Grace Libero

In Conversation With Actress-Singer Kaitlyn Santa Juana From "Final Destination Bloodlines"

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<div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1750488178241497388704_17871198252358118_1548990658873281272_n.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner"><em>Final Destination Bloodlines </em>star Kaitlyn Santa Juana | Photo from @finaldestinationmovie</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>“Is that the girl from <em>Final Destination</em>?”</p><p>In<em><strong> Final Destination Bloodlines</strong></em>, the latest offering from the iconic horror film franchise, <strong>Kaitlyn Santa Juana</strong>’s character, Stefani, is going out of her way to cheat death. With her death-defying scenes in a breakthrough project, Kaitlyn’s life is forever changed. </p><p>“It’s interesting because there are parts that have stayed the same, but there are parts that are a little bit different now,” Kaitlyn told us when asked what life has been like for her since her record-breaking movie was released. “Like, you know, sometimes I’ll go places and people will ask me if I’m part of the <em>Final Destination Bloodlines</em> movie. And sometimes people will be shy and won’t ask, but I can see them staring at me.”</p><p>These just prove how much impact she made on the viewers with her memorable portrayal as Stefani, a college student haunted by nightmares of a tower collapsing in the late 1960s. Her portrayal was in itself remarkable, but what’s even more noteworthy is that Kaitlyn and her onscreen brother, <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/metro-style/people/2025/5/22/exclusive-get-to-know-fil-am-actor-teo-briones-from-final-destination-bloodlines-0114" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Teo Briones</strong></a> (who played Charlie), are the first Filipinos and people of color to have starred in the franchise. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJp4xM3Si6v/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=810&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A15352451.399999991%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>It’s worth mentioning that Kaitlyn and Teo were also asked for their input on making the environment around their part-Filipino characters more intentional—the <em>adobo</em>, the <em>tsinelas</em>, and the wooden spoon and fork wall accents. These may be small additions, but they speak volumes about the production team’s attention to detail (so much so we’re now paranoid about trampolines, revolving doors, vending machines, and, heck, even a glass of water with chunks of crushed ice). </p><p>“I’ve actually been going to see the movie almost, like, every week because I have, I mean, you know, Filipino families are huge. And I also have the other side of my family that&#x27;s Czech. Everybody wants to see the movie, and they want to see it with me,” shared Kaitlyn, who, at the time of this interview, was back home in Canada, chilling out and relaxing from a “whirlwind” period in her life. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-6" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJzpE3Hz3Kt/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=810&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A6%2C%22os%22%3A15537556.299999997%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="611" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-6" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>“It&#x27;s funny because from the first time I watched it, I was still watching it like this,” Kaitlyn said, her hands covering her eyes. “But every single time I watch it, I&#x27;m like, ‘Okay, we&#x27;re going to watch a little bit more this time. You&#x27;re going to look a little bit more.’ So each time I&#x27;ve been able to push myself further into actually watching the full death sequences and all of those things. So I can confidently say that I have seen the entire movie now in full effect.”</p><p>In fact, she even experienced it in <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJZ642Ay31Y/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">4DX</a> with the film’s directors, <strong>Adam Stein </strong>and<strong> Zach Lipovsky</strong>, and some of their crew members to watch. “We snuck into movie theaters to watch audience members reacting to it, and one of them was a 4DX screening,” Kaitlyn recalled. “So we were sitting in the 4DX seats. And I swear, I almost flew out of my chair. Like, there was one point where it was like, I felt like I was sideways, and I had to like grab onto Adam&#x27;s arm. It was crazy.” </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-8" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKfwzbkSEdP/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=810&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A8%2C%22os%22%3A15917481.099999994%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="926" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-8" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>As she regaled us with these stories, we got a glimpse of her natural sense of humor, eloquence, and gift of gab (seriously, check out her hosting skills <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jjbakescompany/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">on this page</a>); she has a way with words that makes you want to listen to her, like that scene in the film where she gathers her family to explain why death is coming for them. That scene was the most mentally draining for Kaitlyn. She said, “That sequence was very hard because there&#x27;s a lot of information that you have to remember to communicate to the audience and the people in front of you.”