Khleo Thomas captured the hearts of teenage girls when he played 'Zero' in "Holes," also starring teen heartthrob, Shia LaBeouf. In this interview from the World Premiere of "Walking Tall," Thomas talks about his fans, working with The Rock and Johnny Knoxville, and his music career.
INTERVIEW WITH KHLEO THOMAS:
You have a lot of scenes with The Rock. What’s it like working with him?
Fun. Everyday was a new shenanigan. You had The Rock and Johnny Knoxville all day.
You’ve said you're a big admirer of The Rock, but your character starts off disliking him. How tough was that for you to play?
It was hard. I love The Rock. When he first went on wrestling, that is who I loved. And he wasn’t that big yet. Everyone was like, “Who do you like?” And I said, “The Rock.” They’re like, “Who the hell is The Rock?” They didn’t like The Rock but I loved The Rock. Then when he came up in popularity I was like [crossing his arms and nodding his head], “What now.”
How close are you to the character you play in “Walking Tall?” Could you relate to him?
Sort of, not the drug part – no – but I think we have some similarities. There’s a lot of me in there.
What’s Johnny Knoxville like on the set? I heard he pulled a few jokes on you.
He’s crazy, but it’s all good. We’re all even now, unless he’s going to pull something on me tonight. I hope not because I don’t have anything left (laughing).
The original “Walking Tall” had a couple of sequels. Will this one?
I’m not sure yet. Hopefully, yes.
Are you signed on for a sequel?
No, not yet.
But you would come back?
Oh definitely.
What’s next for you?
Music. I’ve been doing my music. I’ve been performing at a lot of shows.
Which means more to you, your music or your acting?
Both are pretty equal but if I had to choose one, acting. That was my first love. But before I was acting, I was listening to music constantly.
Are you going to make a movie that combines both acting and singing?
Maybe. I’m thinking about having my own “Oliver Twist” movie. Personally, I want to do my own “Oliver Twist” film.
Girls love you. How do you react to all that attention?
I love my fans so much. They think I don’t read my fan mail, they think I don’t read my email. I read it. I really read it all the time. They don’t think I do that. If you could see me at home, when I wake up I eat, do my work, go on the Internet and read my email fan mail.
Do you hear a lot of rumors about yourself?
Yes.
Does it drive you crazy?
Yes. I’ve got to deal with it, you know? You’ve just got to brush it off.
INTERVIEWS FROM THE PREMIERE OF "WALKING TALL":
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson / Neal McDonough / Michael Bowen
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
"Walking Tall" Premiere Photos
"Walking Tall" Trailer, Credits and Movie News
