Knycky Cordner is best known as the bubbly host of the amateur singing competition Digicel Rising Stars. And even before that as a vocalist for soca bands Atlantik, Taxi, Horizon and recently Blue Ventures. But it is her latest gig as an actress that has Cordner excited. "I keep telling people I am officially in Hollywood now," she said with a laugh. On the Government Information Services soap opera, Matthews in the Middle (Mims), she plays Allison, a mother to a 15-year-old Mandy (Arie Geiser), guardian to her 19-year-old nephew Keenan (Russell Leonce and loving wife of Matthew (Douglas Brunton).
The show features an intriguing story line that is punctuated with constant references to the services the Government's ministries offer. Thankfully the references are done cleverly so as not to distract viewers from the main story. Cordner's opportunity to act on Mims happened quite by accident. She was on Facebook when she stumbled upon a casting call on the page of her friend and producer Danielle Diffenthaller.
The two worked together previously on Rising Stars, Cordner said. The next day Cordner went to the advertised location to read for the part and immediately found the role to be a perfect fit. "I told Danielle one time don't let anybody else audition for the part because you already found your Allison," she said with a laugh. When Cordner got the role she was pleasantly surprised to learn that she would be working with local actresses Deborah Maillard, who plays Matthew's mother Delores and Patti Ann Ali, who plays the next door neighbour Rosemary Persaud.
Arnold Goindhan (as Rajin Persaud), Charles Guillen (Khalil Christian), Jeanine Lee Kim (Kianna Richards) round out the cast. "You know how people go off on Brad Pitt and those actors? That is how I feel about our local actors. "When I saw them I got excited." Cordner said she enjoyed playing Allison particularly for the many wardrobe changes on set. But the experience has also given her a new respect for actors. "You never realise how much hard work goes into getting it right. "I love that the show is not about bacchanal but that it is giving people information at the same time." Her only challenge was playing the role of a mother since, in real life, she has yet to experience motherhood.
"I had no reference point to draw from, so you could imagine that I learned how to be a mommy on the set." Cordner's first exposure to acting was as part of the group Bachac Productions in London. The group comprised local actors and, as Cordner recalled, all of her roles were non-speaking ones. "I had no licence to act. They take that very seriously over there. "I had to use my body and my face to express in my roles." Being on Mims has spoiled her, she said. "Now when I am getting dressed I want my wardrobe person nearby and I miss my trailer."
Even though she is known for her vocal talents Cordner refuses to be known as just a singer.
"I consider myself an entertainer. I sing, I act, I host." "God gave me the talent to sing, write, and act. He gave me the talent to perform, to bless the lives of people, who am I to limit myself? "I'm going to do it all with God's guidance." The acting bug has bit Cordner so hard that she now has a keen interest in acting. "Wish me luck, today (Wednesday) I have an audition for another project." To the directors and producers in the country she said with a laugh: "I am available for roles, just call me."
