At home with... The Habib’s Kat Hoyos
Kat Hoyos admits the character of Layla Habib on Channel 9’s Here Come the Habibs is vastly different to herself, although she’s been a great role to take on.
Home Mag
Don't miss out on the headlines from Home Mag. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Kat Hoyos admits the character of Layla Habib on Channel 9’s Here Come the Habibs is vastly different to herself, although she’s been a great role to take on.
“She’s sort of everyone that I don’t really like in real life,” she says of her character in the comedy about a Lebanese-Australian family who win the lottery and move into a waterfront home in Vaucluse.
“I’m the opposite in real life.
“It’s fun that I get to play around with such an extreme character.”
Kat, who enjoys reading self-help books, describes herself as “pretty chilled.”
“I’m not really into social media and I don’t wear that much makeup in real life,” she says.
“I’m really simple.
“But in terms of comparing who I was as a 16-year-old, I probably wasn’t as strong as her.
“I wasn’t very confident about who I was.”
Kat, who is also a singer and dancer, has also taken on roles in Jersey Boys the Musical, Hairspray the Musical, Bring it On and she has recently been cast as Erato for Xanadu, which plays at Sydney’s Hayes Theatre from May.
Kat’s home is a three-bedroom apartment with two balconies in Redfern that she shares with two friends.
“I live with two girls, so I’d say it’s got the feminine touch,” she says.
“Our home’s really quiet and a lot of people that come over comment on just how much natural light there is.
“The way that it’s been built, we can have a barbecue and lot of people over and not be cramped for space.”
The flatmates have taken a collaborative approach to their interior decorating.
“We’ve gone for white with touches of colour,” Kat says.
“I think white keeps the space really bright and open and complements the natural light that we get in the house.”
She’s also a big fan of the area where she lives.
“For me and my lifestyle, it’s just so central to the things that I need to do,” she says.
“It’s close to the beach, close to Fox Studios, it’s inner city living and I’m right near the Distributor.
“It’s easy for me to get around in the back streets as well as main roads, I’m not stuck.
“There’s a lot of foot traffic around, there’s a nice vibe in the neighbourhood.”
Pictures Chris Pavlich and Bob Barker
Headphones
Headphones are my life when travelling. I love to block out outdoor noise with music. Music really can change my mood, and I grew up with it being a constant vibe in the family home.
In particular I love good funk — a ’70s jam, or taking it back to Motown at the moment. My playlists are fairly broad, from jazz to heavy rock, to musical theatre. It’s an eclectic mix.
Anything Disney
My uncle works at Disneyworld in Florida and while I was growing up he used to send me little gifts from Disneyland, so I have this sentimental attachment.
These little toys are a reminder to never take life too seriously. Have fun.
And as Walt Disney quoted: “If you can dream it, you can do it”. So, subconsciously having a bit of Disney on me reminds me of that too.
Essential oils
Keeping in line with my holistic self, I am a fan of essential oils and my diffuser. If it’s not candles, it’s this. I’m really into shakras as well, so I like to use the expressive blend, which is good for the throat shakra.
That’s to do with speaking with truth and clarity, expression and emotion. A sore throat for example could possibly mean you’re holding back what you’re feeling, which ties in with Louise Hay too.
Self-help book
Being in this industry filled with highs and lows, I like to keep my thoughts at bay, or to check in with a good self-help book. I really love reading Louise Hay and after reading You Can heal Your Life my boyfriend got me The Power is Within You.
The human mind is so curious to me, and these books really help me comprehend the power of the attainable and the metaphysical.
Candles
Life can be chaotic at times, and candles are a lovely physical reminder that we are now in “chill-out zone”. I have a few scattered in my room, and in the living room. My housemates giggle at me for it, especially when we have friends over and I get the candles going.
Hot chips
My vice, my happiness. I can’t go past a hot chip. The crispier the better. Chicken salt and aioli. I think my absolute favourite experience of a hot chip moment was in Galway, Ireland while I was backpacking. Handmade hot chips, with freshly grated cheese that melted on the hot steamy chips with home made aioli on top. It was heaven.
iPad
I don’t have a laptop so for me this is a great in-betweener. I have numerous apps that make things stress-free for me, like reading scripts for example. I can type my to-do lists on planes, watch videos for choreography, do homework on a creative level. I love that it all syncs up to my desktop at home.
Who
Singer, dancer and actor Kat Hoyos has been starring as Layla Habib in Channel 9 comedy Here Come The Habibs
Where
Three-bedroom apartment in Redfern she shares with two flatmates
Favourite thing
Herbal tea. As well as a fuzzy on the outside, I love a warm fuzzy on the inside. I don’t drink coffee, so tea is my beverage of choice. We have an extensive collection at home, and when I’m away on tour I love to have a few selections; you don’t always get a good selection in a hotel room. Being a singer too, it’s just lovely and soothing. A cup of really good herbal tea and good company equals a good conversation to be had
Inspiration
I think my inspiration comes from reading and watching people succeed in life in a positive way. I like to read a self-help books and learn a lot about myself. Quotes inspire me as well, and people that are creatively happy and carry good energy
Home is...
is Rejuvenating. A place where I can recharge
How one couple transformed their Erskineville terrace
With a tight budget, a husband and wife architect team turned their home in Sydney’s inner west from small to sensational with a smart redesign. Here’s how they did it.
How an old cottage became a family home
Why bother retaining an old house when you already have approval to build something new? Architect Ricci Bloch says the owners of a Rose Bay cottage knew a gem when they saw one.