Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Rusch.
Taylor, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born in Okinawa, Japan, the son of a U.S. Air Force Pilot (Dad) and a former Air Force Transportation Officer (Mom). My family moved around quite a bit when I was young but after my father retired we settled in the Metro D.C. area. By this time I was already playing guitar and writing my own music and lyrics. I was participating in school and church plays and singing in choir. I grew up in a Christ-centered home and faith has driven me onward and upward ever since. Though I was involved as a leader in Scouting and earned the rank of Eagle Scout, participated in church youth group, played sports, performed musically and did well in school, I still struggled with sex, drugs and alcohol as many teenagers seeking for a purpose outside of God do. It wasn’t that I did not have a relationship with God, but I had not yet learned how to love myself and accept His love for me too. Senior year of High School I heard a still small voice inside of me encourage me to join my High School’s Jazz Choir. I didn’t even know what the jazz choir was but I decided to give it a shot. The choir needed men so I was immediately accepted. Because of this, I was invited to attend a cabaret for the school’s show choir and I was mesmerized by the other students’ performances. I immediately went to my jazz choir instructor and asked him if I could join the show choir too.
Again, they needed men so I was accepted. I had never quite felt anything like what felt when I sang and danced on stage in front of a live audience. I felt something beautiful inside of me wake up that had been asleep for a majority of my youth. I went off to college thinking I wanted to study political science but when I saw how corrupt the political landscape was, I thought International Business would be a better pursuit because I could use business and language skills to help with economic development projects in impoverished areas in the developing world. During this time, I traveled throughout Central and South America with a hunger to aid those in need. I essentially desired to do church work and be a missionary so I enrolled in seminary after finishing my undergraduate degree, but the more I studied the life of Jesus and the early church, the more I became concerned with the pitfalls and trappings of the religious institution I was a part of. I saw Jesus hanging out with prostitutes, tax collectors, and sinners, coming to unconditionally love and preserve people rather than condemn them. I decided to drop out and take my faith into the real world, outside of the four walls of the church.
Unfortunately, I still had a lot of baggage from my past that seeped into my adult life. I married young, only to end up divorced soon after because of an addictive pattern in my life that I struggled to release. Thankfully, my two beautiful sons, Elijah and Canyon came out of that failed marriage because God always brings beauty from ashes. But before I could salvage my marriage, I had allowed financial and relational stress to push me towards alcohol, escorts and strip clubs. I soon found myself blowing every paycheck on sexual exploits instead of being a responsible husband and father. I was given and ultimatum to go to rehab and spent the better part of 2012 and 2013 in two addiction treatment centers. Here, I learned how to let go of the hurt and pain of my past and deal with my addictive behaviors in a responsible manner. I began learning how to love and accept myself.
However, the road was rough, and while in a transitional living apartment in Texas, I ran off to Vegas and blew $11,000 in seven days, only to end up homeless. Thankfully, I was able to contact my dad who lovingly helped me get back to the treatment center I had escaped. I was the prodigal son returned. Rehab brought me to Atlanta, where I began to heal age-old wounds with the help of loving people from the Unity North Atlanta Spiritual Community. The people who surrounded me loved me so deeply that I began to finally love myself. After trying out many different career fields, a young man at church named Phoenix randomly came up to me and with the air of a prophet spoke to me in 2016 saying, “Taylor, it’s your time”. I knew what he meant. I had recently left a dead-end job as a mortgage consultant to pursue a Master in Positive Psychology because I desired to be a Life Coach and pass my story of successful addiction recovery on to others.
