SNMag: What can you tell us about the character of Ella Simms?
KC: She’s the publicist/fashionista. She is very forward and blunt. She’s a power woman. She knows what she wants, and she will go to any length to get it. But she may burn some bridges along the way.

SNMag: We understand that Ella is bisexual. How did you approach the role and how will that impact future storylines?
KC: She is “try-sexual,” meaning she will try anything. She is so open and so free, you never what she is going to do. I think it comes from a place where she is desperately seeking love and acceptance from everyone around her. She doesn’t let anyone see the vulnerability that is there. She definitely puts her guard up and protects herself at all times.

SNMag: Did you have any reservations about playing that role?
KC: It definitely crossed my mind. I have to be ready to make out with women or have a threesome. I need to be ready for anything. It’s all part of the game though. Being an actor, a character might have an element or two that might be uncomfortable for you. But I’m not playing “Katie Cassidy,” I’m playing “Ella Simms” and that is a part of her. You have to be able to take on anything, and I was open to it. It sounds fun!

SNMag: Did you watch the original Melrose Place or did you have a Melrose marathon when the project came about?
KC: I have actually never seen the original. I wasn’t allowed to when I was younger. My parents wouldn’t let me watch it. I haven’t had time to catch up with it. I didn’t want to watch it until we really get into things so it doesn’t have an effect on my performance. Not that it would, because it’s new people. But, I got the job not seeing it, so I didn’t want to go watch it and have something change. But now that I have had some time to sink into the character, I feel more comfortable going back and watching it and I will.

SNMag: Some have said this will be the Gossip Girl of the West Coast. What do you make of that comparison?
KC: I think on a stylistic level it’s like the Westside Gossip Girl. It’s edgy, it’s cool, it’s dramatic, it’s young and fun and appeals to all different audiences. And Gossip Girl is really good at what they do, so I’m flattered to be compared to them. I think it’s a good show. I think our show is a really good show. It’s East Coast/West Coast so I think they are right about that.

SNMag: Do you foresee many of the previous Melrose Place cast members making cameos?
KC: Honestly, I have no idea. The producers don’t really tell us much. I’ll probably know when the rest of the world knows, when it’s official and happening.

SNMag: You also have A Nightmare on Elm Street coming out next year. What can you tell us about the film?
KC: A Nightmare on Elm Street is going to be, I think, amazing visually, and the director (Samuel Bayer) is so amazing. When they approached me about the project, I was a little skeptical of doing another horror movie, but having Michael Bay, Sam Bayer, Jackie Earle Haley; when you are surrounded by really cool people like that, it felt right. After auditioning, I didn’t hear anything for like five days. I decided I needed to be really aggressive about it because they weren’t responding, and it was getting really frustrating. So I ended up texting Sam and being like, “I’m going to kick your fucking ass if you don’t give me this role.” And then the next day, I got it. Visually, he’s a genius when he shoots. I think it’s going to look amazing, and I can’t wait to see a cut.

SNMag: What is the process of making a horror film like?
KC: As an actor, it is our job to know how to get there on our own. The director will relay to you what he wants, and then it is our job to bring it to the table and hopefully far and beyond. For me, its definitely draining emotionally, but it’s like running a marathon, you’ve got to be ready for those two months of your life. At the end of the day I’m so tired. I just go home and sleep, wake up and do the same thing over and over. But ultimately, in the end, it’s well worth it.