Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Tribune
January 7, 2021
Kyla Pratt plays Mayim Bialik’s best friend on the new FOX sitcom “Call Me Kat.” The series also includes Swoosie Kurtz and Leslie Jordan. “Traveling for work is difficult for me, mainly because of my girls,” says Pratt, 34. “I have to quarantine before I shoot, so that means mommy is gone from home longer. I don’t like to be away too long. I actually worked out of the country during the pandemic. I flew to Winnipeg, Canada, quarantined for two weeks and then got to work. When I got back home I quarantined and then went to visit my grandparents for my birthday.” The Los Angeles resident stays in touch with fans on Instagram and Twitter under the username @KylaPratt.
Q: This pandemic has made everyone think differently about just hopping on a plane. How have you dealt with this?
A: The pandemic has definitely changed everything. Most of the time I have spent at home with my family. We take way more walks now, usually to the park or (go) bike riding.
Q: If you had travel plans for 2020 and had to cancel, where were they to?
A: I was (going to take) my babies to New York for spring break and that was canceled right away. I was planning other trips in my head during 2020, but nothing was booked besides that before the shutdown. I usually make last-minute travel plans.
Q: When you could travel, which was your favorite trip?
A: Montego Bay, Jamaica. If you decide to go, allow yourself to relax, catch the vibe and fall in love with the music.
Q: What was the first trip you took as a child?
A: The first trip I remember taking as a child would have to be a road trip from California to Louisiana to visit family. That was a cool experience. It took days and we had a packed car.
Q: What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from your travels?
A: Be safe, it’s OK to overpack and take as many pictures of scenery with you in them as possible.
Q: If you’ve ever gone away for the holidays, which was the best trip?
A: Holidays were always the best at my grandmother’s house in Las Vegas. It was always way colder than L.A., so it definitely gave us enough of the holiday feel. But my grandma always had the best decorations and a large white room where her Christmas tree always was. We would wake up, open presents, and help her with cooking the food. And Christmas night, she would always have a huge party with all of her friends and family visiting.
Q: Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?
A: There are so many places. Tanzania, South Africa, France, Italy, Australia, Thailand, Greece. … I was so consumed with work when I was younger. I didn’t really think to travel. Then as I got older and had my babies, I was like, traveling is gonna be crazy! But now, I’m ready. And, of course, I’m ready when everything is shut down!
Q: When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A: Shea butter. Gotta keep the skin soft. Different places have different water sources, so some might dry out your skin more than others. Next, a variety of hats, just in case I have days where I don’t feel like doing my hair, which is often. [Laughs.] And what else? Comfortable shoes. No one is a fun travel buddy if their feet hurt.
Q: What would be your dream trip?
A: I am eager to experience Costa Rica. My friend went with her husband and I just watched her Snapchat like a crazy person acting as if I was there.
Q: What is your guilty pleasure when you’re on the road?
A: Sunflower seeds. We were always on road trips when I was a kid and sunflower seeds just kept you busy. I found out recently they also can help keep you awake while on the road. Just try not to spill the bag of shells. That’s never fun to clean up.
Q: What kind of research do you do before you go away on a trip?
A: I usually like to go places where I know someone personally who has been so I can get any and all information I can. Of course, you have to be sure about the safety of the particular area you are staying in, as well as the culture, just to be clear (that) as a woman of color (where we go) isn’t going to be a major issue.
Q: What is your best and/or worst vacation memory?
A: Going to an all-inclusive resort and partaking in too much of the cheap all-inclusive alcohol. It usually does not set you up for a feel-good next day of vacationing. Just buy the top shelf and leave the bottom shelf alone.
© 2021 JAE-HA KIM
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