Actress Keeley Karsten Wants You To Be Where Your Feet Are
To be young, talented and on the rise in Hollywood must be a beautiful feeling and Keeley Karsten knows all about it. We got the chance to catch up with her to learn about her start in the industry, her upcoming role and what life is like living in LA while building her career. If you want to know a little more about this rising star, keep reading below!
FEATURE INTERVIEW:
For those who’ve never heard of Keeley Karsten, how would you introduce yourself?
I am an actor, and I live in SoCal. I was in The Fabelmans, directed by Steven Spielberg, and I am in Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair which is now on Disney+ and Hulu.
When you think back to growing up in New York, what is the first memory that comes to mind?
When I look back, I feel like I was always running around the city with my friends. We were kids who felt like adults, but we were given complete freedom to discover what we were interested in and who we were. I feel lucky that I got to grow up there.
Having parents who are both creatives, what have you learned from them that you’ve taken in account for your own career?
My parents have shared so much of what they know about art with me; my dad has introduced me to some of my favorite plays. When I need a good movie recommendation, I go to him. But the most important thing they’ve taught me is to get out of my own way. They keep me from overthinking things.
Being based on the west coast now, what’s one thing you had to adjust to coming from New York?
The driving—that’s something I had to get used to. In New York City, I walked everywhere, but on the West Coast, you have to drive to get anywhere.
Talk to us about how you got into acting. When did you decide this is what you wanted to do with your life?
I grew up surrounded by theatre, I always knew I’d be doing this. But I watched a lot of Charlie Chaplin; City Lights specifically was the movie that got me into movies. It nudged me in the direction of film.
Many of us grew up watching the iconic tv show Malcolm in the Middle and now you’re a part of the special “Malcolm in the Middle: Life is Still Unfair”. Describe your character and tell us what OG watchers can expect from this new special?
I play Leah, Malcolm’s daughter, who has a lot in common with him. They’re both very smart, and they feel like the world is out to get them. But Leah is more emotional than Malcolm. Fans will get to see where the family is now and find out what crazy situations Malcom’s gotten himself into.
You’re accomplishing so much at only 16 years old, outside of acting what does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day may include going to the beach or going on hikes with my dog. I’ve been experimenting with cooking, baking, and forcing my friends and family to try what I make. I also watch a lot of movies; it’s my way of decompressing at the end of the day.
As we head into summer ‘26, what are 3 beauty products you never leave the house without?
Sunscreen. I never leave the house without it. I also love the Laneige Lip Mask; a makeup artist used it on me on set and let me take it. And my third one is the Rhode Pocket Blush.
If you could pick a sound that’s currently the soundtrack of your life, what would it be and why?
I think “California” by Joni Mitchell. I listen to that song almost every day.
From working with Steven Spielberg to the release of Malcolm in the Middle: Life Is Still Unfair”, what would you like your next big role to be?
There are a lot of different directors and genres that I hope to work with and explore. I recently watched “Sentimental Value”, and I’d love to be able to do a film like that.
For any Galore readers hoping to follow in your footsteps, leave them with one piece of life advice.
I easily forget to enjoy where I am, so my advice would be to be where your feet are.
TEAM CREDITS:
Editor-in-Chief: Prince Chenoa
Feature Editor & Writer: Taylor Winter Wilson (@taylorwinter)
Photographer: Shane McCauley (@shanemccauley)
Wardrobe Stylist: Madeline Isaacs (@madelineisaacs)
Makeup Artist: Bex Marie (@bexmarie.mua)
Hair Stylist: (@clarissanya)
