Today we’d like to introduce you to Mason Douglas.
Hi Mason, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m Mason Douglas aka Kiingmace, an actor and event host from Baltimore, MD. So funny enough I got into both acting and hosting accidentally. I always tell people my journey started the day I was born. I was born with Sickle Cell Disease and that was challenging throughout my entire life. I remember getting enrolled in a foundation which is Called the Casey Cares Foundation. It’s a foundation for critically ill kids based out of Baltimore Maryland where I’m from. I remember them sending me and my family to the circus, concerts, and major sporting events. One day they gave us passes to the raven’s camp, and the local news station asked me some questions about how I felt being a part of the foundation. When it aired, Casey and the foundation were so amazed at how well-spoken I was for my age. I probably was only about 13 at the time. They then asked me to be the permanent spokesperson for the company, so I would do every TV appearance they had for every local or national news station., They asked me to do a commercial with the Baltimore Orioles, and I also used to speak at big galas as well as other events. I also did school plays before that in elementary and middle school but once I did that news interview going into high school it took off. I always had a thing for the camera and a natural-born gift to entertain and just never knew. So, the last 2 years I started taking acting more seriously and made the decision to do it full time. That’s what I wanted to do as my career. Thats what caused me to move here to Atlanta from Baltimore after I finished College at Towson University. I went to school for Healthcare Management and Business Administration. I was even in Nursing school at one point. I never thought I would be an actor, but I love using my God-Given talent. Same thing with hosting. I started hosting 2 years ago, really a year and a half if you count the break the pandemic gave me. People don’t even know. They think I’ve done this for a long time. I didn’t even know what an event host was. I joined a media organization in college called TLTBlogShow that covers all entertainment in the DMV area. It started out as just doing campus YouTube videos and hosting campus events, but one of our benefits as being apart was getting into parties for free for promoting it. Thats when I saw my first-party host. I started to get an itch for how I saw one person talk on the mic and control the entire crowd. Hundreds of people at that. He was in charge of making sure everyone had fun and I always loved music, so I started to seek interest and got my first shot August 2019. Since then, I’ve grown and hosted concerts, festivals, parties, fashion shows, panels, movie premieres, celebrity basketball games and so much more. The rest is now history.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Nah not at all. No one’s journey is smooth. I’m no different. If I’m being honest, I think right now in my life is the hardest my journey as ever been as I do this interview with you guys. Granted I’m extremely blessed and farther than most ever get so I will always be thankful to God first. However, being in a new city where you don’t know anybody, don’t know the culture, being away from your friends and family, being uncertain about your dreams, having nothing but time to overthink, being the new kid on the block, being in such a big market for nightlife and entertainment trying to fight for a spot, It’s hard man. It really is. Plus, Atlanta parties 7 days a week and has these things called after hours where clubs don’t close ‘til 6 am. It’s sick. I’m tired most days but I’m grinding. I’m sacrificing. Meeting people, being places, and doing things that are very uncomfortable for me just in hopes that my sacrifices will in the future will create a better life for me and my family. That way I can become the person I’ve always envisioned I could be. Same with acting. Atlanta is killing it right now as far as the acting industry. Everyone is coming here now to either continue work from New York and LA or chase their dream like me. Things like finding classes, getting an agent, etc… All of that is extremely hard and difficult. There are days I leave from hosting the club at 3 am, then I have to be to set at 6 am. I hate it, but I love it because it’s what I asked God for. My 2 passions colliding. Again, extremely difficult. The average human being could not handle my life. I honestly don’t know how I handle it. Plus let’s not forget having a health condition over all of it as well as being from a city such as Baltimore where many don’t make it out. My life has been hard, but God’s grace has kept me. I am a living example of his power and mercy so I have to continue to push. I have no clue how any of this will turn out. I’m just going day by day by his strength.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a man of many different talents and hobbies, but I am most known for being an Actor, Event Host, Model, and Philanthropist. I am the Vice President for a Baltimore-based nonprofit called Synergy Baltimore that helps the homeless and impoverished in the city. I have held that position since May 2017. As I stated earlier, I am known widely for being an event host. I’ve hosted a plethora of major events, with major celebrities some of whom you may know like Lil Baby, Moneybagg Yo, Alexis Skyy, Chance the Rapper, Sean Love Combs formally known as P. Diddy, QC Pierre “Pee” Thomas, 2 Chainz, EST Gee, Yung Miami, Lou Williams, Asian Doll, and Jaylen Brown just to name a few. I’ve done a lot of independent films that are featured on YouTube as well as some background work for major production networks such as BET and AMC. Lastly, I’m known for being a model for Shoe City. Those are some of my biggest accomplishments for what I’m known for. One of my other biggest accomplishments is becoming an Official Brand Ambassador for Belair as well as Villon. I’m just proud of myself for how far I’ve come and all that I’ve done for my circumstances. I never like to complain because overall my life is pretty good and God makes no mistakes, but you know I don’t think I was dealt the best hand of cards when it comes to certain areas of life yet I’ve made the best out of it. I think I’ve done a very good job. I think that’s what sets me apart as well. The way I portray and carry myself is what makes me amazing in people’s eyes. If you know my story, people are always asking how does he do this or how is he doing that? People always say I’m very friendly, kind, funny, humble, and that stuff is important to me. I pride myself on carrying those kinds of characteristics. All of those things make me stand out in my opinion.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Thats a tough one. I think the two biggest lessons I’ve ever learned though came from my parents. I carry these sayings with me every day throughout my entire life. My dad always told me “You win or you learn. You never lose, so don’t quit”. That pushes me a lot and I think that’s important for everyone. You’re going to make mistakes and that’s okay. Just learn from them. Don’t look at them as a bad thing, just change your perspective. As for my mom, she always uses to tell me “There is nothing that will happen today that me and God can’t handle together” That always just gave me confidence and comfort that God had me through any situation. It made me a real believer of he won’t put me through anything I can’t handle so If I was dealing with it, it was because he knew I could handle it and he had my back! Those 2 lessons always helped me my entire life ‘til this day.
Contact Info:
- Email: masonndouglas@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiingmace/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCov82q-4ZJUoo0U6weUUIKQ
Image Credits
Carters_Vision
139GraphicDesigns
Micalosorpicasso
