Meet Kathleen Liautaud | Actor, fashion illustrator, (director and producer)

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kathleen Liautaud and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kathleen, what do you want your legacy to be?
I’ve had many days where my good memories kept me alive. All of us here, on this earth, will become a memory and I want to leave one that inspires others for years to come. As an actor and fashion illustrator, I like to do work that leaves an impact; something that keeps you in the moment. After that moment, I pray the viewer finds meaning in my work and sets out to create their own. For me, legacy should pave the way for honor and providing a sense of purpose for our existence. Whatever I set out to create, I want it to be honored for years after my existence and help others find their purpose.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I was never afraid to try anything new. I took up lessons in ballet, shotokan, flying trapeze, and skating. Some of these skills, I did as a child and revisited them as an adult and some were totally new to me. Trying to hone different skills gave me the discipline I needed to overcome any challenge. It also made me a stronger actor. I’ve never been a party person during my college days. My Saturdays were spent sketching in the peace of my campus’ library, followed by four hours of acting class, and then ending my night in ballet class. That was my idea of a fun night. I remember my junior high school teachers telling my mom “Your daughter is always drawing little shoes and dresses on her papers.” They saved my essays with my drawings on the header for proof of my crimes. I knew it was going to be a lifelong habit. I recall girls crowding around me at recess, pointing to my designs and saying “I want that! Can you make me that?” I also recall them teasing me for my voice so I did the one thing that took my mind off of the teasing. Draw. During this time in junior high, I never wanted to be an actress. My dream was to be a fashion designer. I had a portfolio filled with sketches that were organized with fashions for infants up to plus sized women. I wanted to have designs that all females could enjoy. Baby Phat was my go-to style and Kimora Lee Simmons was my childhood idol of what it meant to be a woman in power and leadership. I watched Donna Karen’s fashion show photos in Vogue and wanted to dress like Betsey Johnson, daily. My mother tried to put me in child modeling through one of her work friends who recommended me. I was getting ready to go to my first photo shoot when my school friends called me via three way, saying I shouldn’t go to the shoot. I told them me and my mom are leaving soon and they said “What if they don’t like you? What if they don’t like your hair? You don’t have a perm?” I knew what they were trying to do but it didn’t discourage me. My mother was there for me during this time. The next day at school I was greeted with nicknames like “fat wanna be Tyra” and “Doo doo braids.” I had a pair of baby phat sneakers stolen from my locker. I didn’t get liberation from this until I got to high school.

When I got to high school, I was still designing clothes and learning to sew for the schools fashion show. At this time my voice was getting some attention. From laughs, insults, and compliments, the sound of my voice was getting me noticed and I wanted it to stop. I was usually quiet. I was approached by a teacher to join the drama club because of my voice and overcame my fear of performing on stage. Whenever I watched TV, I would look at what the character was wearing and design something based off of what they were wearing. When I sketched an outfit I would ask myself “where is she going? What’s her favorite store? Is she class President?”

After High School I attended BMCC (borough of Manhattan community college) for theater, where I found out my favorite actress, Queen Latifah attended. I would receive positive feedback for my work on stage from professors and peers. During my studies, I found an opportunity to design for the fashion shows on campus. I garnered some recognition from the shows and was asked to do more. On one occasion, a Member from the student government had cut my 20 minute segment in a Caribbean festival/ fashion show by taking my name out of the program. My models were all dressed up backstage. Luckily one of the coordinators allowed us to come out on stage for 5 minutes. It ended up being a really quick display of my work. I later found out that this was done with malicious intent because the student government member held animosity towards me for not allowing her to walk in my portion of the show because I didn’t have anything for her to wear. This taught me that the show must always go on. I had two choices that night. Give up and run or get up and rise. Even for five minutes, I was still able to get my work seen.

Once I finished my associates I went to CUNY York College for my Bachelors in Journalism. During the pandemic of 2020 when we were coming out of lockdown, I booked a national TV commercial for the chocolate bar Crunch. The feature film that I acted in and served as an assistant director and co-executive producer, VEX, had won two awards at the Urban Action Showcase International Film Festival and The Queens Underground International Film Festival. VEX also streamed on Amazon Prime and Altavod. I have been hosting the Queens Underground Film Festival since 2021.

I am currently in the process of building a business to share my artwork and designs for everyone to enjoy.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My first place would be Laduree in Soho, Manhattan. I love the French style atmosphere. As a Haitian American, my family has alerts spoken Creole with me. My mother and grandmother would sometimes slow me the difference in pronunciations for words in creole and French because some of them sound similar. When friends want to know about my culture they often ask how would they say something in French. Many times I have to check them say “I say in creole but here is how you say it in French.” I also show them the difference in spelling the words.

My next stop would be Tribeca in downtown Manhattan. My old campus, BMCC, was in this area so I’ve had plenty of time to wander. Interlude Coffee Shop on Hudson street has my favorite matcha blend and cappuccino. It’s also right across the street from Spring Studios that hosts fashion week. After the coffee shop, it’s a short walk to the pier where we can sit or take a walk along the Hudson River. It’s a different vibe than being in Times Square, where it’s always busy and covered in tourist traps. I’m a New Yorker and I hate being around large crowds of people.

Our last stop would be Chelsea Market in Chelsea Manhattan. It’s an indoor space with artisan shops and a plethora of some really good food options. It’s all in place and has art installations that change over time. If my guest is ready for a bonus stop, I would go to the Whitney Museum down the street.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’ve been blessed to have many people in my life who have supported me and my dreams. Before the industry was paused by the pandemic, I auditioned for a film called VEX that was being directed by Dwayne Parker. He wanted to know if I had any other interests besides acting. I showed him my portfolio of fashion illustrations and he decided to put my artwork in the film. He believed it was a hidden talent that I needed to put out there. As we discussed the film some more, he brought me on board as an assistant director and co-executive producer. I was honored that he had trusted me with those tasks because for the first time I wasn’t “just an actor.” Not too long after the lockdowns, when the industry shifted towards self-tape auditions, I kept going to my cousin Niki’s house for her to read for me. I felt like I was annoying her. I was setting up my blue screen in her living room when she came in and excitingly said, “Alright I’m ready to act!” After a few takes she would have to return to her meetings as she was working from home but she sacrificed any free time she could find to help me get my tapes done. God has always been my biggest supporter and my faith keeps me going. My parents who aren’t familiar with the entertainment industry at all would always admire my artwork and say that I reminded them of a character they saw on TV. They didn’t really know how to guide me when it came to that but they always looked forward to anything I was working on.

Website: https://www.kathleenliautaud.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k.liautaud?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Youtube: https://youtu.be/fhh33gcbRaI?si=bwY7ziCIl-yzlSbT

Other: Blog https://kayeliautaud.com/2019/04/09/barbie-60-year-anniversary/

Image Credits
David Genik Pierre Richard Louis Adeos Yeboah