Sarnia’s Next Step: The story of Samara Kabat

The Sarnia Journal has partnered with local photographer Art Connolly to feature his captivating “Humans of Sarnia” series as he delves into the lives and experiences of everyday people in Sarnia.

Samara Kabat also known as ‘Sammy” is the kind of young person who makes you optimistic about the future of Sarnia.

At an age when many people are still trying to decide what direction they want their lives to take, Samara has already built an impressive resume as an athlete, performer, student, and community representative. Now, the Sarnia-born actor is preparing to step onto an international stage after landing a principal role in the new television series The Next Step: Cheer, a spin-off of the highly successful teen drama The Next Step. The series is now streaming on BBC and CBBC iPlayer in the UK.

Samara will play the role of Angel, a character she describes with a smile as “sassy.”

Born and raised in Sarnia, Samara comes from a busy and supportive family. Her mother, Jaime, manages Guest Services at Lambton Mall, while her father works as a Process Operator at CF Industries. Along with her younger sister and twin brothers, the family has also opened their home to foster children, creating an environment centered on care, opportunity, and support.

Her roots in the community run deep. Samara attended Saint Anne Catholic School for kindergarten before moving on to Rosedale Public School and later Northern Collegiate Institute and Vocational School. Today, she is studying Police Foundations at Lambton College and says she has a particular interest in one day serving with the Sarnia Police Service.

While acting may be opening exciting new doors, cheerleading has long been at the heart of Samara’s journey.

At just six years old, she became involved with Bluewater Cheer Athletics. “I went on the first day that Bluewater Cheer opened,” she recalled with a laugh. “It took me awhile to get into it, but I fell in love with it.”

That passion would eventually carry her far beyond Sarnia. Years of dedication, training, and competition helped her develop into one of the country’s elite young cheerleaders. In 2019, at only 12 years old, Samara earned a place on Junior Team Canada and helped bring home a silver medal on the international stage.

Her path into acting began much earlier than most people realize. “I did some modelling when I was little and then came a bit of acting, like small commercials,” she explained. “I was definitely better at modelling than I was acting.”

She also participated in theatre productions, gradually building confidence in front of audiences. Yet even with those experiences, Samara never expected that an opportunity like The Next Step: Cheer would come her way.

The opportunity arrived thanks in part to her brother, Michael, who learned that Executive Producer Amy Wright was searching across Ontario for talented young performers. Although Sarnia was not among the listed casting locations, Samara refused to see that as a barrier.

Instead, she submitted a video showcasing both her cheerleading skills and her personality. That single submission led to multiple Zoom interviews, followed by an in-person audition in Mississauga. Eventually, she received the call informing her that she had been cast as Angel.

Her success was not simply a matter of being in the right place at the right time. The production faced a unique challenge in finding performers who could excel in both acting and high-level competitive cheerleading.

“There are a lot of actors,” Samara explained, “but there are not a lot of high-level cheerleaders.” The role demanded exactly the combination of talents she had spent years developing.

Perhaps the most striking thing about Samara is not any single accomplishment, but the energy and enthusiasm she brings to everything she does. During our conversation, it became clear that she possesses a genuine curiosity about the world and a desire to fully embrace every opportunity that comes her way.

“I just love doing so many things,” she said. “Even in high school, I wanted to join every club. I wanted to be a part of everything.”

That mindset served her well during filming. The cast often worked twelve-hour days over a two-month production schedule.

“We started taping in August and ended September 20,” she said. “They move quick. That’s how they’ve always done it. They’ve always just moved super-fast.” In that short period, the production completed twenty episodes.

The experience also led to lasting friendships. Samara remains close with many of her fellow cast members and recently reunited with several of them while attending a cheerleading competition in Florida where her brother was competing.

When asked about her future in acting, Samara remains thoughtful and grounded. “I’m not 100 percent sure how much more I want to act,” she said. “But I love the people, and I love the show, and it’s about a sport I love.”

What stands out most about Samara is her willingness to pursue opportunities wherever they may lead. Whether competing internationally as a member of Junior Team Canada, studying toward a future career in policing, or stepping onto a television set viewed by audiences around the world, she approaches each challenge with determination and enthusiasm.

For a community like Sarnia, young people such as Samara Kabat serve as powerful reminders that talent can emerge from anywhere. Her success reflects not only countless hours of hard work and commitment but also the confidence to pursue opportunities beyond what might seem possible.

Samara Kabat will be representing far more than a television character. She will be representing the drive, resilience, and ambition that exist within so many young people growing up in Sarnia today—and she does so in a way that makes her hometown proud.

Humans of Sarnia founder Art Connolly is a man fuelled by curiosity and a passion for connecting with people in Sarnia. Inspired by the renowned “Humans of New York” series, with a camera in hand, he captures the very essence of the individuals he encounters, preserving their stories through his lens. Follow his series at the Humans of Sarnia website and on Facebook.