If you grew up watching That ‘70s Show, like me, you probably thought, “There’s no way they can actually pull off a reboot.” But then you too, like me, may have been surprised to find That ‘90s Show continues the original series’ hysterical, coming-of-age narrative. You might have also noticed the gleaming fresh face of Jay Kelso, the son of Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher’s characters, played by Mace Coronel.
All clothing CARSON WACH / Sunglasses, socks, shoes GUCCI
Free-spirited and highly intuitive, the 19-year-old actor currently seems more concerned with getting caught up in the journey than the outcome. “Being in the moment is most important,” the New York City- native says. “All I can do is my best as an actor and focus on the character’s intention. That’s the fun.” With a mischievous smile and goofy one-liners, it’s easy to fall under his whimsical spell. But don’t let his character fool you. Underneath his wispy fringe, Coronel is wide-eyed to take on all modes of expression and won’t stop at TV.
While his ambitions are soaring high, his take on stardom is down-to-earth. “I never put a focus on my profession in terms of it changing the way I interact with the world,” he says. “It’s merely a passion. I don’t let that dictate any of my choices in my day-to-day life, nor do I view myself in any different way.”
Discover the extended Q+A with Mace, below!
MINI V: Your acting career began at 7 years old. How does it feel growing up in front of the camera?
Mace Coronel: I wouldn’t say I grew up in front of a camera, my profession was viewed publicly. But for my personal life—I really stayed out of the public eye. I had a great childhood skateboarding in LA while doing what I loved—acting. I never put a focus on my profession in changing the way I interact with the world. It’s merely a passion. I don’t let that dictate my choices in day-to-day life, nor do I view myself differently.
MV: How were you approached for the role of Jay Kelso?
MC: Unless you are a nepotism baby—you’re not approached for a role. I had to audition like other auditions I do—that I get or don’t get. It’s kind of like gambling in a sense—gambling your time and creative energy. I hadn’t watched ‘That ‘70s Show’ prior.
MV: Oh, really?
MC: I’m not a big TV guy—especially sitcoms. I didn’t think I was going to get it. I’m so out of touch with it, you know? And they ended up really liking me. It was crazy because I ended up getting an Alexander Payne movie at the same time. I was trying to make both happen and, because of COVID-19 restrictions, we couldn’t shoot two projects at the same time. I was like, I’m already in negotiations with ‘That 90s Show’, so I’m going to go forward and make this role the best. It ended up being such a fun experience.
MV: Jackie and Michael Kelso are easily some of ‘That 70s Show’’s most iconic characters. You’ve got some pretty big shoes to fill as their onscreen child. How long does it take you to get into character?
MC: I don’t believe in having any shoes to fill. My parents always told me it’s not good to wear other people’s shoes because everyone’s foot is shaped a little differently, it’s better to fill your own. I hear actors have all these bizarre methods of getting into character, but I think of acting as being. The preparation was watching a few seasons of the show and then after that, it was a personal exploration to build this character with the writers and other actors.
MV: Let’s talk about Jay Kelso. He’s brawny, kind of sensitive, and ultimately a riot. He’s somewhat of a relic of the male ideal in the 90s. What do you think makes him relatable in this day and age?
MC: It’s hard to say he’s relatable nowadays because, in the 90s, people were more extroverted. They were less self-conscious about how they presented themselves because there wasn’t any social media. The basis was human interaction and just enjoying every day and seeing what you can make of it without external factors like phones. It was more, “Let’s cause some trouble with my friends,” you know? That is still alive today, but it’s changed. I don’t think I can place his outgoing character in today’s world. The way he does fit in is nowadays, kids struggle with monogamy—he’s a horn dog. I guess that’s the only thing I can really relate him [to today]. I don’t know if his screenplays would fit in today’s world. I’d have to do a “2000’s Show” season to figure that out.
MV: What’s been one of your favorite scenes to film on set?
MC: Probably my scenes with Tommy Chong because that guy is so sick, he just—he’s Tommy Chong.
