Kiana Madeira stars alongside her real-life fiancé, actor Lovell Adams-Gray, in Clement Virgo’s film, Brother, which is set to have its world premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival on September 9th, 2022. In previous years, Kiana has also starred in Netflix’s hit teen drama series “Trinkets,” based on the novel of the same name. Actress Kiana Madeira has two films premiering this week and she shows no signs of slowing down. We can find her reprising her role as Nora in the fourth installment of the After franchise, After Ever Happy, which will be released in theaters across the US on September 7th.

Can you describe what influenced you to pursue a career as an actor?

I come from a family of storytellers; I&rsquo;ve grown up in a household where we are constantly cracking jokes, sharing stories, and brainstorming ways to create. Being surrounded by humans who are not afraid to feel deeply and outwardly express those feelings had a huge influence on my desire to pursue a career as an actor. I have always admired truthful, bold expression of emotion and since I was a child I have been very curious to learn more about how and why we feel things as people.

What do you feel is more important for an actor, talent or training?

Here&rsquo;s the thing about talent in regards to acting: In my opinion, everyone possesses all of the tools that you need to be an amazing actor. Acting is the art of living and because we are all alive, we can act. Training as an actor is for the purpose of unlearning all of the ways we hide our aliveness- shedding the judgement and tension that prevents us from being uninhibited and able to tell truthful stories. I think training is very important.

LOFF_digital cover_ копия.jpg

What is the first thing you do to research and approach a role?

When I approach a role, the first thing I do is make sure I am clear on how I connect with the character&rsquo;s emotional life. This is often something that resonates with me intuitively and doesn&rsquo;t require too much research, if any at all. After I acknowledge that I am connected to the emotional life, I start to think about this person on the outside- what they wear, how they do their hair, what their posture is like, how they carry themselves. And to research this, I love to people watch. I live in New York City, the best place to do that.

How did you prepare for your upcoming role in Clement Virgo&rsquo;s film, Brother, which is set to have its world premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival? 
Preparing for this film was such a beautiful journey. First, I read the book &ldquo;Brother&rdquo; written by Scarborough native David Chariandy and that completely opened my heart to the fullness of each character and the intricacies of the story. The screenplay was written by our director, Clement Virgo, and it is a magnificent adaptation. With both the book and the screenplay as the foundation to build from, I was given the space to dive into Aisha in creative ways such as curating playlists for the specific times of the story. Alicia Keys was a huge inspiration for me when embodying Aisha- her style, energy, cadence; a lot of it was influenced by Alicia. I also spoke to my parents about what is was like for them being young adults in the 90s and 2000s. Looking through old photo albums and hearing their stories really helped me dive deeper into Aisha&rsquo;s world.

Suit: Moschino

Hat:  Kokin  Dress: Jovana Louis  Shoes: Moschino   Jewelry: GBGH

Hat: Binata Millinery  Full look: Shuting Qiu

You are no stranger to the fashion world, recently being featured in Harper&rsquo;s Bazaar Australia, who are your favorite designers at the moment?

 
These days I am really connecting with Toronto designer Kyle Gervacy. He designed the pieces that my co-star in Brother, Lamar Johnson, and I wore in our recent cover for Now Toronto Magazine. He makes everything by hand and his designs are aesthetically Afro-centric with an Asian-Creole inspiration. They&rsquo;re beautiful and expressive and incredibly unique. I am also loving Jeremy Scott&rsquo;s creations at Moschino and feel fly every time I rock something by him.

When it comes to fashion, you&rsquo;ve effortlessly managed to strike that sought-after balance between femininity and masculinity, how would you describe your style?

 
Thank you. I am on a journey right now when it comes to expressing myself through fashion and every time I decide to go against the grain of what I feel society has told me I should wear as a woman, I feel empowered and can breathe a little easier. I love feeling grounded in a suit, in shoes that allow me to feel my feel planted on the ground. I also love the way a dress can hug the curves of my body and how tall I feel in a pair of heels. I would describe my style as free, fluid, and playful- which is how I strive to live as well.

Hat: Kokin; Dress: Moschino; Earrings: Moschino; Rings: GBGH; Bracelets: GBGH

Hat: Kokin; Dress: Moschino; Earrings: Moschino Rings: GBGH Bracelets: GBGH

What are your current self-care routines?

