Today we’d like to introduce you to April Wilkner.
April, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I remember as far back as the age of five doing impressions for my big sister, mom, and dad in our house in Providence, RI. Michael Jackson, Edith Bunker, Cher, Rocky & Bullwinkle, and some characters that existed only in my imagination like an old man named Winston Eggbert – nothing was off limits or too inappropriate in our house. For us laughing was always the goal, especially amid tough times. I think that’s why doing comedy has always felt like home to me – even though it took me some time to find my way back there.
Breaking into television as the first Asian American contestant on “America’s Next Top Model” in Cycle 2 was definitely what Malcolm Gladwell would call the “tipping point” for me. I’d probably be a lawyer today if I hadn’t been on the show, but to be honest it was never really my dream to be a model. I went to NYU at 18 to major in Journalism and Creative Arts and had big dreams to host the “Today Show.” My parents raised me with a passion for incredible storytelling, educating me about life through exposing me to great film and art. I was discussing the life lessons of Citizen Kane, and Van Gogh vs Monet with my parents before first grade.
After graduation, I had my degree but no connection whatsoever in an industry that is extremely difficult to catch a break. I remember reading that my idol Lisa Ling (an Emmy award-winning journalist) had just been replaced by Elizabeth Hasselback (“Survivor”) on “The View” and that sparked an idea in my head one morning in the shower; “I can get my dream job as a host if I can somehow break into television on a Reality Show! I think…” Still wet from the shower, I quickly made a list of all the shows on air and their application deadlines. “America’s Next Top Model” was first up as it had a summer deadline. I dieted and worked out 24/7 for a few weeks, bought a few bikinis, a sexy dress, and a returnable camcorder from Best Buy. I took some snapshots and shot a homemade audition tape with my ex-boyfriend in our condo in Miami telling the story of how I was initially deferred to the waitlist at NYU (my dream school) and was devastated. I told how I got on a train and took the 3 hour ride to their admissions office in Washington Square Park where I spoke to a school rep and convinced him to let me into a probationary 2-year program that required that I maintain a 3.5 GPA in order to graduate with my B.A. I maintained a 4.0 my first two years, got a scholarship, and made the Dean’s List. I said, “Reject me and I will not only prove you wrong, I will rise to the very top.” Asian Seabiscuit over here!
It was that fighting spirit that caught the attention of casting director Michelle Mock and show creators Tyra Banks and Ken Mok. Two weeks later I was in LA for final producer sessions. A week after that we were filming the second season of ANTM in NY. It was a TOTAL whirlwind.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I recently saw a quote, “Struggles are gifts.” So, let’s just say I’ve had a lot of “gifts” along the way to get to where I am today. After “ANTM”, I set my sights upon acting and modeling in NY. The universe had other plans, and I was struck by a car just 10 feet away from my agency moments after I left – signed contract in hand – headed to my first photoshoot. I could not walk without pain for a solid year and was dropped by my agent after gaining 10 lbs because I couldn’t work out properly and have the appetite of a wild boar. It was devastating, but I regrouped and enrolled in The Atlantic Theater Company and reconnected with my love for acting. I think that setback was actually a blessing in disguise. Shortly thereafter, I auditioned for and got my first hosting job with Covergirl at CBS Studios. I continued studying acting in NY and booked my first three guest starring roles on “Guiding Light”, “Lipstick Jungle”, and “Royal Pains” the first year I started auditioning. It was a dream come true.
The next four years flew by as I continued to work as a host/producer for CBS Sports, the NY Rangers & NY Knicks, Victoria’s Secret and more. I also found my way back to modeling with a new agency who embraced my healthier weight. After wrapping my first two comedic indie films Chasing Taste (Amazon) and SAM (Produced by Mel Brooks), I signed with an LA-based manager and decided it was time to make the move west.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
My current manager Davida (Etc & Co) said something to me that really stuck, “Know your lane.” And, for me that lane is definitely comedy. A year into my LA adventure, I started doing stand-up for the first time and fell in love. I also spent some time training at UCB in Hollywood which is where I met the stand-up comedians that inspired me to give it a go. It felt so freeing to be on stage doing impressions of Gollum and talking about my donut addiction just like I would in our house growing up and to hear total strangers laughter. The stark contrast of walking a runway in stilettos for NY fashion week in front of a live audience who had absolutely no idea who I really was to the experience of doing stand-up at iO West & Liquid Zoo in sneakers & jeans wasn’t lost on me. Being a model was like playing a role. Doing stand-up was like going home.
Then in 2018, I appeared in a Google Pixel national commercial featuring Logic’s Grammy-nominated song with the lyrics, “I don’t wanna be alive,” that raised awareness for mental health issues and a suicide prevention hotline. I was featured alongside many brave survivors who also shared their true stories. It was terrifying to be open about my struggles with depression and to speak openly about mental health issues. I feared backlash and judgment from clients, agents, and even friends with whom I had never been open with about this. It can be so tempting to present only the perfect, positive, blemish-free sides of yourself to the world, especially when you work in an industry that is obsessed with keeping up the appearance of success and positivity. Once I decided to be honest about that part of my life with people, I got to see how many people not only supported me but also how many people could relate. It was another “tipping point” moment in my life.
Now, I am completely dedicated to using my voice as an actor to share and create stories that will inspire people to be open about their imperfections and struggles. It’s so interesting how art imitates life. I’ve learned studying comedy this year with Scott Sedita that, “Every storyline needs conflict – and lots of it. Without conflict, there is no drama and, without drama, there is no comedy.” (The Eight Characters of Comedy)
We laugh most when we see truth, even painful truth, and that is what gets us through the most difficult moments in life. That’s what film and television has always done for me: breathed a joyous light into dark times. I’m so grateful to my parents for introducing me to its powers at such an early age, and to my sister and friends for always laughing at my impressions and living room routines and for always being a willing audience. Right now, I am dedicated to creating and telling stories that allow people to feel seen and heard, and most importantly to LAUGH.
Contact Info:
- Website: aprilwilkner.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @APRILWILKNER
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