Chelsea Gilson [Interview]

Hello Folks! We have a wonderful interview to share with you all today. We have the inspirational and immensely talented actress, traveler, yoga instructor, and so much more. It’s Chelsea Gilson, Everyone! In 2019 alone, Chelsea worked on two of our favorite films of the year, which will be discussed below. She is a star on the rise and has an incredible future. We are so excited to have her join the TWS alum. She’s incredibly kind with her time and just an overall incredible soul. So please enjoy some brilliant responses from this incredible performer. Enjoy!

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What inspired you to get into the world of entertainment? Was it something that has been ingrained in you since you were a child, or did you happen to find yourself in this world one day?

I live to create.  There is nothing that fuels me quite as much as an opportunity to pour myself into a role and become rooted in a new character.  I wouldn’t say I always dreamed of becoming an actress or television host – or travel blogger or yoga teacher for that matter –  but I always had an inclination for the limelight. I was a pageant kid who realized quite young that the energy of being on stage, of being seen and heard, it’s pretty damn liberating.

What was your very first paid gig in the world of entertainment? And were there any sort of lessons learned from this experience that still affect your work today?

I can’t recall my first paid entertainment gig, but my first big break was when I booked a show on Travel Channel called Scambushed.  I can vividly remember getting the call that I was selected as one of four hosts for the show.  I was driving home from a fitness shoot, and I had to pull over to catch my breath – I was seriously too excited to drive!  That experience gave me the self-confidence boost I needed to pursue a career in this crazy whirlwind of a business.

We are huge fans of the universe that the legendary Kevin Smith has brought to the screen, having interviewed literally dozens of folks from this world. Including yourself! I understand you can be heard the most recent installment, Jay and Silent Bob Reboot. I am curious to know how your experience was working on a Kevin Smith project? Was there anything that set it apart from the variety of other projects you have worked on?

I only worked as voiceover on Jay & Silent Bob Reboot, so I never got any set time with Kevin!  Everything was recorded in a sound studio 🙂 Voiceover is such a fun avenue of the entertainment world I’m just now starting to explore.  I’d really love to try my voice (see what I did there!) at an animated movie one day, how cool would that be?!

Another incredible project you worked on was the brilliant Dolemite Is My Name, which was high on our list of the best films of 2019. Same sort of question. How was your experience working on this incredible film? And what was it about this legendary story that made you want to be a part of it?

There were so many world-class actors on Dolemite Is My Name, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t star-struck on set.  I really loved how everyone was so professional during the takes – never missing lines, conscious of their blocking, grounded in their character.  But the second the director yelled cut it felt like one big party, with everyone cracking jokes and laughing it up like a backyard bbq.  It really was a dream experience and I’m so grateful I had a small part in such an iconic film.

If you were handed the opportunity to create & star in the biopic of any legendary figure in American history, who would it be? 

I’m smitten with Dolly Parton and would love to give tribute to her remarkable life story.  She is beyond talented and so fiercely grounded in her sense of self, it would be an honor to walk in her shoes!

What does the future hold for you? Anything you would like to plug to our readers?

This week I’m headed to Temecula to film a movie.  I can’t share any details yet, but if it turns out half as good as the script, you’ll be hearing about it soon!  Other than that, I stay busy blogging away at www.travelingfig.com, stop by anytime to connect or collaborate!  You can also find me on IG at @chelseagilson and @organictravel  & on Twitter @chelseagilson

What was the last thing that made you smile?

I am obnoxiously optimistic, so it’s pretty rare that I don’t have a smile plastered on my face.  But if I had to say the last thing that evoked a big grin, I would pick this morning when I was teaching yoga.  I always cheese during the whole class – I’m just so grateful for the opportunity to share the practice with my students!