Of the many strings to Kimberly Wyatt’s bow, you may know her best as one-fifth of the Pussycat Dolls, but she gets up to all sorts. Right now, she’s got a new movie, Override, to promote, and wanted Carl Marsh to know exactly how brassic it was on set. That, like Kimberly Wyatt herself, is showbiz.
When I spoke to Amar Adatia, producer of your latest film Override, he asked me to check how cold you found the movie set for your parts!
[Laughs] It was unbelievably cold, like shivering no end. I had to squeeze my body together to try and get warm enough not to be teeth-chattering as I was delivering lines. I had to be careful as it was so cold you could see your breath – which couldn’t be in the film. We had to be quite clever with how we filmed it without getting the breath.
Was that in London? As I believe the external locations were all shot in the US
It was. They built a set that was the White House. They did an excellent job, I think. And at the time, I had no idea, but I was pregnant!
What was it like working with ex-Superman himself, Dean Cain, who plays the Vice President?
He was such a pleasure. As you know, he’s got so much experience as an actor; he holds such a presence in the room. So getting to act across him and have a few, you know, juicy scenes with him was just fantastic.
It’s good that this film is out now – it was filmed in 2019, since which we’ve had COVID-19 stop a lot of things. Your tour with The Pussycat Dolls has been delayed again until 2022.
Yeah, well, it’s like you lay your heart on it as well as the fans all over the world. You lay your heart on something to happen, and then when it doesn’t, it gets tough. I think things have been pushed so many times. I’m developing quite a tough exterior. You’ve got to have a bit of a body of armour, and when things get tough, the tough get going! you do have to pick yourself up and just keep at it and hope that things get better.
I’ve really been fortunate to continue working as an actress, still teaching dance classes, and still doing many things. But yeah, it’s been tough. I’ll be glad when we’re on the other end of it, as it’s just tough being an entertainer at this time. I guess it’s tough for everybody. But ultimately, touring is a big one that’s taken a few punches.
But at least with the acting, you’ve got a few that are out, or due out?
I’ve got Almost Never season three. I play a cold-hearted music manager – that’s coming out on CBBC right now, and just launched to the Disney Channel in the States as well. Unfortunately, my Dead Lies stage tour has been pushed back – I was excited about that – but I’ve got some more projects in the pipeline, nothing of which I can announce quite yet. But some more stuff coming!
You mentioned teaching dance classes – that must be a big reward for you when you see the dancers coming through, being able to relate to it having been there yourself?
It’s purpose, isn’t it? You know, I will never give up on dance because dance has always been there for me. And it always will. And to be able to use my experiences – good and bad – to give back to the next generation and to arm them for the experiences they may have is… I love it. I feel good doing it. And I feel great getting to meet new people and new dancers.
I work with a lot of kids at dance studios, but working with adults who possibly gave up on dance a long time ago and are finally giving themselves another chance to dance is just brilliant. It’s really rewarding. So if I’m not acting or touring or whatever, then I teach as much as I can.
Override is out now via digital platforms. The Pussycat Dolls tour will include the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff in 2022, with rescheduled dates currently TBC. Info: here
words CARL MARSH