Disney Channel has a new heroine she’s here to S-L-A-Y.
With Vampirina: Teenage Vampire now streaming on Disney+ and Disney Channel On Demand, fans are meeting Kenzi Richardson, the rising star who brings the iconic character of Vampirina “Vee” Hauntley to life for the very first time in live action. For Kenzi, joining the Disney family isn’t just another acting milestone — it’s a full-circle, pinch-me moment straight out of a childhood daydream.
“I have no words for it,” Kenzi tells Celeb Secrets host Juliet Schroder exclusively in a virtual interview. “It’s something I’ve dreamed about ever since I was little. My papa actually used to call me Hollywood because I would walk around saying, ‘That’s going to be me someday.’ If I could tell little me that I’m standing here right now, it would be insane.”
And insane it’s been in the best way possible. Ever since the trailer dropped, fans have flooded Kenzi with love, some even telling her that Vampirina’s comeback feels like “old Disney” again, which is a compliment that she says she doesn’t take lightly.
“I’ve had fans come up to me and say how excited they are for Vee to be back and how all these new Disney shows are coming out,” she says. “It feels like old Disney is back, and that just warms my heart.”
Before she was the face of Vampirina, Kenzi was a fan herself. She grew up watching the Disney Junior series and instantly fell in love with the quirky, big-hearted vampire who was just trying to fit in. When she landed the audition, she rewatched the entire cartoon not just for nostalgia’s sake, but as character study.
“I loved the Vampirina cartoon growing up,” she explains. “When I booked the role, I rewatched the whole series to see how Vee interacts with her friends, her family, her pets — how her mind works. Every character I play, I like to study their eyes, their emotions. I’ll do a version that’s totally me, then one that’s totally Vee, and combine them. She’s basically the vampire version of me.”
That method paid off. On-screen, Kenzi’s Vee is equal parts edgy, adorable, and musical — just like the actress herself.
“Vee has even changed my style a little bit,” she admits with a laugh. “I used to be really beachy and laid back, but now I’m a little more classy and edgy. I love her personality. She’s caring, ambitious, confident, and she just cares so much about everyone. She puts her emotions into her music, and I do the exact same.”
At its core, Vampirina: Teenage Vampire is about staying true to yourself, even when you feel like you don’t fit in. Vee’s journey of hiding her vampire identity while chasing her music dreams mirrors the everyday struggles of self-acceptance that so many young viewers face.
“I think kids will connect with her uniqueness,” Kenzi says. “So many kids ask me, ‘Should I do what my friends are doing or be true to myself?’ and I always say, be yourself, always. That’s what I love about Vee. She’s never afraid to stand out. In episode three, she literally goes to a trendy school dance in a Victorian ball gown! She’s fearless, and that’s what makes her such a good role model.”
Of course, it wouldn’t be Vampirina without a few spooky surprises, like Vee’s overzealous ghost roommate, Demi, played by Milo Maharlika.
“Milo is the sweetest kid ever,” Kenzi gushes. “He’s Jack Black funny — like, old-school hilarious. He’s just like Demi both on and off screen. The ghost effects were so wild to film, and seeing the final version now is insane. His ghostly glow is iconic!”
Then there’s the highly-anticipated crossover episode with Wizards Beyond Waverly Place star Janice LeAnn Brown — a move that has Disney fans buzzing.
“Janice is literally my sister,” Kenzi says. “Vee and Billie act exactly like we do in real life — we fight, we laugh, we sing, and we love like siblings. It might be Disney Channel’s first crossover in a while, and I’m so glad me and Janice got to bring that back. It’s like the new crossover for a new generation.”
Music is at the heart of Vampirina: Teenage Vampire, and its original soundtrack — out now from Walt Disney Records — is filled with bops. From spooky Halloween tracks to emotional ballads, the songs promise to give fans plenty to dance (and maybe cry) to.
“There’s one song called ‘My Moment’ that means so much to me,” Kenzi reveals. “It’s so beautiful and empowering… I cried filming it. But we also have some really fun ones. The Halloween number was our big dance scene with the whole cast. It was a blast to film.”
And because it wouldn’t be Celeb Secrets without a behind-the-scenes reveal, Kenzi shared one that’s too adorable not to mention.
“Every single one of us has a handshake,” she says. “We made them the first day we met, and it’s been a thing for every episode. I even made a video of our handshake journey from day one to the finale. It’s one of my favorite memories from set.”
From quoting Lemonade Mouth to gushing about Teen Beach Movie and Descendants, Kenzi’s love for Disney runs deep, and now, she’s part of its next great era.
“I’ve dreamed about this since I was little,” she says with a smile. “To be part of something that brings that old Disney magic back for a new generation… it means everything.”
Now streaming on Disney+ and Disney Channel On Demand, Vampirina: Teenage Vampire is giving a whole new generation their very own “Disney era” to fall in love with, and Kenzi Richardson is leading the charge with heart, humor, and just the right amount of sparkle.
For more on Vampirina: Teenage Vampire, make sure to watch our full interview with Kenzi below — and don’t forget to let us know if you’re loving the series by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sliding into our DMs on Instagram at @celebsecrets.
Interview quotes have been edited and condensed for clarity.
