New Trier Grad Katie Chang: ‘I Feel Like Hannah Montana’, Video

Winnetka native Katie Chang, who recently graduated from New Trier High School, says during her audition for Sofia Coppola’s latest movie, The Bling Ring, she would turn on and off into the character of Rebecca, the leader of the group that stole from celebrity homes, RedEye reported.

The Bling Ring is based on a true story of teens in L.A. who broke into the homes of several notable celebrities in 2011, including Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan. Chang plays Rebecca Ahn, the group's ringleader — a major role in a major movie, which is almost unheard of for an unknown actress.

When Chang read a script in December 2011, the actress who studied at the Actor’s Training Center at the Wilmette Theater, had no idea she would end up on the bigscreen as part of Coppola’s latest movie.

“In the audition process, I had no idea what the movie is about,” Chang told Patch in a 2012 interview. “Sofia is known for being very secretive of her projects and keeping all of her projects very sacred until the last minute.”  

Chang is planning to attend Columbia University in the fall to study creative writing and since wrapping up The Bling Ring she has already shot a second feature A Birder’s Guide to Everything co-starring Ben Kingsley and Kodi Smit-McPhee.

The Wilmette Theatre recently held the Chicago premier of The Bling Ring, which is now playing in theaters.

Earlier:

• Winnetka Movie Actress Remains Grounded
• Rising Winnetka Star in Second Feature
  New Trier Student in Sofia Coppola’s New Movie