Kelsey Leon is a triple threat.  At just 14 years old, she’s been dancing for over a decade and found her way into modeling and acting, too.  Kelsey’s acting roles include guest spots on Amazon Prime’s Just Add Magic and Nickelodeon’s Nicky, Ricky, Dicky, and Dawn.

Most recently, she’s known for playing Kimmie on the web series Chicken Girls.  Produced by Brat, Chicken Girls tells the story of two rival high school dance teams: the Attaway Armadillos and PowerSurge.  Kelsey’s character is on the opposing team, who ended the show’s first season with a dance team loss.  The series, whose cast includes Annie LeBlanc, Hayden Summerall, Brooke Butler, Hayley LeBlanc, and Dylan Conrique, allows Kelsey to show both her dancing and acting skills for millions of online viewers.

With over 90,000 Instagram followers and a sweet and independent style, Kelsey’s attracted fans for her relaxed confidence and positive attitude.

Everly Mag got to talk to Kelsey all about her top 5 – inspiration, acting tips, friendships, and more.

Everly Mag: Tell us 5 things we should know about you.

Kelsey: I’ve been dancing since I was 2 years old and competed for many years.

This year, I’m focusing more on acting and singing.  Even though my path has changed, my love for dance will always be the same.  I’m an only child and I have a dog named S’mores.  My favorite color is blue.  As of right now, my favorite Netflix show is Young & Hungry.

Everly Mag: Describe your personality in 5 words.

Kelsey: Sweet, fun, humble, outgoing, and determined.

Everly Mag: Tell us 5 things we should know about your time on Chicken Girls.

Kelsey: On Chicken Girls, I play Kimmie, one of the PowerSurge dancers.  Being on set with Brat is the best.  Set days are my favorite.  A typical day on set is hair and makeup, then school.  Once it’s time for our scene, we go to wardrobe, get touchups, go over our lines, and film our takes.  Everyone is super easy to work with – great cast and crew.

Everly Mag: Describe your experience on social media in 5 words.

Kelsey: Loving, positive, exciting, fun, and friendly.

Everly Mag: What are 5 things you love to do with your friends?

Kelsey: My friends and I love to go shopping, go to the movies, hang out, make YouTube videos, and go Live.

Everly Mag: What are 5 things you do to relax and feel positive?

Kelsey: The first thing I do to help me relax is [a] power nap.  Usually, my trips to LA are early mornings, so power naps help me get energized before set, acting classes, or auditions.  Second, I always make sure I drink lots of water and eat healthy to give me stamina for the day.

Third, taking a break from social media and focusing on myself.  We get so caught up into what everyone else is doing that we don’t look at ourselves and take the time to make sure we’re doing what’s right for us.  Fourth, spending quality time with friends and family.  Downtime is my favorite.  Fifth, random acts of kindness.  Give someone a compliment or hold the door open for someone.  Be kind and make someone’s day.  It’ll make you and the person you helped feel so good.

Everly Mag: Who inspires you and why?

Kelsey: The person who inspires me is Zendaya.  She’s a great role model and someone I look up to as a person and actress.

Everly Mag: What are your tips for aspiring actors and actresses?

Kelsey: The first tip I have is [to] know the script.  Casting directors love when you come into the room and make your own choices.  You don’t have to memorize your sides, but if you spend time being “off-book,” you’ll know it.

Also, before you go into an audition, research the show, the network, the writers, the cast, etc. so you know the show’s tone and style.  I recommend taking acting classes, improvisation classes, or acting workshops.  They will help you get better, teach you new things, and most of all, [help you] gain confidence.  My favorite part about acting classes [is] redirection and feedback.

Take every opportunity [like] it’s your only opportunity.  Be very thankful for every opportunity you receive.  No matter how big or small, it’ll only make you better and get you one step closer to your goals and aspirations.

Everly Mag: Finally, what do you want to do with your career in the future?

Kelsey: I would love to keep pursuing acting as my career.  My dream is to book a movie or TV show.

Want more Kelsey Leon?  Be sure to find her on IMDB, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and more!

Watch Kelsey in Chicken Girls here and check out Everly Mag’s interviews with Caden Conrique and Dylan Conrique of the Chicken Girls cast.

Did you catch Kelsey’s takeover of the Everly Mag Instagram?  Be sure to follow Everly Mag!

Feature Image Credit: Alex Kruk