Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenyatta Bedford.
Hi Kenyatta, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m 25 years old, born and raised in Memphis Tennessee. Went to Lakeview elementary, Geter middle school( played the violin for a 1 1/2 years), then went to east middle school in West Memphis AR( Played the trombone for 3 years) then I went to West Memphis High School while also taking College classes studying the medical field at ASU-MidSouth.Growing up I’ve always had a great life, but of course I’ve dealt with obstacles/challenges of the world. My dad passed when I was 1 year old in a car accident— so dealing with the absence of father figure(dad issues, emotional support, mental health, not having certain experiences, grief) as always been hard.. but I used my love for fashion, movies/tv, and music as an escape and way to express myself. I chipped my patella the bone in the middle of my knee when I was 16 and had to have major knee surgery. 2 months of bed rest, 1 1/2 years of therapy. It affected bad limiting me to not playing sports and to getting into addiction. The pain was so bad I asked my doctor if I could have stronger medication, but they denied me saying that anything stronger could make me get addicted.. and later found out he was right. I went on my own and found a drug dealer to buy pain meds and it lead me to 4 years of addiction, depression, anxiety, anger, fighting and just a life of not good choices. Instead of focusing on things I knew I loved , it became the typical high school experience sex, drugs, drama, working, etc. was still a good kid, just doing some bad things. From high speed chases, getting suspended, to going to juvi once. It almost killed me my 11th grade year I was taking the ACT and before school I took a pill which turned out to be laced. Passed out during school and had to be rushed to be hospital, the doctor said my heart rate and blood pressure was the rate of a child’s and if any lower or if I hadn’t come when I did I wouldn’t be here. It changed my life completely bc after that I decided wanted to live more than anything. I’m now 8 years clean of any pills. I don’t even take advil or headache medicine. But I had to deal with some of the consequences, ASU didn’t let me finish my studying there and said I could come back the next year to Finnish( I only had 2 classes left to take before graduating) and I chose not to attend, bc once I graduated high school I left Arkansas and moved back to Memphis. I decided to go to Barbarzion modeling school. I went 4 out of the 8 months, but like I mentioned early due to the pills addiction it created some issues. I had developed an autoimmune deficiency due to the pills and began treatment at St.Judes for 6 years. I’m thankful for everything they’ve done for me and wish all humans could experience that type of care! After taking some time I decided to go back to school for medicine Remington as a medical assistant, enrolled for 2 months and then covid happen November 2019 and everything shut down. It was the craziest thing ever. I figured maybe the medical field wasn’t for me, but when the world opened back up I started working with the Covid vaccine at McKesson in olive branch. That was a crazy experience as well, got fired after 9 months and started working with a mobile flower cart Enchante901 owned by the now Late Deidra Scott. She was my mentor and introduced me into the flower world. She also got me back into modeling by making me like a brand ambassador for her brand. Then I got on TikTok and started content creation. And that gave me my spark back into what I truly love. I started doing hair modeling for hairstyles, photography, and photoshoots. I was working part time security and getting into the industry. Then my friend Janiaya invited me to walk in a fashion show with her and it was my first ever show, it went well but I was nervous. I started to look into the Memphis fashion scene. Then I met Ralphael Gillespie a model coordinator who introduced me to the runway model scene in 2022/2023. I came to an audition of his and tried out for a runway show, I didn’t make it. That lit a fire under me and I knew then it was just the beginning. I told him I would see him around. I went home and studied everything about modeling and began to work on my craft. I booked session, classes and workshops, watching interviews, documentaries, and learning everything about the business. His next casting I went and made it. He passed a couple months later due to being sick and it kinda broke me— I seen so much of myself in him and vice versa, he was also almost like a mentor for me. But I know he would be so proud of m right now. Since then I’ve done runway shows all over: NYFW 2023 & 2024, Memphis Grizzlies shows with prep curry, Demi black category 5 show, Memphis 901 day fest, Memphis Fashion week, Memphis elegance awards 2023,2024 and won Male Model OTY for MEA 2025, Brooks museum of Art fashion week 2026, Multiple Dillard fashion shows at Carriage Crossing in Collierville, and at the Oak Court mall, Memphis