8 Reasons We Love Kayla Cromer (Besides the Fact That She's Cooler Than Cool)

As the first TV actor on the autism spectrum to have a leading role as a character on the autism spectrum, Kayla Cromer is bringing a new level of rawness and authenticity to Everything's Gonna Be Okay [1]. Freeform's newest comedy series follows teenage sisters Matilda (Cromer) and Genevieve (Maeve Press) who are trying to maneuver through life's obstacles after the death of their father, along with the help of their half-brother Nicholas (Please Like Me's Josh Thomas [2]). With her eyes set on starring in a Marvel movie [3], Kayla's vulnerability and mission to embrace who she is is an inspiration. Here are a few reasons why we've quickly fallen for her — and think you will, too.

She's the First Actor on the Autism Spectrum to Play a Leading TV Character on the Spectrum

Kayla Cromer is breaking down barriers in the entertainment industry, as the first actor on the autism spectrum to be playing a leading character also on the spectrum [4]. Her goal is to break the stigmas surrounding artists with disabilities in the acting world. She even hinted at hoping to win an Emmy!

Her Grandmother's Funeral Gave a Different Perspective For the Pilot of Everything's Gonna Be Okay

In an interview with Mashable, Kayla shared that her grandmother Shirley was like another parent to her [5]. "My parents were trying to afford a private school education in special ed," she said. "So, she would babysit me all day and night while they worked." Kayla read the eulogy at her grandmother's funeral and said because of that experience, she was able to bring different aspects into the pilot of Everything's Gonna Be Okay where her character has to read the eulogy for her late father.

She Was Diagnosed With Rosacea 5 Years Ago

About three years ago Kayla announced on her Instagram that she had been diagnosed with rosacea [6] two years prior. Rosacea is a common skin condition that can lead to redness on the cheeks [7], sometime accompanied by small bumps. With clean eating and help from a dermatologist, Kayla explained she was able to work on her beauty from the inside out.

She Was a Foster Dog Mom

Kayla fostered Tazz, a Pit Bull, and the photos of her on Kayla's Instagram are too precious not to share! She kept her followers updated on Tazz's journey to new home [8] where her backyard now includes playing on the beach.

She Hopes Everything Is Gonna Be Okay Teaches Viewers to Consider the Future

Kayla also recently opened up about her own obstacles with autism [9] and preparing for the next life cycle: preteen, teenager, young adult, adult. She explained for those on the autism spectrum, it can be a lot of prep with things like with bank cards, paychecks, or finances. She herself is still coming to understand taxes.

Her Ideal Plans For 2020 Include Going on a Date With Matthew Gray Gubler

During an interview with Refinery29, Kayla was asked what she hoped she would be doing in five years. She responded by saying she wants to accomplish her five-year plan within the span of a year [10] and on that list is going on a date with Dr. Spencer Reid from Criminal Minds [11], aka Matthew Gray Gubler.

She Made a Makeshift Tourniquet and Drove Herself to Urgent Care the Morning of Her Audition

As if auditioning for a lead role in a TV series isn't stressful enough for one morning, try having to drive yourself to urgent care beforehand. While rehearsing her lines, Kayla stepped on a piece of glass and immediately went into survival mode, grabbing her pocket knife and creating a makeshift tourniquet [12] with a piece of her shirt and highlighter. Nurses assured her that although the cut wasn't bad enough for a tourniquet, she is the only person they've seen make one right.

She's Only Dated Neurotypical Men

A common misconception is that people on the autism spectrum are only capable of dating other people on the spectrum [13], Kayla shared in an interview. She hopes that in the progression of Everything's Gonna Be Okay, her character Matilda can illustrate dating neurotypical people may take time but it's just as normal.

POPSUGAR UK