Exclusive Interview with “The Kissing Booth 2” Star Bianca Bosch

Bianca Bosch is a fresh face in the entertainment industry. She recently made her feature film debut in Netflix’s global hit franchise, The Kissing Booth. She also stars in both sequels, The Kissing Booth 2 and The Kissing Booth 3, which is slated to debut in 2021.

I got the chance to talk to her about how she got into acting, her audition process for The Kissing Booth, what it was like shooting the second and third Kissing Booth movies simultaneously and so much more. Keep reading to see what she had to say!

Tell me a little bit about how you got into acting originally.

Growing up I was very focused on dancing. I started ballet when I was four and contemporary dance when I was seven, and dancing was my main focus until I got into musical theatre. This was when I realized how much I loved acting, and after school, I decided to focus purely on acting for film. You could say it was a combination of knowing from a young age that I always wanted to perform, landing a role in the musical Evita, and discovering there were many more avenues I could learn about to express myself artistically. 

Was there a specific person or experience that you would credit with helping you decide that acting is what you wanted to do for a living?

I’ve known this was the field I wanted to be in ever since I was a little girl and it was all my decision to pursue it. Although, I owe a huge amount of gratitude to my parents for allowing me to chase after my dreams and for supporting me with every step. This is not the easiest career path to follow. It takes constant dedication and often has little reassurance in return, so I’m beyond grateful to have such a loving and supportive family who have always encouraged me to soar. 

Do you have a personal acting “bucket list” of things you still want to accomplish in your career? If so, what are some of the things on it?

There’s a huge bucket list- and this is only the beginning. The more I come into myself, the more defined the lists gets. My dream right now is to book a series with fellow actors that challenge me further and a role that portrays the deeper side to me. 

Let’s talk about The Kissing Booth. Do you remember what your audition process was like for the first movie?

I do, indeed! It was the first ever audition I’d ever been to. I think it will remain a highlight of my life forever. I had arrived back in South Africa after finishing my studies at the American Academy of Dramatic arts in LA and had decided to get an agent. My agent ended up sending me to the TKB audition for the role of Lee’s girlfriend, “Rachel.” Being the first audition, I was nervous, but so excited for this new experience. It was exhilarating! 3 weeks later, I got an email saying that I had a callback, but this time the director wanted to see me for the role of “Olivia.”  Each time I left, I would leave the audition in the room, and carry on with my life! You cannot hold onto it or it will make you go crazy! Another 3 weeks later, and I was called in for another callback- but this time there were hundreds of girls there that looked just like me! Suddenly, I felt like I could possibly have a chance, but instead of falling into fear, I decided to just enjoy the process and do my best, because this was my first time. Taking that pressure off myself, in hindsight, allowed me to get out of my head, be in the moment and purely perform! They kept calling us into the room- one Olivia, one Mia, one Gwyneth- and then switching each character in and out with different actors. For this call back we were told to prepare for all 3 characters. 

Eventually, after performing in a variation of “OMG” groups, swapping us around to see who looked and worked well next to each other, they called out the names of the people they would like to see again… they called my name second to last! Once again, I left and carried on with my life. A few weeks (which felt like months) later, my agent called to invite me to attend another callback. We all auditioned again, and a month later I got a call from my agent to say “I just want to congratulate you! You booked the role!”

In the movies, you play Olivia. I know a lot of actors bring a bit of themselves to the characters they play, but in what ways do you think you’re similar to Olivia and in what ways do you think you’re different from Olivia?

I think very few people actually know the real me. Others see a strong facade. When people meet me, they assume I’m this dramatic, ditzy blonde. Then they get to know me, and realize how easy-going and laid back I am, and that a sense of humour is the way to my heart. I got to push and live these heightened stereotypical characteristics that people see in me with playing Olivia. Olivia is the fun loving, bubbly blonde- in that respect I’d say we are similar, but there is a lot more to both of us than what meets the eye. Something that makes us different is that Olivia is defined by her popular ‘it’ girls group, whereas I hate conforming to any group, and prefer striving for individuality. We definitely both love being treated like a princess though 😉 

It was recently announced that there will be a third movie AND that it’s already been filmed. First, what was it like shooting both the second and third movies simultaneously? Second, anything you can tease about the third movie?

A tease for the third movie is there will be a lot more dancing! As you know, movies are not shot in chronological order, so filming TKB2 and TKB3 together meant everything all at once. It was very weather and location dependent. The beach scene where the OMGs eye Lee running out of the water was actually the last day on set, and last thing we filmed, which is funny because it’s one of the first scenes 10 minutes into the second movie. Some days we would shoot something for TKB2 in the morning, and by afternoon we were rehearsing scenes for TKB3. It was common to hear in wardrobe fittings, “Wait is this for TKB2 or 3?”. 

All three movies were shot in Cape Town, South Africa. What was it like shooting over there?

It was a dream come true. Not only booking my first job on an American Netflix movie, but then it being shot right at home! I think it was an amazing confidence booster. Coming from a developing country, it was affirmation that I had what it took to be a part of an International film. I also had a huge sense of pride representing South Africa, not only showing off all its beauty, but proving that we are capable of delivering exquisite locations, professional hair and make-up teams, wardrobe stylists, and of course the rest of the cast and crew members who made it all possible. 

I know that a lot of things have come to a halt because of the pandemic, but what other projects are you working on?

I’m still self-taping, but things have slowed down a lot. All I can focus on at the moment is knowing the future is out of my control but being prepared and developing my skills for when the world opens up. I’m taking all this free time to watch all the movies on my list, read all the acting books I still want to get my hands on, and evaluating peoples behavioural interactions. I’ve also started a portable lighting business called Moodmakers, an idea sparked due to the rolling blackouts we experience in South Africa from load shedding. My love for interior design is what made me want to create a stylish solution. You can check us out @moodmakers_capetown. 

Last question — we’re called Talk Nerdy With Us because we all have an inner nerd so what is something that you’re currently nerding out about?

I’m nerding out on energy healing at the moment. I’m in the process of becoming a reiki practitioner, and I’m continuously mesmerized by the effect it has on me and the various areas of my life into which it extends. 

Make sure you follow Bianca on Instagram.

Photo Credit: Jesse Fine