Meet Willo Kelly

We were lucky to catch up with Willo Kelly recently and have shared our conversation below.

Willo, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

There have been times when I’ve been the only person from my demographic in the room, such as when attending a predominantly white institution (PWI). However, that hasn’t negatively impacted how I view or feel about myself. If anything, it reminds me that I’m representing more than just myself. Sure, being “one of a kind” can boost my confidence at times, but it also serves as a reminder of how far I’ve come.

That being said, it’s not something I dwell on too much, it’s more of an “out of sight, out of mind” situation. I prefer to focus on the things I can control, rather than those beyond my power. It took time to adjust, as all things do, but in my opinion, the best thing to keep in mind is to always be yourself, regardless of who else is in the room.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Something special I’d like to share with those who aren’t familiar with who I am is that I moved across the country in 2023 to New York City at the age of 19 to pursue my dream of becoming an actor.

The way it started is actually pretty interesting. I had moved to Texas from Georgia in 2018 when I was 14, and I needed to create my class schedule for the upcoming school year. I was required to take an art class, but I didn’t want to take visual art again, so I asked my counselor if there was another option that would still give me credit. That question ultimately led me to theater.

That decision truly changed, and saved my life. Looking back, it’s wild to think that a single choice shaped my entire path. I didn’t know it at the time, but joining theater introduced me to three of my closest friends from Texas, and one of them even got me into dancing.

By my senior year of high school, I decided to step away from the school’s theater program to join a local studio called World Premiere Artists. At this point, it was 2022, just months before graduation, and honestly, I wasn’t sure how I felt about leaving theater. It had been my favorite class throughout high school and the place where I first discovered my love for acting. So when my peers and mentors found out, they were disappointed, they felt my talent was being wasted. I tried to brush it off, but that thought stayed in the back of my mind.

After I graduated, my talent director, Chase Hamilton, went out of his way to host agents who flew in to watch my peers and I perform. That showcase is what led to me signing my first agency contract. Soon after, Chase introduced me to his associate, Ms. TJ, who ran a different studio called World Class Modeling and Talent Studios. Meeting her was a blessing. Together, they gave me the chance to fly to Los Angeles to compete at IMTA, the International Modeling and Talent Association convention.

That opportunity alone was mind blowing. My peers and I trained for six months to prepare, but at the same time, I was also starting my freshman year of college. I chose to take online classes because I didn’t know how much travel would be involved now that I had signed with an agency. I thought online school was the safest bet with the cards I’d been dealt.

A month before IMTA, I made the decision to drop out after one semester of studying Marine Rescue and Rehabilitation. Not only was I feeling the toll on my mental health, but I also realized that my true passion was acting. Dropping out was a heavy decision. Marine life, and animals in general had fascinated me since I was a kid. So closing that chapter was painful, but it was the best thing I could have done for myself.

The pivotal moment of that week long IMTA experience came when I received a scholarship to move to NYC and attend the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. After feeling overlooked, my commitment to myself finally paid off.

Since moving to New York, I’ve had so many priceless experiences, working on different sets and meeting incredible people who’ve changed my life. If I had given up at any point, I wouldn’t be here telling this story or living the journey I am proud to call my life.

I’ve been broken more times than I can count, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Educationally speaking, I’ve dropped out, started over, transferred, started over again, and through all of it, the most important thing I’ve gained is the family I’ve built along the way. My career is far from over, but this is the foundation that shaped me into the man I am today.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Three of the most important qualities for other aspiring actors are emotional resilience, self awareness, and self compassion. It will efficiently carry you so far, and save you from other unnecessary conflicts going forward.

Emotional resilience is the ability to recover from pain, adapt to change, and continue moving forward without becoming hardened or emotionally shut down. It isn’t about bouncing back quickly, but about bending without breaking, and still choosing to live with heart.

Self awareness and emotional intelligence involve recognizing how past experiences shape one’s emotions, behaviors, and relationships. This awareness helps in regulating emotions, setting healthy boundaries, and forming more intentional patterns.

Equally important is self compassion and healing literacy, the ability to treat oneself with kindness rather than judgment, especially during times of struggle. Understanding trauma, mental health, and healing tools like therapy or mindfulness gives a person the power to care for themselves with intention and grace.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

Jeannith, my beautifully brave, fierce, and knowledgeable cousin. The anchor, and glue that keeps the family together through thick, and thin. This woman took me under her wing from the very moment I moved to New York, but has supported me for as long as I can remember. She’s the prime example of quality life, regardless of whatever trial, or tribulation may present itself, she consistently exhibits the resilience to keep going. Her level of support is priceless, the kind that moves mountains. She’s the type to get on the next flight to be there to support you wherever you may be, while simultaneously fighting for her own life. She’ll speak her mind unapologetically, and has taught me numerous life lessons I didn’t know I needed to hear. Thanks to her, I’ve learned how to reclaim my life, and to not take any of it for granted, even while feeling opposed, challenged, condemned, alienated, and ostracized. She taught me to not settle for less, and has set the standard for how to be treated properly. Her unwavering loyalty has carried me throughout my professional career, and is one of the essential pillars to the life that I live. I truly couldn’t have asked for a better role model.

Jeannith, thank you for being you.

Love,
Willo

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @willieomarkelly

Image Credits

@tonyredmer
@sarahsaiz_photo_video
@totalxtc
@slimvisuals_
@dogking