Multi-talented Josi Kat:
To start, please introduce yourself:
My name is Josi Kat, and I’m from Los Angeles.
What is horror to you? What defines the genre?
Horror taps into primal fears—vulnerability, loss of control, darkness, the monstrous, and, of course, death. It can take many forms—supernatural, psychological mindf*cks, fear of the unknown, or graphic gore.
I’m drawn to horror that’s both terrifying and visually stunning. Coppola’s Dracula stands out with its seductive cast, gothic set design, baroque costumes, and practical effects. The Cell mesmerized me with its high-fashion costume design and cinematography inspired by Salvador Dalí and H.R. Giger. And then there’s Kubrick’s The Shining—a true work of art.
What inspired you to work in horror?
As a kid, my mom would drop me off to Sunday matinees of Abbott & Costello films. Those two were always getting into shenanigans with classic monsters. Other childhood favorites were The Munsters and Elvira’s Movie Macabre. Elvira’s hilarious critiques of low-budget horror had me hooked.
The first film that truly terrified me? The Exorcist. As a kid, it scared the hell out of me.
At 19, I became one of Haunted Garage’s original Gore-Gore dancers, pulling me deep into the horror scene, working alongside FX great Johnny Saiko and The Monster Man himself, Cleve Hall.
I was a Tromette for Troma Films, which eventually leading to a decade of red carpet hosting, festival judging (Shriekfest), and acting in lots of fun indie horror films.
A highlight was performing with Haunted Garage at Fangoria—meeting the legendary Stephen King and hanging out backstage with Elvira. 🖤🦇
What legacy do you hope to leave?
I love connecting people and fostering a sense of community in the industry. I hope my legacy is one of collaboration, friendship, and lifting others up.
Why is Women in Horror Month (WiHM) important?
WiHM shines a light on women in horror, creating more opportunities both on and off-screen. It inspires female creators and highlights their impact on the genre.
Which Women in Horror do you admire?
Jamie Lee Curtis—the original Scream Queen.
I’d love to introduce legendary producer Gale Anne Hurd (The Terminator, Aliens, The Walking Dead) to the incredible all-female crew members I’ve met through Women In Media(WIM) and Cinefemme. These organizations are doing amazing work for women in the industry.
What are you currently working on?
Recently wrapped Mahal Empire’s scifi film Alien Horde as a prop master which was different.
We just won a Film Threat award for Death Bitch, where I played a hooker with a heart—very different from my upcoming role as the unhinged Auntie Deb in The Meathook Massacre.
Next week, I start filming Death Park, where I play a badass bounty hunter.
My passion project is my documentary How the Hell Did I Get Here?, where I traveled the world interviewing expats about life in a foreign land.
Where can readers follow you?
🎥 IMDB: Josi Kat
📷 Instagram: @josi_kat
📘 Facebook: Josi Kat
🌐 Website: Fearleaders.net