fashination, and more. I’ve done brand shoots with brands like Flame Ramen, Memphis Chess club, HU Hotel, Belle Meade Social, TenBall Cocktails, South End/south bluff/ south junction apartments, Tennessee Brewery apartments, Gilmore apartments, Williamsburg shopping center, Memphis Grizzlies and more. I’ve been reposted and had viral videos interacting with celebrities/brands like Nicki Minaj, Halle Berry, Steve Robertson, Sam’s club, Rap Snacks, Chili’s, and more. I have several viral videos across all social media platforms from funny videos, to informative, and entertaining videos. I’ve been in music videos too with artists like Nle Choppa, Brezay, Jessica Dime/ Laish, and Glockianna. I started acting August 1st in 2024, The 1st ever movie I did was a background role on Hoop Street, which I caught on the last day of filming, since then I’ve done about 9-10 projects & it has changed my life even more in so many ways. I’ve been in movies such as Hoop street, Last story of David Allen( stand-in/featue), The Wrong Someone, A Mary Little Christmas, Elijah Peel, Something She Can Feel, It Takes A Village, A JaiZo Christmas II & III( Stage Manager/Tech manager) Young Warrior, A Week Away Series, and Jesus Broker. Which ironically enough a lot of films I’ve done have been faith based/christian based, without me purposely searching to be in them; I think that in itself is a testament of God! I’ve also done Memphis Grizzlies commercial with Brezay and 191 collabs partner by Hennessy, and a campaign with WeAreUnapologetic Memphis, a Super Bowl commercial in Nashville and a campaign for Stewart plumbing in Coldwater Mississippi. I’ve worked so hard and have definitely made a name for myself and my brand. I’ve shown that if you’re consistent and persistent while having God on your side and having the will power to want to better yourself you can do any thing you can imagine. Even if you don’t understand how everything is going to workout, just have at least the faith of a mustard seed and it can happen. I’ve been through so much in this industry even tho I’m still new— it’s not for the weak, but I wouldn’t trade or give up on this for anything. I love it and you have to have the passion behind it to make it, find what fuels your fire! I’ve also been introduced to the art world by my wonderful friend Alexandra Baker who’s an abstract artist, I’ve parted with her as her greeter/host for her art exhibitions throughout Memphis. Free to the public, open wine/ champagne bar, snacks, networking, light music, and out of this world art! I am now partnered with Memphis River Art Festival as a content creator which they had their 20th anniversary summer social art auction and it was an amazing event. The festival will be October 17-18 2026 this year and I’m super excited. I’m working bts with other festivals that’s coming and would love to find more even more festivals/ restaurants/ brands that are looking for creators/ models/ influencers to work with and spread the message and awareness of our city and culture while bringing more opportunities as well. When I can me and my grandma also go downtown to help feed the homeless on 1st and 3rd Saturdays. We’ve done it about it almost 2 years. Which I started doing it by volunteering at the missionary downtown working with an lady named Cat Evans who started an organization called Artistgiving where Memphis artist come together to donate food, clothes and other things to the homeless during holiday times. I went during thanksgiving 2024 because I was sad thinking about grief and just wanted to help the world out and be kind. It felt so amazing helping out I started going once a month after that and me and my grandma Shirley sanders turned it into kinda like a nonprofit. Taking all kinds of meals from soups, to Sunday diners, to healthy snacks. I love to say “ all it takes is one yes, one chance, one kind gesture, one opportunity to change someone’s life and give them hope”
I’m a Scorpio and I love all things entertainment. I’m into holistic healing and medicine. Yoga, meditation, working out, and I’ve been vegan almost 6 years now. I love shopping going to concerts, trying new things and traveling. I like to plant trees, garden, “save the animals” type of person, and I hate littering. I’m very adventurous and a free spirited person. I like to think of myself as a modern rockstar hippie. I’m very multifaceted and multitalented. It’s so many things I want to do and try and show the world how talented I am. I am also published in 4 magazines 2 times in Blaze, once in Edith, and once in Mirror magazine. I want to do theatre, broadway, commercials, billboards, runways, game shows, movies, games, everything. I want to eventually do ballet and learn tap dance. I also love science, quantum physics, astrology, and am a big nerd. I’m also a big fan of Greys anatomy, Adventure time, and Steven universe. I love to learn and think no one should never think you’re too old or too smart to continue learning. I like to stay optimistic. I also love the quote “The world is your stage, how you perform is up to you.”
