Our guest today, Kash Hovey, not only hails from the prestigious Presley family (his mother is the late ‘King of Rock and Roll’s’ former sister-in-law and Priscilla Presley’s sister) but he is also a ‘triple threat’ in the industry. He’s established himself as an actor, a producer, and now the host of a new YouTube talk show “On Air with Ka$h” where he speaks to actors and filmmakers such as Jesse Kove (of “Cobra Kai” fame), Paris Bravo, veteran actress Shari Belafonte, and many more.
Kash was gracious enough to let me in on his creative process. We talk about his early years growing up in the limelight with his cousin Riley Keough, and a lot more in the following interview.
What intrigued you to step foot into podcasting and start your own YouTube talk show? Also, is the show a team effort with different people taking up roles such as editing, scripting, etc.? Or is it a one-man show with you doing all the work from filming to editing?
KH: In February of 2020 I began taking a stand-up class and I was listening to a colleague of mine Michael Rosenbaum’s podcast “Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum.” I really admire the way Michael connects and opens up with his guests. In March 2020, we were told to work from home; I continued to take my stand-up class online and perform virtual shows.
Some other colleagues and I began doing Instagram live interviews and we’d engage with the audience. It was a really nice way to connect with people I respect and admire and became the basis to start the show. I produce the show with my mother Michelle Beaulieu; she books most of the talent and co-directs some of the episodes. I host, edit, and direct the episodes in my studio at my house.
Initially, when talk show hosts began filming from home, there were many who faced difficulties in getting into the groove of the work-from-home atmosphere. Even seasoned professional hosts who’ve been at it for decades felt out of place outside their studio with poor production quality or with their lighting failing them—and even guests freezing midway during a Zoom interview due to tech glitches. Did you face any such challenges during “On Air with Ka$h,” or have you ever had any such embarrassing moments/glitches that didn’t make it into the final cut?
KH: The show has definitely evolved since I began last year. And doing the show live definitely gives you a rush. I prefer the format we have now where we can edit the interviews and add effects before it gets published. Yesterday I interviewed someone and they made a movie reference that I didn’t pick up on at first and it took me a minute to get the joke. After I realized it was a joke and I got the quote, I said I’m so glad we now edit the show. My editing, when people see this episode, it will look like I got the joke right away.
Many podcasts/talk shows are scripted, with hosts going off script for a more amusing experience or for shock value. Have you ever resorted to going off script for your show, or has it been scripted throughout?
Kash Hovey. Photo: submitted image.
KH: I have an outline of topics and films I plan on covering with my guests. I’ll bring up a movie that my guest is in and it usually leads to a story where we find something out about each other. I recently had Gabrielle Stone on the show who wrote a book based on her true experiences titled “Eat, Pray #FML.”
Prior to the interview, I had told her that her book had helped me when someone I was close with had tragically passed away. I really wanted to open up with her about both of our experiences when she came on the show. She was up for it; as a result we wound up covering so many similar situations we had both been through in the past. There was so much closure after that interview, and it was really one of the more inspirational ones I’ve done.
What is more challenging as a host: a scripted approach or a more relaxed, unscripted approach?
KH: I think scripted would be harder for me. The thing I like about what we do on the show, which is to say, while I do have general idea of what I will discuss with each individual guest, most of the show becomes spontaneous when we really begin to engage in the conversation.
I was reading up on your famous family lineage, i.e. your relationship to the Presley family…and noticed that you’re cousins with actress Riley Keough, who’s Elvis’ granddaughter. I thought she was phenomenal in “The Lodge,” and was wondering whether we will ever see you both share screen space or if you have plans to have her on as a guest on your show in the near future? Also, as siblings in the industry, do you two catch up to share acting or audition tips with each other?
Jersey City, NJ USA – June 4, 2016: Riley Keough attends 9th annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic at Liberty State Park. Photo: lev radin/Shutterstock.com.
