We recently connected with Katelynn Bennett and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Katelynn, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
I’ve always had the dream of being an actress, but I didn’t truly pursue it until adulthood. Once I gave it my full attention and became intentional with my journey, my results were unusual in that after just a short year of taking acting classes- I secured an amazing agent (Tay Smith of Smith Young Talent) and went on to book lead roles on major networks. The “normal” trajectory for actors in most cases is to start with small roles as the craft is honed and eventually graduate onto principle performances on major networks but God’s plans were different for me. A lot of my training has been “on the job” so to speak- and my first booking as a represented actress was overwhelming for me in the sense of not being sure that I was “ready”. When I shot BET’s A Christmas Surprise I was surrounded by so many industry veterans that I was simultaneously inspired and intimidated. It was my first real role, with only seven days in advance to prepare and I didn’t know what that preparation should have looked like. While on set, I learned so many things that an acting class could not teach and with the movie filming in just 17 short days I realized, I had so much more left to learn.
I gained confidence in the booking but lost confidence feeling like maybe I didn’t deserve it. I went on to book more roles after that and found myself constantly looking for validation outside of myself. Looking for the approval of my costars, directors, and audience until I realized I had the ultimate approval of God. He ordered the steps for me, and I followed them to which I have been rewarded with a path that is my own. I have made my own sacrifices and I have my own story that is meant to inspire. A story that says, at any point in life, you can always go back and get that dream! More so, you can always go fulfill your purpose.
There are people who need to know that. And God placed that message on my heart when I was reading the book of Exodus. Any time I’m feeling unsure or undeserving, I think of how God covered Moses when he was a baby- and how he was adopted into a life of luxury only to later be exposed and stripped of everything he thought he knew only to lead a whole land out of bondage. I think of the naysayers who taunted him, and he who taunted himself with the thoughts of whether he was the person meant for the task given his past, and I am reminded that all along it was He who was chosen.
We are all chosen for something- and it’s normally that thing that lays heavy on our spirit. The enemy will bring doubt, the haters will hate- but if you are walking in purpose- your gifts, your talent, your heart will make room for you in rooms you wouldn’t have imagined. Imposter syndrome will tell you that you “aren’t good enough” but listen for God and He will tell you that you are. That’s what he told me.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am an actress who is falling in love with all things film. You may know me as Andi Quinn from Lifetime’s Breaking Girl Code, or Brittney from BET’s A Christmas Surprise or even Camille from Paramount’s Zoey 102. This year, I have two movies that will be airing (right now we are waiting on the titles to be finalized) and I am anticipating making my directorial debut. You can keep up with all of my endeavors on KatelynnBennett.com
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think the most important quality you can have as an actress, and person, is to know yourself. Learning your strengths and weaknesses and being teachable is imperative to long-term success. I’ve gotten to know myself best by going to therapy and vision-boarding. Secondly, and this is specific to acting, is training. Acting classes, and improv classes, and spending time with other actors outside of filming, is really important when it comes to strengthening yourself from a technical standpoint as well as building confidence. Preparation- is the key to a confident performance. Acting class has taught me how to prepare.
Lastly, being teachable is a quality that has really improved my journey. I come to set, always looking to learn something new and always being open to change.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
My confidence has been my greatest improvement in the past 12 months and it really peaked on the set of Lifetime’s Breaking Girl Code. I was number one on the call sheet, the lead, with a fair amount of new actors supporting and being in that position really empowered me to take chances on set and give what I credit to be my best performance of my career thus far.
My director, Kristin Feather, instilled so much trust in my performance during preproduction that I literally had zero nerves while filming- and the absence of nerves really unleashed my best self. I was a leader on and off the set. advocating for my character, and for my fellow actors and I truly felt like “I am a real actress”. I have carried that feeling- trusting myself, “I Have arrived!” ever since and have gone on to book two major movies and four commercials after.
Contact Info:
- Website: katelynnbennett.com
- Instagram: @Kaybelove
Image Credits
@BrianJonesPhotography
