Sailey Williams
You currently star as Grant Wilson on hit MTV series “Finding Carter” which returned for the second half of season 2. What can we expect from your character?
Grant will experience a lot of “adolescent firsts”. His relationship with Reagan develops. Like, well, I’ll just there. He is starting to stand out on his own. Not so much the “forgotten” child anymore.
Before the break Finding Carter ended with the introduction of a new brother, Ben Wallace. How does this change Grant’s dynamic with the family?
I wouldn’t say it changes the dynamic but Grant does point out that he is the ONLY real child of David and Elizabeth.
You also host Zac Attack, the Finding Carter behind the scenes extra show on the MTV app. What has been your favorite episode so far?
An episode that is coming up. Hint, Hint, it’s Halloween related.
What are some of your favorite things to do off screen?
I make home movies, write scripts, play video games, skateboard, read and fish when I’m home in FL
What can our readers expect from you in the next year?
If we get a 3rd season, I’ll be back in Atlanta filming. I would like to book a feature film.
You currently star as the spunky and spirited paramedic, Jessica ‘Chili’ Chilton, in NBC’s drama “Chicago Fire.” Tell us a bit about your character.
Chili is pretty much a badass. She’s the youngest person in the house and she comes from a rough background and she’s just a very resilient person who truly wants to help people. She can’t turn her brain off and is really intrigued by medicine and being the first one on the scene to intervene in a crisis save lives and get them to the hospital safely. She’s simple and irreverent.
You have starred in memorable recurring television roles including Showtime’s smash hit, “Dexter,” ABC Family’s “The Lying Game,” CW’s “Star Crossed. What do you look for when auditioning or roles?
I’d say I look for quirky characters. Somebody with an edge or a sense of humor. I feel like I’ve played a lot of roles that you would expect me to play and I’m excited now that I’m more established to play the roles you would never think I would play. I’d like to become more of a chameleon than a type.
Outside of acting you are also part of the band You, Me and the Mountain. How would you describe the band’s sound?
You Me and the Mountain is kind of a transient folk sound and the band is made up of my friend Annie and me. We do a few acapella songs but we both play guitar and sing and I also do some banjo and ukulele. We’re harmony driven and work as one voice. It’s pretty neat. Annie comes from a heavy Americana folk background growing up in the Ash Family Band out of Texas. She’s definitely the songwriter of the two of us. We want to branch out a little more and explore some more of our different influences- we did a little garage band demo with just us singing and an electric guitar and that was pretty trippy and cool. We have yet to release anything because I’m always on a film or TV set and Annie is a model but we’re hoping to have the time this spring to get in the studio.
What has been your most humbling moment?
It is incredibly humbling to work in the company of the people I’ve worked with these past few years. Dick Wolf is a TV legend and my co-stars on FIRE keep me growing and learning. I got to work with Richard Linklater right after he finished Boyhood which was incredible- he was so normal and down to earth after all his success that year and it was a great experience. Really, no matter the set, real pros show up and do their jobs without throwing any ego around. I take that to heart and remember that I’m fortunate to be doing what I’m doing.
What can our readers expect from you in the next year?
I’m excited for the audience to get to know Chili better over the next year. The film with Richard Linklater will be released in April so I’m looking forward to that and also a film with Terrence Malick so I’m hoping to have made the cut. I also produced a film called Night of the Babysitter (trailer link here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6dgD7V1fNfs) but that’ll be a little longer wait than the others because we’re still in the editing process and are waiting for the next go around of festival submissions. I’ve also been working all year, so maybe disappearing to a beach somewhere will get to happen too!
You star in ABC’s new fall drama “Dr. Ken”, playing Ken Jeong’s daughter ‘Molly. What can you share about your role?
Molly is Ken and Allison’s 16 year old daughter. She’s smart, super sassy, and addicted to her phone. Molly is also really fashionable, and has a great wardrobe! Playing Molly is a lot of fun because she has Ken’s sass and Allison’s sarcasm.
You will also be seen in the feature films Love The Coopers opposite Amanda Seyfried and 6 Miranda Drive with Kevin Bacon. What was it like sharing the screen with such popular & talented character actors?
I have small roles in both movies, but was thrilled to be in scenes with Kevin Bacon, Alan Arkin, and Ed Helms. They each have such individual, strong, and confident presences – it was cool to interact with them. I was most excited to meet Ming-Na Wen during a table read for 6 Miranda Dr. She is the voice of Mulan and such an inspiration as an Asian-American Actress!
What are your favorite social media apps to use?
I’m on twitter and instagram @kristamarieyu … I really enjoy live tweeting with the cast during our air time (Friday nights at 830 on ABC), and think instagram is fun too because I get to see a little bit into everyone’s worlds and what they’re proud of or excited for.
What has been your most humbling moment?
Switching schools in 7th grade. It was a very hard adjustment for me, as I was one of the only new kids. I learned what it felt like to be alone. It’s not a great feeling, but it taught me to value kindness, and how a smile and hello can go a long way.
What can our readers expect from you in the next year?
The Dr. Ken episodes keep getting stronger and stronger! Stay tuned for more and more laughter!