Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Gilchrist.
Hi Kayla, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
My life journey started between 8-9 pm on March 13th in a New Jersey suburb. My artistic journey began as soon as I started exploring interests outside of sports and academics…drawing, painting, pottery, music, theater, dance, writing, poetry, etc. The Arts opened up a more colorful, awe-inspiring world to me. It keeps my inner child alive; adding beauty and music to eARTh, splashing unique, vibrant paints onto the blank canvas that is the start of each new day, and sprinkling a little “extra” onto the ordinary humdrum of life. Personally, I like to think of myself as Jersey-born, Maryland-bred, and Texas-raised.
Right now, I’m just your 20-something girl next door still working toward her dreams. I think as long as we live, we will always be “working toward” something as we dream new dreams once the old ones are achieved. There are still old dreams I haven’t gotten to yet but every day I’m getting closer! I got where I am today, in this present moment, through grit, perseverance, God’s grace, and an unwavering amount of self-confidence in who I am and what I’m capable of.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I believe the longer the road, the more bumps, cracks, and curvatures you’re going to encounter. At 27, I’ve already experienced my fair share of bumps in this journey toward achieving my goals. I expect there to be even more in the future but I’m not worried because with struggles come lessons and if you’re paying attention, with the lessons come wisdom. Wisdom makes the rest of the journey smoother. While I’m proud of how far I’ve come since I started, I know that I haven’t booked every role I auditioned for, I haven’t nailed every job opportunity that came my way, I’ve been overlooked and misjudged, I still struggle with styling my big, natural hair for modeling gigs, and I’ve made plenty of mistakes when it comes to friendships/relationships with people.
Yet not a single rejection has ever blocked my vision, it simply redirected the path I was taking to get there. If a door closes by the time, you reach it, jiggle the handle and make sure you’re actually locked out. If you’re locked out, knock on the door. If there’s no answer, instead of banging on the door, pivot and find one that’s open…even if it’s a window. I’m constantly learning that there’s always a “way in” to whatever you are seeking out of life. Career, family, lifestyle, community, business, etc. It may take time but I’ve realized when I keep going, I eventually get what I’m after. I’m also learning that when something just isn’t working out, rather than force it, it’s okay to go in a different direction and find another way (even if you have to create it yourself). I’m going to continue working with that formula. I’m still discovering, uncovering, tinkering, balancing, and finding my “way in” so I can continue building from there.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Honestly, I do a lot of things so I can be described under a variety of personas; model, actress, entrepreneur, writer, director, filmmaker, foodie enthusiast, part-time athlete, digital marketer, part-time therapist (my closest friends can vouch for that one LOL), poet, etc. So, the all-encompassing title I prefer is Artist. I specialize in both acting on stage and film as well as commercial modeling.
I believe I am most known for my modeling work thus far but I’m most proud of how far I’ve come with my film work. I recently had a role in my first nationally released feature-length film this year so my family and friends were able to see my face on the big screen in any theater across the nation! It was a minor role but a major step in the right direction! My friend/filmmaker partner Vinay George and I also just completed our first film festival run for our first short film together, SNAP!, which had the privilege of winning numerous awards, including “Best First-Time Director” and “Best Thriller Film”! It wasn’t either one of our first award-winning short films individually, but definitely a first winning together! Going forward, we plan to release SNAP! publicly before the end of the year.
What sets me apart from others is how I go about achieving my goals. There are so many avenues to break into this industry and I’m really just winging it and seeing what happens! I also have goals outside of the entertainment industry, like eventually running my own small business. I am currently a graduate student at Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business where I will be receiving my MBA next fall in 2023. I also just nailed a job opportunity as the digital sales specialist for T.D. Jakes ministries. While both of these things are unconventional pursuits for someone in my field and have placed other pursuits on a quick hold, trust me when I say I have a plan and God is allowing everything to fall into place.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Don’t be afraid to reach out and reach across. By across, I mean look at those locally who are doing the things you want to do and where you want to be. I am still constantly surprised at who is actually willing to take time out of their busy schedules just to give me advice and chat with me. Reach out through social media-Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, whatever you have there’s at least one mentor who probably has it too. Very few successful people in today’s age are not on social media. Be honest, your authentic self, and concise. If you cannot find a mentor in your area who is willing to talk to you or a mentor that’s reachable, use other resources like books and YouTube. I’ve found almost all of my mentors in the books that they have written (memoirs have become a new favorite genre of mine) in the interviews they’ve given, and in the gems dropped on their socials. The greatest thing about books and films is that they immortalize the people in them so you can have guidance from mentors who are no longer here!
As for networking, what has worked well for me is going out to different events. I attend different mixers, show up to in-person auditions, visit other filmmakers’ premieres, attend fashion shows, and try to strike up a conversation with at least ONE person I don’t know. Just one. Even if it’s just to find out what they do and exchange contact information, you never know who someone else is connected to and how that can work in your favor. Often, a conversation will happen naturally just from you being in the room. Don’t just be an opportunist either, go to networking events and actually be interested in getting to know someone new. Actually, make an effort to keep in contact with the people you meet. I’ve made new friendships this way and those friendships have not only led to paid gigs but someone who has my back when I’m experiencing a drought. People need people. People are always your greatest resource.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kaylagilchrist.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kgchrist313/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kayla.gilchrist.35/
Image Credits
Carlos Vincent
SDI Productions
Jarkera Gross
