We recently connected with Camille Kauer and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Camille, thanks for joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

If I could do anything else, I would. It’s hard and can make you insecure, especially when you’re over 30 but I can’t imagine doing anything else. Acting and podcasting make me feel alive. The rush I get from a great audition, shoot, or an excellent podcast interview. It fuels my adrenaline, everything I have is riding on each audition or interview, and when it’s incredible it all feels worth it. I live for the creative process and being around other creatives keeps me motivated. That’s why my podcast feeds my soul to keep creating and not giving up, I get to hear from the best of the best and they are all stories of being on the brink of giving up when something amazing happens and it’s all worth it.

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.

Camille Kauer is a podcaster and actress best known for her appearance in the popular television series, “Dawson’s Creek,” as Cheerleader Betty and host and founder of the award-winning podcast The E-Spot with Camille Kauer. She was born in Shreveport Louisiana, in the United States.

Kauer grew up following her parents around the world, spending her formative years in Turkey, Germany, and Holland. Kauer’s creative family had a passion for the arts and performing. Her parents were constantly entertained by Camille’s one-woman shows and comedy routines as a child and a few fashion and talent shows on base.
In 1989, her mom moved back to the US. Her mother, Olivia Gatewood, is a celebrated abstract artist whose work can be seen on TV, in films, and in countless galleries and businesses. Gatewood is also a retired stuntwoman and gave Kauer the courage to pursue her creative career path. Her father Dwight Williams is a powerhouse producer, who worked on countless classic films, was a member of SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee), and worked as an editor while a Freedom Rider in Atlanta, GA. Camille gained her work ethic and dedication to civic service from her father. Having such caring and inspiring parents gave her the courage to pursue her dreams.

Kauer studied drama, and public speaking was a cheerleader, played soccer, and loved being involved in student government in high school and gaining the nickname “sleeping beauty” after playing Cinderella and having a habit of falling asleep in class. Camille started acting in local theater productions and as background talent in her parents’ films. Everything Camille earned was because of her proximity to greatness and the talent to back it up.

In 2001, after working on countless films, TV pilots, and as a stand-in/ body double, Kauer scored a reoccurring role in the hit TV series, “Dawson’s Creek”. She played the character of “Betty the Cheerleader” in 4 episodes. The show, which aired from 1998 to 2003, was a cultural phenomenon and launched the careers of many young actors.

After her appearance on “Dawson’s Creek”, Kauer continued to pursue acting and landed roles in a few independent films and countless commercials before returning to university to finish her degree in Sociology. After completing, Kauer studied her other passion, esthetics. Kauer used her love for working in spas and beauty to support her creative habit during the slow times. Kauer worked as a makeup artist on countless commercials and independent films until she scored her biggest film, “Hustle and Flow.”

However, during the HB2 fiasco in NC, she eventually shifted her focus to podcasting and started her show, The E-Spot with Camille, which she hosts and produces. The E- Spot with Camille Kauer has won several awards. Due to her success in podcasting, Kauer has traveled all over to share her story and tips to help others become podcasters and pursue their dreams. She encourages her students to “Podcast Like An Actor!”

Kauer’s podcast covers a variety of entertaining and educational topics that features interviews with a range of guests, including fellow actors, musicians, and entrepreneurs. She has built a loyal following of listeners who appreciate her engaging and authentic approach to storytelling. She’s always looking for exciting new guests and sponsors that align with her audience.

Overall, Camille Kauer is a talented performer and creative entrepreneur who has made a name for herself in the entertainment industry and podcast community. She plans to keep pursuing her passions and inspire others with her work.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

There are several ways that we can support artists and creatives, vote for people that will support and promote the arts in schools, a lot of artists discover they have a gift as early as grade school. Support organizations that fund and sponsor arts events, like museums, theaters, local galleries, and film festivals. Purchase real art from artists, not AI, not manufactured, living artists, that need funding. We can provide access to affordable studios, and exhibition spaces, it is crucial for artists and creatives to have a safe place they can create and get inspired. We can provide these spaces or work with developers to ensure that artists and creatives have access to them. Build bridges between artists and creatives that can lead to innovative projects and new ideas. We can encourage collaborations by creating networking events or other opportunities for artists to connect with each other and future buyers. We have to move away from the idea that “the deader, the better,” when it comes to spotlighting artists. We have hundreds of new and established artists waiting for the chance to shine. It’s essential to promote diversity in the arts by highlighting the work of artists from underrepresented groups. Step out of your comfort zone and go to an exhibit or play that’s from a different culture and keep supporting them not just during certain heritage months or holidays. We should also provide training and other resources to help artists succeed. And please pay us a livable wage for our work, no one should have to starve to be an artist. We all learned during the pandemic, artists and creatives are essential to our daily enjoyment.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

One of the biggest rewards of being an artist or creator is the joy and fulfillment that comes from creating something new and unique. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of bringing an idea to life and seeing it take shape. But beyond personal satisfaction, being a creative person can also have a profound impact on others. Whether it’s through inspiring someone to pursue their own creative passions, or simply bringing a little bit of beauty and joy into someone’s day, the impact of art and creativity can be truly transformative. Of course, pursuing a creative career is not without its challenges. There’s always the risk of rejection, competition, and self-doubt, and it can be difficult to make a living in a field that’s often undervalued and underfunded. Personally, I’ve struggled with feelings of self-doubt and imposter syndrome, and there have been times when I’ve questioned whether my art is really worth pursuing. But despite the challenges, I’ve found that the rewards of being a creative person far outweigh the risks.
That’s why I believe in my show, The E-Spot with Camille, it’s so important to inspire and encourage others to follow their own creative passions. Whether it’s through sharing your own work and experiences or simply offering words of encouragement and support, we all have the power to help others find their own creative voice. Personally, I’ve been inspired by so many other creatives I’ve had the pleasure of working with and interviewing, over the years, from writers and artists to musicians and filmmakers. And I’ve also had the privilege of inspiring others, whether it’s through teaching podcasting classes, speaking at events, or simply sharing my work online.

If you’re an aspiring artist or creator, my advice would be to focus on finding joy and fulfillment in the creative process itself, rather than just the end result. Allow yourself to make mistakes and take risks, and don’t be afraid to ask for help or support when you need it. And remember that success as a creative person can take many different forms, whether it’s financial or critical success, or simply the satisfaction of bringing something new and beautiful into the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://camillekauer.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theespotwithcamille
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therealcamillekauer
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therealcamillekauer
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/camillekauer

Image Credits
Commercial Photos by Terrence Jones Photography: https://www.terrencejonesphoto.com/ Commercial Photo with Pink backdrop courtesy of Charles & Colvard: https://www.charlesandcolvard.com/ Beauties with Brains Red Carpet photos courtesy of Jeffrey Lynn Media https://www.jeffreylynnmediaphotography.com/ Speaking at North Carolina Central University courtesy of Professor Brett Chambers https://instagram.com/brettmedia All others are from Camille Kauer’s personal collection of photos.