A Canadian-British actress, singer and songwriter, Karen David has been working all over the world on various projects for the past decade and a half. She has done theater work within London’s West End, had a major label record deal with BMG – generating a Top 10 hit in Europe, “It’s Me (You’re Talking To)” — and appeared in plenty of TV and movie roles (e.g. Scorpion King 2, Batman Begins, Couples Retreat, Pixelface). But here in the U.S., Karen is perhaps best known as Princess Isabella Maria Lucia Elizabetta of Valencia in Galavant, ABC’s fairytale-themed musical-comedy television series.
Created by Dan Fogelman – writer of The Guilt Trip, Tangled, Fred Claus, and Cars 2 – Galavant debuted as an eight-episode, four-week “event” last January. Its success as a mid-season replacement quickly led to its renewal for a second season, thus the filming of 10 more episodes. Galavant is set to return to ABC on Jan. 3 at 8:00 PM.
Karen took the time to talk to Downtown about Galavant and plenty more. 2016 will bring the release of a new single, “Daydreamer,” and a new movie, The Tiger Hunter. And when not busy with her acting and musical careers, Karen stays active with a lot of great causes, including The Alzheimer’s Association, MenCap, and Music In Education.
For more information on Karen and said projects, click on over to http://kd.innersanxtum.com or follow her on Twitter as @KarenDavid.
Having been born in India, raised in Canada, studied in London and worked plenty in other countries, when someone asks you where you’re from, how do you usually respond?
Karen David: It always starts off with, “How long have you got?” (laughs) Looking back, I’m so grateful that I grew up in different cultures and countries — it’s made me into the person I am today. My parents always wanted me to see the world, and to learn and experience life’s greatest lessons of growing up, humility, understanding, and perspective through my travels. I am very much a Can-glish girl at heart. I always say I grew up in Toronto and developed in London, England. (laughs) My acting and music career have taken me all over the world, and have definitely made me a better actor and singer/songwriter, but most importantly and hopefully, a better human being. It’s a real privilege and honor to be able to portray a particular character and draw upon the life experiences I’ve had thus far in my life. The memories I’ve collected on this journey are a bonus, and one I take with me everywhere in my heart, and will keep doing doing so, right to my rocking chair…
After finishing the first eight episodes of Galavant, did you have any idea that the show might be coming back for a second season?
K: I am never one to count my chickens before they hatch, as it’s all business, and a ratings game at the end of the day. But after filming Season 1, we were all so excited because we knew how special a gem of a show Galavant was and is. We’ve never done a show quite like it and probably never will [again]. To be a part of such a brilliant cast and crew who are so passionate about what we do every day on set, and are having the time of our lives, doesn’t happen every day. I have to pinch myself at times, and I wake up and go to bed with the biggest and most grateful smile on my face, knowing that I get to be part of something so different and bloody funny. In our hearts, we all knew we gave it our best shot and we were quietly hopeful about a second season. Many critics loved Season 1, and fans of all ages were coming in from all over the world and have been so incredibly supportive, encouraging and enthusiastic about the show. In our minds, whatever happened, the fact that there was so much love for the show was the greatest reward of all.
For those who haven’t yet seen a trailer for the next season of Galavant, what may be ahead for Princess Isabella Maria Lucia Elizabetta of Valencia?
K: (laughs) Well done! Izzy’s name is a mouthful, isn’t it? Sometimes I get confused and mix up the order of her name! Fans are going to see a lot of different sides of Isabella in Season 2, and how she copes with the challenges that lay ahead of her. I was really excited and nervous — in a good way — about coming back into Isabella’s shoes after a year, knowing the journey that lay ahead of her in Season 2 would be vastly different from her journey in Season 1. It is very much unchartered territory for Isabella’s character and for me playing her! At the end of Season 1, she has been imprisoned in a very Pepto Bismo-like colored room, alone, and torn apart from the love of her life, Galavant. It’s like the floor has been ripped from under her and she now has to find a way to stay strong and survive without Galavant, not knowing if she will ever see him again.
In the Season 2 premiere, the feisty Isabella you saw in Season 1, has been stripped down to her core — so to speak — exposed, frustrated, utterly lost and confused. As an actor, I was so excited, I knew I had my work cut out for me! That’s Izzy for you…always keeping me on my toes and challenging me to walk down paths I never thought I would, and that’s what I love so much about playing her character.
Of all the non-British actors on Galavant, who does the most convincing British accent?
K: (laughs) Well, Josh, Luke, and Vinnie are originally from England, so they better have a good English accent! (laughs) I also grew up in England as well, more than I did in Canada, so I hope I sport a good native accent! That leaves Tim and Mallory who are the only two, who are from America and Australia. I think they both do a fine English accent, but I would say that, otherwise, they will never talk to me ever again. (laughs) I think the fans will agree, their English accents are incredibly charming.
Beyond Galavant, do you have any upcoming roles that you can talk about?
K: I finished filming an indie film with the lovely Danny Pudi, Jon Heder, Sam Page, Kevin Pollak and Iqbal Theba, called The Tiger Hunter. I play Ruby, the childhood sweetheart of Danny’s character, Sami. The movie is set in the 70’s in India and America, and is such a charming and funny tale of a young man’s hopes and dreams to make something of himself in America, so that he can win the approval of Ruby’s father and marry her. I had such a wonderful time working with Danny and the cast and crew. Our director, Lena Khan, is so inspiring and a force to be reckoned with! I can’t wait to see the end results soon.
