Interview: Kelly Greyson

Kelly Greyson

Interview by: Emily May

Actress, fitness star, and humanitarian Kelly Greyson grew up with a love for all things athletic and always felt like whatever the boys could do, she could do better, including horseback riding, scuba diving, swordplay, track & field, snow, and water skiing, football, dancing, rock-climbing and any other sport that attracted her ultra-competitive spirit. Shy and anxious as a child, her family never thought she would work as an actress, but with the help of her mom, she overcame her hurdles. With a big, empathetic heart and a lifelong love of helping others, she spends a great deal of her time doing humanitarian work. Greyson is getting ready to launch her non-profit my1Mpact, a multi-tiered global platform designed to inspire the best in people by showcasing the “true heroes” across the world. Her goal is to motivate awareness of others and their needs to create a culture of compassion to uplift other people’s lives. Each episode of the video series will take the viewer on an adventure with Kelly that will not only open their eyes to new perspectives on people and culture but also their appreciation of our world while entertaining them in the process. These amazing stories will unfold as Kelly meets people who go to extraordinary lengths to show compassion in the midst of suffering and difficult situations while highlighting various cultures. Kelly’s charitable work also includes the promotion and preservation of basic human rights, including supporting organizations that fight human trafficking, care for orphans, and, with Gemiini Systems, a program that provides therapy videos, quizzes, and assessments for those with learning disabilities, the vulnerable and innocent who are unable to help themselves.

Kelly began acting in 2011 and has had several acting roles since and also does all of her own stunts, a rarity in Hollywood. She recently appeared in the thriller Out Of Death with Bruce Willis and Jaime King and most recently starred in her biggest role yet in the military thriller The Fortress, starring Bruce Willis, Jesse Metcalfe, and Chad Michael Murray. Set for release on December 17th, the story, the first installment of the forthcoming trilogy, revolves around a top-secret resort for retired U.S. intelligence officers and a group of criminals seeking revenge. Part 2 of the trilogy will be released next year. Aside from acting and humanitarian work, Kelly loves photography-especially wildlife photography, having recently photographed the great migration in The Serengeti during a trip to Africa. She also loves sculpting, having become the muscle study/muse for world-renowned sculptor Richard MacDonald. You can connect with Kelly MacDonald via the following links:

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER

You have said that as a child you had shyness and anxiety and that no one ever saw you as pursuing acting. How did you overcome those anxieties and your shyness, and in what ways have you tried to help others overcome their fears?

Kelly: So actually, this is one of those monumental moments. My mom helped me with this and it was probably one of the most poignant things that we learned together. She said "You know, Kelly. How you feel when you are feeling completely isolated and shy and afraid and all of that, there might be other people who feel that same way." And I've always had the biggest heart for people and am just super empathetic, so I decided "Why don't you try to make sure that nobody ever feels like you do?". From that moment on, and I was, like, 13 at that time, I made it my mission to make sure that nobody ever felt the pain and heartache and shyness and the different things that come along with that. I would look out for other people who were being bullied and all of those kinds of things from that time on, and it's kind of really revolutionized my life. It's been a really good launchpad for the real world because it kind of set my life on the course of every time there's something that's a struggle or heartache or anything like that, you can allow it to make you become bitter or better, and I always pursue better by thinking about what someone else is going through and how can I reach into their world and change their life. When you do that, not only is it healing for the person receiving, but it is also healing for you. It's scientifically and physiologically proven that it heals you when you actually take care of somebody else. It's been something that I have really encouraged a lot of people to do and it's amazingly beautiful when you realize the power in choosing love because it's normal and understandable and all of that to be angry and bitter and hateful, but when you realize that nobody can take away the power of your ability to choose love, it actually changes your life in a way that is hard to explain, unless you've been there. So that's my approach!

You are adept at a wide variety of sports and fitness and while growing up you felt that whatever the boys could do, you could do better. Were sports and athleticism things you were always drawn to from a young age or are those things you developed an interest in a bit later in your childhood?

Kelly: I always loved everything athletic, whether it was organized sports or not. I had a big brother and he was a really amazing athlete, and so I was always trying to keep up with him, which then ultimately makes you so much better. When you are keeping up with the guys, then it is way easier to keep up with the girls, so it was a really great launchpad for that. I always loved adventure. My dad was super adventurous and I was always his adventure buddy. Anytime there was an adventure to be had, he was always like "Hey Kelly!" and I was like "Yes please!" (laughs)!

