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Rising Star Audrey Huynh Of XO, Kitty On The Five Things You Need To Shine In TV & Film

First, ambition. You absolutely need to be driven and passionate about what you do.

Second, passion itself. You really have to love what you’re doing, because it’s a tough industry and that love is what keeps you going.

Third, have fun. Don’t take any of it for granted. It’s so easy to get lost in everything, but at the end of the day, this is supposed to be fun. Remember why you started and enjoy the ride.

Fourth, perseverance. Keep going, no matter what. Never give up. That’s the biggest piece of advice I give to anyone who wants to be in this industry.

And fifth, surround yourself with people who keep you grounded. People who keep you stable and sane. For me, that’s my mom, my sister, and my family. I’m so grateful to have people like that in my life who help me stay balanced and remind me what really matters.

I had the pleasure of talking with Audrey Huynh. Audrey is an emerging talent in the entertainment industry, carving a name for herself as an actress, singer, songwriter, and musician. With a growing list of accomplishments, she is quickly gaining recognition for her versatility and passion in both acting and music.

In 2025, Huynh is set to captivate audiences as a new addition to Netflix’s acclaimed series XO, Kitty, a spin-off of the popular To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before film trilogy. The show, which follows the journey of Kitty Song Covey as she navigates life and relationships at a boarding school in Korea, introduces Huynh as Stella, a character who brings unexpected twists to the narrative. The eagerly anticipated season, premiering on January 16, 2025, marks Huynh’s first appearance in the series and underscores her ability to bring depth and complexity to her roles.

Huynh’s acting career began at a young age when she appeared in a commercial for the Apple iPhone 4S at just six years old. The experience of filming in Hawaii, alongside her family, ignited a passion for performance that has only grown stronger over the years. Her first theatrical role came at nine, when she shared the screen with J.K. Simmons, Blythe Danner, and Nikki Reed in the feature film Murder of a Cat. Since then, she has steadily built her resume with roles in projects such as Wyrm and AZNBBGRL and voice work in animated series like We Bare Bears and Boss Baby: Back in Business.

In addition to her acting career, Huynh is an accomplished musician and singer-songwriter. She has released three singles — “Apartment Complex,” “Jinx,” and “Up for Debate” — and is preparing to unveil her debut EP in February 2025. The five-song project showcases her talent as a multi-instrumentalist, with contributions on piano and guitar, as well as training in violin, cello, bass, and ukulele. Performing regularly at Los Angeles venues like The Hotel Café, Huynh is committed to honing her craft and connecting with audiences through her music.

A native of Orange County, California, Huynh comes from a multicultural background, identifying as Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, and European. Her early exposure to the performing arts fostered a love for storytelling that continues to shape her creative pursuits. She is currently a student at Chapman University’s College of Performing Arts, where she is majoring in Vocal Performance and considering a minor in either Music Technology or Entertainment Business.

Huynh’s commitment to her craft extends beyond her own ambitions. She has found inspiration in mentors like Dinh Thai, a director she worked with early in her career, and is an advocate for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) representation in media. She credits her involvement with organizations like CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) for deepening her appreciation of the power of representation and collaboration.

Off-screen and off-stage, Huynh values staying grounded through creative and self-care routines. Baking, playing the piano, and unplugging from social media are some of her favorite ways to recharge. Her passion for creativity also informs her songwriting process, which she describes as an outlet for processing emotions and turning them into tangible expressions.

As her career continues to gain momentum, Huynh remains focused on the values that have shaped her journey: perseverance, passion, and the importance of surrounding herself with supportive people. Whether acting, singing, or composing, she sees each medium as a way to explore and express facets of the human experience. Through her work, she hopes to inspire others to embrace their individuality and pursue their dreams.

With XO, Kitty set to premiere and her music career on the rise, Audrey Huynh is poised for an exciting year ahead. Fans can follow her work on Netflix, streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, and social media, where she shares updates on her projects and creative process.

Yitzi: Audrey, it’s a delight to meet you. Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you tell us a story of your childhood and how you grew up?

Audrey: Yeah, I always grew up wanting to be in the industry and wanting to be a performer in some capacity. It’s always been a part of my life. I grew up loving acting and the entertainment industry, and singing and music were always a big part of my childhood as well. Over time, it just evolved into what it is now. It’s my entire life, and I love it. I’m very grateful that this is where I’ve ended up.

