Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Foster.
Hi Taylor, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
When I was three years old, my big brother had gone off to kindergarten and my mother was stuck with me at home. She claimed she didn’t know what to do with me and all my energy, so she signed me up for a ballet and tap class at a local dance studio in Anna, TX. I took to it like a moth to a flame, and she helped me chase that dream throughout my childhood. I started to compete in dance at six, have solos by eight, and by the time I was in high school, I had become an award-winning dancer in North Texas. However, when I was in middle school, I began taking drama and was cast in my first musical-as The Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland. My first thought about acting was “Oh, I can say words AND pirouette on the stage too?” My years of dance performances made the “scary” stage feel comfortable. I found that this new art form came easier to me than dancing did. Instantly, my dream of becoming a dancer switched. I was an actress.
In the summer before high school, I found myself invited to an acting class off Hollywood Blv. My first ‘screen’ acting lesson. I learned new techniques and tools here, but more importantly, I learned about the biggest stage of all – Hollywood. At the age of 14, I stood in Hollywood, CA and realized – I was going to move here. I was going to chase this dream. I fully fell down the rabbit hole, and I never wanted to leave Wonderland.
Throughout high school, I pursued both- acting and dancing. I’d leave school early for an audition, then show up late to dance class. I continued this into community college, too. I left high school at 16 and began studying at the junior college nearby. I was working as a dance teacher, competing in dance as a senior, taking college courses, and going to auditions that my local Dallas agent sent me on. Things like music videos and local commercials, I had a few feature film auditions before I booked my first independent film. In 2014, I booked the lead in a non-union family-friendly horse film, now named Saving Sloane. I was 17. After my first full day on set, I thought to myself “I can do this for the rest of my life.” And after a month of filming, I knew that was just what I was going to do.
I moved to Los Angeles when I was 18. It was 2015, I had an Associate of Arts, one single film under my belt, and a whole lot of determination. I began working numerous jobs to pay bills and booked small things here and there. Exactly one year after I moved, I signed with my first Los Angeles agent. The same year, I booked Becca on Netflix’s Dear White People. Though the role was riskier than anyone expected (but thank you CGI), I was excited to be on the biggest ‘stage’.
I’d ever worked on. This role earned me my SAG card, and just like that I was off the races.
Since moving here, I’ve had numerous opportunities that felt like childhood dreams coming true. Even though dance fell as my focus, I found myself dancing in a Neon Tree’s music video and tap dancing with a company in Vegas. I’ve choreographed for children’s musicals and tap danced with a local band. I truly get moments where my childhood dream of being a dancer comes true.
Now, I continue to seek performance opportunities in LA but focus on playing pretend on camera. Since I’ve begun my career, I have been numerous people – a trust fund baby on CBS, a kidnapped sister on Lifetime, a bachelorette on Tubi, a doctor’s wife on Amazon, a jewelry saleswoman on AppleTV, and so many more. I get to do what I knew I was going to do. I have an amazing support group of people out here and am thankful every day to be able to follow this dream.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Does anyone get a smooth journey? I’d love to know their secret! My main struggle since moving to California, like many aspiring actors, is surviving financially whilst having the time flexibility the industry demands. Balancing the hustle with the ease of availability. It is still something I’m working on perfecting. That, and the uncertainty of the next role or the sting of rejection, both are inescapable.
Personal struggles are always there. Insecurities bring mental battles, and unfortunate incidents bring hardship. This lifestyle doesn’t reward passive dreamers. It’s a lot of hard work and mental endurance. Having months with no time to breath and months without even an audition. Uncertainty alone repels many from even trying.
For some, myself included, this is minor. The obstacles are worth it 100%.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a young actress, I was primarily trained for comedy. Though it seems I specialize in dramas if you were to look at my resume. My proudest accomplishment on that resume would be the role of Tara, in Lifetime’s Sister with a Secret. The cast and crew were amazing in this production. Tara herself was a smart young woman entering life and had a crazy journey to portray. My proudest accomplishment outside of my work is my life I’ve created – particularly the company I keep. I have amazing friends. At the end of my life, I want to be known as a good friend. I love being their friend. I prioritize them often and love supporting them however I can.
I hope to be known for a big role one day. I think if anything, I’m known as ‘that redhead from Instagram.’ For now, my hair sets me apart and one day will help me book the iconic role I’m meant to have.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love this city. The people are the best part of the city. I’m from the country, was raised on 13 acres of land with cows in my front yard. All the people there seem so similar. Similar thoughts, interests, and goals. Out here, you truly see humans pushing their limits on what they can do. They’re all so different. I’ve learned what it means to live an individualistic life in Los Angeles. Though the parking is the worst. People always say traffic. But if I was given two options: no traffic or free easy parking always, I’d pick the latter.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.taylrfostr.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylrfostr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taylrfostr
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/taylrfostr
Image Credits
Sister with a Secret BTS (11) – Taylor Foster and Grace Narducci in Sisiter with a Secret on Lifetime Tempo BTS (1) – Taylor Foster and Rudy Mancuso in Facebook Watch’s Tempo Saving Sloane BTS (19) – Taylor Foster getting touch ups on a horse with make-up artist Shelly Denning on the set of Saving Sloane VooDoo BTS (6) – Taylor Foster on the Music Video set for VooDoo King by Eddie Brewer Kathryn Glendale (1) – Taylor Foster, photo courtesy of Kathryn Eurman IMG_3922 – Taylor Foster, Photo courtesy of Greg Wallace Photography severedRoad Premier (3) – Taylor Foster and Nik Whittemore at the premier of Severed Road Final Rose BTS (25) – Taylor Foster on set of Tubi’s The Final Rose Una Furtiva MV BTS (3) – Taylor Foster on set in Chris Hester’s Una Furtiva