Self-care is something that has become an integral part of my life lately. Prayer is my top self- care practice and funny enough, it&rsquo;s sometimes the last thing that I remember to do. I find myself being so busy and allowing the tasks of the day to carry me, which often leaves me feeling anxious. But when I am exhausted of trying to get a hold of life on my own, I remember to pray and every time I take that time to connect with Jesus, my spirit is calmed in a way that I cannot get from the world. I am working on remembering to pray before I get caught up! Along with prayer, my self-care routine involves meditation, journaling, spending time in nature, and relaxing in a sauna.

You&#39;ve always embraced your spirituality and love of God, is that where you get your sense of confidence?

Yes, absolutely! There is so much confidence in knowing that we are children of God. The God who created the sun and the stars also created us and the same power that they have, we have in us as well. Really letting that resonate and truly believing it does wonders for my confidence. There is nothing that the world can take from me, no box that I can be put in because I know who God has created me to be. It is very powerful.

Additionally, how can one learn to be open with a large audience and how to deal with hate?

 
I think the most important thing to know when you are sharing yourself with a large audience is that people receive light in different ways. As long as you are sharing light, positivity and love, you are doing God&rsquo;s work and you should feel confident in that. If people receive it in a way that looks like hatred towards you- give them grace. Sometimes people have guards up that they may be unaware of, but keep shining your light and have faith that it will penetrate through all of the darkness and hate in the world. Don&rsquo;t take it personally, keep spreading love, and keep doing what you love to do.

What hobbies have you picked up during the pandemic downtime?

I started playing the guitar and I am in love with it. I&rsquo;ve wanted to play the guitar since I was a kid and finally taking the time to nurture that desire has been beautiful.

If you could play any other person in a biopic, who would it be and why?

If I could play any other person in a biopic, it would be Alicia Keys because I resonate with her energy deeply. When Alicia Keys dropped her first album, Songs in A Minor, I was 9 years old and had braids just like her. Everyone in my neighbourhood called me little Alicia and I liked that at that time. Now, 20 years later, I am still receiving comments about resembling her and it&rsquo;s not just a physical resemblance. I have been told that our energies feel very similar and after reading her book, More Myself, I feel very called to play her in a biopic. She is a beautiful human and an inspiration of mine. To embody her soulfulness, grace, and relentless ambition on screen would be an honour.

_B0A0645 copy.jpg

_B0A0902 copy.jpg

How did you react when your stylist Mickey Freeman approached you about paying homage to African American supermodel Pat Cleveland in this shoot?

I was thrilled when Mickey came to me with the idea to pay homage to Pat Cleaveland! She has a very similar ethnic mix as I do and that means so much to me; to pay homage to an artist from a different era who feels so familiar. Being one of the first African-American models within the fashion industry to achieve prominence as a runway model and print model, she is iconic. Pat Cleaveland paved the way for all of us and I am honoured to pay homage to her.

Dress: Drenusha Xharra  Gloves: Drenusha Xharra  Jewelry: GBGH  Shoes:  Jessica Rich

_B0A9934 copy.jpg

_B0A9982 copy.jpg

TEAM Credits:

&nbsp;

Photographer: Petros Koy

Instagram:&nbsp;@petros_koy

&nbsp;

Creative Director / Fashion Stylist: Mickey Freeman (represented by the Only Agency), Instagram:&nbsp; @MickeyBoooom @<a href="http://theonly.agency/">theonly.agency</a>

&nbsp;

Hair Stylist: Cheryl Bergamy represented by Exclusive Artists

Instagram:&nbsp;@cheryltbergamyhair&nbsp;@exclusiveartists&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Makeup Artist: Tommy Napoli,&nbsp;represented by the Only Agency

Instagram: @tommymakeup_&nbsp;&nbsp;@<a href="http://theonly.agency/">theonly.agency</a>

&nbsp;

Stylist Assistant: Angel Carrion

Instagram:&nbsp;@therealcarrion

&nbsp;

Production: FreeMen By Mickey

Digital Cover Story: Interview With Canadian Actress Kiana Madeira

Recommended posts for you

Beauty

Rosemary Oil: The Miracle Elixir For Long, Strong Hair And Lashes

Art & Culture

The Art of Collection

Business & Tech

Magazines: Navigating the Digital Era with Timeless Influence

Fashion

Feature Interview: VV Hanwei Su - The Architect of Fashion Empowerment

Lifestyle

How to Navigate Secrets 'in Love'

Business & Tech

Tezman Holding turns 76 & launches Nutrafine Health! Pioneering a new path in wellness

Fashion

Fashion Editorial: Eclectic Elegance

Beauty

Unlock the Secret to Silky Skin: 7 Tips for Your Skin Glow-Up