We recently connected with Bryan Kenton and have shared our conversation below.

Bryan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

So just like every other creative affected by Covid-19 I was left helpless. I had no other option but to make things work. Right after graduating December of 2019, what was I going to do next? It was simple. I had a goal that I had to achieve. My life was all performing arts, everything. About it from being the star on the stage, to the director and producer. I had worked in so many different fields, but nothing stuck with me like performing arts. I tried to be a barista; that did not work. I tried teaching education; that also did not work for me. I tried so many options…that I felt hopeless.

Until one day I found this app called BIGO. On BIGO Live, over 400 million people explore & have fun here! BIGO LIVE is a popular live video streaming social network. It allows you to livestream your special moments, live talk with your friends, make video calls and watch the hottest videos. Now, BIGO LIVE has reached 400 million users around the world.

I did not know what I was signing up for all I saw was an opportunity. Over the years I have had so many wonderful opportunities to work and connect with wonderful content creators, celebrities, and activists such as myself. I have been in rooms with people like Tiffany Haddish, Cardi B, etc. (If you’ve never been on the app, being “in the room” with them, means I’ve literally been featured on livestream shows with them. Like yeah– I’ve headlined alongside them!) I’ve had so many wonderful opportunities to spread my message and to impact the lives of others. I have made full-time income from being an online content creator alone.

It did not stop there. I was still a freelance actor and director. I worked on several different projects over time. I helped re-start a creative performing arts camp and program, with the Kroc Center of Memphis, TN alongside The Salvation Army. I started my own merchandise line called Royaltea By B.K, which is an all-inclusive brand for all of my supporters and fellow content creators.

I have worked in performing arts my entire life but nothing gives me joy like being on the stage. It’s not always about the money, but it has made life a lot more fun being able to work in something you love.

To other creatives out there: Keep doing what you love – but find ways to monetize it; because it’s hard when you’re constantly struggling to pay the bills. You can do it, though! There are ways!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hey! Yeah, absolutely. My name is Bryan Kenton! Often we hear: “creativity is intelligence having fun.”

Creative thinking is the ability to consider something in a new way. Creative thinking includes analysis, open-mindedness, problem-solving, organization, and communication. I pride myself on being myself. I am an actor, singer, online influencer, and overall creative CEO BOSS!

I started my career at a very young age, performing on several stages. From the Orpheum Theatre, to Theatre West Virginia I have had so many amazing opportunities to share my gift with the world (and beyond)! I am also a Verified Influencer with Bigo Live! I have had amazing opportunities to perform from the comfort of my own home and make fans all over the world. I am currently the Director/Teacher of Millington Central Middle High School Theatre Department! I am last, but not least, the CEO and creative mind behind Royaltea By B.K my own Merch Line!

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Art is continually evolving. Being an artist is about not knowing. It’s continually evolving the work. I grow with my art and I change with my art. It’s ok to “not know.” It’s wonderful to not know. What drives me to continue to drive and thrive in my creative journey is the word NO! A “no” will drive me to success any day, and make me fight ten times harder.

Whether through experience or formal education, trusting the process is a learned behavior. Even though casting is how most of us got into the creative arts, not everyone likes it. Our inner dreamer benefits from adhering to the vision, whereas our inner tinkerer benefits from relying on the process. My overall goals that I want to achieve, is to achieve success for the underdog and success for the big boys. I want to be a part of change… not just something simple, but the change that really impacts the world.. I want to bring a newness to being who you are, and what you are, in the brightest way possible.

I want a little black boy, that is a little bit chubby, to look into the mirror and look at how beautiful he is, and be proud of what he has become. Self-love is one of the biggest things that I had to work on as an artist. As I continue to grow in my artistry and in myself, I want to continue to evolve into the best person and give the best to my audiences and supporters.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

5 Steps:
1) Create Fans – Not Followers.
2) Creators… Create!
3) Consistently. Email Is Alive And Well.
4) Engage With Influencers.
5) Quality Over Quantity.

On BIGO Live, I built my following by doing BIGO “Livehouse” shows, Panel Discussions, and hosting my own weekly shows and events. I started out just like any other bright-eyed influencer. I wanted to be seen and heard.

My advice is: be patient with yourself, and give yourself grace. Giving yourself grace is permission to forgive your mistakes, lapses in judgment, and hurtful behavior; because no one is perfect. Start with what you know. One thing I wanted to do when I started working on creative and performing arts projects of any sort, was know what I wanted to do and what I wanted to achieve in this project. As a creative you have to know what your true meaning and purpose is. There are so many people that get into this industry to make that large sum of money or be in that expensive outfit or to get those designer accessories, but that’s not what this is about. Remember who you’re doing this project for, remember the people that you’re serving, remember why you started all of this, and your fans will find you. Stay consistent. Make sure that you’re remembering to stay consistent. If you die off or take some time off, without really letting your fans know, then you can’t really grow; they’ll move on to the next person. In this world of social media and more ways to connect more than one way, it is easy to become forgettable. You have to make yourself unforgettable.

She doesn’t know I’m including this…but I love this personal statement from my fellow creative, Katie Frost (online as @iamkatietv + @killtheperfectionist); she wrote this addendum for one of my recent grant proposals:

“Bryan is incredible. He’s a joyous, bundle of light, awesome actor of color, who’s becoming (and is, already) an incredible businessman. I’m so proud to be in his circle, because he cares about the underdog and the underprivileged, and isn’t in it for himself. He is an artist, yes. But he is the kind of artist that deserves a grant like this…because everything poured into him, he pours out to his community in service, in words of encouragement, in team-building, and in inspiring others. I’ve only known him about 6 months, but the time we’ve spent working together and building and growing together has been time I will never forget. He helps me, as much as I help him. And I know Memphis is better because he’s around.”

Thank you for the opportunity to be interviewed! And for the way your digital magazine is giving underdog creators a voice!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.royalteabybk.com/
• Other: https://linktr.ee/BryanKenton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MYtPHXwFRo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqTxs1h_RPQ&t=3s https://www.royalteabybk.com/

Image Credits
Headshot Chase Yarwood Gustafson