Meet Kelsey Walsh

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsey Walsh.

Kelsey, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
For me, acting has always found a way into my life. When I was five, my cousin and I stumbled upon a modeling competition at the mall and, of course being the girly girls we were, begged our moms to let us come back and compete. Lucky for us they agreed and soon enough we were walking the runaway. To our surprise, I won! This won my parents and I a trip to California for a mega modeling/acting convention that put you in front of every major network you could think of! At the end of the convention, I had people from places like Disney and Nickelodeon interested in taking me on as talent. I thought I was the biggest hotshot in the room, but to my little 5-year-old ego came the end of an exhilarating adventure. For logical reasons, that my little imaginative mind couldn’t fathom at the time, my mom explained that we couldn’t accept any of the offers. At the time, my mom was in dental school and a single mom – her and the man that is my father weren’t married just yet. Uprooting our lives and moving to California to go to auditions just wasn’t the smartest thing to do and obviously very intimidating and scary to anyone. After that whirlwind of events, my life was pretty “normal.” I was the flower girl in my parent’s wedding a year later, welcomed my baby brother a couple of years later, went to school, played sports, etc.

All through school, I always found myself near a stage in some shape or form, whether it was behind stage, on it, or taking classes – but I also fell in love with volleyball. I played for my school and competitively with travel club volleyball. I grew up on the volleyball court and didn’t know how to live without it. If I wasn’t at school, I was at practice, and on the weekends, we were at tournaments. I lived and breathed it. Looking back, I think the better way to describe it is it consumed me. It also taught me a lot of invaluable lessons that I truly believe are playing a vital role in my life right now. I didn’t grow up in the sports culture we have today where everyone gets a participation trophy and I am very grateful for that. I had coaches that pushed me to my limits, didn’t let me get by without giving my best, and never sugar-coated my performance. I was on track to play in college and had a D1 college look at me. However, at the time, my club coach was mentally breaking me down to a point that made me lose my love for the sport. So much so, I didn’t even try out the following year. A team ended up reaching out to me to play, and thankfully I went back and found my love for the sport again, but it was never quite the same.

During my small breakaway, I found myself back in the theater. I immersed myself that year in high school and felt that same fire from when I was five. I knew I couldn’t ignore it again. So, in college I signed up for acting classes. My freshman acting teacher fueled my fire and was the perfect push I needed. She resembled those tough love (healthy) coaches I had had and was the first person to truly push me in my acting. She empowered me and believed in me, which she did not do lightly. It took until the end of my freshman year to realize what my next steps were going to be. The more accurate word would be accept. I know in my heart of hearts that acting is what I had always loved but I was hoping to fall in love with some other “logical” choice. Which is complete nonsense, because anything that isn’t your passion isn’t the logical choice. I made the decision to finish my undergrad, finish my volleyball career, and to start saving money to move elsewhere to pursue acting.

I was completely and utterly lost where to even begin and had no idea what in the world I was doing, and to an extent, I still really don’t know. I followed the advice of some producers, casting directors, writers, and other actors who all encouraged me to move to Atlanta since I wanted to do film and television. So here I am almost three years since the big move, and I am happy to report I am still chasing my dream and living with no regrets!

Has it been a smooth road?
Ha! What’s a smooth road? If anyone has had a smooth road to anything, please let me know your secret! But isn’t it true that anything worth having is worth fighting for? I think so! And I honestly think it wouldn’t be as rewarding when you do succeed. Don’t tell anyone, but truthfully, I am just making it up as I go! Unfortunately, there is not a clear path on how to be a successful actor. You look at any self-made actor and none of them had the same road to get where they are. Which I think is a difficult thing when you are trying to find your path, but it is also refreshing that there really is not a “wrong” path either.