</p><p>The most draining physically, on the other hand, were the water scenes. Kaitlyn shared, “I mean, you know, even when you go swimming, like after you get out, you&#x27;re so hungry and you&#x27;re so tired. You really, really feel it. We were doing that scene for a full day of work, and that was very challenging physically.”</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-10" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJMn8mDJBt-/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=810&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A10%2C%22os%22%3A16294615.200000003%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-10" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>What<em> Final Destination Bloodlines </em>pulled from Kaitlyn is a rollercoaster of emotions—happiness from having been given this incredible opportunity to lead a cast (in such an iconic film franchise, no less), excitement upon finally seeing what they worked so hard on, fear unlocked from the complex kill scenes, and gratitude for how warmly received their film was.</p><p>Miles away from where she was busy promoting the movie, in the Philippines, she and her co-star Teo Briones, who plays her younger brother, were giving a sense of pride as part-Filipino actors making waves in the global entertainment scene. Born and raised in Canada, Kaitlyn’s father, Ronnie, is Filipino, and her mother, Jeanette, is Czech. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-12" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJpOBN8yVdm/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=810&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A12%2C%22os%22%3A16412226.099999994%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-12" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Immensely grateful, Kaitlyn gushed, “I think it&#x27;s so interesting because it&#x27;s like you see all these numbers in front of you and people are texting you, being like, ‘Did you see this broke records in the Philippines?’ And also all over the world. And you know, it&#x27;s interesting because there&#x27;s almost a bit of like denial when it&#x27;s shown to you. You&#x27;re like, ‘No, no way. No way the thing that we worked on is receiving all of these amazing things. But then like it hits me in, like, little spurts. Like, I&#x27;ll re-remember, it&#x27;s like relearning that this movie is being received so well. </p><p>“And it just, it feels so great. I mean, also to know that it&#x27;s doing so well in the Philippines. Like, when I heard about—I think I saw like a little poster graphic on Instagram saying it was like the number one R-rated horror movie in the Philippines. And I cried because, you know, that&#x27;s exactly, that&#x27;s like the best case scenario. That&#x27;s like exactly what everybody dreams of having. In my position as a Filipina actor, you know, that&#x27;s the best-case scenario. And I couldn&#x27;t have asked for a better result. I mean, it just is so meaningful to me that you have two Filipino actors in this movie. And I always say it, Filipino culture is very family-oriented. And, you know, when there&#x27;s one person that&#x27;s succeeding, the whole country of the Philippines and anybody who&#x27;s Filipino anywhere in the world is celebrating that with you. And it&#x27;s also a win for them. So to get, to feel that is such an amazing feeling.”  </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-14" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJQZHfGpFX5/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=810&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A14%2C%22os%22%3A16584371.099999994%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="880" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-14" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Aside from being a Filipino actor, she also breathed life into a Filipino character and was more than happy to share insights about making their portrayal more authentic. “Stefani wasn&#x27;t traditionally written as a Filipino character. She was changed into the character that she is because I was cast in the role. And I wanted to keep the story as authentic as possible,” Kaitlyn shared, adding that she even prepared a PDF presentation for the production, which served as a crash course on Filipino culture. She added, “I had little foods that we eat, words that we say in our household. I put little <em>tsinelas</em> [slippers]. It was like a little photo collage. And it was so lovely to see that they took that and they placed those things in our family&#x27;s home in the movie.”</p><p>Kaitlyn hasn’t been to the Philippines, revealing that in her family, it’s only she who hasn’t visited the country. “I am the only person in my family who has not been to the Philippines, including my mom. I couldn&#x27;t go on the trip that time because I was in school. I did theater school in New York. It was final exam week. Our exams are not traditional exams. Our final exams were scene work. If I didn&#x27;t show up for my exam, all of my scene partners would also fail. So I couldn&#x27;t leave school. But I do have a trip planned in the near future, and I&#x27;m so excited,” she shared.