Yitzi: Can you tell us about the next chapter? How did it all start? What were your first breaks, your first gigs, and how did they blossom from there?

Audrey: Yeah, my very first job was a commercial for the Apple iPhone 4S. It was years ago when I was six years old. They flew me out to Hawaii, and it was such an incredible experience. I got to go with my parents and my whole family. After that, I booked my first TV show pilot in high school and I worked on that with a lot of amazing AAPI creators. And now, here I am with XO, Kitty.

Yitzi: So you probably have some incredible stories from all the different projects you’ve worked on. Can you share with the readers maybe two stories that stand out in your mind about your professional journey?

Audrey: Oh, yeah. A lot of them are from XO, Kitty because of how much time we all spent together. There was just never a dull moment on set. I feel like there are so many little stories I could share.

One of my favorites, though, was actually off set. We went to this rail park in Korea, which was such a wild experience. I’d never been to a rail park or anything like it before. We even got to go zip lining onto an island, which was insane. It was such an amazing bonding day.

Yitzi: Any other stories that stand out in your mind?

Audrey: There are so many — it’s hard to pick just one. But the first day I met the XO, Kitty cast really stands out. We all went down to the basement of our hotel and got pancakes together. It was so funny and casual, but such a great way to connect. After that, we went on a walk around the hotel, just talking and hanging out. I just remember feeling so comfortable right away. It was so easy to talk to them and get along because they’re all such wonderful people.

Yitzi: It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story about a humorous mistake you made when you first started acting and the lesson you learned from it? Nothing embarrassing or anything, just something light.

Audrey: Oh, I’ve definitely made a few mistakes. I remember when I was filming a movie — I think I was really, really young at the time — I had just one line. And during filming, I completely forgot that one line. I was so devastated because I felt like I’d ruined the whole take.

But honestly, it taught me a couple of important lessons. First, to always be more prepared. But it also, helped me realize that making a mistake is okay — it’s not the end of the world. That was definitely a funny experience and a good learning moment.

Yitzi: That’s great. We love hearing stories where someone a little further along in their career creates an opportunity or opens a door that changes someone else’s trajectory. Do you have a story where someone did that for you, or where you did that for someone else?

Audrey: There have been so many people I’ve had the privilege of working with who have become such important figures in my life. One that really stands out is the director of the TV pilot I did in high school. His name is Dinh Thai. He’s one of my favorite people in the entire universe — I just adore him so much.

We only worked together on that one project, but we’ve stayed connected through CAPE, which is an Asian American organization I work very closely with. He’s just amazing, and over the years, he’s floated in and out of my career as it’s grown. I’m so grateful for him and for the opportunity to have worked with him.

Yitzi: You have so much exciting work happening. Please tell us about what you’re working on now and in the future. Share all you can about XO, Kitty and anything else you have going on!

Audrey: Right now it’s really all about XO, Kitty, and I’m so excited for the world to finally watch it. It’s been in the works for a while, and it’s going to be such a good season. I’m really, really excited.

I also have an EP coming out very soon and this EP has been such a passion project for me. It’s my little baby — I worked on it for most of last year, and I’m so excited to finally share it with the world.

As for the future, I’m really looking forward to seeing where the wind takes me. I’m so excited for everything that’s coming out, and I just feel so grateful for all of it!

Yitzi: So tell us why we have to watch XO, Kitty. What makes it stand out, and why do you think we absolutely need to tune in?

Audrey: I personally love this show because the cast is so talented, and they’re just such amazing people. Being part of a show like XO, Kitty, which is tied to such a huge franchise with a massive fan base, and having a predominantly Asian cast, is incredibly special to me as an Asian American performer.

Representation is so important, and being part of this movement of AAPI representation in media means so much to me.

This season specifically is really exciting because myself, along with two other amazing performers — Josh Lee and Sasha Bhasin — join the cast. We are all so excited for everyone to meet our characters. They’re really fun, and this season is just incredible and it’s so well-written.

Yitzi: Amazing. How would you compare and contrast yourself, Audrey, with Stella, the character you play in the series? How are you two similar, and how are you different?

