Why is betting on oneself so hard for many of us? It could be because it takes self-belief even when your environment may test that trust. Or it could be because it takes a willingness to take risks with the knowledge that, despite your best efforts, pieces of your journey may not fall into place the exact way you envision it. For Kyra Green, betting on herself was non-negotiable. Pursuing a career in dance, theatre, and acting, Green learned early on that the relationship with herself was the key to succeeding in such a competitive industry. I wanted to know exactly what Green did to cultivate a positive mindset, how she discovered her passion, and her secret to finding the confidence to bet on yourself. Here’s what she had to say.
Take me back to when you knew you wanted to pursue this path. Was it something you always knew you wanted to do? Or did it evolve over time?
It definitely evolved over time. So growing up, I was with my mom. My mom was a single parent until she met my stepdad, and so a key, like, kind of memory of mine is me and my sister would be in the apartments on our own while my mom was at work. We were supposed to be cleaning up the house, but we had this DVD of Beyonce’s and Ciara’s music videos, and so we would put them in. We would dance… and I would learn the choreography and just perform it all day, every day, and that was kind of like how I danced and was a part of dance class because we just couldn’t afford that.
I always was interested in movies, film, and theater. So by the time I got into high school and I was able to join the drama club and theatre, that’s what I did. Going into college, I went to Nazareth [College Rochester] just because they offered me the most money, and I got into their acting program. Before COVID, I took a dance class credit, because I was like, “Well, I’m gonna pay for school. I might as well get my money’s worth.” Then I thought about it, and became a dance minor. But it wasn’t until we got back where I studied abroad, and I was able to do an Open Jar Institution program for a week in New York City for musical theater, and that’s when I was like, “Oh, I love to dance, and I love theater, I love film. This has to be my future. How is it going to be my future? I don’t know, but this has to be my future.” So that’s how it kind of evolved over time.
Any creative career is often met with a lot of resistance because it’s not “safe”, or “secure,” which deters many people from pursuing it. When you decided to pursue dance, acting, and modeling, were you met with resistance from your environment?
I think it was 50/50. I will say I’m the type of person… I do not care. Growing up, I’ve always have been like, “Well, if it’s my money, I’m going to do whatever I want. If it’s my time, I’m going to do whatever I want.” But my mom was definitely on the supportive side. Maybe a little bit of my older family relatives, like my grandparents, they were more like, “Are you sure?” Especially since my older sister went to nursing school and became a nurse. But I am 24. I did just move back home. So there’s a little bit of like, “What’s going on here?” Like, “Are you sure this is something you still want to pursue?” And I’m like, “Yeah, I’m just trying to figure it out.”
As you’re pursuing your performing arts career, you’re also juggling other jobs. You work as a babysitter, you waitress, and you’re a dance instructor. How do you stay committed to your vision of becoming a successful actor, dancer, and model while balancing these jobs?
Faith, trust, and pixie dust. But on a serious note, I am a Christian. My faith with God — granted, it might not be the most strongest or maybe noteworthy, but it’s my relationship with God and that’s all that matters. And so the times that I do remember to speak to him and pray and give my thanks and gratitude somehow, someway, He will give me one win and that will be enough to push me.
Or I feel like sometimes I get so caught up in those jobs and so caught up in just making money to get me by. I live in a small town, and everybody knows each other, and so because everyone knows each other, I find myself at Walmart or at our local bar or at the park with my dog, and I’ll see people from high school, and we’re still talking about the same high school stuff, and I’m just like, “No, I’ve done too much, I’ve seen too much, I’ve graduated school. This is not going to be my story.” And so that’s how I kind of propel myself to keep focusing. And I always just think, “I cannot be a waitress for the rest of my life. I cannot be a nanny for the rest of my life, this is not my personal story.” Or even on TikTok, I’ll see people like Charli D’Amelio, and I’m like, “Okay, girl, you’re 17 and you’re doing what I want to do. Like, how do I get there?” And so I’ll use that to motivate me too.
In one of your YouTube videos you said, “I’m trying to put myself out there and really trying to open doors for myself.” This is an important mindset to have when leading a lifestyle like yours because it acknowledges the importance of action and perseverance, and I want to know: Where did this mentality come from or how did you cultivate it?
So, I have another friend, Paul Archer. He’s an actor in LA, [and] he’s actually been on Abbott Elementary. We’ll text every once in a while, and he’s always reminding me to open more doors for yourself because things aren’t going to come to you, which also kind of aligns with, like my whole mindset of being a Black woman, where it’s like you really work twice as hard to get any type of recognition. But also so many doors are always being shut in your face that you have to just make your own door.
Make your own door, make your own table, make your own house, if you really need to. And so that’s kind of just like how I’ve kind of always been thinking. Nothing is just going to be given to you. I mean, granted, it does happen to some people, but you’re never just going to get that best agent and you’re just, like, in a Ryan Coogler movie. You have to do the baby steps, and you have to create your own spaces.
Also on your YouTube channel, you say that you’re a “small town girl trying to make an impact in a creative way.” What impact are you striving to make?
I’ve always said that I want other little girls, specifically Black girls (and especially now in this political climate), I want all little girls to have a dream that’s bigger than them, if that’s what they want, and pursue that.
I feel like we talk about representation so much and how there’s a lack of representation, and I still think there is. I do think it’s getting better, and I do think it’s growing, but even then, like, it’s far and in between. And I feel like for myself, with being an actor, being a dancer, these are these jobs that no one tells you how to do them, right? There’s no how-to book for Dummies to become an actor. But I would like to open the door and after I’ve made it, have some type of program, have some type of school, have something to be like, “Okay, if you go here, we will make sure that you make it.” Because I’ve struggled with going to scam agencies and going to illegitimate places where they promise you like, “We’re going to make this happen for you.” And then you realize, like, “Oh, you’re just stealing my money from me.” I want to be that change where it’s like, “Okay, I put in my blood, sweat and tears. I finally made it.” Now I can open the door for other people to try to make it, if they so wish to. And it’s legitimate. It’s honest.
This series is called “On My Terms” because it features individuals who are creating and living a life on their terms. So, I want to ask: For life to feel and look authentic to you, what terms are required?
I’m gonna steal your top two [flexibility and soul-led], but I’m gonna add adventure. Oh, my goodness, studying abroad was the best thing that I’ve ever could have done. And I didn’t realize that I needed that type of adventure and traveling in my life. I didn’t realize that was probably the happiest time I’ve ever been was traveling and just trying so many different things, talking to so many different people, so many different cultures, and so that is what I would need.
I’m actually going back to London in June, and I need that so bad. It’s like the taste is almost there, and it’s making me salivate. And honestly, it’s stupid, but I would need dance. I really would need it to some degree, whether that be modern, whether that be hip hop. I would need it to just feel complete and feel happy, period, like, just happy.
I’m Just Curious — rapid fire questions
What is your favorite style of dance?
Hip Hop
Pick one: Hamilton or Wicked?
Oh, Hamilton.
What is one thing you miss the most about the UK?
Low key dating. Because why were those men so much better? I definitely do not miss the food.
Where’s your go-to food spot in Houston?
First, Swamp Shack during the crawfish season. Any other time, Taco Bell or, actually, Jack in the Box.
Who are you more excited to see in concert this summer — Beyonce or Rauw Alejandro?
Oh, you did me dirty with this one. This one hurts my soul. I did get meet-and-greet tickets for Rauw Alejandro. So I’m a little bit more excited because I’m like, I get to meet him. I’ve been polishing up my Spanish, like I’m ready. ¿Puedo ser tu esposa?
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Tune of the Week: Conceited by SZA
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