By Lindsay Cooper
“’Undone’ is really about when someone in your life has fallen apart–whether they left your life or have passed away–and that feeling of loss. Feeling of being there because it’s coming out and trying to rebuild from there.”
“Undone” is Katelyn Nacon’s first single, but you’re more likely to know her as Enid from The Walking Dead. If you don’t, you might be surprised to learn the actress/singer/songwriter is only 19 years old. She may be young, but her long history in musical theatre grants her the experience necessary for both her acting and music careers and her old soul allows her to effectively execute both a heart wrenching ballad and her performance as a tortured, post-apocalyptic teenager.
Following our photo shoot with Nacon in Los Angeles, we had the chance to speak with her about finding success at a young age and the growing pains associated with change.
Do you remember the first character or movie that made you want to start acting?
Honestly, I’d have to say my favourite movie when I was a kid was Beauty and the Beast. I always wanted to be Belle. But, I mean there were so many movies that I would just watch over and over again like Grease, Sound of Music, Wizard of Oz. I had a few staple movies that I would constantly watch and most of them were musicals.
Would you ever want to tap into your past in musical theatre and do musicals now?
It’s funny, I was never over the top enough for theatre. You always have to be bigger and bolder because you’re on stage and it needs to be portrayed to the audience in the back. But I think once I found on screen they were like “oh no, everything has to be more subtle and a little more toned down.” And that was perfect. I love that.
And speaking of your transition into television: The Walking Dead is filmed in Georgia, where you grew up. Do you get to go home a lot?
I was born and raised in Georgia. My mom is from Georgia, her whole side of the family is, and it’s absolutely amazing to be able to work in my home state. I didn’t have to move anywhere. I could just stay in my same house, go to my same school and stay in touch with all my friends too.
And what’s the life biggest change you’ve had to deal with going from high school student to professional actor?
The most major way my life has changed where I’m a lot happier because I’ve been given a wonderful chance to do what I love. So I would say that’s probably about the only thing that’s changed. I get to do amazing work and I’m completely grateful for that.
Other than that, I don’t know if there’s been much of a change. I’ve tried very hard not to change in any way. I still kind of live the same way that I did before.
So maybe you don’t have a lot to be nostalgic for personally yet, but this is for our Nostalgia issue, so can you tell me a bit about what your character in the show is most nostalgic for?
Enid is definitely yearning for her parents. I think there’s so much you don’t realize you have with someone until they’re gone. Just the little things. When I was filming the scene where Enid lost her parents, I just kept remembering happy memories that I had of my parents when I was a kid. Just silly little things.
You take them for granted in the moment, but when those opportunities are taken away from you, that’s all you can think of.
Can you think of one item that you think will make you feel that pang of longing for this era in your life in 10 or 20 years?
My roommate is getting married soon, so it’ll probably either be the bracelet that she gave all the bridesmaids or my bridesmaid’s dress. I’ve been living with her for almost two years, so I want to remember the friendship that I’ve had with her. I’m sure those will definitely be some of them.
Do you have something right now in your life that you go to when you’re looking to indulge in your nostalgic side? Something that makes you feel that way about a time past?
Every time I go over to my parents’ house I feel like we’re watching old home movies. It’s so calming and even if we’ve seen the same video 20 times it’s just so great to look back and think about growing up and having those connections and those times with my parents that you don’t necessarily get as much as a grown up because you have to deal with taxes and all that other stuff. That would definitely be it. Old home videos and photos and everything like that.
With this theme of nostalgia, as much as it’s about looking back and the past I think it’s also kind of like making progress and looking to the future. What does that look like for you?
A lot of chaos. Not in a bad way, but just because as an actor, everything is decided last minute. You can’t really make plans. You’re just kind of hanging onto your seat, going on for the ride.
A lot of it will be a little unknown, but the main thing I want to see in my future is happiness and being surrounded by people that I care about. That’s my main goal, honestly. And I think that is for about everyone. Just, no matter how surrounded by chaos I am, just finding tiny little moments of happiness with people I care about.
Photographer:
Leo Deveney
@leodeveney
www.leodeveney.com
Stylist:
Anna Schilling
@anna_schilling
www.therexagency.com/artists/anna-schilling
Makeup Artist:
Heather Rae Cheszek
@hrae_hrae
www.heather-rae.com
Hair Stylist:
Darine Sengseevong
@machinedarine
www.hairbydarine.com