Check out our interview with talented actor and very popular social media influencer Walker Bryant who is best known for recurring role on ABC and Hulu as “Young Jack” on Station 19.
Walker also has 3M+ subscribers on his social media platforms creating content that captures fun and crazy moments with his friends and his statement-making sense of style.
Follow Walker on IG @walkerjbryant & TikTok @walkerjbryant
Hi Walker, We did an interview a few years ago. Tell us what’s new since then?
Yeah, so I’m still making content and I’ve been dabbling with some new projects. I’ve been really focusing on soccer, working with a new non profit organization, and beginning a new business venture that I am very passionate about. I am also going on tour this summer!
Are you working in any acting projects still? Or you are 100% in creating content for your channels?
If anything I’ve been focusing more on acting overall because that’s where I started and I’ve always seen myself as an actor, but of course I still love making content for my channels and my fans.
How and when did you start with the nonprofit organization Special Warfare Foundation?
I started working with SWF in late 2022 when the founder of the organization reached out to me about working together. When I learned that their mission was to create meaningful work for retired military elite operations specialists such as Navy Seals and Green Beret, I immediately wanted to get involved to support the men and women who have fought for our country. It just immediately felt like the right thing to do. I am very proud to be involved.
Your videos are super popular. Tell us what is the feeling of being so popular and to be recognized everywhere?
It feels good to know that I have so many people who support me and what I do. I love seeing my supporters in public, and I encourage people to come up to me and say what’s up!
What is fun and rewarding about it? And what is not?
There are so many upsides to Social Media like meeting cool people, going to cool places, and just overall having an amazing fandom while I’m doing what I love. But I would have to say the worst thing about Social Media would have to be the hate, but I’m doing what I love so I work to never let it get to me.
Did you have any experience on filming or editing to start with?
I’ve always been around cameras before social media mainly because of acting, and my mom is also very good with cameras so I’ve always had interest. My elective in school was editing in six to seventh grade and I’ve taken a photography class in high school as well but I didn’t have too much prior knowledge editing before starting social media. I’ve learned a lot!
What did you learn from your biggest failure?
I haven’t had many huge failures but I did go through struggles on getting started. The main thing I really looked out for which improved my presence immensely was the quality of content released. It’s important to go the extra mile and to invest in good equipment in everything you put out there for people to see.
The most important thing when you are shooting/filming is?
First of all, make sure you push the record button, haha! I say that because I filmed a full videos while not recording and that always sucks. The most important thing about filming is really engaging with your audience and the camera during whatever you’re doing/filming.
Now tell us about the huge TikTok, YouTube & IG success and what are you doing to keep it going and growing even more?
I primarily collaborate with my friends to keep it fun, post consistently, and keep up with the trends as best as possible. And, of course, I film what makes me happy. You should always love your own content.
What do you think is the secret to having a successful TikTok, YouTube, IG account?
The secret is to make sure it’s really what you love doing! Success will come to those that put in the time and effort and you want to put all that time and effort into something you love.
TikTok, YouTube or Instagram. Pick one and why?
That’s such a hard question haha, but overall I have to say I enjoy scrolling through and posting on TikTok the most.
How often do you create content and what’s your creative process?
Well a lot of times what I like to do for videos is find ideas that are trending and put my own spin on them to make the video unique. With photos for Instagram, I like to show off what I like to wear. I like to represent cool designs. I consistently post content on all my channels, just not all at the same time.
When you started your account, did you expect such success?
I knew that’s what I wanted to do, and when I really focused on it, I knew success would come so in a way, Yes. But, I actually had no idea how I would blow up because when I FIRST made my account it wasn’t with the intention to blow up. So Yes and No haha.
I bet you get millions of it, but what are the best and worst Instagram DM pickup lines you received so far?
I’ve got some pretty funny ones, but my favorite had to be “Do you drink a lot of Sprite? Because you look so-da-licious!” No offense to the person that sent me this haha.
What mindsets helped make you so successful?
There’s a lot of critical decisions you have to make when running so many social media accounts and trying to maintain a reputable image. I like to create and edit my content, take a step back or a little break, then come back to that same content with a fresh set of eyes to make sure I like my finished product. I don’t like to be in a rush.
As a popular influencer you are followed by so many people. How do you feel about that pressure of doing always the right thing, and encourage people to follow their dreams?
At the end of the day, I’m a normal person like everybody else and for me it’s not about always doing the right thing because I’m young and I know I will make mistakes. I like to stay true to my friends and be my real self on social media. If people don’t like something about me, then that is their choice because I won’t change who I am for social media. And I love encouraging people to follow their dreams because you really should. Life is too short to follow someone else’s dream for you. You should follow your own path.
What would you say are the greatest lessons you learned so far?
To really watch out for who you trust.
Any advice to entrepreneurs out there?
Be prepared for lots of trial and error and build off of your mistakes.
What advice would you give to your younger self and why?
Ahhh, definitely to not let the hate get to me because I used to have a hard time with it when I was younger.
How would you explain your fashion style?
high fashion, unique, and street
What’s next for Walker Bryant in 2023?
My main goal is to really dive into acting as much as possible while at the same time starting my new business that I will actually unveil in 2024, and really focus on myself.
What is your own definition of happiness?
Doing what you love, and having people around you who you trust and love.
How is a normal day in your life?
Wake up, pick a fit, do school, ride my motorcycle, submit an audition, and then hopefully hang out with friends while creating content throughout.
What is your idea of a perfect Sunday?
Hanging out with the homies.
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years from now?
Hopefully advancing from where I am now and potentially finding myself doing different things/pursuing other interests that I never thought I would get into.
What is you favorite song to belt out in the car/for karaoke?
That’s a good one…I listen to many different artists for example, Destroy Lonely, Lancey Foux, Yeat, D Savage, and Trippie Redd just to name a few.
Where we can follow you?
My website walkerjbryant.com
YouTube / Instagram / TikTok / SnapChat
Photographer: @monseeworld
Stylist: @jaxx_ramirezz
Jacket: @vautourclo
Top: @roamthehalls
Jogger: @fearofgod