Audrey: We definitely have some similarities, I think, but she’s very different from me in a lot of ways as well. I’d say we both share the same kind of ambition and drive. Stella is very passionate about what she wants and where she wants to be, which is pretty similar to how I am in real life.

But other than that, we’re night and day different. I definitely can’t say too much without spoiling her entire character, but she’s so much fun and very unexpected. I’m really excited for people to meet her and see how they respond when they watch the show!

Yitzi: Okay, amazing. What would you say are the lessons that society can take from the themes and motifs of XO, Kitty?

Audrey: XO, Kitty is a show all about finding yourself — it’s a lot of self-discovery. We’re all playing very young characters who are going through these formative parts of our lives and the show takes you on that journey of figuring out who you are and what’s truly important to you, all while navigating life as a teenager. It’s something a lot of people can relate to, whether they’re young themselves or just reflecting back on that time in their lives.

Yitzi: Okay, this is our main question — our signature question. You’ve achieved a lot of success now. Looking back to when you first started, can you share five things you need to shine in the entertainment industry?

Audrey: Oh, for sure. First, ambition. You absolutely need to be driven and passionate about what you do.

Second, passion itself. You really have to love what you’re doing, because it’s a tough industry and that love is what keeps you going.

Third, have fun. Don’t take any of it for granted. It’s so easy to get lost in everything, but at the end of the day, this is supposed to be fun. Remember why you started and enjoy the ride.

Fourth, perseverance. Keep going, no matter what. Never give up. That’s the biggest piece of advice I give to anyone who wants to be in this industry.

And fifth, surround yourself with people who keep you grounded. People who keep you stable and sane. For me, that’s my mom, my sister, and my family. I’m so grateful to have people like that in my life who help me stay balanced and remind me what really matters.

Yitzi: Beautiful answer, beautiful. Can you share with the readers any self-care routines you use to help your body, mind, and heart thrive?

Audrey: I personally love baking. I think baking is such a fun and therapeutic way to de-stress. I also love playing the piano — I’m a musician at heart. Anytime I feel overwhelmed or have strong emotions, I turn to music, and it really helps me clear my head.

Another big thing for me is detoxing from my phone. Social media is such a huge part of our lives, and whenever I get the chance to step back from it, I always take it.

Yitzi: Amazing. So you mentioned you’re a music artist as well as an actor. Each of those is a very specific and unique discipline, but I’m sure they inform and complement each other. How does your experience and skill as a musician help your acting, and in what way does your acting inform your music?

Audrey: I’m a songwriter too, so I write a lot about feelings and emotions. As an actor, I get to build personas and imagine different versions of scenarios, and I definitely tap into that when I hit a writer’s block in music. Acting helps me access those emotions and perspectives in a creative way. They stimulate my brain, and I think they balance each other out. I’m really grateful that I get to do both because they’re both such huge passions of mine, and they keep me inspired.

Yitzi: That’s amazing. I’m an amateur songwriter myself. I always try, but I’m not very good at it. What do you do to write music, to create an original song out of nowhere? How do you inspire creativity?

Audrey: It’s kind of a weird process. It just hits me at random times — like when I’m driving, taking a shower, or going on a run. For me, writing lyrics and poems has always been a way to process what I’m feeling and what I’m going through at any given time. Being able to take it out of my brain and turn it into something tangible and physical is something I love doing, and that’s where a lot of my songs are born.

Yitzi: Amazing. Okay, here’s our final aspirational question. Audrey, because of the great work you’re doing and the platform you’ve built, you’re a person of enormous influence. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, what would that be?

Audrey: Ooh, that’s a hard one. There are so many things that come to mind, but from a personal standpoint, I feel like representing people in a way that’s free from hate in our society would bring so many people clarity and joy.

Yitzi: So, how can the readers continue to follow your work? How can they watch the show? How can they support you in any way?

Audrey: Well, you can watch the show on Netflix starting January 16th. My socials are just my name on Instagram, TikTok — pretty much everything.

Yitzi: How can our readers purchase your music?

Audrey: On any streaming platform — Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, all of them.

Yitzi: Amazing. Well, Audrey, it’s been so nice to meet you. It’s been very inspiring, frankly, and I wish you continued success. I hope we can do this again next year.

Audrey: Thank you so much for having me. This was a lot of fun.