MV: What’s the craziest experience you’ve had on set so far?
MC: Honestly, there was just so much going on during shooting that was delaying production. That was so crazy to deal with. Just working and then not for a while. It’s hard to stop and start production, so you’d never know, how it was going to turn out.
MV: I recently watched your short film ‘Gibson’, and it’s quite different from what you’ve been doing on TV where you play these lighthearted roles. Your short film, on the other hand, it’s very introspective. Can you expand on what drove you to venture out in that direction?
MC: As a creative, I’m only getting started. [Gibson] was just to test my abilities and to see if I could make a living daydream possible. I’m living in Las Vegas and there’s such a melancholy, stagnant beauty to this town. I really wanted to express that aesthetic in the movie. There’s a stark difference because I’m not in charge of it. I hope, and I know that will be the case one day when I can make a movie like ‘Gibson’ that’s super introspective and ominous. I’d rather paint the whole picture, rather than be a color in the painting. That’s how I look at acting. I’d rather be the painter, the creator, the writer, the director, the cinematographer—whatever it may be.
MV: Do you see yourself going into abstract films or are you going for a more clear-cut narrative?
MC: Making films, I’m definitely going towards stuff that has more of a narrative, but with that sense of it being abstract. I like a lot of metaphors and symbolism. I enjoy David Lynch’s work, for example, because he’s so experimental— there are a lot of questions left unanswered. I would like to indulge in those abstract, weird movies because they’re the main reason I have such a drive and love for acting. Independent films [is what started that because] I was making short films like Pocket before any of my mainstream roles.
MV: Aside from David Lynch, is there anyone you’d like to work with in the future?
MC: Oh, for sure. Gaspar [Noé], [the] Safdie brothers, and Larry Clark.
MV: When you’re not filming, what do you like to do? I saw you did a recent photography project that was exhibited in Texas.
MC: Thank you! That was like a random pop-up, I just didn’t really have any thought behind it. It was really fun and spontaneous. These days, I’m just focusing on truth, love, the universe that connects us all—and skateboarding a lot. I’m just enjoying what life has to offer.
MV: You were mentored by John Simmons. What was it like working with him?
MC: That guy is just a powerhouse of a photographer and most importantly, just a really cool, loving person. He’s seen and has so many insane stories that you wouldn’t be able to believe.
MV: One quote of his that stuck out to me is, “Time can pass by and everything can change in the world except the emotion you got from a photograph.” Do you feel the same way about film?
MC: Yeah, if anything, it gets more eerie as time goes on. Older films will kind of call things that are happening, in present-day society. Just like that the emotion you get from storytelling, it can only evolve over time, and get more complex, but the emotion will always be there.
MV: With a highly anticipated return for season two, what can we expect from your character?
MC: I actually don’t know anything that’s going on ‘That ‘90s Show’. The writers and the creators have it be a spontaneous experience on set.
MV: What’s something your fans don’t know about you that you think would surprise them?
MC: I’ve actually been training in Martial arts on and off since I was six. I feel like a lot of people don’t know that and think I’m just some pretty boy. I am very involved. I’m a music nerd and I pride myself on that. I really enjoy just listening to stuff on SoundCloud, YouTube, or records and vinyl. I listen to almost everything—like Sisters of Mercy, Dean Blunt, John Maus, Jadakiss, NAS, and this Dutch wrapper, SSK.
This story appears in the pages of MINI V: Issue Two (Summer 2023): now available for purchase!
Photography Charlotte Rutherford
Fashion Annie Lavie
Interview John Kopp
Editor-in-Chief Mathias Rosenzweig
Editor Kevin Ponce
Makeup Dana Delaney (The Wall Group)
Hair Preston Wada (Rare Global)
Manicure Imoan Nails
Photo Assistants Lance Williams, Joey Abreu
Stylist Assistant Ella Mae
Production Photobomb
Location Jk Media Studio, Los Angeles
