Kiana Kaye in ‘Ride or Die.’ Photo Credit: Joshua Shultz.
Kiana Kaye spoke about starring in the new short film “Ride or Die,” which was written and directed by Joshua Shultz, and being a part of the digital age.
Synopsis of the short
“Ride or Die” is a movie about “two lost souls searching for connection, who find themselves thrust into a whirlwind of chaos.”
Through a series of dangerous and unpredictable events, their bond is tested, while their character is revealed.
Aside from Kaye and Shultz, the cast features Emma Kotos, Timothy V. Murphy, Reyneen Pedro, Amber Black, Mike Gonzales, Liz Cotter, Lauren Kayati, and Joe Kayati.
Working with filmmaker Joshua Shultz in ‘Ride or Die’
On working with filmmaker Joshua Shultz in “Ride or Die,” Kaye stated, “The creative process was an amazing experience.”
“Being part of the film both on-screen and behind the scenes, assisting with art direction and production, made it even more special,” she noted.
“Josh is incredibly talented and easy to work with, and I feel we collaborate seamlessly to bring a strong vision to life,” she added.
Kaye opens up about her ‘Ride or Die’ character
On portraying her character in the short, she revealed, “My character is the complete opposite of who I am, which made stepping outside my comfort zone and exploring darker emotions a deeply impactful experience.”
“Tapping into that side of myself brought out a whole new layer of emotion. Plus, working alongside Timothy V. Murphy, whose presence was incredibly compelling, only elevated my performance even more,” she added.
Lessons learned from this short film
On the lessons learned from this short film, she revealed, “Production has always been a passion of mine. I’ve always been drawn to creativity and storytelling and this experience gave me a new perspective.”
“Being behind the scenes on a set I love, rather than just focusing on performing in front of the camera, deepened my appreciation for the entire process,” she added.
Daily motivations
Each day, Kaye is motivated by “community.” “Having known the work and team work it takes to make any production and project to come to life. It truly turns into a family and a community driven development. I just love being a part of something that feels bigger than myself,” she explained.
The digital age
On being a part of the digital age, Kaye said, “It’s incredibly empowering, and I absolutely love it. I’ve been passionate about technology since I was as young as five, and that passion has only grown with the rise of streaming, social media, and AI.”
“I’m so invested in this space that I’m hosting and producing an AI experience and workshop at the end of May called We Actout with AI. It’s designed for anyone who wants to stay connected with the rapid evolution of technology and community,” she elaborated.
Advice for hopefuls in entertainment
For young and emerging actors and models, she said, “Stay passionate and stay true to yourself. Whenever I go through moments of doubt, I think back to myself as a child—what would Kiana say or do that feels the most authentic? Your inner child holds the key to your passions, so always stay connected to that part of yourself.”
Future plans
On her future plans, she said, “Building communities and creating spaces for storytelling—both my own and others. Whether through film, events, or new platforms, my goal is to give people a voice and a place to share their stories in meaningful ways.”
Success
Regarding her definition of the word success, Kaye said, “Success, to me, is not measured by wealth, accolades, or personal gain; it’s defined by the impact I have on others and the movement I create.”
“It’s about dedicating myself to my community, inspiring people to rise, and fostering a collective force that drives meaningful change. Success is seeing others empowered because of the energy, passion, and resources I’ve poured into them,” she elaborated.
“It’s about igniting a ripple effect where one act of leadership sparks another, creating a cycle of transformation that outlives me,” she noted.
“When my presence fuels purpose in others, when people feel seen, heard, and emboldened to step into their own power. Now, that is success,” she acknowledged.
Closing thoughts about ‘Ride or Die’
For viewers and fans, she remarked about “Ride or Die,” “The message I want ‘Ride or Die’ to convey is that life is all about connections.”
“Sometimes, we cross paths with people in the most unexpected circumstances, yet deep down, we’re all searching for the same thing, meaningful connections that make the journey worthwhile,” Kaye concluded.
To learn more about Kiana Kaye, follow her on Instagram, and check out her official website.