Australian actress Aisha Dee discusses playing “Kat Edison” in the hit Freeform series The Bold Type in our Summer 2018 issue. A short excerpt of our interview below!

Tell us about your childhood. How did growing up in Australia affect who you are today?
Growing up in 90s Australia was really special, it’s definitely a big part of who I am. My accent kinda comes in and out now, but I hope I never lose that self deprecating humor and openness.

How did you first get into acting?
I started acting on a kids show back in Australia called the saddle club. It was a perfect introduction to the industry. Horse riding, sing alongs, group hugs, great stuff. I feel so lucky that my first experience acting was on a set, I was fourteen and it was a great place to learn. Kind of like a long summer camp, except it’s all documented and the YouTube videos come back to haunt me time and time again.

Your character Kat manages social media for Scarlet. What tips and tricks have you learned about social media?
The best advice I’ve gotten from social media directors is to think before you post, and never feed the trolls.

What is your favorite social media platform?
Instagram. I’ve always loved photography, and it’s a little slower than other platforms, so it’s the one that resonates most for me.

Since joining The Bold Type, how has your life and career changed?
This show has given me some really beautiful new friends, that’s the biggest take away. Also, I’ve racked up a lot of air miles and have never been more appreciative of a full nights sleep.

Do you have any memorable behind the scenes moments from season two?
The best days are the ones where after a long day of shooting, Katie lets me DJ while she makes us dinner. She’s quite the chef. Her butternut squash soup recipe is bomb!

What would be your dream role to play?
I am pretty much obsessed with Josephine Baker. I’ve read so many books and watched every documentary I can get my hands on. If you don’t know who she is, google her, you’re welcome. HBO made a biopic in the 90s with Lynn Whitfield that was amazing! But I think it’s time for another one 😉

Describe your typical day. What’s it like?
My days are always different, I never stay in one place for very long so there are only a few constants. Every morning I queue up some music and dance around the kitchen while the coffee brews, shower, play a little ukulele, and go from there. My life motto is that each day is a gift, every breath is a blessing. Sometimes it’s hard to realize in the moment, but it’s a good reminder.

There’s nothing I love more than being on set, so work never really feels like “work.”

How do you maintain a balance between taking time for yourself and focusing on your work?
There’s nothing I love more than being on set, so work never really feels like “work.” But there are times when I need to take time to just be a regular human, in those moments I try to travel as much as I can. Meet new people, have a new experience. The balance is still something I’m working on.

What accomplishment are you most proud of, personally or career-wise?
I moved away from my family, to a different continent and hemisphere when I was pretty young. At the time I didn’t realize how big a leap of faith that was, but when I look back, I can see it was a pretty badass move for a teenager.

With your current knowledge of the entertainment industry, what would you tell your younger self?
Meditate, try new things, eat what you want, love more, dance more, forgive yourself. This is also advice I give my present-self, ha!

Outside of acting, what are some of your hobbies?
I love listening to and making music, both my parents are musicians so I guess I didn’t have much of a choice. I always remember specific phases of my life based on the album I was obsessed with at the time.

Do you have any other projects you would like to share or anything else you’d like to add?
People have been tweeting me that “where is the album” meme a lot lately. Don’t fret boo boos, it’s coming soon.



Read more in Volume III, Issue No. 003 – Summer 2018.