<p>In this TDZ Podcast, I speak with Katie Lai -- an actor and former Degrassi star Kendra Mason, about growing up as child actors, the hidden realities of working in television at a young age, and the shocking reason she ultimately walked away from Degrassi.Katie opens up about starting her career at just 3 years old after performing in Miss Saigon, landing roles on shows like Super Rupert and Degrassi: The Next Generation, and navigating auditions, rejection, bullying, and the pressures of growing up in the entertainment industry. We reflect on our shared experiences as young performers, the importance of parents advocating for child actors on set, and the emotional impact fame and exclusion can have at a young age.The conversation also explores Katie’s surprising career pivot away from acting: traveling the world, earning an MBA in the UK, and building a successful consulting career across industries before eventually finding her way back to performance.</p><p><br></p><p>Topics include:• Why Katie quit Degrassi• The reality of being a child actor• Bullying and exclusion in entertainment• Audition culture and rejection• Child safety on film sets• Balancing acting and school• Transitioning from acting into consulting• Returning to acting • “Say yes now, figure it out later” philosophy</p><p><br></p><p>If you&#39;re enjoying the podcast, consider supporting:• https://buymeacoffee.com/tdzpodcast</p><p>• Buy My Children&#39;s Book: https://www.amazon.ca/Tiffy-Spiffy-Mr-Michael-DAscenzo/dp/B0CKGVFP72 </p><p>Follow Katie Lai IG: @whatisthestars</p><p><br></p><p>The D&#39;Ascenzo Zone: </p><p>◼︎Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCphk_rom3ggaW9qhFlIDrag?sub_confirmation=1</p><p>◼︎ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7FMIr4zzMZMgQhd3SBUYqz?si=vg_AaJS5QdO6cCQffTIFYw</p><p>◼︎Mike&#39;s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikedascenz/?hl=en</p><p>◼︎TDZ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedascenzozone/</p><p>◼︎Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@thedascenzozone</p><p><br></p><p>◼︎For Business Inquiries: [email protected]</p>