By: Justine Tomon
Posted In: Entertainment
Photo credit: Jaclyn Sheridan
Kirsten’s Headshot.
Salve Regina junior, Kirsten Babich, has her eyes on superstardom, but if she can’t tackle Hollywood, she’ll shine her light on the acting youth.
Kirsten Babich is a typical college student who goes to classes and work. Except when she goes to work, she’s working alongside Steve Carrell, Dane Cook or Nissan cars. That’s right, the college junior by day, aspiring actress and model by night, has quite the impressive resume and she’s only 21 years old. You would expect that a girl constantly dolled up in Lilly Pulitzer with stunning features would be destined for superstardom, but would you also expect that she is a Dean’s List student at Salve Regina University? The East Granby, Conn. native explains that school is begrudgingly her priority right now. On mom’s orders. “My mom is my best friend, but when we fight, it’s about how I need to be as focused on school as I am on getting to my next auditions,” says Babich with a laugh and roll of her eyes. The Early Childhood Education major is famous in her network of friends for saying that teaching is her fallback plan, which is smart given how unsteady showbiz can be. From a young age, Babich knew she wanted to act. It’s in her blood. Big sister Cara, 22, is a graduate from Emerson College with a degree in musical theater. It was Cara who inspired Babich’s love for performing when she was an infantile 4 years old. Most parents thrust their young daughters into dance lessons, but Babich’s parents must have seen something special spark in their daughter’s eyes because next came community theater. “I would tag along to Cara’s auditions and get little roles in the background as an extra or something,” said Babich. One of her first roles was a singing and dancing orphan in the smash musical Annie in a local theater. But in no time, Babich flew up the ranks of fellow thespians landing roles as leads in Grease, 42nd Street and every little girls’ dream, The Little Mermaid. “I think every little girl wants to be Ariel, right? I was in an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s original version so I was Marina, but hey, close enough!” said Babich with a proud giggle. The Little Mermaid went on a statewide tour through all of Connecticut in 2004, Babich’s senior year in high school. “I was given a choice: attend pep rally and prom, or be an actress,” said Babich matter-of-factly. And she has never looked back with regret. Babich branched out from musicals and stage performances in the summer of 2005 when she filmed Now What? an independent film similar to frat favorite, Animal House. Babich did not have a huge role in the film, but is credited as Attractive Girl #1. “Hey, I’m not complaining! I have a credit!” said Babich enthusiastically. At the crossroads of seasons and in between her blossoming career and sophomore year at Salve, Babich threw herself into another independent film, Lycan, a horror film about werewolves and goriness. Not exactly along the same lines of being referred to as ‘attractive’ but a job nonetheless and one step closer to the versatility of her role model, Reese Witherspoon. “I just admire the way she chooses her roles. They’re all so different, yet portrayed so accurately.” With Babich’s up-to-date resume of songstress Sandy in Grease, tap dancing jitterbug Maggie Jones in 42nd Street and the coveted little mermaid, Babich is well on her way. So what comes next? “I just finished shooting a few scenes as a photo double for Steve Carrell’s daughter in his and Dane Cook’s new comedy, Dan in Real Life.” Most recently, however, the new face of Nissan is taking over televisions across the country in the car commercials. Apparently, America has fallen in love with the blonde bombshell because due to an increase in sales, the automobile powerhouse just signed her on for a new batch of ads. But she’s not stopping there! “I signed on for a new film, [Conned] which is a thriller,” she said as if it’s no big deal that she may be tackling yet another movie genre. Babich keeps her head level through all of the glitz and glam of her potential future, constantly reassuring herself that nothing is certain. So what would she do if her dreams of stardom don’t quite come true? “I’ve been thinking of combining my love of teaching kids with my passion for performing and who knows-maybe one day I’ll open my own community theater. That played such a huge part in who I am today and that would be amazing to be able to give that to some other children.” Sounds like either way, Kirsten Babich is going to be a bright star.