</p><p>But even without setting foot in the Philippines, the Filipino culture is very much alive in their household. They eat Filipino food all the time—her mom has learned how to cook Filipino food. And in fact, they own a Filipino-inspired bakery in Langley, British Columbia, Canada called<strong> JJ Bakes Company</strong>. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-16" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIhLYShJXd4/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=810&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A16%2C%22os%22%3A16665165.700000003%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-16" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-18" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIzM-S1T8oM/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=810&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A18%2C%22os%22%3A16701950.399999991%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-18" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Love for food and passion for singing are distinctly Filipino, and Kaitlyn’s childhood was filled with memories of her singing in karaoke sessions. “I came into acting because I started singing first. You know, karaoke. I was doing karaoke when I was two years old at parties… I would also sing in the car,” she recounted. “My mom always tells a story about how when I was two years old, we were driving in our car and she and my dad had turned on the radio, and it was ‘My Heart Will Go On‘ by Celine Dion. And she said that when I was two, I just started singing along to it, and she and my dad looked at each other and were like, ‘Wait, why does she sound like she can hold a tune?’ ‘Why is she good at this?’ And so from there, I always was a singer and I always could sing.”</p><p>Later, in high school, she discovered acting after dabbling in musical theater and pursuing it in college. Eventually, she became part of the musical ”<strong>Dear Evan Hansen</strong>” and worked on television projects, too, before making her acting breakthrough in the horror movie that grossed  $274.2 million worldwide. It has been over a month since <em>Final Destination Bloodlines </em>was released, but I think I can speak on behalf of many who saw the movie—it was hard to move on from its intensity, and the paranoia it created stays long after the credits rolled in. And the success of the movie is thanks in part to Kaitlyn&#x27;s commendable performance. </p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><em></em></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-20" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJuX1BASnu5/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=810&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A20%2C%22os%22%3A18677074.799999997%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-20" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Whether it&#x27;s a musical, a TV series, or a film, Kaitlyn is open to exploring possibilities for her next project. Performing arts, she said, matter to her so much, and anything that will allow her to express herself through them fulfills her. </p><p><em>Final Destination Bloodlines</em> is not the final destination of Kaitlyn’s career—with the project marking many firsts for her, this is just the first stop of what she hopes will be a fruitful and purposeful adventure. </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1750490202300495271203_18504766996006924_3959915714130007534_n.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @kaitlynsantajuana</span></span></span></div><p>Kaitlyn mused, “To have a story about Filipino characters and Filipino actors reach number one in the world and to play on that platform is even more incredible. Like, that is the ultimate best-case scenario. And now, I&#x27;m spoiled because this is one of my first things. And to have it receive this much acclaim and for people to love it so much, I feel so spoiled. It&#x27;s so wonderful. And I feel very blessed as well. This is something that I&#x27;ll remember for the rest of my life.”</p><p>Great things are coming for her. The best is yet to come. </p><div><br/></div><p>Lead photos courtesy of <strong>Warner Bros. Pictures</strong> and from <strong>@finaldestinationmovie @kaitlynsantajuana</strong></p>

<p><i>”</i>This is something that I'll remember for the rest of my life,” part-Filipino actress Kaitlyn Santa Juana expressed how grateful she is for the incredible experience of starring in "Final Destination Bloodlines," which is part of such an iconic horror film franchise.</p>

” This is something that I'll remember for the rest of my life,” part-Filipino actress Kaitlyn Santa Juana expressed how grateful she is for the incredible experience of starring in "Final Destination Bloodlines," which is part of such an iconic horror film franchise.

Exclusive: 'Final Destination Bloodlines' Star Kaitlyn Santa Juana Looks Back on Her Life-Changing Role

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Exclusive: 'Final Destination Bloodlines' Star Kaitlyn Santa Juana Looks Back on Her Life-Changing Role

Grace Libero

Published Jun 21, 2025 04:00 PM PHT

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Updated Jun 21, 2025 04:01 PM PHT

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