We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kevin Tan-Perkins. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kevin below.
Kevin, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
I remember being invited to be on a tv set for a week when I was visiting my friend who’s brother is an executive producer for a major tv network. I was just there for the experience but I remember on day two of filming this lady told me I had a unique look and that if I was pursuing acting. At this point in my life I was a tennis pro so I told her I had no inclination whatsoever to pursue film but I always enjoyed films and productions in general. I kept coming back the next few days and she kept teasing me about it until the last day I said, “Ok, where the hell does one even start with this journey?” I figured she’s in this industry so she must know what she’s talking about. I later found out that she was the agent for one of the main characters on the show. Long story short, she went on to be my first agent after introducing me to my current acting coach and after suggestions on improv classes and the ins and outs of the acting world. I have now gone on to another agency and have a manager in Los Angeles. I have a few national commercials under the belt plus some tv work. 2021 was filled with the most lead auditions I’ve had in my young five year career in the acting world. I definitely haven’t achieved everything that I’ve wanted to yet but I’m super grateful for the opportunities, auditions, and the people I’ve met in this industry.
Kevin, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’d be lying to you if I told you that acting was something that I always wanted to do! It’s definitely something I’ve always appreciated from afar. But over the years I’ve seen how much of a release and adrenaline rush this gives me. Tennis and sports in general has always played a big part of my life so I could have never imagine doing both in life. It was the perfect combo of right time and right place for me falling into the acting world. I quickly had to learn from learning lines off book, lingo, and just getting comfortable auditioning whether in person or through taped auditions. The whole process grew on me and often reminded me of the rush sports gave me. I still have a lot to learn but I am constantly learning and always paying attention on set from other actors but also shoutout to the crew/production side of things. Those are the real badasses and their work sometimes go unnoticed so I always make it a point to always thank each and everyone for their hard work!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
It’s definitely being able to share your experience in hopes that someone can connect with your character. Whether that’s in your writing, directing, or acting. The ability to take a real life experience and have that be tangible for others is the ultimate goal right? That’s art and it’s beautiful.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
I feel like I’ve always been a jack of all trades but have always been scared to be a master of none. That’s changed a lot over the years due to working on my self-confidence and positive self-talk. It’s funny because my undergraduate degree is in Health Care Administration and I do nothing in that realm anymore. I had about 5 years of being a tennis pro and that brought me a lot of happiness and a cool aspect of my life with travel and such. I went back and got my MBA in Texas while being a graduate assistant for tennis then upon graduation took a position to be the interim head women’s tennis coach at a university in San Francisco, California where we made program history. I then took a position as a data analyst for a high performance gym in Atlanta while college athletes were prepping for the 2022 NFL Draft. I recently got hired as a corporate analyst for a sports performance company and I have enjoyed being a part of this team very much. Everyone there is great. All these pivots and acting has remained consistent among these career choices in life. That’s the thing is we can’t limit ourselves and are always evolving and trying to balance life as best we can. Sometimes with a lot and sometimes with little. So you have to give it all you got and do what makes you happy but also surround yourself around people who breathe life into your life.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @kevotano
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-tan-perkins-mba-19431286/
- Twitter: @kevotano
Image Credits
@krisreidphoto @cxp30 @hgtv @homedepot @scrippsnetworks