So music and acting for me have always been self-expression but also escaping my life at the same time. My music is my life in lyrics. I usually write when I’m going through an emotional time in my life. So it’s like I’m sharing my journal entry with the world when I sing. When I’m acting it’s my therapy. Stepping out of my own shoes and into someone else’s to gain a new perspective in life. It’s a way for me to just release.
1. Tell us more about your background and journey.
I was raised in a performing family. My parents met in theatre in college. My mom decided to give up acting to have a family, and became a drama teacher instead, adding little roles for me in all of her shows. My grandmother had a band with her 11 brothers and sisters, and would occasionally have me join in to sing with them when I was younger.
So I was introduced to theatre and music pretty young. My grandmother always told me I belong in Hollywood or New York, so I chose the one with less snow. But I always knew what I wanted to do. I even started writing my own plays at a young age, then I ended up getting published for my first poem at age 9, which turned into me writing lyrics.
So it just kind of played out I guess, but I never had doubts about what I wanted to do for a living. After high school, I started modeling, and ended up moving to Utah where I was introduced to film, and signed to an agency. Which after two years, it was time to move to LA. I’ve been here ten years come November.
2. When did you decide you wanted to be an artist?
Honestly, I’ve known since I could talk. It sounds silly, but I’ve just always known this was it for me. As a child, before I could speak, I would stand up in the aisle in church and sing with the singer at the top of my lungs, trying to harmonize with her. Creating plays and forcing my younger brother in them. I just knew this was it for me since day one.
3. Is it a financially stable career?
Honestly, no. Unless you are booking work back to back, it can be a financial struggle. You have to really want it. There are times where you are booked nonstop and on top, but then there are dry spells where you might go months without even getting in the room for an audition or show. So it’s important to constantly be investing in yourself and creating on your own.
4. Who is your favorite artist and why?
Bernadette Peters has always been my idol for acting/performing. But musically I have always been a huge fan of Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, and Amy Lee. Currently, I am really loving Olivia Rodrigo. But Halsey, Taylor Swift, H.E.R., all are powerful female vocalists. Their storytelling in their songs paints this picture for you so you feel like you are there with them. Which is something I love to see in music and try to accomplish myself.
5. What is your inspiration for creating art?
So music and acting for me have always been self-expression but also escaping my life at the same time. My music is my life in lyrics. I usually write when I’m going through an emotional time in my life. So it’s like I’m sharing my journal entry with the world when I sing. When I’m acting it’s my therapy. Stepping out of my own shoes and into someone else’s to gain a new perspective in life. It’s a way for me to just release.
6. What piece of advice would you like to give to future aspiring artists?
Never give up! You can never lose if you never give up. There are highs and lows in this industry, but being able to flow with them, that’s what matters. It’s when you are at your lowest and wanting to give up is when you need to ride it out the hardest because that’s when it usually is about to take off.
But also, ignore the hate. There will always be critiques, who will judge you for everything you do. So don’t feed into it or respond. If you love what you do, that’s all that matters.
7. Which is your favorite book and why?
Favorite book is “A Child Called It”. It’s a sad but inspiring read, seeing how he went through so much and overcame it all.
Kelsie Mathews - Artist
Interviewed By: Navya Garg
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