Coat by Meli @meli_intl
Shirt by Joseph Auren @josephauren
Shorts by Meli @meli_intl
Boots by Dr. Martens @drmartensofficial
Talent: Kelsey Caesar
Photography, Creative Direction, and Production by: Mike Ruiz
Editor-in-Chief: Dimitri Vorontsov
Stylist: Andrew Philip Nguyen
Groomer: Raquel Moreno
Photographer’s Assistant: Ozzie Gutierrez
Location: Los Angeles, California
Coat by Meli @meli_intl
Shirt by Joseph Auren @josephauren
Shorts by Meli @meli_intl
Boots by Dr. Martens @drmartensofficial
Before acting, you trained for the 2016 Olympics. What drew you towards the entertainment industry ?
I wanted to give making the USA Olympics track team shot, prior to the 2016 Olympics. I had been running competitively since middle school. I participated in the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, two years after high school and ran collegiately for Arizona State University, where I received my degree. I have the most love and respect for track and field athletes.
I was always fascinated with entertainment. As a kid, my family would always watch movies together; movies were and will always be a part major part of my family dynamic. Seeing how much my family enjoyed movies, sparked my interest in being an entertainer. I would spend hours studying Michael Jackson in perfecting his dance moves. actor. Always entertaining my grandmother, who loves my dancing. I started getting involved in theater arts in middle school while balancing my participation in athletics.
Hat by Gladys Tamez Millinery
@gladystamezmillinery
Cardigan by Avril 8790 @avril8790
Pants by Flaneur @flaneurhomme
How did your background in athletics influence your acting career?
I took my responsibility very seriously as a track athlete. Having discipline, perseverance and professionalism are keys to success in both professions. Just as you have to work out to compete at your maximum levels for track, the same is for acting. You must exercise and improve your skills to stay on top of your game. When you do not win in a race or do not get the part you audition for. In both situations, you learn from the experience and work on the things that will make you better the next time. If you don’t quit, there will be a next time.
Your highly anticipated film Bitch Ass was screened at SXSW festival in March. Can you tell us more about the movie and your role?
Bitch Ass featured an all-Black cast and cinema’s first Black masked serial killer. A 1999 gang initiation goes wrong when a group of four recruits break into a house of horror, as they’re all forced to play deadly games for their lives. Win and you live – lose and you die. I play the role of Tuck, one of the 4 gang members that break into the game house. He is the nephew of the gang leader with ambitions of being the leader one day.
Coat by Flaneur @flaneurhomme
Necklace by LOUPN @loupn_collection
Glasses by Gentle Monster @gentlemonster
Boots by Dr. Martens @drmartensofficial
How did you prepare to play your character, Tuck?
I researched and viewed several classic black urban films such as Juice, Menace 2 Society, and Tales from the Crypt. I took inspiration from different characters in those films because I wanted the character to have that 1999 classic feel.
What are you most excited for people to watch in the film?
I’m excited for people to see the representation this film brings to the cinema. Being an all -Black cast and the film brings its first Black Masked killer into the movie universe is cool. Something different and that means a lot to me. Now Mike Meyers and Jason Voorhees will not be the only options for “slasher” costumes for Halloween.
Coat by Flaneur @flaneurhomme
Necklace by LOUPN @loupn_collection
Glasses by Gentle Monster @gentlemonster
What are some of your favorite films that have inspired you along the way?
I have so many. I love Rebel Without a Cause it’s one of my favorite movies with James Dean and Natalie Woods. I thought James Dean was incredible, he was so spontaneous and on his toes as his character. Another favorite but oldie is Psycho Anthony Perkins who played Norman Bates, he absolutely embodied the words never judge a book by its cover in that film which made it a horror classic. I am a big fan of Alfred Hitchcock films. I see a lot of his twisted style in Jordan Peele’s work. I love what Jordan Peele is creating, and would love to work with him one day.
Hoodie(worn under) by Strike Oil @strike_oil
Blazer(worn over) by MAGNLENS @magnlens
Shorts by MAGNLENS @magnlens
Bucket hat by Gladys Tamez Millinery @gladystamezmillinery
Do you have any genres or styles that you want to explore more as an actor?
I’d love to explore the comedy genre a bit more people always tell me I’m funny for some reason. So, I like to take on that challenge and explore that genre too. I think there should be a reboot of the “Hangover ‘but with an all-black cast. That would be hilarious.
Outside of acting, how do you like to spend your free time?
I like to work out and go for runs and hikes. It’s very therapeutic for me. Since I don’t compete in track anymore, it’s a way to stay in shape and allow me to decompress. With being an athlete most of my life, working out and staying active has become a part of me.
I love national and state parks and exploring them. When I was in Atlanta, Georgia (USA) last summer, I spent a lot of time exploring the state parks in the surrounding area. The state of Georgia is so green and beautiful I recommend people visit and explore the numerous parks; they are so beautiful!
Coat by Vegan Tiger @vegan_tiger
Turtleneck by Paisley & Gray @paisleyandgray
Pants by Paisley & Gray @paisleyandgray
Shoes by Pace @pace
Do you have any other projects coming up or in the works?
Yes, I have another horror film that should be releasing this fall called Devilreaux and will be making an appearance on Hulu’s Wu Tang: American Saga Final Season.
