Meet Kimberly Crawford | Singer, Model & Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kimberly Crawford and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kimberly, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
To me I consider risk as an opportunity to have faith and to choose to take action. As much as I consider myself a rational person by always weighing pros and cons of a specific situation or opportunity, think I take most of the ‘thinking’ out of risk taking and just take action. Perhaps this is the artist and creative in me and my innate instinct to adapt my mindset of “even if “ when there are risks that lie ahead.

I feel my entire career is one giant risk and I’ve spent many of my young adult/adult years living extremely unconventionally (some may consider)! To make it onto Broadway is to make it where only 1% of performers will reach. There is really very little stability and conventionality within the performance arts space … I’m totally speaking on behalf of my reality. I feel every day I continue to pursue my craft I have to understand accept that the ultimate risk is that I’ll never make it…and that all of my hard work will be for nothing. Alternatively, the risk of giving up and never knowing how far I’ll go is on the other side of that coin. I get to choose how the power of risk taking affects my decision making, my focus, my drive, and ultimately can let it be a fuel to my success rather than a hindrance.

I’m personally at a place in my life where I view settling for less within the job force or just giving up on myself and my dreams despite how difficult my goals may feel is far more risky than staying the course.

It’s cliche but no risk no reward is not a choice many are willing to make.

I find taking risks overall in my life has lead to so many more exciting opportunities and moments than it has brought disappointments.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Most would never know I trained professionally in classical voice… and now I’m entering the world of EDM as a vocalist…ultimately focusing on making my way to Broadway.

I find myself ambiguous in more ways than just my looks…perhaps this is what sets me apart from others.

I cannot even begin to tell you the amount of times I’ve heard ‘you have A LOOK, so you should do something with it’. At times, I’ve been unsure how to even process the sentiment behind this statement but that’s where action comes into play. I find myself asking myself so, does mean modeling, does it mean artistry, how am I going to show up in the creative space? This is just where I own the fact I cannot place myself in one specific box and I confidently attempt to be the multifaceted woman I know I’m meant to be.

Aesthetically, I look like a Latina women. Biologically, I am an Ashkenazi Jew mixed with roots from Northern Africa. No one has ever known where to place me which has honestly opened up many doors because I can ‘portray’ so many different looks and types.

I am so excited to see how my journey will continue to unfold, and so much of this has to do with alignment and timing. I feel what has come with the unconventional path of choosing to pursue the ultimate goal of performing as a career, have been the stepping stones, which at times have been distracting or misaligned with my purpose, and how I’ve been able to decipher what I need to do in order to stay clear with my vision. Every experience, even if not directly correlated with singing and creating, has been an opportunity to grow and improve my skill sets, because as a multiprenuer, everything is valuable to my craft.

I wouldn’t even be able to describe where I am professionally because I finally feel things are beginning to align- so perhaps this is just the beginning of what has been the last 15 years of work behind the scenes…. And, it’s so hard. It’s truly difficult. There has been nothing easy about taking the path I have chosen, but even in those difficult moments I just know intuitively I am where I’m supposed to be. I always have to remind myself of accomplishments that seem so minuscule because everything adds up. I am SO close. I can feel it. And, my spirituality has strengthened so much over the last several years I just cannot give up on my vision. I don’t understand why things are seemingly such a struggle but I believe my calling is higher for reasons I will never know.

I want the world to see me as a storyteller. As a performer I always make it my objective to connect, even with one audience member, and have that connection be so impactful by just using my voice. I want my voice to resonate deeply with someone by telling story. I aspire to have the same impactful connection has a creator. I want to always lead with a story, a narrative that is relatable or which can help someone feel a little deeper within themselves.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love New York City so much! It’s truly an experience in and of itself living here and walking out the door each day not knowing what to expect.

I’m a huge foodie- I love food and cocktails and experiences. My friends would absolutely agree I’m always the one playing concierge and putting together itinerary’s; I need people to have a good time, myself included. I like to be in charge- ha.

There are so many beautiful rooftops to see the city from the sky, so I would have to share the view of the Freedom Tower from the rooftop over at the Jimmy or catching a sunset over the east river at Electric Lemon. Mediterranean food is one of my top favorites and I adore the buzz and vibe down at Shuka in the West Village. I just recently discovered the best French Fries the city has to offer down at the Roxy hotel in Tribeca, and the Boracho Amigo (spicy pineapple infused margaritas) up at the Skylark in midtown is truly hard to beat. Sugarfish for an omasake sushi experience is an absolute city must, and I’ll always make time to enjoy a delicious espresso martini over at the American Bar in Greenwich Village. Can I become a food blogger? I should.

I love exploring the city and finding new places to go out— I won’t ever stop exploring.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Wow- there are so many incredible people that fill my beautiful life that I know were placed in my life journey for a reason…my life has always been so rich with compassionate, loving, supportive human beings that I feel so lucky to have.

I will say though, I would not be chasing the ultimate dream of performing on Broadway if it weren’t for a few specific high school teachers who are now just mentors and friends for life.

It took three of my high school teachers, Chris Sweeney, Nicole Norton, Carlyn Carroll, to recognize my talents and push my out of my comfort zone of athletic performance into a world I had no idea I’d fall in love with, let alone chase after years to come.

I think that’s a part of the magic in life; certain people will see our spark, and take action, when they know we probably won’t on our own.

Every stage I’ve ever stood on, I take a minute and think about the ones who were there for me, coaching me, encouraging me, watching me and hearing me perform for the very first time knowing and believing that it was exactly where I needed to be. And now, I get to believe it and carry on…

Instagram: @kiimmycrawford

Other: Email: collabwithkiimmy@gmail.com

Image Credits
Pranto Podder