You started acting in 2011 and perform all of your own stunts. What led you into acting and as an actress in Hollywood who does their own stunts, What has that experience been like for you? Have you found a lot of support in the industry?

Kelly: I had a desire to act and had done different work in classes and coaching and that kind of thing. My first role was amazing and I was so excited about it because it was an inspiring project and something I was really proud to be a part of. It was called Return to the Hiding Place, based on a true story. It was a story that had inspired me as a little girl. It's just an unbelievable story about someone who was rescuing Jews during WWII. It was amazing to be a part of something so inspiring and to be able to realize how impactful film is and how it can really change peoples' lives and impact the world, for the better or worse. I love to be a part of things that make a positive difference. So that was my first film and then as far as stunts, I don't know. I'm just not one who likes to sit on the sidelines (laughs)! If I'm going to be doing the film, I'm going to be doing it all. I'm kind of like a go big or go home type of person. Because I do everything athletic anyway, my physique really fits those kinds of roles in film. There are so many beautiful and talented people in this industry. I think it's important, in this industry, to find something that's sort of a niche that you are specifically designed to be or do. Like, there are a lot of amazing character actors. So just finding that thing that sets you apart. For me, doing stunts...I always tell the crew, "You can't double me. It won't work!" (laughs)! It's been so much fun because I just get in there and do it. Every chance that I have, one of the first things I'll do is get the stunt coordinators contact information if it's an action film, and we'll communicate. Then every second that I get a chance, I'll train and work and they're always super accommodating and willing to work with me in off time and downtime and between takes and all of that. And the stunt community is an amazing community. They are honestly the unsung heroes in film who take all of the hits. I've really enjoyed working with that community. I love it!

Your next film, which will be released on December 17th and is your biggest role yet, is the movie Fortress with Bruce Willis, Chad Michael Murray, and Jesse Metcalfe. What can you tell me about the film and what the filming experience was like?

Kelly: The whole experience was really amazing and really intense and challenging. There were some added challenges with all of last year's extra drama (Covid). Everything was crammed into as little time as possible because there was all this extra testing and these other things, so you just had to be ready and on point the second they said GO. They were trying to cram so much filming into shorter periods of time because of all the protocols and testing and other stuff, so it was a lot. I think as far as just the film itself, the cast and crew and directors were all just so great to work with. I loved all of the super famous and really quality actors, who were so nice and so real and so down to earth. We had a really good time. I think you ultimately always sort of becoming a film family, and when you leave it's sad because you've really bonded with these people in such an amazing way. And then everyone goes on with their separate lives in all different parts of the world or the country, so it's always a sad day. But it was a really amazing experience and I loved filming in Puerto Rico. All of the crews there were really great to work with. It was great!

Aside from acting, you dedicate a great deal of your time to charitable causes and humanitarian work. What drew you to do that kind of work, especially being a voice for children and the voiceless? What are some of your favorite causes that you work for?

Kelly: Oh my goodness! There are so many. I could go on for the next 20 hours. I'm not even joking (laughs)! But yeah. It's always been something I've had the heart for. The first time I gave away everything I owned, like all of my money in my little piggy bank. I was five. I gave everything I could to these starving children in Africa that I had heard about. I've always had that heart for other people. And then I grew up around a lot of volunteers and just having a perspective for other people and what other people may be going through. I've done a lot of traveling and that kind of thing, which I think gives a really good perspective for everyone to have. Actually, I think that everyone in the US should take a trip somewhere to a third-world country and realize how much we have to be grateful for. I think it's literally more important than a college degree sometimes, to get a glimpse of what it is, as far as perspective. It's so eye-opening, to get to go beyond your borders and see what the rest of the world is like, and then how you can help and be a part of it and make an impact. My favorite thing to do is what I like to call "Highlight Heroes". When I can find an Indigenous organization within a particular country, who is doing amazing and incredible work and nobody even knows they exist, but they are laying down their lives on the daily for the invisible and the hurting and the starving or whatever it is, and whether it is in the States or abroad, those people are heroes. True heroes. They are doing the right thing when nobody is watching and it's not about the spotlight or anything else. And when you can partner with those people, and kind of next-level their impact by bringing the spotlight to them and being able to introduce donors or people to volunteer and those kinds of things to these organizations who have been doing these jobs invisibly, how much more of an amazing job could they do if you partner with them. That's been incredibly rewarding to see the impact of giving people the spotlight and promoting what so many incredible people are doing around the world.

You are also involved with an organization called Gemiini Systems that helps children with learning disabilities. How did you come to be involved with them?

