Kendrick Sampson Dishes on the CW Hit Series ‘The Vampire Diaries’
Actor, Kendrick Sampson, is best known for playing Jessie on the hit CW series, The Vampire Diaries. He recently sat down with Glitter Magazine to talk about what it’s like working with the cast including Nina, Kat, and Steven, who is a fitness fanatic like Kendrick, the difference between acting on a TV series and soap opera, and what it’s like being recognized on the streets of LA now. Read on to find out more about this incredible actor.
GLITTER: What influenced you to become an actor?
KENDRICK: My mom always had me in the arts, especially music. I always loved imitating people and telling stories (no matter who is listening haha). Somehow musicals transitioned into acting and I fell in love with having a space to create and bring my beloved characters to storytelling.
GLITTER: Tell us about your role of Jesse on The Vampire Diaries. What did you enjoy most about playing him?
KENDRICK: I enjoyed the fantasy aspect of it. I love playing fantastical, mystical characters. I also loved finding a way to make him strong through everything. It was really challenging because so much happened to him scene after scene. He’s not the most fortunate character.
GLITTER: Did you bond with the cast of The Vampire Diaries right away?
KENDRICK: I bonded with a lot of the cast right away. They’re pretty amazing people. Nina is fun and so full of life and very generous. Kat is hilarious and very kind. Steven is a fitness fanatic (like me) and is very funny, Ian has such a big heart, Paul & Zach are so cool, Candice is so sweet and Julie is so great, fun and funny….everyone was very hospitable.
GLITTER: How did The Vampire Diaries fans take to you? Immediately?
KENDRICK: As soon as the first press release was published, a lot of the fans were up in arms and I had somewhat of a negative reception. As soon as the first episode aired that pretty much went away, everyone was positive with the exception of a few. The TVD fans are absolutely the best.
GLITTER: How did it feel getting to play a vampire on the show? Which vampire ability would you love to have in real life?
KENDRICK: It felt awesome. I was lightly teased for not ever wanting to give up the teeth. If I was forced to choose ONE it would probably be the power to heal and heal others.
GLITTER: From all the roles you’ve played so far, which has been the most challenging for you?
KENDRICK: Jesse has definitely been the most challenging. Although, I had to play a ghost in a play a couple times…
GLITTER: You were also on the soap opera, Days of our Lives. How different was it guest starring on Days of Our Lives than on The Vampire Diaries?
KENDRICK: On a soap you only get one take. They crank out an episode a day so you have the fun challenge of getting it right the first time, MAYBE twice and then moving to the next thing. With The Vampire Diaries there is quite a bit more time during filming. And of course there are a lot of differences with makeup and special effects in the fantasy genre. Vampires involve more imagination and tend to be a bit more intense. 😉
GLITTER: How do you prepare for upcoming roles? What’s the best advice you can give for getting into character?
KENDRICK: I do as much research on the setting as possible after I break down the script into ways I can relate to the character. I love to rehearse a lot, attempting various methods of obtaining my objective. I usually work with Ivana Chubbuck. The best advice I could give is to do as much work as one possibly can on relating to your character on the deepest level. The more confident you are that you have done all you could possibly the easier it is, when it’s time to perform, to let it go, listen and react accordingly.
GLITTER: Do people recognize you on the streets now?
KENDRICK: Yes. That’s been fun. I don’t think there is a way of getting used to that.
GLITTER: Do you watch a lot of fantasy shows?
KENDRICK: I love the fantasy genre!! I love comics, anything with supernatural powers, dragons, sexy vampires, crazy superheroes, elves, monsters, voodoo and secret spy organizations. I feel like a big kid.
GLITTER: Do you have any upcoming projects fans should keep a lookout for?
KENDRICK: Yes, very excited. Can’t talk about it quite yet!! Follow twitter and IG @kendrick38 for updates.
GLITTER: What has been one of your highlights from 2013? What do you hope to accomplish this year?
KENDRICK: There were so many highlights in 2013. Probably spending time with my Grandma before she passed and for her to see me achieve my next level of success. I have a lot of goals written and don’t want to bore anyone haha…generally speaking, I’m hoping to put out better acting work for everyone to enjoy and learn more about producing as I gear up my production company.
GLITTER: Who would you love to star alongside in the future?
KENDRICK: That list is long! DEFINITELY Jennifer Lawrence. I love Elizabeth Olsen, Jonah Hill, Jessica Chastain, Brad Pitt, Meryl Streep (I will fall in line), Daniel Day Lewis (again…in line, patiently waiting), Tom Hardy, Michael Fassbender, Leonardo DiCaprio, Shia, Jack Nicholson.
GLITTER: Where’s the greatest place you’ve traveled to so far?
KENDRICK: I haven’t done much traveling. The only place outside of the United States I’ve been is the Bahamas. And that was magnificent. I’ll have to stick with that….because…I haven’t been anywhere else. Inside the U.S…I love LA, where I live.
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