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Daren Kagasoff Talks Season Two of The Secret Life of the American Teenager
by Troy Rogers
For any young actor, working in television means you have to grow up fast in a mature environment filled with adults. It's not easy to deal with adult issues within the industry while still being able to enjoy the carefree life that comes with being a teen. For young actor Daren Kagasoff, who stars in ABC Family's dramatic hit The Secret Life of the American Teenager, the line between adult and teen is almost one in the same since Kagasoff is 21 in real life while his TV character, Ricky Underwood, is only 16.
 With the second season of The Secret Life of the American Teenager now underway, Kagasoff finds himself dealing many complex issues associated with teen pregnancy after his character Ricky hooks up with Amy Juergens (Shailene Woodley) at band camp, which results in her pregnancy. Although Kagasoff had time to settle into The Secret Life in season one, the show's second season will be even more of a challenge, as Ricky will also be dealing with his own sexual issues in therapy that will peel back inner layers he might not want to confront - issues that might have led Ricky down a different path if certain events didn't take place in his life.
THE DEADBOLT: So what’s it like working opposite Ernie Hudson?
DAREN KAGASOFF: I remember the first time I had a scene with him, it was the most frightening thing in the world. It was the first time where I was like, "Okay, you got to step it up now kid. You’re going against a vet and you got to show some stuff here." You know, he’s such a giving actor that when you’re in the scene you really feel like you’re in that therapist office. I mean, Ernie, I just learned so much from him. John [Schneider], Josie [Bissett]; just walking on set it’s really an honor to be around these people and watch them work on set.
THE DEADBOLT: Is it harder to understand the scope of the issues when you’re not a teenager?
KAGASOFF: Well, I’m actually 21, but my character is 16. So, yeah, I think it’s definitely difficult. I know that in high school a lot of people go through a lot of issues - they’re growing up, they’re going through puberty, they’re doing this and they’re doing that. So it’s definitely a crucial time in a young adult’s life. I think the issues that are brought up in Secret Life really are true. And the kids, the way that we respond to them and handle these issues, I think is a true testament to society.
THE DEADBOLT: What are your personal views on getting married at 15?
KAGASOFF: [laughs] I’d say, I wouldn’t suggest it. But if you get that love bug - I mean, what can you do? I’m not one to tell anybody else how to live their life. I don’t think I’d get married at 15. Well, I’m not married, so...
THE DEADBOLT: How accomplished are you as a drummer?
 KAGASOFF: Not accomplished at all, to be quite honest. I’m terrible with music, to be honest. I can’t dance. I’m just bad in that aspect. But if a scene ever calls for drumming, I’d get tutoring or something on the drums so I could just pull it off a bit, you know?
THE DEADBOLT: Can you reveal any funny or cool Jason Priestly stories?
KAGASOFF: Yeah, sure. Jason, God, I look up to him so much. Every single time he’s on set to direct it’s such a breath of fresh air because he was once an actor on a hit TV show and he just knows how to direct because he’s an actor’s director. He knows what it’s like to be in front of the camera and being a director now he knows what it’s like being behind the camera. So he really is unbelievable at talking to actors and getting them through the scenes and really getting out of it what he wants. So Jason, he’s a goofball on set. He has such a good time. He makes you feel so comfortable and yes, I love Jason. He’s my boy. [laughs].
THE DEADBOLT: How is the show affecting your personal life?
KAGASOFF: I’m just, I guess, a face on TV. I’m still the same Daren that I was a year ago before the show started I guess it’s just people come up to you now, and that’s, I guess, what you get when you get into this business. As far as me, I haven’t changed. It’s just I’m on TV and people recognize me once in a while.
THE DEADBOLT: What are you looking forward to exploring in season two?
 KAGASOFF: We’re definitely going to go more in depth with my character and as far as his background when he was sexually abused as a child, so I’m excited for everybody to see that deeper side of Ricky and you’ll get to see some true emotion out of him. That’s just a soft subject, I guess, and it’s going to be great to see the audience’s reaction.
THE DEADBOLT: How do you actually get into Ricky’s head concerning his sexual abuse past?
KAGASOFF: To be quite honest, I don’t want to reveal what I do because it’s a personal thing. But definitely, you have to take yourself to the darkest place possible. It’s haunting to get to that place. I know that when I was shooting specific scenes for the second season from studying and really honing in this character, I had knots in my stomach. I couldn’t eat because I was waiting to shoot this one scene or these couple of scenes. It’s tough when you really take yourself to that place because it’s such a real place. It’s an adventure.
THE DEADBOLT: It must be easy to see how decisions as a teenager can effect the rest of your life.
KAGASOFF: Oh, 100%. I think a lot of teens nowadays, they’re a lot more grown up than they think they are. They try to take more responsibility, or less responsibility, and do whatever is socially acceptable, I guess. Yes, but with the show that really shows a realness and I think that’s why a lot of people can relate, so all in all it’s great.
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