We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kimani Bradley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Kimani, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I started out as a background extra. I’m more of a look-and-learn learner, I worked as a background extra at least 5 times before I booked my first speaking role. During that time of being an extra I studied the actors doing their scenes. I did end up taking acting classes/training however I believe it was my time as an extra that was really beneficial to me pursuing this career. I learned how sets work, how actors move about on set, how actors prepare themselves for emotional scenes, etc.
Kimani, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Ever since I was a kid I had a vivid imagination. In high school doing my first play for the class is when I realized that acting is what I wanted to do. I graduated high school and devoted myself to becoming a working actor. Along the way, back in 2015 I was scouted to model for Wilhelmina New York. It was my first time moving out of my hometown and I was extremely nervous. As luck would have it my older brother ended up attending his culinary school in New York at the same time I moved up there to model. I stayed in New York for a little less than a year then returned to the world of acting. It’s definitely a roller coaster ride in this industry, I’ve been apart of a number of good high profile projects however the time in-between jobs can be quite difficult. Just last year I booked my first leading role in a movie titled Fight For Love. I thank God every day for that opportunity as it was my first year moving out here to Los Angeles and I always wanted to portray a fighter. I’m a big action movie junkie so I’m actually building my muscle up to take on more physically demanding roles. I believe that to be key to success, know what you want and go after it full of confidence that you’ll succeed. Also, be patient with yourself and don’t measure your success next to someone else’s. I’ve been in this industry over a decade, it can take time for some and for others not so much, but it doesn’t mean that you are not successful. Just keep going.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My goal is to be known as one of the best actors of this generation. I grew up watching Denzel Washington, a lot! (My mom absolutely loves him) He’s so phenomenal in everything he’s been in, he’s an inspiration to guys like myself. I’ve already been compared to him a couple times so far which is a HUGE honor but I know, for myself, I have work to do to get there.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Definitely! Back in 2019 I was afforded an opportunity to come to Los Angeles to model for State Mgmt. I officially moved out to Los Angeles in June of 2019 after filming the project Antebellum back in New Orleans over the summer. As we all know Covid shut everything down about 6 months later. I was so discouraged. I thought about quitting acting almost everyday. I told my agents that I no longer needed them and I started taking classes to do personal training. It wasn’t until the vaccines became available did I even think acting would be a possibility again. Lo and behold. 4 years later, I have moved back to Los Angeles, I booked and filmed my first leading role, survived a writers/actors strike and will soon be going to work on my first tv series in Tennessee this summer.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkimanibradley?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=100000661315122
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/bradleykimani2