I’m not going to lie, I was really hoping to be the anomaly that “made it” super quickly – but spoiler alert – that didn’t happen. I’m not surprised and am thankful because I wasn’t ready three years ago. My first year in Atlanta my roommate and I ended up in an apartment from hell. You name any apartment issue and we had it. Bugs? Yep! Fleas? Check. Mold, leaky sinks, loose cabinet doors, smokey air, seven-year-old carpet? Yes, yes, yes! I learned a lot about myself that first year here. It was the first time I ever truly lived on my own and had to learn how to rely on myself for everything. All of my family and friends were back home in Louisville, Kentucky, except for my wonderful roommate. I became more independent, more assertive, more self-aware, and found God again that year. Little did I know how important my spiritual growth would be that year. I had lost lots of family right before moving that year, along with other past scars, and battled a lot of anger, fear, anxiety, and depression. I had a lot of personal growth ahead of me and I am so happy I was given the space and room to do so. Because I act and market myself a lot better when I am at peace with myself and have a strong faith to fall on when I can’t do it all on my own. Letting go of control in this industry and the vision of how I think things should pan out has been key and Joshua 1:9 has become a very comforting verse that has helped me through some of those rough obstacles along my path.

My other obstacle had been finding the silent victories. I don’t have tons of bookings to rattle off as a list of accomplishments yet, but I do have steps in the right direction. I don’t like waiting. I want lead roles tomorrow, but that’s rarely how this industry works. Most actors will tell you it takes 5-10 years before you start to make it. According to that I am just a wee toddler with almost 3 years in this field. Think about a toddler trying to compare their accomplishments to a 10-year-old, it’s silly, and yet here I am doing it everyday. It was becoming very easy to feel defeated and worthless until I had a couple of mentors look at me like I was absurd and help put my mind back in check. I think one of the greatest things I have done so far is network with producers, writers, and casting directors and keep relationships with them over the years. Networking in any industry is so priceless.

My mentors have helped identify and celebrate silent victories with me, like when I get rejected. Yep, that’s right, rejection. Auditions are part of the game and “nos” are much more frequent than “yeses”. Someone a very long time ago told me to look at auditions as a gift because it means you get to do what you love: act! So, make the most of it, enjoy it, give it your all, then move on. For me, not only is that true but every no gets me closer to that yes. I had six auditions in 2 weeks, and guess what? Nothing. So that’s six more nos that are getting me closer to my yes. Within those 6, I also had two from big casting directors I have submitted to before, meaning they didn’t hate me the first time and invited me to audition again for them. Another silent victory!

Although I haven’t had that “big” role yet, I have done lots of shorts, theater, stand-in & photo double work, and even some PA work on big sets. So no, I may not be Jennifer Lawrence quite yet, but I’m on my own path figuring out how to get there on my own terms and in my own seasons. It’s not easy. There are many restless nights, doubting thoughts, and homesickness, but there have also been very beautiful things along the way too. I have met some of the most amazing people in Atlanta and have created a second home for myself. I do have to thank those in my life who have been there with me through the struggles: my parents, my family, my friends, my roommate, my mentors, and God. I know I wouldn’t still be on this path without all of them!

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
Acting in film and television has always captivated me for a few different reasons. The art of storytelling through a camera is so raw and real. Try lying or even “acting” to a camera, it shows immediately. You cannot lie to a camera. You have to be yourself through another character and be vulnerable. You have to bring your truth. It’s not an easy task but when it is done correctly, it is beautiful. Think of your favorite movie. The last movie that made you laugh. The last movie that made you cry. We all have one. Movies evoke emotions and human connection. Film allows people in different parts of the world to not feel alone and escape whatever reality they are in. To be able to be a part of that art is a blessing and why I want to do it. I want to connect with people. I want to let people escape their day. I want to make people laugh, cry, and not feel alone. How many other jobs allow people to do that?

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I would absolutely recommend Atlanta to anyone in the film industry. Atlanta is making more films than LA now and has some of the most kind people in the industry. There are wonderful acting teachers in the city and other actors are so helpful and sweet to help one another. (Now, full disclosure, there are exceptions, but for the majority, everyone is very welcoming.) Atlanta is not slowing down either! It’s true what they say, we are the Hollywood of the South!

Contact Info:

• Email: kelsey.walsh@outlook.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_rose_walsh/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KelseyRoseWalsh
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8959216/?ref_=nv_sr_5?ref_=nv_sr_5

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