Today we’d like to introduce you to Gail Bean.
Gail, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve always loved entertaining. From ballet to competition cheerleading, to track, softball, basketball. I loved the adrenaline rush of practicing all for one performance. How I felt in those moments was enough to carry me for the rest of my life. I did the normal grade school drama classes.
A few school plays and church holiday programs but it wasn’t until my senior year of highschool I said ok I’m graduating and moving to LA to pursue acting. Wanna make God laugh, tell God your plans. In this case both my mother & God laughed. Rita Mitchell, a highschool science teacher was not onboard with me pursuing a dream. She was all about furthering your education and getting a reasonable job in a stable career field. She was raised that way, she only tried to instill in me what she knew. And that was the end. My mother told me no, I could not move to LA & that I was goin to college. So I did. I graduated from Valdosta State University with my Bachelor’s in Accounting. Along the way I tried to drop out and convince her to let me move to LA for acting. There’s absolutely no filming going on in Valdosta, GA. I just knew the longer I stayed the further it’d take me from where I wanted to go in life. Little did I know that college experience provided me with life skills that would prove to than prepare me for a career in the entertainment industry. In fact my time in college gave me a leg up.
So now I’ve tried to convince my mother on like five different occasions to let me move to LA and pursue acting. Each time I got denied but the very last time the answer was different. She said you need to have a plan. It’s the other side of the world, you’ve never been, you don’t know anybody there, just be smart. And so I did! In April a classmate and close friend, Mario Turner got relocated to LA with his job. Bingo I know somebody out there. So I got a roundtrip ticket to go visit for a month. June 14 – July 14. My brama (grandmother) had a stroke beginning of June. It was bad and my mother was distraught. I took that as a sign that God didn’t want me to go. I prayed on it and said ok God I give up. I’ve tried and obviously this isn’t for me because it’s always something. I hear you. I will be obedient and stay. But it was like immediately after I submitted and was willing to give up the dream, God said no my child, here’s everything. My Brama who was in critical condition, couldn’t speak, in a coma, all that had a vast 360. Once she was better and my mother wasn’t sad I packed my bags and left for LA.
Two days after being in LA, I got a job. I prayed for God to order my steps everyday. I had no idea what I was doing. It was literally hope & a prayer that got me where I am. I asked questions. I googled everything. I submitted to agencies online & via mail. I cold called. I joined IMDBPro to find out the contact info of who I needed to know. I threw all the darts at every wall. One day something stuck. Carla Hough called me. She received my web submission to her agency and liked what she saw. After an hour phone convo, she signed me. Just so we’re clear, this is my second agent because my first agent who was also located in the southeast dropped me when she learned that I was moving to LA. She said I’d fail and have to return just like her daughter did. Her prediction was incorrect. Carla got me about four auditions my first year with her but they were all quality. The last one was a self-tape for indie film ‘Unexpected’. I booked it. The film went on to Sundance. My performance got recognition. The Hollywood Reporter named me a next-generation breakout star & life just expanded from there.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road has been unpredictable, flawed AF, hard, rewarding, bigger than I could ever imagine, authentic and a million other things but at no time has it ever been smooth. In hindsight, all obstacles contained a lesson or blessing in some sort. I’ve experienced both personal and professional fluctuations. The biggest struggle was figuring out it’s them not me. There’s a plethora of ppl both out and within the industry who have a different way of going about life. They’re not genuine. The support isn’t authentic. The conversations are contrived. Being from Stone Mountain, GA (Atlanta) I just wasn’t used to that way of life. Typically you just stay away from those types but in the industry you don’t always get to choose who you surround yourself with. I had to learn to take nothing personal & remember it’s not me, it’s them. My heart and mindset was rare. I was now the minority with my spiritual beliefs and hard work and just positive, supportive mindset.
But I couldn’t let how others treated me or carried themselves to taint who I was. Another obstacle was adjusting to what some sort of success meant for my daily. I’m used to working and having income but after I gained some notoriety for my performance, I now have both a manager and agent. Great right?! So now I’m getting in person auditions & self-tapes, but I also have to work because bills add up. I don’t do excuses, I pay everything in full on time. Nobody was willing to give me the flexibility I needed. But I always find a way. I started only looking for graveyard shift jobs, airport, concierge, security, etc. These are just some obstacles but I could go all day lol I rather focus on the positive. But don’t get it twisted, ya girl has struggled, I just never became my struggle!
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’m an actress, writer, producer, poet. I’m most known for my acting. I have a poetry book out, LAVON which did well. I’m most proud of all my projects for different reasons. Insecure was my first TV show and it was on HBO (lowkey that’s always been my favorite network so I was mindblown). Also I watched Misadventures of the Awkward Black Girl so that was major. ATLANTA is my number 1 moment because it was the first project I’ve done in my city and it’s for my city and hello Donald Glover, EMMY award-winning show. There’s a million reasons why ATLANTA will always hold a special place in my heart. That was for the city! Unexpected gave me everything, it was my start so I’ll forever be grateful. The experience was phenomenal & they really just took me under their wing. Snowfall is John Singleton. It’s a period piece, which I always wanted to do. And again, it’s John Singleton!
What sets me apart is I’m genuine, ALWAYS! I’m never not me and the best part is I truly want people to feel comfortable with being them. I operate in truth at all costs.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I look forward to producing projects under my production company. Films, television shows, plays. I look forward to working with those I’ve connected with and admired along my journey as well as people who’ve inspired me from a distance. I look forward to being instrumental in others becoming icons. I look forward to paving the way and making it easier for those after me. I look forward to leaving an unforgettable mark on the world, not just the entertainment industry.
Contact Info:
- Website: Gailbean.net
Image Credit:
BET, Khalid Farqu – @lord.farqu, Nailah – @cloudnaiii, Kara Frans
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