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There’s been trails and tribulations, but I’m grateful for them all. Everything has truly been a lesson. Being freelance and doing on my own and very young has been the hardest part. Learning how to balance everything out, while finding a lane and market that works for me. It takes money to make money, and that also means taking risk and betting on yourself, knowing he industry your in, and keeping up with today’s way of making money. The industry is changing fast every day and with technology, and social media there’s so many different options and ways to do things now it’s become very saturated.. so you really have to find your unique style and put your all into it. Also dealing with scams— the industry can be very tough, and if you’re not careful you can be scammed. Always double/ triple research and look ppl up before meeting or traveling to them. Get lawyers to look over paperwork before you sign them. Reaching out to big companies and agencies has some hardships as well because when your freelance some agencies don’t take you as serious or look at you as a liability sometimes due to a lot of crazy things happening in the past (booking models/actors and they don’t show up— for example) but as I’ve built my portfolio and resume it’s getting way better. Being signed to a label or agency can help you get connections or auditions and castings quicker than being freelance, also just having a big name to backup or represent you can put you in rooms you never thought you would be in, but as I’ve said before my ambition is next level and I’ve very passionate( and kinda delusional) so I think if a agency that started as a small team that’s a multimillion dollar company can do it, so can I.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a model, actor, coordinator, content creator. As a model I do: runway, commercial, catalog, fitness, hair, skincare, swimwear, editorial, print, fashion, and freelance. As an actor I do: Lead, supporting, feature, stand-in, and background roles, voice overs, stunt, stage manager, tech manager, and theatre. I do lifestyle, branding, and funny content content. I’m known most for my runway modeling, crazy hairstyles and high fashion looks. I am most proud of being able to make a living off of modeling and acting and following my dreams— my most recent proud achievement is winning Make model of the year at the MEA 2025 show, and walking for Dillards and Brooks museum of art show. What sets me apart from others is that I’m one of one and I don’t see anyone beside myself as competition. I’m not afraid to give others their flowers, because I know what’s meant for me can’t be taken by anyone. I’m ambitious, dedicated, persistent, confident, and not afraid to try new things. I love to be different and out the box. When the world wants to be parallel, I go perpendicular. When they go left I go right.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I want to eventually put on my own fashion show, but I want to include everything, art, food, fashion, film. I also want to one day start my own casting or modeling agency. I truly see myself as a mogul. A business man. I hear a lot of ppl say you have to leave Memphis to blow up, but I don’t think that’s true. I want to help change my city and make it better. I want to show what we have here is very impactful, and cultural. We’ve inspired ppl all over the world. Everyone knows it. It’s time we really show it, but nothing happens overnight. It’ll take time. We just have to keep going and not give up. You never know when mining in the dirt; when you’ll hit for gold and find the diamonds, the jewels, the hidden stones. Even when you’re in the dark and can’t see, keep going. Giving up is the only failure. As long as you try you’ll win in some way. Progress over time is better than nothing at all.
Pricing:
- Background acting $150 8hours, $200 12 hours negotiable
- Lead/ Feature acting roles- $200 8hours, $250 12hours negotiable
- Modeling- $25 hourly rate, $200-300 8 hours, $350+ 12 hours, negotiable
- Content creation packages- starting at $250, costum deliverables/ quotes
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kennypablo_tez?igsh=OWdvMXpwcTJzb254&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GdFwHBSzg/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://tiktok.com/@kennypablotez?_t=8oQfisczs0F&_r=1
