BITCH ASS' KELSEY CAESAR VALUES SELF-WORTH

Houston native KELSEY CAESAR plays Tuck in the horror film “Bitch Ass”- featuring all-Black cast and took home the Midnighter’s Audience Award following its premiere at the 2022 SXSW Festival.

Kelsey Caesar is an accomplished actor, model, and athlete. With over a decade of experience in acting, Kelsey made his TV screen debut with a role in the 2007 biopic about rapper Mike Jones titled “The American Dream. Saga.”

In this exclusive interview, accomplished actor, model, and athlete Kelsey Caesar shared to us his experiences in filming Bitch Ass, the challenge she faced on set, his acting journey, his dreams and aspirations, and more.

Hi Kelsey, tell us a bit about yourself.

I grew up in Houston, Texas, in a family of four. We were your typical, middle-class, African American family. Living in Texas, sports, especially football, were like religion, especially if you are a boy, you are going to be playing football. If you are a girl, you are on the cheer squad of your brother's team. For me and my older brother, sports were a lifestyle. My dad pushed me and my brother to an athletic lifestyle, which gave us discipline, and taught us how to deal with adversity.

Tell us more about your character Tuck in Bitch Ass and what drew you to this role?

I play the role of Tuck, who aspires in becoming the gang leader one day. During a gang initiation, he led three other gang members into breaking into a house of horror. Once they entered the house, the games began. The role itself was not the draw, the film concept was different. The film has a good balance between slasher and suspense thriller, with a little bit of comedy. Something unique!

What is the premise of the film, Bitch Ass?

Bitch Ass featured an all-Black cast and the cinema’s first Black masked serial killer. A 1999 gang initiation goes wrong when a group of four recruits breaks into a house of horror, as they are all forced to play deadly games for their lives. Win and you live – lose and you die.

What was the most challenging part of doing this role?

The most challenging part was making sure we were ready to shoot as soon as the camera lights were on. We shot the movie during the height of covid so filming schedules were tight and normal protocols were modified. Our director made it noticeably clear that he wanted us to be prepared and ready to shoot.

How did you rise above these challenges?

I really dialed in on my character. Had fun with the change in protocols, and the challenge itself of being successful with the change generated focus and a drive in all of us. You always give your best no matter what the situation is in front of you. I was open to whatever direction; I was open to whatever the director instructed me to do in the success of the film. The key, when faced with challenges, is to have perseverance and maintain professionalism.

What is your favorite type of genre to be in?

I really do not have any favorites as I love the difference in work each genre brings. But I will say if there is one that has an edge, it would be a comedy. I wish we could bring back the super raw and absurd comedies like Austin Powers or like the Hangover. The change in society, in taking so much personally has diminished the likelihood of seeing raw and absurd anything.

What inspires you?

Self-worth. I always wanted to be someone who has influence in this world. Something that does not just impact me, but others. I feel that I can do this through acting and creative arts, just like Marlon Brando, Marylin Monroe, and Sydney Portier who open the doors for others and their spirt will live forever.

What scares you?

What is going on in this world scares me. So much is going on around the world, and I sometimes wonder if we will ever get back to what we used to be not too long ago. So much hate and disrespect in the world right now. l can only hope and pray that the world gets past all of this.

Guilty pleasure?

M&Ms with peanuts. I always must have a bag of peanut M&Ms. They are my mine and my brother's favorite.

Name your top 5 favorite films of all time.

Inception, Interstellar, Jurassic Park, Toy Story, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

The best advice I ever received is professionalism goes a long way. Being prepared saves money and time. People appreciate your appreciating their time.

What is your ultimate goal?

The goal is to be the best I can be in making a difference in this world. As I mentioned earlier, I believe I can do this through acting and creative arts.

What are your dream projects?

I would love to work on Jordan Peele movies. Nope was so dope! Black cinema is now evolving into mainstream cinema. It has been a long time waiting, but it is moving in the right direction, but there is still a ways to go.

Is there a skill / talent that a lot of people do not know about you?

I was an elite-level track and field athlete. I graduated from Arizona State, where I competed in track and ran professionally after college.