Kingston stars as Kyle Sabich, the son of characters played by Jake Gyllenhaal and Ruth Negga. Booking this role from his first audition, Kingston is quickly making his mark in Hollywood. A Los Angeles native, he appeared in his first film at just 4 years old, alongside Pamela Adlon, Harry Dean Stanton, and Donal Logue. The rising star continues to gain momentum, with upcoming appearances in Peacock’s “Based on a True Story” alongside Kaley Cuoco and Chris Messina.
We talked with Kingston about his reaction to landing the role, advice from Gyllenhaal and Negga, and how growing up in Los Angeles has fuelled his passion for acting and performing.
Read the interview…
Congratulations on landing your first role! What was your reaction when you found out you got the part of Kyle Sabich?
It totally came out of the blue. My parents came to pick me up from school and they let me know that I had to be at the table read in two hours. I didn’t know what to do at first. My parents quickly briefed me on the show, who the cast was who the writer was. I went home, freaked out a bit, and then got myself ready to meet the cast and crew. It was an absolute life changing moment for me.
What was it like working alongside experienced actors like Jake Gyllenhaal and Ruth Negga? Did they offer you any advice or mentorship? If so, what did they say?
Working alongside both Jake and Ruth was a complete masterclass on every level. Being able to work with them each day was a gift, I took it all in. They were extraordinary mentors, with insightful advice. One thing I remember hearing was “outwork what you did the day before; constant growth is the only way to make a hard job look easy.”
Growing up in Los Angeles, you’ve been exposed to the entertainment industry from a young age. How has your upbringing influenced your passion for acting and performing?
There has always been a lot of art happening at my home. Painting, music, theatre, film; my parents and grandparents gave me a lot of access to art and inspiration. I was always in the room with people who loved to create. It didn’t matter what it was… art, music, acting… as long as there was a collective love and passion for creating something special. Acting is my passion, and it was inspired by my upbringing.
You appeared in your first film at the age of four alongside Pamela Adlon, Harry Dean Stanton, and Donal Logue. What sparked your interest in acting at such a young age, and how has your journey evolved since then?
I get to have fun. That’s the basis of why I still do it today. I never think of my acting as work but more as an opportunity to express something in my humanity. Growing up loving to create something with other people was, and still is, a huge reason why I do it today, and will continue.