Kelly: They are pretty amazing. That is one of the things I have worked with, education and learning disabilities and that sort of thing. Gemiini is actually a pretty amazing story. The woman who founded it...it's a beautiful story of tragedy and triumph...she had twins who were diagnosed with autism and she came up with an entire system because she loved her kids. It's been super effective and they've had some incredible results and I love to be a part of things that are changing lives.

As someone who loves travel and adventure, what are some of your favorite places that you have traveled to and where are some places you have not yet been but would love to go in the future?

Kelly: I wanna go to all the places! If had to categorize, anywhere that's hot and has an ocean or a beach. If I can't wear a bikini, I don't belong. That's kind of how I feel about life (laughs). Definitely, my favorite thing is anything ocean and tropics. I love just the adventure of travel. It's so unreal. And especially in this last year, being able to work remotely and working remotely from another country. The world is so big and so beautiful and is so not what the news says. I mean, pretty much nothing is like the news says. It's so beautiful to get a perspective outside of that and see for yourself and be like "Wow. This is really an amazing place! It's not nearly as scary as it sounded!". I think the whole fear of the unknown thing...I've always just been like "Ok. If I'm scared, I'm doing it." I love the adventure of not knowing where I'm going or where I'm staying. I have this really interesting tendency to literally not have any idea where I'm staying when my place lands and am like "Ok. Here I am in this city. What's around here?". It's a fun adventure.

Do you have a specific place that you call home, or do you just travel so much that it's like the world is your home?

Kelly: That's definitely my goal, to be nowhere as often as possible! But, home has always been California or Texas, if I swing back for a minute to somewhere.

When you were younger, you have talked about having experience as a photographer. Do you still do photography, especially with all of your travels? What's your favorite way to document your travels?

Kelly: Yes! I have, literally on my cellphone, so many photos because cellphones are so amazing now! Actually, I do have my super amazing, huge monster camera that I just hauled all over Africa for 6 weeks. But, I have, I think, like 90,000 photos on my phone, so yeah. I am definitely an avid photographer! And I have an eye for it, which is a blessing and a curse because when I'm in front of the camera, I'm like "I should be at this angle and the light needs to be here" and I'm in my head because I know what it should be on the other side of the camera (laughs)! I have to resist the urge to think about what I look like through the lens. But it is good because it gives you the perspective on lighting and angles and all of those things that other people may not have necessarily, not having seen the other way. Wildlife photography is something that I do a lot, and also when I am doing humanitarian stuff, documenting a tribe, or those sorts of things. It gives you the little picture, and so you have the macro and the micro, and I think when you can capture those little micro-moments, like an expression or a little child doing something, those kinds of things are so poignant. I just think that photography is an amazing medium. So, Africa was this bucket list crazy amazing travel trip, and I have a big 500mm lens for wildlife, so I was in The Serengeti and was there for the great migration. There were thousands and thousands of wildebeests and all of the interactions with them crossing the rivers and there are crocodiles and then the lions are coming, so you are watching the circle of life. It was a crazy experience. And through that big lens, they were up close and personal and it was an UNBELIEVABLE experience that I had dreamt of forever!

What's next for you? What kinds of things do you have coming up?

Kelly: Well, there’s always the next thing but you don't talk about it until it's actually happening because it's the film industry and you never really know. There's always a bunch of things that are possibly coming or in the works. And then I also do a lot of fitness shoots and modeling and also sculpting and underwater modeling, which is also fun. I do a lot of freediving and work with a bunch of photographers in the water. So that's a very interesting niche and it's very challenging. I'm a water chic and part mermaid...pretty sure I'm part mermaid (laughs)! That honestly is more of just a really fun thing of going to a bunch of countries where you have people host you and show you their amazing waters. One thing that I am super excited about, just on another level besides film and all of the other stuff, is sculpting. I have the privilege of working with this one world-renowned sculptor named Richard MacDonald and I am his muscle study/muse for some of his artwork. That's been a really, really fun experience. I think when you spend so much of your life honing your physique and then you have someone who is like "Oh perfect. Flex that muscle. I need that exact muscle. Do it from this angle", it's really fun collaboration. What was even more fun is that while we were working together, we did some collaborative work and he created this one amazing piece. Totally unreal. And he actually donated a bunch of funds as a result of the sale of that to build, I think it was, 10 homes for people that I'd had connections with. So I was able to direct him towards an organization that was doing a really amazing job and then we worked on that together. So that was fun and rewarding. And then the Fortress movie that is coming out in December is part of a trilogy, so the second movie will be coming out in 2022!