What it is like being twins in the spotlight with Karina and Raechelle Banno
Karina is on left and Raechelle is on the right. PHOTO CREDIT: George Maher
Being compared is something all twins can relate to. From the very beginning, people will ask questions (and sometimes unprompted) about what it is like being a twin, how you are different etc. And for some of us that never ends. However, how is this comparison in a professional setting? What is it like being compared in an industry such as the entertainment industry? We are excited to bring you experts on this matter, the Banno twins.
In today's interview, we are bringing you Karina and Raechelle Banno. Both who you may know from several TV shows and movies. Karina has worked both in front and behind the camera in films such as Friday on My Mind and Circle of Lies. Raechelle is probably most known for her role as Olivia in the Australian hit show Home and Away (the show chronicles the lives, loves, happiness and heart-breaks of the residents of Summer Bay, a small coastal town in New South Wales, Australia). We are excited to bring you this candid interview with these beyond talented twins.
In this interview, you will learn more about their aspirations, latest projects and how it is being compared when on the same career path. Enjoy!
KARINA
1. WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT DO YOU DO?
I’m Karina Banno: actor and filmmaker. What I do is create and play for a living (I’m so so grateful that I can say that!)
2. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?
It’s hard to imagine a time where being an actor isn’t what I wanted to do.
At a young age, Raechelle and I were pretty sure about pursuing this career, and approached a family friend of ours (who is a casting director) at a BBQ proclaiming that we wanted to act and asked how we could make that happen. He was very kind and indulged us, and thank goodness he did because we honestly don’t have anyone else in our family who is remotely involved in the industry. We really had to discover it on our own.
3. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TWIN MOMENT?
Most recently, it was standing together at the 2018 Flickerfest screening of sensational Writer/Director Alyssa McClelland's short, SECOND BEST.
I was so proud to see our work being shared with an audience, something that was really close to our hearts, and to be able to share the opportunity together was really special.
4. DO YOU SEE BEING A TWIN AS A STRENGTH OR WEAKNESS?
I think the only weakness I can associate with being a twin would be that I’ve had to learn to cope with being alone.
Those who aren’t twins (let’s call them solo’s ) have the opposite... I’ve always had someone my age, who was in my grade at school, who I shared a room with (probably for longer than we should have 💁) etc.
So time alone was something new for me, and it took some getting used to. But I can’t deny the strength that Raechelle and I have together as twins. We really are a unit.
5. HAVING CHOSEN THE SAME CAREER PATH, DO YOU MIND BEING COMPARED?
It’s only natural for people to compare us, and it’s flattering - Raechelle is a stellar performer.
It only becomes a problem when people can’t see us as individuals. While we’re very similar, we have been auditioning for the same roles since we started acting and we never have the same approach.
It’s fun to see our differing choices and potential for the character to transform in a way you never thought possible.
6. ARE THERE ANY DREAM ROLES/PROJECTS YOU WISH YOU COULD PLAY TOGETHER?
Working with Raechelle is always a dream.
I learn a lot from her and she tends to bring out a better performance in me because I need to step up to meet her caliber. As we get older, it’s harder to work together as the roles aren’t really around for adult twins (that’s what makes Izzy Stevens’ short PHENOMENA - that just premiered at the 2018 Tropfest lineup - so special).
But if Gregory Erdstein and Alice Foulcher want to do a THAT’S NOT ME sequel... 🤷🏼
Karina is on left and Raechelle is on the right. PHOTO CREDIT: Liam Molloy
7. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION ABOUT TWINS?
That we have full telepathic conversations.
Not so much. But there is something unspoken and just understood within a ‘look’.
We also tend to start sentences and just know where it’s going so we don’t continue (much to the confusion/annoyance of those around us).
8. WHAT IS THE CHEESIEST TWIN JOKE ANYONE HAS PULLED ON YOU?
"You should just fill in for Raechelle when she’s sick on H&A.” ALWAYS get that one.
TWIN RAPID QUESTIONS:
WHO IS THE BOSSIEST?
Neither??? Maybe me...?
WHO IS THE MESSIEST?
KARINA (but it doesn’t take much to be messier than Raechelle 
)
WHO IS MOST ACTIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA?
Posting? Raechelle. Browsing? Karina.
WHO IS THE MORE SHY TWIN?
RAECHELLE
WHO IS THE MORE ADVENTUROUS TWIN?
KARINA
LASTLY, IS THERE AN EVIL TWIN?
YEP KARINA! Without a doubt.
RAECHELLE
1. WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT DO YOU DO?
My name is Raechelle Banno. I’m an actor. I get to tell stories for a living.
2. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?
When we were quite young, Karina and I worked on a range of TV commercials, photoshoots, and slowly built our way towards making it our full time job.
3. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TWIN MOMENT?
While at the audition for Second Best (the Flickerfest-accepted short film we did with Writer/Director Alyssa McClelland).
We both had such a strong yet unspoken understanding of those characters. To be able to share that professionally was really special.
DO YOU SEE BEING A TWIN AS A STRENGTH OR WEAKNESS?
A strength, absolutely. I’ve had my best friend by my side my whole life; how could that not be a strength?!
HAVING CHOSEN THE SAME CAREER PATH, DO YOU MIND BEING COMPARED?
We have been compared our whole lives, which is the natural thing to happen, I suppose.
What’s important is that we have never been compared by our family or by each other. We recognize how very different, yet complementary, we are to one another.
ARE THERE ANY DREAM ROLES/PROJECTS YOU WISH YOU COULD PLAY TOGETHER?
I have so much respect for her work ethic and talent; it’s a joy to watch her perform, regardless of the project.
It was so wonderful being able to work together, even if not playing twins, in Izzy Stevens’ ’Phenomena’. I got to witness her work and share a connection, without actually playing twins. If the right project were to come along to work together again, we’d know it. That’s the dream, to share that gut feeling of ‘we’ve got this. Let’s go for it!’.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION ABOUT TWINS?
Reading each other’s minds, for sure.
While I know Karina well enough to assume what she’s thinking, I don’t hear a full blown monologue of hers running through my mind!
WHAT IS THE CHEESIEST TWIN JOKE ANYONE HAS PULLED ON YOU?
Poking one of us and immediately asking the other ‘DID YOU FEEL THAT?!’.
TWIN RAPID QUESTIONS:
WHO IS THE BOSSIEST?
We both have our moments.
WHO IS THE MESSIEST?
Karina.
WHO IS MOST ACTIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA?
Karina…?
WHO IS THE MORE SHY TWIN?
Raechelle.
WHO IS THE MORE ADVENTUROUS TWIN?
Karina…but Raechelle tries!!
LASTLY, IS THERE AN EVIL TWIN?
Karina. Definitely and always Karina.
Thank you, Karina and Raechelle Banno. We are so inspired by your talent, story and generosity. Can't wait to see you bringing all that twinning to the screen in the years to come. You two are truly twinspiring <3
To follow the Banno twins, check them out on Instagram - Karina's here and Raechelle here.
We love getting to know to fellow twins and this is our latest interview in our twin interview series (check out the others, including with the Dancing With the Stars Slater twins here and twin artists Megan and Liz here)
Twinning Store was established by twin sisters K & E in Los Angeles in July 2017. We sell clothing, gifts and accessories for twins, because twins rule! We have quickly become the #1 choice for twins worldwide and have shipped to over 20 countries in over 5 continents. (P.S. We have also have made a collection for twin dad and twin mom). Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
