Anthony Keyvan brings his Filipino roots to the forefront in XO, Kitty
Anthony Keyvan / FILE PHOTO
The long-anticipated return of XO, Kitty has finally arrived with its second season.
This season of the Netflix hit takes a fun and some dramatic turn, with cultural references making the series feel even more diverse. One of the cute moments? The Philippines gets a special mention, thanks to the character Q Shabazian, portrayed by Anthony Keyvan.
If you didn’t already know, Keyvan is actually an American who is half Filipino and half Iranian, and it’s clear his multicultural background shines through in his portrayal of Q, an openly gay student navigating life at an elite school.
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Hailing from Long Beach, California, Keyvan grew up immersed in music, food and, of course, karaoke, according to one of his interviews with Preview. He has fond memories of family gatherings where food and music took center stage, calling it “magical.”
As for his karaoke skills, Keyvan doesn’t shy away from saying he’s got the chops to steal the spotlight—though acting is his true passion. He got his start at just 8 years old, booking a Disneyland commercial and a guest spot on “Lost.”
Keyvan’s acting career blossomed with his breakout role as Rahim in “Love, Simon,” where he played a Muslim teenager grappling with his identity and religious family expectations. Now, in XO, Kitty, his character Q also explores themes of identity, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community, as he navigates his relationship with a fellow athlete.
In one memorable scene, Q talks about his family, saying, “They’re literally in the Philippines, saving lives and being geniuses. Meanwhile, I’m still hung up on the C I got in bio last semester.”
Q even cooked his “Lola’s special Filipino healing broth,” with calamansi, coconut vinegar, bagoong and pickled green papaya.
Meanwhile, in a more subtle nod to the Philippines having a warmer climate, Minho’s (Sang Heon Lee’s character) remarks, “Next Seollal, book a flight to Cebu.”
As the season progresses, Minho and Kitty’s cute short romance has left fans eagerly anticipating a third season.
With the chemistry between the characters sparking a flurry of excitement, viewers can’t help but wonder where their story will go next. Will the sparks continue to fly, or will they face new challenges?
Either way, it seems like the journey is far from over.
