Meet Emily McPherson

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

Hi Emily, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Training as an actor, in movement class our professor always told us “leap and the net will appear.” I’ve always been a dare devil and someone who enjoyed doing things others might not want to. Moving to Miami to pursue performing arts was the biggest risk of my youth & I gave up a full ride scholarship for Musical Theater at home on Long Island in order to do so. This ripping off a band-aid of my small home town and comfy hour long commute to Manhattan forever changed me. I haven’t been in a musical since I was eighteen, but I have been in the background of two TV shows so far, (Dexter and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.) I have worked production of major music events that I would struggle to finance a ride to in the past. I performed an original composition at Open Mic. I never considered myself a musician over an actor but the Frost school opened my mind to songwriting. I also grew up learning French, and started learning Spanish at my first job as a barista. A lot of times it’s a bargain of faking it until hopefully I actually make it but I could say for certain that risk taking has increased my depth and put me in positions to learn new skills I’d be too anxious to try otherwise. I also force myself to be brave as I find that once you get lost and find yourself, blessings naturally come along the journey. I have to remember to whistle a happy tune if I’m ever afraid.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m stubbornly a purist and always trying to be as unique as possible, oftentimes at the expense of my own marketability. I am most proud of having left my home town and been able to “gig” in so many different arenas aside from what I grew up specializing in. I never worked production building sets or assisting with lighting in New York. I never dreamed of actually being on Emmy award winning film sets though I’ve only been a background actor so far I strive for greater. I am frankly still overcoming challenges in my career. When content became my main income stream I did pretty well but struggled going viral for the wrong reasons, and paying too much attention to folks who wanted to make fun of me. I also struggle with social anxiety as a talented net worker able to get myself in the rooms of professionals greater than my stature but then don’t know how to proceed other than falling into behind the scenes or assistant roles. It took me the better part of the last eight years to start auditioning again after trying to pursue Psychology, which my Bachelor’s is in. I broke my leg getting hit by a drunk driver the first time I ever went dirt-biking. I refused to be afraid of movement and muscled through pain of learning how to walk again. I magically learned the Miami Heat dancers had audition clinics and an open call. I refused to listen to any physical therapist who limited my future abilities and I took it upon myself to get back in a better shape than I was prior to the accident. You could say I tried to do aversion therapy, like the girl on Oprah who was afraid of pickles so they took her to the factory while she cried. I got an e-bike and joined Anatomy gym. As soon as I was limping without a walker I asked a dear friend for help to fly to Chicago for my first Equity audition for a musical I played the lead in in High School. I disclosed my recent accident on my application, thinking they might think it was interesting that I was already dancing again after breaking my leg 2.5 months prior. This was also directly after the “strike.” I didn’t book it, but I am proud of myself for trying. This spurred me to get back in the studio with a grudge match. Red Bull night club promoter colleagues in college used to call me McFierce but my last name is phonetically pronounced MickFurson. I would like the world to know that I would love to be a chorus girl again. I want people to know that I am truly honest to a fault, and any glamour I attempt to exude is very much held together by 7 year old eyelash glue and a 3 year old ice pack. I am also someone who is happy to be invited or included whatsoever but I have a lot more to offer than Miami has seen. Surviving my near death experience, I carry a torch for my Grandma Mae whom passed away far too soon after she broke hers in old age. ‘Speed bonnie boat, like a bird on a wing…” is a Scottish folk song I sang at her funeral. I’d also like people to know that not all people of European ancestry are racist jerks, I have cousins from D.R. and the Philippines on that side of my family and politicians most often do not speak for the average American person. I speak very strongly in terms of social justice at times but truly just want the entire world to join in a harmonious choir where all have enough to eat and free time to pursue what makes their souls’ fly. I also would like all of my colleagues who only know me through adult work to know that though I enjoy playing the character of a Burlesque dancer/pin-up girl very much, she is not my only facet.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’d start with brunch at Deli Lane or Maman depending on how much time we have. Then we’d walk to the train, maybe pick up a library book along the way. We’d stop at Vizcaya and soak in the botanical garden. If we had enough energy after that we could pick up a sandwich at The Fresh Market and enjoy it at the Key Biscayne dog beach with Scrappy Doo. As a 29 year old with student loans I never have an entire week to host people for fun but I will dream. I’d like to show whomever visited the original Asian Thai Kitchen and The Last Carrot in the grove before it gets demolished, and point out the historic theater that is surely soon to be on the chopping block. Jamaican Charlie would surely be out and about with a quip for us. I might show them the flower shop that was my first job in Miami. We could go to the best Kush spot, Stephen’s in Hialeah and afterwards enjoy the very best thrift store ever that I’d prefer to gatekeep (Red, White and Blue.) Amelia Earhart park is gorgeous and has an extremely delicious passion fruit lemonade Boba vendor. If they’re feeling bougie we’ll have brunch at Oliver’s for a sobe moment and make fun of all of the families and bachelor parties on 12th and Ocean. Then we’ll go to Catholic church with my best queer friends. If we’re feeling really saucy I’ll put Scrappy Doo’s vest on and we’ll make a scene for only one cocktail outdoors at Twist whilst covering his ears until the horrors get us and we have to stumble to Pizza Rustica or The Sandwicherie. We’ll enjoy seafood and Griot in Little River and maybeee I’ll show them my friend’s ceramics at The Citadel.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to dedicate this shout out to my mother, Sheila. She is a social worker and singer/dancer herself and everything I do in life I strive to emulate her eternal positive energy. She broke her back when she was sixteen right before she would have gone on to study Ballet at the Art high school I was blessed to attend. She is the hardest working woman I know. She skipped out on a family vacation to be my moral support for my college auditions and countless other sacrifices for rehearsals and classes. She would even volunteer with my singing coach to bring music therapy to nursing homes. She insisted I choose more practical pursuits than starving arts and keeps me grounded. Thanks Mom.

Instagram: _walkinginspace

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-mcpherson-913640163/

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/walkingin_space

Youtube: emilypotter02

Other: I would also enjoy for the Miami and festival world to know that my “@” is in honor of the musical HAIR & my love of astronomy…. nothing to do with the discotheque!

Image Credits
All images taken by me