performance, and have been unwavering rocks through it all. I’ve also been quite known to say “I have the best friends in the world”. They are such a kind, fun, giving and humble group that always reminds me not to take myself too seriously. It can be all too easy to slip into a more palatable version of yourself in a career rooted in scrutiny. It takes mere seconds with them to bring my whole self back and for that, I am beyond grateful.
You’re also a singer-songwriter and have performed live in Toronto. How does your music inform your acting, or vice versa?
Yes, it's said that I’ve been singing before I could speak. I always knew growing up that I would end up either in music or film industry, and to now say I have opportunity in both is insane. I think for me, they have always informed one another. Especially when I was 16 and first had the chance to marry both worlds in writing and co-directing the music video for my single ‘Older’. I’ve always written music with strong visuals in mind, but watching them come to life was enlightening. Even while filming this season of ‘The Institute’, I felt so inspired to write and was perpetually sat at my piano getting lost in new melodies any chance I got. I think because I was so creatively fulfilled while on set, I was just bubbling over with ideas that I funneled into writing on my days off. As a result, a lot of my future releases will be sonically indicative of ‘The Institute’ world.
What can you share with us about your upcoming projects? What kinds of roles or genres are you excited to explore next?
I can say that you’ll surely be hearing from me soon. As mentioned, I have done a lot of songwriting while filming and after wrapping on ‘The Institute’. I was 17 the last time I put out music, unsure of who I was and what I wanted to say. Now nearly 20, I am still figuring it out, but have approached this upcoming project with a level of vulnerability and openness that terrifies me, which is exactly why I know I have to do it. As for acting, nothing is set in stone quite yet. But I am a strong believer that whatever is meant to be will find me exactly when and how it’s supposed to.
Tell us more about your passions outside of acting and music.
Recently I have loved curling up to a good book in bed or oddly enough on the stairmaster. I will say it definitely makes the time go by faster and finishing a chapter incredibly satisfying. I have also really been into weight training these past 3 years. Though I am no powerlifter, it keeps my head clear and body active.
CREDITS
photography KRISTINA RUDDICK