KH: I’m so proud of Riley. We grew up together and have always been supportive of each others’ endeavors. It’s always been important for us to have our own identities and make names for ourselves in our careers. She has an open invitation to come on the show; I’d be happy to a collaboration in the future if the project felt right.
Growing up part of a prestigious family, did your parents shelter you from the limelight of the film/music industry? Did you shy away before diving in, or were you always naturally drawn to it?
KH: I loved watching movies and I was always performing, building, drawing, and re-creating scenes when I was a kid growing up in Los Angeles. My dad is a music executive and my mom had worked for the Beach Boys and Johnny Carson, so we were always involved in the industry. My parents have always been supportive, but they were very adamant about my education and having a strong work ethic.
Since you are a triple threat (an actor, producer, and a talk show host/podcaster), which comes easier for you? Do you prefer working alongside actors/directors on set, or interviewing them as a host for “On Air with Ka$h?”
KH: There is no better feeling I get than being on a set and working on a film/TV show with a talented cast and filmmakers. I love acting and that was always my first priority. In recent years, though, I’ve begun to take on the role of producer to get a project I’m passionate about into development. Every phase is interesting to me.
I’m so proud of Riley. We grew up together and have always been supportive of each others’ endeavors. It’s always been important for us to have our own identities and make names for ourselves in our careers.”kash hovey
To begin with an idea and then see the way things come together is exciting, from casting, location scouting, and hiring the crew, to having a finished product, it’s amazing.
“On Air with Ka$h” has been a whole new experience and has opened up new doors and opportunities for me. I really enjoy hosting the show. Every guest I’ve had on had been a delight, and I finish each episode feeling inspired.
I caught some episodes of your YouTube show and really like how confident and charismatic you are as a host; you really make your guests feel comfortable. Have you ever encountered a guest who wasn’t too keen on opening up or was plain awkward? How did you deal with a tough situation like that?
KH: I was very shy when I was younger, and there are moments when I prefer to listen rather than speak. Most guests I have are full of life; it makes for great interviews as we can work well off of each other’s energy.
Occasionally I’ll interview someone, and if I feel they are having a hard time opening up, I’ll take a topic from the outline and share a personal story I have that relates to the subject. I’ll share something funny or embarrassing that I went through; it helps the guest to engage and to feel better about connecting.
Jax Malcolm attends 3rd Annual Young Entertainer Awards at Globe Theatre, Universal City, CA on April 15th, 2018. Photo: Eugene Powers/Shutterstock.com.
During one of your recent interviews with actor Jax Malcolm (of “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” fame), you spoke about the problems faced by actors during a pandemic and how it has interrupted the filming of one of your TV show’s pilot episodes. Can you elaborate on how the pandemic has effected your professional life and how you’ve overcome hardships it has caused?
KH: Fortunately we were able to finish the pilot for “Mayhem of the Mind’ and submit it. It ended up winning 5 awards including Best TV Series at Film Fest LA Live. The Director/Producer Kathy Kolla and I were getting ready to go into pre-production for another episode we wanted to film. We were taking stunt training at Wire Fighters and location scouting right before everything shut down, so we had to then work from home.
Lastly, do you have any dream guests in mind whom you would like to interview in the future? And are you currently working on any projects (apart from “On Air with Ka$h”) which we can look forward to?
KH: There is such a long list of artists whose work I admire that I would love to have on the show. I’d have to go with one of my inspirations for starting “On Air with Ka$h,” Michael Rosenbaum. But a couple others would be Beverly D’Angelo and Brendon Urie.
In terms of projects, I recently filmed a music video with Fiona Grey. …I’m really excited to get back to work filming “Mayhem of the Mind” with Kathy Kolla and our awesome team.
A special thanks to Kash Hovey for taking the time to talk with us about his show and aspirations! If you wish to know more about Kash Hovey and his work, check out the following social media links:
2 Comments
Kash’s show On Air with Ka$h is so inspiring. Thank you for writing this beautiful article about Kash
Awesome, actor, host and filmmaker 🙂