When we are first introduced to her at the start of Season 2 of XO, Kitty, Stella Cho is simply Kitty’s new roommate, a chirpy exchange student who is just grateful to be at K.I.S.S. But there is more to her that meets the eye, and it soon becomes clear that she is harbouring a secret—one bigger than audiences could possibly guess.
Stepping into the role is none other than rising actress Audrey Huynh. Having booked her first job at just six years old, Huynh has been working in film and television ever since. Of Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese and European descent, she is also a singer and songwriter, having released four independent singles thus far. Here, she shares more about discovering her character’s huge plot twist, filming in Korea, and the best reactions to the show that she has seen since it dropped.
Congratulations on the show. How are you feeling now that it’s out? How have the reactions around you been?
I’m so excited. We have put so much work into the season, and I’m just so glad that everyone’s receiving it so well. For the first couple of days, there was a lot of shock about my character, because she was kept very secret and she has a huge plot twist. But after the initial shock of her being evil was revealed, people started seeing her as more of a human being, which I think is really cool. It’s been interesting to stalk on socials for the past couple of days.
When you first read the script and got to know Stella, what stood out to you about her?
She always had this sense of mystery around her. I got the scripts as we were filming, and there was always something off about what she did and said, which was very intriguing to me. Once it was revealed to me what her massive plan was, I was just so shocked, and so excited to be able to play that side of her.
So you didn’t know about this plot twist when you first got the role?
No, I had no idea. Even with the audition, I didn’t know anything—it just said that she had a secret. Having that be revealed to me as we were filming helped me grow with the character, and I think it helped make it very organic for the viewers.
What was it like for you to play an antagonist?
I’ve always wanted to play a villain, so getting to play both the super goody-two-shoes and the evil villain in the same show within the same character is so cool. I had so much fun picking apart that role and diving into that evil character.
Were you already familiar with the show when you got the role?
To All the Boys has always been a comfort movie for me, and I’ve been a huge fan of the books and of season one of the show—so even just getting the audition notice was insane. And then getting cast was even more insane. This whole process has been so surreal.
Was there anything you were particularly looking forward to when you heard you got the role?
When I found out that we were filming in Korea, that was huge for me. My mum’s family is from Korea, and I’ve gone there when I was younger, but I’ve always wanted to go back. I love everything about Korea, and just being able to be immersed in the culture and literally live there for three months was so special to me. I loved it. I would totally go back again if I could.
Were there any particularly fun or memorable moments for you throughout the filming process?
There were so many. We have such a close relationship as a cast, which I think is so special. I remember that when we were filming at the ski cabin, there were a lot of long days and long nights. There’s this one video of us where we were all outside as it was pouring rain, and we were in costume eating tteokbokki and singing songs. That was so much fun. Josh just sent me the video the other day, and it reminded me of that moment.
As an Asian-American actress, is it rare to be surrounded by a predominantly Asian cast? What was that like for you?
I grew up always being cast as the DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) hire. I was always the one Asian girl, so being in a cast that’s fully Asian, in a show about an Asian-American lead, with an Asian story, is so cool and just so special to me. It really just healed my inner child, because I grew up not really seeing leads who looked like me on screen. Being able to be a part of this movement of representation has been so deeply special.
What was your reaction when you got to see the completed show?
I was so excited. I binge-watched it with my mum at two in the morning, and it was so cool seeing all of the pieces come together. It was really good, and I’m very proud of what we were able to create.
What are you most excited for audiences to see?
I’ve honestly just been having fun watching them receive my character. She’s such a curveball. She’s a huge plot twist, and watching people figure out that she’s not who she originally puts herself out to be has been so fun. That’s definitely what I am the most excited about.
What are some of the most fun reactions that you’ve seen so far?
I’ve been stalking Tiktok and Instagram and everything. The reactions are usually in all caps, like, “WHAT IS THIS GIRL UP TO?”. It’s so fun watching everyone put all the pieces together.
Are there any dream roles that you hope to play next?
I would love to be in a horror movie. That’s been a huge dream of mine for forever, and I think it would be so much fun.
XO, Kitty Season 2 is now on Netflix.
