TAYLOR ZAKHAR PEREZ
in Netflix Film
“The Kissing Booth 2”
Interview by Juan Marco Torres.
Originally from Chi-town, Taylor’s burgeoning acting career took off with Netflix’s latest hit “Kissing Booth 2”. The actor plays Marco Valentin Peña, the new heartthrob in town with suave dancing moves and irresistible guitar skills. ContentMen had the chance to talk to Zakhar Perez about his newfound stardom, his most recent passion projects, and how he sees his career unfolding in the future.
JMT: First of all, I must acknowledge we’re living through some crazy times to say the least. How has it been for you seating on the edge of history? How have you been dealing with everything going on in the world at the moment?
TZP: We are living through some crazy times, but I think one good thing coming out of this is the reinvesting in one’s community. I have rekindled so many neighborhood connections… sidewalk chats have become a reality again and it’s been healing and grounding. Also, I find that having my “quarantine crew” has helped me stay active, accountable, and creative.
JMT: You have recently partnered up with mask brand Variant to assist children and adults with disabilities in Chicago. Can you share a bit about how this project came along?
TZP: YES! I knew that Joey and Joel did a fundraiser post-launch for KB1, and we thought given the climate it would be interesting to pivot from t-shirts made abroad and focus on an all-American product designed, sourced, and 3D knitted right here in Los Angeles. We all designed our own masks with the help of Variant’s engineers and chose which organization the proceeds would go to. In my opinion they’re super dynamic since they help orgs, cut 98% of traditional fashion waste, use yarn from recycled water bottles, and follow CDC guidelines for mask specs. Oh, they’re also incredibly unique and you won’t find another mask like it.
JMT: You attended UCLA for Hispanic Studies and were a nationally ranked swimmer. At what point did you know acting was the path you wanted to pursue?
TZP: That was ONE of my majors, yes. Spanish, Culture, and Community. I was lucky to sculpt the major with the staff by merging Hispanic history, language, and community outreach all into one, which allowed me to have another major and minor in Film, and History. I always knew I wanted to be an actor, but didn’t want an undergrad in acting… I took classes at night in Los Angeles, did summer workshops in New York, went to as many performances as possible, etc. Acting school was limiting when it came to real-world experiences and learning the business side of things, so I just did me. Worked multiple jobs, skipped class, auditioned, and I’m grateful for my unorthodox approach. It’s not a one size fits all kind of thing and it’s important up-and-coming actors know that.
JMT: What is your family’s heritage?
TZP: I have quite the worldly makeup, which is really cool. My mother’s background is Mexican but my upbringing was very diverse. We mixed all the Southside Chicago neighborhoods under our roof for my entire life and it helped me go out into the world with an open mind when it came to food and culture.
JMT: Your role as Marco Valentin Peña is not the usual Latinx role we are accustomed to see in shows nowadays. How does it feel representing the Latinx community in a new light?
TZP:I am really glad you say that, thank you. Vince Marcello did a great job at creating the dynamic character that is Marco: he sings, dances, plays guitar, and he is the guy you wish your daughter would bring home for family dinner. It transcends the stereotypical Latinx archetype that we’ve seen for the past fifty years and makes him a care-free guy with real emotions and dreams. I think it is a defining moment in filmic history for the romantic comedy genre.
JMT: I read you did not know originally that you were auditioning for Kissing Booth 2. Did you expect it to have the massive acclaim it has received around the world?
TZP: That is true. I honestly should have done more research in the moment, but they were “dummy sides”. My co-star Maisie Richardson-Sellars always give me crap about that. Prior to audition three, I didn’t even know about the first film, so the magnitude of this role didn’t start to creep into my vicinity until I heard about the test audiences and their response to the film. The film has such a presence, and it resonates with folks everywhere, it’s seriously the coolest thing. I hope that young Black and Latinx kids everywhere now have a role model and a film character to look up to… and I will try to uphold that responsibility as well.
JMT: Marco Valentin Peña, or MVP, shows some serious moves throughout the film. How did you prepare for that role?
TZP: These moves weren’t necessarily something that came naturally to me… I never jumped on one of those DDR machines, they were always so intimidating and the kids on them were ALWAYS sweating their faces off. I grew up in the theatre, so dance was a large part of the shows we put on. Paul Becker and Tori Caro were great teachers in the choreography process and when we got to South Africa we had Liam, Oleksi, Ruby, and Natalie who didn’t let us miss a beat. It was a group effort and incredibly technical. We rehearsed about 4-6 hours a day at times. I am always ready to rise to the occasion and this was one of those moments.
JMT: When you are not working on acting projects, what are you doing?
TZP: I am hella adventurous and surround myself with equally outgoing people, so I am into surfing, paddle boarding, riding motorcycles, camping, more extreme hiking, reading books by famous CEOs, tapping into my musical side, working on writing projects, and just researching where I want to travel to next. But also reading scripts and deciding what is the next project to take on.
JMT: Growing up in Chicago and coming from a Latin background, what have you learned about your extensive travels across Latin America?
TZP: Spanish speaking countries are my favorite places to visit.It’s probably because I have an extensive history of the language and cultures, but there’s also such a warmth about the people. They are hardworking, giving, and family oriented. I’ve been invited in by strangers for home-cooked meals and left feeling like family and also slightly changed by the experience. A lot of these countries are still developing nations and many families don’t have much to give but they do anyway. It’s so impactful and has made me shift my perception on life many times. I’d like to do Patagonia next and explore Chile, there’s rich history there.
JMT: What can we expect from you next? What kind of roles do you see yourself playing in the future?
TZP: I have always gravitated toward blockbuster type films, whether it be the XMEN franchise or Transformers, but also live for an action comedy. I am leaning towards an international action film with tons of comedy in it. That kind of project just lights me up. I am super athletic and into a bit of danger, so I want to marry my acting with the high-octane elements of action projects. I want to be the next Jason Bourne or James Bond.
JMT: Favorite spot for snowboarding/surfing?
TZP: Nicaragua for surfing and Verbier for snowboarding…but I am open to suggestions 😉
