Meet Wade Wilson | Actor and Author

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

Hi Wade, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
In 2011 I started writing my first poetry book If Oprah Could Hear My Words: A Journey Through Life. One of the first pieces I completed for the collection is entitled “Affirmation”. Around the time I wrote it, I was fresh out of college and had just begun my journey as an actor. I didn’t know how I was going to succeed. After confronting many obstacles, during a time of catharsis, these words suddenly poured out of me. “Believe in your dreams for they believe in you.
Therefore, it’s not a matter of can’t, only what you will or won’t do.
Put love in your heart and carry it with you through the dark.
Let doubt and fear know the mighty courage in your heart.
And when they say you’ll fail or your dreams are not plausible,
look them in their eyes and say, ‘Anything is Possible’.”
Whenever it feels like my world is falling apart, I turn to this poem. It reminds me that as long as I lead with love, I am capable of achieving all things good in my life. I hope it can do the same for you.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My favorite part about being an actor and an author is the discoveries I find within myself. As a creative, I have to explore qualities about myself that normally I wouldn’t have to think about. Every time I take that journey I walk away with a new understanding, a new perspective, and I grow.

Which I believe is the most beautiful thing about art. It is an expression of our individual journey. So, what sets me apart from others? The fact that I am me. Because while everyone is sharing the same experience of being alive, what happens to a person during the course of that experience varies; therefore, how they choose to express the nature of that experience is solely unique to them. My voice is my voice, and I have found a lot of power in knowing that. I understand that by creating through whatever medium I choose, my voice is for those who can relate to it, see themselves in it, and want to be a part of it. I am number one because I am the only one, and that applies to everyone else out there. So, in case you haven’t heard it lately, you are phenomenal!

Speaking of phenomenal, I’m excited about the release of my two books. If Oprah Could Hear My Words: A Journey Through Life and Yuka and the Universe. I’ve only heard great things so far, and as word gets out, I have no doubt either or will touch someone’s heart, mind, and soul for the better.

It’s crazy looking back. Originally I’m from El Sobrante, a small town in Northern California. I had always dreamed of becoming an actor, but I didn’t think I’d really get as far as I have. But that’s where it always starts, right? With a seemingly impossible dream. I wanna say the journey was difficult and it was, however that’s not the whole truth. Art has this fascinating way of being so easy and yet so hard simultaneously. It’s simple in that all you need is you to do it; but at the same time, it’s difficult because now you must surrender your soul to the outside observer. This is one of the greatest challenges we face as artists and as an actor, it was and still is something to overcome. Nothing could prepare me for rejection. It’s a hit to the face I had to learn to stomach. But sometimes those hits could still do a lot of damage. For instance, and this really happened to me: I’m at a callback for a national, I go in and do the best I can and feel good about it. The director sitting in the session dismisses me and as I’m leaving, they feel the need to follow me to the front door and say to me in front of everyone in the waiting room, “I don’t think you should continue pursuing this anymore. You were that bad.” As you can imagine, I was devastated and a part of me did want to give up then and there. But I didn’t and that’s the point. I ended up buying a bottle of wine by Francis Ford Coppola and told myself to keep onward and I’ll know when it’s the right time to open it. About a month later I booked a gig where I had the opportunity to work with the legendary Spike Lee, and on that project, he treated the entire cast to dinner with Coppola himself, at his vineyard in Napa Valley. I was suddenly reminded that no matter how bad it gets, keep going forward. I have had high highs and low lows but through it all, I’ve remained persistent. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that there’s a difference between doing something that makes you happy versus doing something for the reward. There was a time I was more concerned about money, fame, Instagram followers, and what was coming next, instead of being present and grateful for what I have right now. I was still booking work, but it wasn’t making me happy and I couldn’t understand why? Then it hit me. My intentions were in all the wrong places. I wasn’t rooted in the love of what I do, acting became a means to an end. I fell in love with performance because it was freeing, it filled me with a light nothing else could. Once I got back to that place, everything changed again. When I booked my recurring guest star on Netflix’s Dear White People, I was able to appreciate that experience in a whole new light. I was able to surrender myself and enjoy it for everything that it was in its purest form. I felt like a kid again. Everyone’s journey is unique, but if I could leave the world with anything, it’d be the wisdom of knowing that you, as you are, are wealthy. No amount of fame, money, or fortune will ever amount to the absolute majesty that you are. Embrace everything that is you and just let IT be.

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.
If my best friends from out of town were visiting, first I would take them to the Griddle Cafe on sunset blvd for breakfast. After which we’d hit up the K1 speedway in Burbank for some awesome go-kart action before heading to the HAT for lunch in Alhambra. Later that evening we’d catch a movie at the IPIC theaters in Pasadena. Then closing the night out at The Perch in downtown L.A. This beautiful city of fallen angels has something for everyone.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I owe everything to my parents. My life is the miracle that it is because of the overwhelming amount of love and encouragement they’ve shown me. I remember when I told them I wanted to be an actor. The most pushback I received was from my dad. He said, “I want you to understand that you are choosing to pursue one of, if not the hardest profession in the world.” Like so many, I didn’t understand the depth of that statement until it was already too late. They could have said no and pushed me in a realistic direction. Instead, they guided me along the path I was set on walking. Because of their wisdom and leadership, I found peace and happiness in doing what I love, and in my opinion that is the highest honor anyone could hope to achieve.

Beyond them, I have to acknowledge my partner and her family. Lavinia Aghakhani is my best friend. She is my heart, mind, and a beautiful extension of myself. Our origin story is a bit of a fairy tale and I often can’t believe it’s real. But it is, and I couldn’t be luckier to have someone who believes in me as much as she does. She may be tiny, however, she’s carried me across many battlefields I’ve barely been able to stand in. We’re a team that won’t let the other give up or back down. It’s a rare symmetry and I am flushed with gratitude whenever we are together. Then, there is her family, who have taken me with open arms and are genuinely good people who are food for the soul.

I would also like to shout out my manager Gina Stoj, my agent Stacy Solodkin, and everyone at AKA and Stone talent agency. All of them have been integral to my career as an actor. I’m surrounded by people who fight for me, push me to evolve, and lift me up to new heights. I am on the shoulders of giants and the world truly looks beautiful from up here.

Finally, there are many names that belong on this list and all of them have contributed to my overall success as a person. So, to all those who’ve connected with me like spiritual kin. You know who you are, I love you, thank you. Know that you are cherished.

Website: www.imdb.com/name/nm5491715

Instagram: WadeForrestWilson

Youtube: Wade F. Wilson

Other: www.amazon.com/If-Oprah-Could-Hear-Words/dp/1736129406 www.amazon.com/Yuka-Universe-Wade-F-Wilson/dp/1736129430