We were lucky to catch up with Kevin Blake Chandler recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kevin Blake , thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

The arts have always been something I enjoyed since I was young kid. At the ages of 4-5 years old, I would perform scenes at gatherings for friends and family from my favorite movies. I would dance to Michael Jackson trying to copy his moves as well. Anyway to express my creative side at all costs. Once I was introduced to the game of basketball, the sport definitely took precedence but my artistic side always remained apart of me. From school and church plays, to social media skits, I could never leave the craft alone. Once organized sports was over in college I began to gravitate towards theatre and joined a community theatre.
This is when I began networking with actors in Los Angeles. It was around 2017 and I began knowing people my age who were making their dreams a reality. This was the realization moment for me and I began strategizing my own blueprint on how I was going to obtain my dreams of being a working actor in LA.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am an actor and overall creative living in Los Angeles. I made jump to move to LA in 2019, after working 3 jobs around the clock while being part of community theatre and performing. I began to fall into the craft around 2016, initially doing skits on Instagram. This was helping fulfill my feeling of purpose and drive once my college basketball career came to a complete end. I battled with an identity crisis after sport’s initially, but I tapped into what once gave my pure joy as a kid and that was performing. As a young kid, I performed in multiple school and church plays, as well as countless family gatherings where I was either dancing to Michael Jackson or performing my favorite movie scenes.
In school, I was a daydreamer and social butterfly. Constantly wanting to make people laugh and just feel good with my presence. Things I believe all played a part in this journey and are key elements of who I am as an artist now.
High school sports is when I put everything else on a back burner and pursued it 1000%. Looking back I realize it was my ego that didn’t allow me to join the drama club and creative groups. I was “too cool” and I was the man on the basketball team. Looking back now, I don’t necessarily regret because I believe everything happens according to a greater plan but I can say that I would’ve possibly started this journey a lot sooner than I did.
Fast forward now to living in LA, I’ve built and amazing tribe of people who are like minded, supportive and ambitious which is all around tough to find this industry and city. I’ve been fortunate enough to land a handful of short films and commercials, A few of the commercials were for companies like The Golf Channel, Best Buy and NBA 2k. I’ve been lead in 2 feature films. One is currently streaming now and also a sitcom appearance.
Something that I believe sets me apart from others is my resilience and mentality to be able to endure the “valleys” and uncertainty of this business. I believe dreams and visions are placed on your heart and mind to give you a preview of what you can truly have. The way to obtain it is to not quit and every day put foot in front of the other while consistently radiating gratitude along the way.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

A main example of my resilience has been dealing with significant industry shifting obstacles since moving to LA. 6 months after moving here the COVID Pandemic hit, when we finally were cleared to work, just within a year or so window the Hollywood Strikes begin. All of this while still getting auditions and treating each one like my first ever opportunity. In this business I’ve received about 8 yes’ compared to hundreds of auditions. Even with all of this, I didn’t quit and I won’t quit. A gift has been placed within me that I’m supposed to share with the world and I believe all of these trials and tests are things that will teach and build qualities that I will be able to use as life continues to elevate for me.

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

The main mission is to inspire. Inspire the youth. Inspire your peers and all eyes that set on you. I want to resonate with people in the most positive way through my work and actions. It’s to show people with similar backgrounds as me that anything is possible, regardless of your starting position in life. Greatness and purpose is in all of us.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @kevinblakechandler
• Other: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm12023171/#

Image Credits
Getty Images Michael Ade Ojo Wray Ward Twenty Somethings