Conversations with Kelsey Delemar

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsey Delemar

Hi Kelsey, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m Kelsey Delemar, and my journey in the world of acting began in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee. As a child, I was a natural entertainer, whether it was entertaining my family at gatherings or creating my own little shows in the living room. Those early days ignited a passion that would shape my entire life.

At the age of 9, I dove deeper into the arts, enrolling in dance classes and pursuing every opportunity to hone my craft which also meant enrolling in Arts schools at this early age. This dedication led me to the Baltimore School for the Arts where I immersed myself in theater training surrounded by a vibrant community that inspired me every day.

From there, I took a leap of faith and moved to California to attend the California Institute of the Arts. It was here that I truly came into my own, leading productions in adaptations like the musical of ‘When We Dead Awaken’ by Henrik Ibsen and portraying Oya in ‘In The Red and Brown Water’ by Tarell Alvin McCraney. Those experiences were transformative and pushed me to explore the depths of storytelling and character development I hadn’t yet explored including deep emotional. connection and blending R&B singing in a musical format.

Upon graduating, I was fortunate enough to land my first professional role in Katori Hall’s Hurt Village, which premiered in the Bay Area. That experience was a catalyst, sparking a whirlwind of opportunities that took my desire to be great to new heights. I traveled to work in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland. Each place and experience taught me something new, solidifying my love for theater but also prompting me to begin my transition into film.

My film career kicked off with a bang when I starred in ‘Sweet Dreams’, a psychological thriller that put me on my very first billboard. From there, the roles just kept coming. I navigated through gripping narratives in ‘False Pretenses’, a murder mystery, and ‘Gaslight’, a psychological drama, among many others. I’ve had the privilege of working on 30 films and each one was a stepping stone in my evolving career.

Now, I’m thrilled to share that I have a network TV show, Conspirators, set to release in the coming months! I’ve also landed leading roles in the psychological thriller ‘Amnesia’ and a heartwarming Christmas film, ‘Christmas Bae’, premiering next month.

Most recently, I stepped behind the camera for my directorial debut with KELYES and the Heat, a musical where I not only wrote, acted, song wrote and performed the music but I also directed. I’m overjoyed that it was selected for a film festival, marking a significant milestone in my career.

Every chapter of this journey has been thrilling and challenging, and I’m excited about what the future holds. The stories I get to tell are what drive me, and I can’t wait to share more with the world!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Has my road been smooth? Not at all. Like any journey worth taking, I faced my fair share of obstacles. One significant hurdle came during my last year at California Institute of the Arts. I was in a precarious financial situation and almost didn’t have enough money to finish my education. I felt the weight of uncertainty, but then, out of nowhere, the school awarded me a once-in-a-lifetime scholarship. That support allowed me to graduate, and I’m forever grateful and blessed for that opportunity. It was a pivotal moment that reinforced my belief in the power of perseverance and community.

However, one of my biggest struggles unfolded after graduation. I encountered a situation where someone I trusted had secretly given me an illegal synthetic drug. It almost killed me and altered my mental state drastically, leading me to a dark place where I believed I would never be the same again I also felt as though I would never act again. This period forced me to take a three-year hiatus from everything I loved, which was both devastating and enlightening. I had never suffered from major depressive disorder or any other mental health issues before, and this experience opened my eyes to the importance of mental health.

Emerging from that darkness taught me invaluable lessons. I learned to channel my experiences into my work, using them to fuel my performances. Now, I’m able to portray characters with mental health disorders authentically and empathetically. This journey has made me more compassionate toward those who have experienced similar struggles, and I’m committed to advocating for mental health awareness through my art.

While the road has been rocky, each challenge has shaped me into the artist I am today, and I’m grateful for every lesson learned along the way.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an actress in films, theater, and TV shows with many of my movies on AppleTV, Amazon, Tubi and Peacock. But my creative journey doesn’t stop there. I’m also a songwriter and singer under the alias KELYES with many songs streaming on Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal and more, I’ve also recently embraced directing and producing films. This diversity in my work allows me to express myself in various ways, blending storytelling with music and visual artistry.

What I’m most proud of is completing my musical, ‘KELYES and the Heat.’ It was my first film ever, and I had the incredible opportunity to spearhead the entire project from start to finish. Seeing it selected for film festivals is an achievement I cherish deeply. It’s not just about the accolades; it’s the fulfillment of bringing my vision to life and telling a story that resonates with others.

What sets me apart from others in this industry is my versatility and commitment to evolving through my art. I’m not just an actress; I’m a multi-talented creator who thrives on pushing boundaries. I embrace challenges and continually seek to grow, whether through exploring new roles, writing songs, or stepping into the director’s chair. This willingness to evolve keeps my work fresh and allows me to connect with a diverse range of stories and audiences.

Every project I take on is an opportunity to learn, grow, and share my passion for storytelling. I believe that embracing my multifaceted talents makes me unique, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes me next!

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
So many people in my life deserve credit for assisting me in this journey thus far. First and foremost is God because without my faith, I wouldn’t be here today to tell my story. My mother has always been my rock and number one fan. She has been making sure I’ve been enrolled in Arts schools since I was a little kid and without her I wouldn’t be the artist I am today. My family including my grandparents, god father, my Aunts and Uncles, my cousins, and my father who held a significant place in my life. My southern rooted family is always showing up, supporting me and posting my work and I can’t express how much they all mean to me. My best friends who I can lean on at any time of day and who constantly remind me to remember how far I’ve come. My mentors who have been such a formative part in my life and always push me to go further. Then there are my supporters who I haven’t even met in person but post and tag me online with so much love and regard. All of these people deserve credit. It truly takes a village and I’m forever grateful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kelyes.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialkelyes/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialKelyes/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OfficialKelyes
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/kelyes
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/kelsey.delemar/