Kelly Johns

Meet Kelly Johns - Kelly realized her calling for performing at a young age. After years of community and school theater, she signed with East Coast Talent Agency at age 15. Following her second audition, she booked her first role in the film "The Blind Side." She now resides in Atlanta, GA, and most recently worked on the film "Game Night".  Kelly has also hosted many events in the Atlanta area. ViA www.IMDB.com  (SISS) Hi Kelly where are you from and where are you currently spending your time?  (Kelly Johns)  I was born and raised in Canton, GA. I spent 18 years there until I moved to Athens, GA, to attend the University of Georgia for four years. I now live in Atlanta and have been here for over 2 years.  (SISS) What was one of the hardest things that you had to go through? What advice would you give someone going through the same struggle?  (Kelly Johns)  I was a high school teacher for one year. It was the most stressful year of my life. I had to see a therapist because the stress and anxiety was taking such a toll on me. My therapist gave me some simple but life-changing advice: don’t let the stressful situations actually “enter” into your body.  Create an invisible barrier around yourself, and when something stressful happens, decide if you’re going to let that sink into you, or if you are going to push that stress away. It really helped me! And remember, every tough phase truly makes you stronger. I am so thankful I went through struggles because now I feel like I can handle anything!  (SISS) Actress, Writer, very talented #SISS Tell us more, who is @KellJohns and what are you most proud of?  (Kelly Johns)  I am most proud of not only meeting, but filming a scene with one of my all-time role models, Rachel McAdams. I honestly never even imagined I would have the opportunity to meet her, much less work with her! When I booked a role in the film, Game Night, and later found out I would be in the scene with Rachel, I could not believe it! She was SO friendly, nice, and complimentary towards me. I hope to be an inspiration to other young women the way she has been to me!  (SISS) One year from now what do you hope to have accomplished (business or personal)?  (Kelly Johns)  I hope to be at the point where acting is my full-time job and I do not have to depend financially on side jobs.  (SISS) How dedicated are you to fitness? What is your fitness goal? On your body, what is your favorite body part and what is your least favorite?  (Kelly Johns)  My goal is to exercise every day, whether that is going to a group fitness class, working out solo in the gym, or going on a hike with my boyfriend, friends, or family.  My fitness goal is to keep building muscle and becoming more toned. My favorite body part is my abdomen, and my least favorite has always been my thighs. I am very petite and have really short legs, so to me, they look “thick.” I have come to accept my thighs though because they are STRONG (and my boyfriend loves them!)  (SISS) What makes you the happiest? What is fun for you?  (Kelly Johns)  Being with the people I love makes me the happiest. I am madly in love with my boyfriend, I have the sweetest niece and nephew, and my immediate and extended family are the most fun and loving people! Fun for me includes a wide variety of things; I love traveling and going out on adventures, but I also equally love staying in and playing fun games. Everything is fun when I am with the ones I love most!  (SISS) How do you deal with disappointment? How do you Keep Going?  (Kelly Johns)  I try to always remind myself that everything truly does happen for a reason. God never puts me through anything that I can’t handle and that won’t better me as a woman.  (SISS) What is your superpower?  (Kelly Johns)  I feel like I can strike up a conversation with anybody. I am not afraid to be my goofy self to anyone, even strangers.  (SISS) What is your weakness and what do you do to overcome it?  (Kelly Johns)  My downfall is that I have a hard time understanding and accepting someone else’s point of view if I am very passionate about my view. I have to remind myself that everyone is entitled to their opinion, even if it is hateful, discriminatory, etc. I have to maintain respect and try my best to spread love and positivity, especially to those who need it the most.  (SISS) Can you tell us four things people don’t know about you?  (Kelly Johns)  I always wanted to be a singer when I was little, but never an actress. My mom kept encouraging me to take acting classes, and I refused until 5th grade when I finally went to a community theater class. I immediately fell in love with acting and have been doing it ever since.  I have never smoked anything in my life (and never will.)  I have two Bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and World Language Education.  I studied abroad in Spain and speak Spanish.  (SISS) Got a Story to Tell? Can you tell us a quick story or moment/night of a relationship experience, a lesson learned? (This could be funny or serious).  (Kelly Johns)  I met my boyfriend when I was student teaching during my senior year of college. I was placed at a random high school I had never heard of, and my boyfriend attended that high school many years before. He was back at the school substitute teaching for a month to get some extra money before a Europe trip. All my colleagues were telling me to go meet the new hot substitute, so I got some confidence one day and walked right up to him to introduce myself. I said, “Hi, I’m Kelly,” and we shook hands. Then I was so nervous and didn’t know what else to say, so I just awkwardly walked away! Two days later, my mentor teacher was absent, so a substitute had to be assigned to my class. Of course, he was placed in my classroom. I basically didn’t teach that day because I couldn’t stop talking to him! He asked me on a date a few days later. We got coffee after school, and it was the most simple but incredible date of my life. As I drove home, I felt God speak to me, “This is your husband.” We have been dating 3.5 years now, and he is the love of my life!  (SISS) Can you tell us where else can our readers follow your daily inspiration?  (Kelly Johns)  Go outside! Be inspired by the beauty this Earth has to offer. Discover yourself in travel and experiences in nature and new cities!  (SISS) What’s your favorite quote?  (Kelly Johns)  “You were made to fill a purpose, that only you can do, ‘cause there could never be a more beautiful you.” - Jonny Diaz  (SISS) At Smart is so sexy we love to see women who are thriving in their career or business. What are you most passionate about?  (Kelly Johns)  I am most passionate about making a positive impact on other people. My main goal as an actress is to be a role model for others, and to have a platform to make progressive changes in the world concerning climate change, equal rights, etc.  (SISS) Who was the most influential person in your life and why?  (Kelly Johns)  My mom has been the most influential person in my life. She has always been my best friend and biggest supporter. Without her, I would have never gotten into acting. She saw that I had a gift and encouraged me to develop it. Throughout high school, she managed my acting career. I would be nothing without her!  (SISS) Where were you five years ago? What advice would you tell your five years younger self?  (Kelly Johns)  I was a 20 year old going into my sophomore year at UGA. I would tell myself to have more faith in myself. I didn’t really believe in myself as an actress. I decided to get a teaching degree because I thought there was no way I could actually have a career as an actress. Now, I am 100% confident in myself!  (SISS) Can you take us through a typical day? From Waking up to going to bed, Can you give us a play by play of a typical day for you?  (Kelly Johns)  I usually wake up around 7:30am and start my day by exercising. If I have an audition to tape, I do that before noon. At noon, I go to my nanny job and help take care of precious kiddos. My bosses are super flexible and allow me to take off time for auditions or booked jobs, so I am super grateful for that! I then go home, cook dinner, and usually watch a Netflix show. If it’s Monday, I am watching The Bachelor with friends! Right now, Bachelor in Paradise is on Mondays and Tuesdays, so those are the nights I look forward to most! (I know, it’s super silly…)  (SISS) What is your favorite meal? What is your favorite book and/or the latest one you’ve read? What is your favorite song?  (Kelly Johns)  My favorite meal is Pad See Ew from the Thai restaurant down the street. The latest book I read was “Beneath the Scarlet Sky.” My favorite song is anything Carrie Underwood!  (SISS) When do you feel the sexiest?  (Kelly Johns)  I feel confident without makeup, but I do feel sexiest when I have done my makeup, hair, and am wearing a cute dress with heels! I love feeling taller with high heels since I am very short.  (SISS) Is there someone on social media that inspires you and is a great follow?  (Kelly Johns)  I honestly love Carrie Underwood. She is so successful in her career, but she also is passionate about fitness, her husband, her child, and animals. She doesn’t post overly edited, unrealistic pictures that give women a false perception of her life. She isn’t afraid to post a sweaty picture after working out, or a goofy picture of her and her husband.  (SISS) What does Smart is so Sexy mean to you?  (Kelly Johns)  Being smart is not just being knowledgeable when it comes to facts, but how you present yourself and treat other people. Being smart is being respectful, kind, accepting, and open to growth. It is smart to continuously learn and improve yourself.  (SISS)  Thank you so much Kelly for sharing with us!