Meet André Wilkerson | Artist/Actor & Personal Trainer

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

Hi André, why did you pursue a creative career?
I wanted to be an actor since I was a kid. Growing up, I loved telling stories and making people laugh but I never pursued acting because “real jobs” gained my interest. Seeming more realistic. So, it wasn’t until later in life that my friend, Justin Whitehead, told me about acting agencies that could help get me started. That changed everything. Suddenly, I’m in commercials for Milo’s, movies with Robert De Niro, Dolly Parton and Taye Diggs. Cast in a phenomenal, national touring, Off-Broadway play, called Justice On Trial. Receiving a lot of recognition in such a short amount of time.

I am also a personal trainer certified by The National Academy of Sports Medicine. Training and changing hundreds of lives through exercise. Both fields allow me to connect deeply with people and positively impact their lives. You know, acting fulfills my passion for storytelling and creative expression, enabling me to explore diverse characters and emotions. Personal training complements this by me helping people achieve their physical and mental best. I have always loved to help people. Together, these careers allow me to blend creativity and compassion in meaningful ways.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My energy and unique approach set me apart from others. I’ve always brought a high level of enthusiasm and commitment to every role, which helps me stand out. I would say I’m most proud of how far I’ve come and the journey this has taken me on. There are things that I have done that i would have never done on my own before.
Such as ziplining thru mountains and being filmed while doing it! Whitewater rafting? Definitely something that wouldn’t be on my date night list. These things are also one of the reasons why I get excited about what comes next because I’m doing things that I have never done before.

Getting to where I am today, professionally, took a lot of work, time and experience both in acting and training. There were many long days and significant compromises made with my wife that kept me from being single. Haha. I have learned so many invaluable lessons along the way like: always prepare for long days, accept that you won’t land every gig and most importantly, be yourself. No one can be you better than you. That’s what makes you different. That’s what gets you the job. These experiences have shaped me, and I want the world to know that I am ready to make my mark in the industry.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Let’s see, I am a big fan of Top Golf so we would start there. Cruise to Gatlinburg to visit Anakeesta for the mountain views and go to Alcatraz Museum to see some true crime history. Definitely have to stop by Dollywood and grab funnel cake and ride the rollercoasters. Get some soul food at Jackie’s Dream. Workout with my crew at CrossFit 865 then, eat Mexican at Los Primos. If it’s during football season, we’re watching the game at Walk-On’s. Act like big kids at Main Event, followed by the best steak ever at my favorite restaurant, Firebirds. Finallly, finish the week off by walking around the Old City in Downtown Knoxville, and soak in the local vibe.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a big shoutout to my friend, Justin, for getting me started in acting. Your encouragement made all the difference, bro. Thanks to my incredible agent, Adam Stair and my dedicated manager, Eric Ziech, for guiding my career. Will Dorsey and Chad Lawson Cooper for introducing me to the world of theater. Shauen Miller for always looking out for me. A heartfelt thanks to my mother and father for always believing in me, and to my amazing, beautiful wife, Taylor for her unwavering support. I couldn’t do it without you all!

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Image Credits
Brittany Conner,
Big Slate Media