Kai Montinola Shares Thoughts on Acting, as She Gears Up for a Career Breakthrough in 'Child No. 82'

Kai Montinola is well-known for being one of the Big 4 housemates on Pinoy Big Brother: Gen 11 and for her blossoming music career. But she is starting to make waves in another field: acting. Netizens were surprised by her short yet impactful cameo in Saving Grace, which marked a new beginning for her. 

“I actually did not expect that much recognition from playing a cameo,” Kai admitted in an interview with Metro.Style. Everything felt like scattered puzzle pieces coming straight out of PBB. Even with information overload, Kai got surprising news—she’d be appearing in the series Saving Grace. 

“I was told I’d be in Saving Grace. So obviously, I was like, ‘Oh okay, as who?’ And then he said, ‘Grace.’ I was like, ‘Huh? What do you mean?’” she laughed, still amused by the moment. It turned out she’d be playing the older version of Grace—right in the show’s emotional climax; the younger version of the character was played by Zia Grace). A big responsibility for someone in this industry, and something she never saw coming.

With hardly any training or acting classes under her belt, Kai was thrown into the situation and relied on her gut and feelings. She remembered clearly how her one-word sentence, "Mama," was supposed to have a lot of emotional weight when she read the screenplay. Since this is the show's crucial scene, she remarked, “I can't mess up kasi this is the climax of the show… I didn't want to ruin it for the viewers.”

Thus, she internalized, like any passionate artist would do. “I internalized everything that happened to me, every sad thing I went through in my head para masabi ko ‘yung ‘Mama’ na may luha,” Kai shared. The outcome? Viewers were left with a lasting impression by a one-word performance that was delivered through genuine tears.

Naturally, it helped that she had Julia Montes as a mentor on the set. “Julia Montes, bruh…” Kai chuckled, clearly amazed. “She really helped me get into the scene. It’s very easy when your scene partner is also very into the scenario.” For Kai, who modestly called herself a “rookie,” the support she received from Julia and the cast was crucial. The compassion and advice she gave allowed her confidence and emotional safety to take on the task.

Since then, acting has evolved into something she wants to pursue more than just an impromptu work. Kai, a lifelong fan of TV and movies, discussed how her passion for performing was ignited by series like Stranger Things. “I watched that show when I was their age. I was like, what are they doing? How can they do this? I want to do this as well.” She also revealed her dream roles in sci-fi or action-packed projects: Max Mayfield from Stranger Things or Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games (“She's so cool,” Kai said).

Following that acting stint, Kai is gearing up for an acting breakthrough. She will star in the Cinemalaya movie Child No. 82—her debut film! She stars in the movie alongside fellow PBB: Gen 11 alum JM Ibarra, Vhong Navarro, Irma Adlawan, Rochelle Pangilinan, Donna Cariaga, Iyah Mina, and Vance Larena. Child No. 82 is one of the official entries at the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, which will premiere in August 2025.

This is a project she auditioned for without having gone through acting workshops. ”I was like, 'A go-see, Kuya Eric? [her manager] Wait lang ha. Wala pang workshop.' Kasi that time when we auditioned, wala pang acting workshop nu'n. I didn't know what to really expect during a go-see for a film. So I felt as if I was unprepared to go on a go-see. Kuya Eric told me, 'No pressure, Kai. We'll just try it. If 'di ka makuha, at least ginawa mo. So I was like, 'Okay.' But I never settle for less,” Kai narrated. 

The go-see specified that Tagalog monologues were required. So Kai began researching what to expect and what to do in go-sees. She also picked a monologue from the Hollywood movie La La Land. It was from a scene between Mia (Emma Stone) and Seb (Ryan Gosling). Kai took Mia's monologue and translated it into Tagalog. "And then I tried my best before the day of the go-see to memorize it. And there, we went to the go-see. We auditioned,” Kai shared. ”I just did what I did. I tried to do my best. I did my best. I know I did. But maybe they saw my confidence and determination. That's why I got the role of Riza in Child No. 82. And I'm so glad to say that I very much enjoyed the experience. The whole experience.”

Kai added an inspiring insight, hinging on the saying ”It never hurts to try.” ”That's really how you go about life,” Kai agreed. ”Just exploring everything.”

During the launch of the Star Magic School for the Creative and Performing Arts last March, Kai shared her takeaways from the acting workshops she attended, saying, ”Whatever the scene makes you feel, feel it. Be open to it. And du'n ko nga na-appreciate that acting isn't just about pretending, or acting isn't just about having to lie and read a script. It's more of how you perceive the character—the role that you're playing—how you would react to it, how you, yourself, as the player [or] the actor, would perceive the role that you're playing."

Despite her recent hectic schedule of recordings, appearances, and performances, Kai makes sure to devote time to unwinding. She said, “It’s hard to unwind when sunod-sunod ‘yung ganap,” adding that she stays grounded by avoiding social media whenever she can. She cuddles up with a pillow, a blanket, and a nice film. “Sometimes when you're into what's happening in reality, you can go insane,” she said. “So I like to take my time to watch a movie, get out of the real world, and get into my head.”

And the PBB: Gen 11 Big 4 bond? It’s very much alive. “We literally have a group chat of us, Big Four girls,” Kai shared with a smile. Even with the noise of online fan wars, she says the bond they built inside the house hasn’t changed. “I’m glad that we’re all not getting ourselves into the online stuff… we’ve kept the friendship we built inside the house.”

Kai may have only had one line in Saving Grace, but it was a moment that left a mark—not just on viewers, but on her, too. What started as a cameo became a spark. And now, with stories she still wants to tell and characters she hopes to play, Kai’s just getting started. The spotlight isn’t just something she steps into—it’s a space she’s learning to own, one scene at a time.

Kai is also preparing for her sold-out album launch and fan meet titled “Kai's the Limit“ on June 28 at SM North EDSA Skydome. 

Lead photo by @tontonsoguilon @exploringmanilaofficial