Photography: Jenna Renee.
In the showbiz world, children of performers often get a hard time, labelled as “nepo babies” for seemingly riding on the coat-tails of their famous parents. But not Kiwi actress Mya-Lee Bell.
“She refuses to lean in!” laughs her dad Logan Bell, who’s a founding member and the singer of iconic Kiwi band Katchafire.
“I’ve tried! She has an incredible voice and talent. I’d love her to learn chords and come on stage with us to do backing vocals, but no way!”
Mya-Lee replies, “I don’t want to feed off the back of my dad – I want to make my own path.”
It’s this sense of independence and determination that’s guiding the 22-year-old as she steps into the spotlight. The young actress is currently on screen playing Rua, a lead character in the hit Whakaata Māori bilingual drama series Ahikāroa, which is now in its seventh season.
It’s a big leap for Mya-Lee. After guest-starring last season, she’s now a core cast member, cementing her place as one of Aotearoa’s rising acting talents.
A father-daughter duo full of fun and heart
“It was a big jump, but I was ready for it,” she says.
“Rua is fun and young. I love bringing her energy to life.”
As Woman’s Day catches up with dad and daughter at Logan and wife Leila’s sunny Tauranga home, they clearly have a deep bond – their conversation is punctuated with plenty of laughs and playful digs. At one point, Logan, 47, nudges his eldest as he tells her off for never visiting.
Finding her freedom
“She hardly ever comes back home and when she does, it’s only for one night!” he teases.
Mya-Lee cracks up.
“I moved out in 2021 and love being free. Cereal for dinner, dessert for breakfast… I’m just living my best life and doing my own thing!”
Growing up with music, laughter and big energy
Bringing his daughter up in a house alive with music and performance, Logan spotted her talent early on.
“She’s always been performing, always had over-the-top energy and enthusiasm,” he shares.
“We encourage all of that. She’s finding her own way and I’m here for it.”
A legacy of creativity and performance
Creativity runs rich through Mya-Lee’s whakapapa. Her grandad Grenville Bell started Katchafire, a reggae band that’s been hugely popular both in Aotearoa and internationally since 1997, with its legacy carried forward by her dad Logan and uncle Jordan.
Plus, Logan’s mum Haneta performed as a back-up singer and dancer for Kiwi entertainer and songwriter Dalvanius Prime in Australia.
Growing up in a wha¯nau where performance was both encouraged and role-modelled made its mark on Mya-Lee, who’s of Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāpuhi and Tainui descent. As a result, she decided to pursue acting, completing a two-year course at South Seas Film School.
A whole whānau of rising stars
Her siblings have inherited the same drive. Her 19-year-old brother Tane recently stood in for his uncle Jordan on tour, drumming on stage for Katchafire for 12 shows, including a couple of festivals of up to 30,000 people.
“He had three weeks to learn the set,” Logan recalls.
“He ran it every day after work to get ready for it and he absolutely smashed it.”
Meanwhile, Mya-Lee’s two younger sisters, Logan Jnr, 14, and Isla, eight, are thriving in kapa haka.
A proud dad watching his kids shine
“I’m full of pride for them,” grins Logan.
“All my kids are little performers who have naturally gravitated to the stage and screen, and I love watching them. There’s always dust in the room – I’m a big cry baby!”
Balancing touring life with whānau time
Time with family remains precious for Logan, who’s on the road for half the year with Katchafire, including upcoming tours in the US and Australia. When he’s home, he juggles hanging with his children alongside mentoring other musicians and working on new music for Katchafire, including new album Revival 2.0, out early next year.
After 28 years of singing the same songs, you could forgive Logan for wanting to change things up, but he’s happy to give fans what they want.
“We’re a legacy band now,” he muses.
“That first album is how most people found us. I don’t mind playing the originals.”
A dad cheering her on
Now he hopes his love of performance will continue to fuel Mya-Lee as she pursues her acting dreams.
“She’s found her passion in acting and I really respect that,” Logan beams.
“I didn’t know what I wanted to do at this age – I didn’t even finish school, so she’s already winning! Watching her on screen is a different kind of pride. She’s succeeding at something she loves and that’s all a parent could hope for.”
Ahikāroa is now streaming on Māori+.