I also had the time of my life doing motion capture work on EA’s new game, Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst. It was such a new adventure for me, having never acted in a video game before. I scored some major brownie points with my nephews, which is all that matters! The scripts for video games these days are brilliant — filled with plot, and character development — it’s like filming a movie, but with a lot of dots on you, and a camera that sits in front of your face like a duck’s beak. I had to get used to that, especially during the action sequences, I sometimes knocked my camera out of focus. Oops. (laughs) I can’t say much about my character as it would be a spoiler, but the game comes out February 23, 2016.
What do you remember of your first-ever trip to New York City?
K: My earliest memories of New York City are bittersweet. I first went there when I had a development deal with Columbia Records, as a recording artist. I was so excited to be in Manhattan — the energy of the city, the drive, and the creativity was palpable. I always wanted to live in New York and still do! (laughs) I’m more of a city girl, so places like New York, London, Toronto, San Francisco, they resonate with me. I lived for a couple of months in Battery Park, near the World Trade Center…sadly the building I stayed in no longer exists because of 9/11, which happened a few months after I left to go back to the U.K. I get shivers to this day just thinking about it. My mother kept the receipt of an umbrella she bought at the Disney Store at the World Trade Center before we left. To think it’s not there anymore…
What’s going on with your musical career? Is a follow-up to Dust To Stars in the works?
K: The past two years have been incredibly busy for me with Galavant, so I didn’t have the time I needed to go into the studio to write and record new music, until this year. I love being in the studio. It’s like a haven, a sanctuary, where you can be in your own little world, writing and escaping from everything else. I flew to Nashville and wrote with Boots Ottestad and Jeff Cohen, whom I adore writing with. We came up with some songs and I then went straight into filming Season 2 of Galavant, so I am back in the studio in the New Year as I definitely have to release a new EP in 2016.
I’m way overdue one and my fans have been patiently waiting and reminding me all the time, so I have to get that done ASAP. In the meanwhile, I am releasing my single, “Daydreamer,” in North America, which I’m really excited about, and am looking forward to performing my music for the American audience which I haven’t done before. So, no pressure! (laughs)
Given that you studied jazz and gospel at Berklee, have released pop music, and Galavant features musical theater-themed tunes, you’re all over the place as a performer. What was the first album you bought with your own money?
KD: (laughs) I think when you first start training in music, it’s important to have a good grasp of different styles, especially to see what genre or style you want to focus on and that was really important for me as I was beginning to write and record my own music. I started taking classical, vocal music lessons when I was 12 years old. My grade six teacher insisted I start then, and I’m so glad I listened to her. I learned good technique and how not to abuse my voice and take care of it, and develop good habits from an early age — i.e: I was the only kid on the roller coaster who didn’t scream. (laughs) I just opened my mouth wide open, and pretended to so I wouldn’t blow my vocal chords. My vocal coach at the time was really strict. (laughs)
During my stint at Berklee, I learned so much and was so inspired by other musicians studying there and with their guest artist concert series program. I remember listening to Bonnie Raitt talk about her experiences in the music business and perform, to Kenny Aronoff giving a drum clinic — I was mesmerized! I could listen to him play all day long! As for jazz and gospel music, you could not study voice there and not learn from the best, that would be a crime! I’m so glad I did. I always say if there was a time I could go back and relive, then hands down, it would be my Berklee days.
The first album I bought was Olivia Newton John and the Electric Light Orchestra, [the] Xanadu album. I was four years old. My parents had loaded up my piggy bank as a kid, and having an older sister who would babysit me all the time, my music during my childhood was not typical of a four-year old’s taste. Instead of nursery rhymes and Humpty Dumpty or Big Bird, it was instead, Duran Duran, Eurythmics, and Aerosmith. It’s all my cool, older sister’s fault. My love for music and acting started here. I was bitten hard and there was no looking back.
What’s the best concert you’ve ever attended?
K: I saw Tony Bennett in concert at the Staples Center in L.A last year. Carrie Underwood and Stevie Wonder joined him amongst other guests. He was amazing, a class act. You could hear a pin drop. The atmosphere was buzzing and all one needed was a glass of wine whilst listening to him croon. Bliss.
Have you ever performed live in New York before?
K: I performed at The Bitter End in Greenwich Village. I love that place so much. It’s a regular and respected haunt for every singer and songwriter of all genres. It’s almost like a rite of passage, besides the Apollo [Theater], to perform at. I miss it, and am aching to go back there and perform again.
You’ve been very active with a variety of causes and charities including Designers Against AIDS and The Prince’s Trust Foundation. Are there any causes that you’re currently involved with?
K: Coming from India, where there is so much poverty, my parents wanted my sister and I to know how lucky we were right from a young age, and that we should always help those in need. I am all for a worthy cause. Recently I have been working with The Alzheimer’s Association, MenCap – [benefitting] people with learning disabilities — and Music In Education, all of which are very close to my heart. There are many other causes I would like to become more involved with in the future, so watch this space! At the end of the day, if I can give back whatever blessings I have received in my journey, then that makes everything worthwhile.
When you’re not busy with your career, how do you like to spend your free time?
K: At home, in my track pants, no makeup, specs on, having a nice cup of tea, and reading a good book or the newspaper. Glamorous, right? (laughs) Other than spending time and catching up with my family and friends, I love horseback riding, getting back to my yoga routine and I’ve enrolled myself to begin wushu classes in the New Year, which I’m really excited about. I’ve loved sword-fighting right from my drama college days, and tried fencing for a bit, but I think wushu will enhance and improve my skills even more. I say this now…ask me after I have my butt kicked to the floor after class. (laughs)
Finally, Karen, any last words for the kids?
K: Be kind. Love with all your heart, forgive and understand one another, help one another and those in need, and live each day as if it’s your last. If you can’t do any of that, then you’re screwed. (laughs)
-by Darren Paltrowitz
