MKTO Bring Their Dreams To Life

Chicago – Perhaps it was fate that brought Tony Oller and Malcom Kelley together because although their Nickelodeon show was short lived, MKTO was born. In 2010 the two actors met on the set of Giganticand instantly connected over a mutual love of music. Inspired from a variety of genres, from hip-hop and Motown to pop and classic rock, the best friends formed MKTO. (Yes, those are their initials, but hold on, Tony and Malcom are way too clever to stop there; the acronym also stands for “Misfit Kids & Total Outcasts,” which we’ll discuss later.) The LA transplants dreamt big and after posting a few YouTube videos, Tony and Malcom teamed up with producers Emanuel “Eman” Kiriakou and Evan “Kidd” Bogart (Beyoncé & Rihanna), inked a deal with Columbia Records, and in January of 2014, released their self-titled debut, featuring “Could Be Me” – a collaboration with Ne-Yo – and the chart-topping single “Classic.”

I recently had a little Q&A session with Malcom Kelley, whom you may also recognize as “Lil’ Saint” fromYou Got Served or Walt from Lost. We talked music and acting, following your passions despite the haters, and the American Dream Tour. He also gushed about his undying love for his number one fan: his mom.

Sarah Hess: You and Tony met on the set of the Nickelodeon show Gigantic. Did you guys click right away?

Malcom Kelley: Yeah, we did. We played best friends on the show, and you know, we were best friends! When the show ended, we’d still hang out, having a good time listening to music, making music. One of the songs we really bonded over B.o.B’s [and Hayley Williams] “Airplanes.”

Sarah Hess: Let’s talk “Misfit Kids & Total Outcasts.” Did you see yourself that way growing up?

Malcom Kelley: I started acting at a young age. I found my passion with entertainment, but you’re in and out of school for work. Whether you’re being home schooled for high school or you go to an actual school… [working in entertainment] puts you in a weird place where people look at you different; puts you in the bottom because you’re not doing the “normal” thing. Often times you feel like [an outcast], especially with theater because it’s not the “cool” thing because in school everything is sports, sports, sports… If you don’t want to play football or basketball, people call you weird or lame.

SH: In “American Dream,” you guys talk about discovering your dreams and not being discouraged to go after them. At what age did you discover your dream of working in entertainment?

MK: I was in a movie with Denzel Washington called Antwone Fisher. The cool thing about that was there was a lot to him being in the movie and directing the movie. That was the first movie he directed. I was just so blown away! That was so cool and powerful [to see]… that was probably the first time I fell in love with acting. In music, you know you usually get your first chance at a performance in your local high school. I got to do that with some of my friends, and that was just a blast. Performing from there on, it’s just been amazing. And then I met Tony! He’s awesome! We both bring our styles to the table… With Tony, he’s also been performing and acting since he was a young guy. He was on Star Search, you know!

SH: In “Classic,” you describe a classic girl as someone you can bring home to mom. Have you brought a girl home to meet your mom?

MK: Yeah, I’ve brought a girl home to mom before. Get approval of her, you know; it was harmless. (chuckles)

SH: What does your mom think of your success?

MK: Oh man, my mom has been supportive from day one! With all my acting and music, she’s just been my heart, my rock, taking off of work to help me out with my career… She’s just been so amazing; I love her to death!

SH: You’re getting ready for your North American headlining tour, The American Dream Tour. What are you looking forward to most?

MK: Yeah, this is our first headlining tour in the States. We just came off our headlining tour in Australia, which was amazing! We both took a lot of time to prepare, and we had sold out shows… I’m looking forward to being in a tour bus, performing in my hometown, and the big thing, to perform for our fans and interact with them. I can’t wait for the American Dream Tour! Go get your tickets! (chuckles) It’s going to be amazing! And then after that, we’re going on tour with Demi Lavoto!

SH: Okay, last question: Do people on the street recognize you as Walt from Lost?

MK: Yeah! We just had our ten-year reunion, so even though I’m older people still seem to recognize me. Kids will come to our shows and know me as Finn Katins from Gigantic, but their parents know me as Walt from Lost. (laughs)

Since this interview, MKTO kicked off their American Dream Tour, presented by Ones To Watch. Clickhere to see tour dates near you. MKTO is available for purchase on iTunes.

About
Latest Posts

Sarah Hess

At the age of six, Sarah Hess discovered True Blue by Madonna. This resulted in her spending hours in front of the bathroom mirror with a hairbrush microphone, belting out "La Isla Bonita" off key. Her love for music only intensified over the years thanks to her parents; her mother exposed Sarah to The Jackson Five and had her hustling to the Bee Gees, while her father would play her albums like 'Pet Sounds' and 'Some Girls' from start to finish, during which he'd lecture on and on about the history of rock & roll. Sarah would eventually stumble upon rap and hip-hop, then punk and alternative, and fall madly in love with Jeff Buckley and film photography.

After attending The School of the Art Institute in Chicago, Sarah went on to study education at Dominican University, earning a degree in history. When not teaching, writing, or taking in a show, she is most likely to be found with a camera to her eye or hanging out in a darkroom.

You can follow Sarah Hess on twitter at @Sarahhasanh and view her music photography on her website: smhimaging.com.