Camren Bicondova Talks "Gotham"

Camren as Selina Kyle (photo Justin Stephens/FOX)

Back in 2012, when we first met Camren Bicondova, she was already a dance phenom—one of the tiniest members of the 8 Flavahz crew and a PULSE Elite Protégé. She’d begun dipping her toes into the acting world, too, starting with a role on Disney’s “Shake It Up.”

These days, Camren’s combining her loves of dance and acting in a role that seems tailor-made for her: the teenage Selina Kyle (later known as Catwoman) on FOX’s edgy Batman origin series, “Gotham.” Camren’s dance skills are helping her nail the character’s feline grace—and the part ties into her own love of kitties, too.

Dance Spirit
caught up with the multitalented 15-year-old to find out all about “Gotham” life. (Tune in to FOX tonight at 8/7c to see Camren in action!)

Dance Spirit: What was the “Gotham” audition process like?

Camren Bicondova:
 When I first went in, I thought the audition was for a girl named Lucy, a pickpocket who happens to be catlike. It didn’t make sense to me—I was like, Hmm, that sounds like Catwoman!—but I did my best to get the job. They told me they wanted me to do cat movements, so I choreographed a set. I looked up cat videos on YouTube, and then incorporated some breaking and contemporary stuff. I even mixed in some things that my own cat, Mr. G, does. He’s my buddy, so that was fun. Afterward, they told me that I did get the part of Selina Kyle. I freaked out!

DS: How does your dance experience factor into the role?

CB:
I use my dancing a ton. As a dancer, I’m comfortable in my own body, which helps me get the fluid look that Selina needs—I know what will look good and what won’t.

DS: A lot of talented actresses have played Selina Kyle in the past, including Michelle Pfeiffer and Halle Berry. Did you watch their performances?

CB:
I watched ALL of them, and they’re all so amazing! At first that was a little intimidating. But in “Gotham,” Selina’s not Catwoman yet—she’s still just a 14-year-old pickpocket. And that gives me a little leeway. I don’t have to be a woman; I can just be a kid. Since realizing that, I’ve been focusing on the way Selina is portrayed in the comic books, which tell her story from the beginning.

DS: How have you juggled filming, school work and dance training?

CB:
I honestly have no clue! It’s really hard. I have to do school stuff between scenes, so I go from Selina Kyle, to math, to Selina Kyle, to history. Luckily I have a really cool teacher who’s been helping me. And since we’re filming in NYC, I’ve been taking class at Broadway Dance Center, which is great. I’ve been focusing on ballet. It helps with the fluidity of Selina’s movement, and it’s also the core of all dancing, so it’s the most beneficial use of my time.

DS: What’s been the most exciting thing about working on “Gotham”?

CB:
I love getting to dive deep into a character. And also wearing my leather suit everywhere.

Yeah, that suit is pretty awesome. (photo Jessica Miglio/FOX)

DS: In the future, do you see yourself doing more acting, or dancing, or a mix of both?

CB:
I’m thinking a mix. I’d still love to go on tour as a backup dancer, but I’d also like to do acting work with someone like Mark Wahlberg—that would be cool. I’m not leaning more toward one or the other. I’m living my life!