My boss at that company had told me that if I left I would amount to nothing. I remember standing up and confidently declaring that I knew who I was and where I was going and decisively walking out, never to return. Phoenix was right. It was my time. I had a stirring in my heart to finally pursue an entertainment career. Over the years, I continued to play guitar, teach myself piano, perform in choir and participate in song and dance competitions during college. However, I had always been afraid that if I pursued a TV and film career that I would give in to the pressure to compromise my values. Now that I had been through the fire of addiction and recovery, I knew I was ready to be on the big screen. My acting career officially began in 2016 and almost four years later, I have played multiple speaking roles on network shows that have aired worldwide, specifically as lead detective and chief suspect. I also completed an entire pilot season as a cast member on a faith-based entertainment news talk show that aired in Atlanta and Canada. I was nominated best lead actor at LA Cinefest 2018 for a short film entitle “Musical Salvation” exposing the sad truth of addiction. I co-created a 6 part web series with my good friend Adam Gegan entitled “That Background Guy” available on YouTube. I say it is a miracle that the God of Creation redeemed me from my addiction so that I could then use my acting talents to empower and inspire others to live lives in recovery. And the acting career all started with me saying yes to a background gig. I was heavily featured in “Hidden Figures” and through networking with other background actors on that set, I developed life-long friendships, secured representation and to this day I continue to practice my craft, audition and book. I support this healthy habit by driving Lyft, valeting and being a brand ambassador and I look forward to the series regular role that is waiting for me right around the corner. Until then, I will continue to hustle.
On top of that, in 2017, I released a 6 track EP of original music entitled “A Shift is Happening” which documents my journey from guilt-ridden addict to world-transforming change agent which can be found and listened to on multiple online platforms. Though the last few years have been a financial struggle, I know that it is worth the price I have paid to follow my dream. I continue to build a relationship with my sons, play music, act and even coach and mentor other entertainers on how to build a lifestyle business that allows me to earn passive residual income so I can focus on doing what I love to do as an entertainer: bring happiness and joy to others and empower and inspire them in the process. And this is only the beginning of the story for Taylor Rusch. All things are possible with God.
Has it been a smooth road?
Throughout my youth, and even in high school, I was the target of bullying. I have struggled with alcohol, pornography and out of control excursions to strip clubs and escorts that caused me to face divorce and be physically separated from my sons for a period of time. I went through two addiction treatment centers. I went $11,000 into debt because of a relapse I had in Las Vegas. Because of this, my financial journey has been a rough one. However, because of the grace of God, the love of my family and friends and a lifestyle of recovery I can say today that I am a new creation in Christ and I look forward to a bright and promising future. Since 2016, I have been telling myself that “I am a Movie Star and Academy Award Winner”. Though I have faced many challenges and pitfalls the past few years, I still believe this to be true. As Les Brown states ” shoot for the moon. Even if you miss you will land among the stars”.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I am first and foremost a television and film actor. However, I also enjoy playing and recording music and would not mind doing so as part of my career. I also use my success story of recovery to inspire others within the entertainment industry to live healthy, balanced, spiritually-infused lives. I do this along with a network of business mentors who teach financial, lifestyle and relationship skills. What sets me apart is my story. No one else can claim it. I have a warm smile, deep blue eyes, and a striking personality. I love people and look for opportunities to serve others. When it comes to acting, I love to play the bad guy, I delight in being off the wall goofy and I simply adore using accents because I thrive in roles and scenarios where I can express these sides of myself in a healthy and safe environment in front of others. My music comes from a spiritual awakening I had in my life and has the power to help others transform their lives too. Most importantly, what sets me apart is my relationship with Christ.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I see Atlanta continuing to be a powerhouse for TV and film, despite the current political climate. I also see my business mentoring network continuing to thrive as more and more young people leave traditional workspaces in pursuit of the adventurous and creative entrepreneurial lifestyle that passive, residual income can bring.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: taylor_rusch
- Facebook: Taylor Rusch Actor
- Phone: 678-396-9625
- Email: taylorruschacting@
gmail.com - Music: Taylor Rusch on Spotify, Apple Store, Itunes, YouTube, GooglePlay, ETC.
Image Credit:
Professional photos are by Michael Justice of Hollywood Headshots
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