We had the good fortune of connecting with Khaleel Kelly and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Khaleel, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’ve been performing in one sense or another since I was seven, but it really clicked for me when I was offered a role as Rafiki in my high school production of The Lion King – which we had to title “A Lion’s Tale” because of copyright. I remember the exact moment, I was on the top of this platform the crew had constructed to look like Broadway’s version of Pride Rock, ready to open the show with The Circle Of Life. I had all my makeup on, the dashiki, some bamboo fingers, a head dress, and – of course – my staff. As the curtains opened up, and I looked out into the crowd, I felt this unmistakable electricity, confirmation that yes, this is the way, “This is what I want to do for the rest of my life.”

Then I blew the roof of that place. After a few more performances in and out of high-school – namely with the visionary Miss Sharon of Deja Productions in Broward and a few singing classes with luminous Tammy Holder at The Rose Miniaci Arts Education Center – I decided to get a degree in the performing arts and, after a little over a decade of entertaining audiences and developing my skills, that electricity has never left.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m constantly looking out for auditions, filming, balancing work and art, making connections in my industry, and taking classes – the learning never stops.

Outside of that, I run a TikTok show where I perform as different characters and do voices almost every night to an ever growing audience. I’ve been blessed to entertain almost 2 million people in just the last 60 days and, so far, 70k wonderful people – who I’m blessed to have met – have decided to stay!

A lesson I’ve learned – and a driving force of my art – is that people are not one thing or the other, but a mix of all things within their environment and upbringing. If you encountered a person who’s never known or felt love, how would you expect them to act? I want people to have these experiences with my art, opening up the emotionally dry wells inside of them and fill them with a renewed perspective on the world and the people we share it with.
I got to where I am today by adhering to a LOT of advice and taking massive leaps of faith.

Not only do I envision people associating me with the words actor and performer, but also philanthropist. How? I’m keeping that a secret for right now. The legacy I dream of is a legacy of love and compassion, the roles I take and the moves I make in life are in order to bring attention to how we can all be more understanding of each other.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Monday – Iron Age in Buford, gotta start the week off right and that Hawaiian bulgogi is worth it every time!

Tuesday – Probably go to the Belt Line, there’s this dope ramen spot across the street too that I love, can’t remember the name though.

Wednesday – Piedmont Park, see if we can catch the people running up and down those hills, that was a crazy workout!
Thursday – A paint and sip then Brusters and cook out (just because we don’t have those in Florida)

Friday – Definitely going to Rocksteady. That club is too dope! It feels like a black house party in the 90’s. It’s been a while since I’ve been so hopefully someone doesn’t get there and is like, “this feels nothing like that.”

Saturday – On a complete opposite note, I’d hit up Tongue & Groove just for that final big party vibe to close the trip.

Sunday – Time for you to GO, which means I gotta drive all the way back to the airport…

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would not be where I am without God first and foremost, he has put the people that I am about to mention in my life and he is who gets all the glory.

The first person I want to shoutout is my mom! Suzanne Marcellus. She has supported me from the jump and has moved around entire schedules to accommodate me. I am forever grateful. She runs a non profit called House of Protection that provides counseling for kids, teens, and adults in a safe environment.”

“Natasha, who you previously interviewed on here, has been major to my support system in Atlanta since I moved up here. We constantly help each other creatively, whether that be filming and editing videos, doing photo shoots, or bringing each other to different events to network. I love her so much, a mention in here doesn’t do any justice.”

“Though I have so many more people I want to thank, the last thing I’ll bring up are books that have had a significant impact on how I move. The first is the Bible, “love your enemy”, “don’t judge others”, “feed the poor”, “be courteous and considerate in everything”, and of course the books of wisdom like Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. Two books that help me really stay true to the dreamer inside and also helped unlock/enhance the business mind are The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho and Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter, by 50 Cent respectively.”

Instagram: Khaleelkelly

Other: TikTok – Khaleelmatthew

Image Credits
@bynatashajanae @slingshotPhotography @nathephotographerr

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