Colson Baker—aka Machine Gun Kelly—is making headlines with his lead turn in Taurus. PHOTO BY JJ REDDINGTON/BUZZFEED PHOTO
ON THE HEELS OF HIS EUROPEAN CONCERT TOUR, COLSON BAKER (AKA MACHINE GUN KELLY) TOUCHES ON HIS ACTING CAREER AND THE PRAISE HE’S GARNERED FOR HIS LATEST ROLE AS A SELFDESTRUCTIVE ROCK STAR—INSPIRED BY HIS REAL LIFE AS A MUSICIAN—IN THIS YEAR’S TAURUS.
What was the most challenging part of playing Cole, your character in Tim Sutton’s Taurus? Oddly, it was the notion of allowing his name to be Cole, which is a shortening of my real name, Colson, essentially telling the audience watching that this is actually me. All the bad and the good. It’s me.
PHOTO COURTESY OF RLJE FILMS
You also serve as an executive producer on the film and star opposite your real-life fiancee, Megan Fox. What was the most rewarding part of being a part of this project? The film can speak for people who aren’t comfortable being emotionally vulnerable and don’t know how to cry out for help. It also helps close the gap between the misunderstood mistaken souls and the grounded ones.
Music vs. acting: Is there a medium you enjoy more for expressing yourself? I enjoy the schedule of acting; it gives a certainty to my life… like I know what I’m doing tomorrow. I have a reason to wake up. Music is more of a pirate or gypsy’s life, well, at least the way I live it.
PHOTO COURTESY OF RLJE FILMS
This year, you received the Savannah Film Festival’s Discovery Award as well as San Diego International Film Festival’s Spotlight Award. What do you think about all the awards and praise you’ve been garnering for your role in Taurus during the festival circuit? The biggest award for me is that people in the movie community are dropping the stereotypes around me and allowing me to be an artist.
What do you think it is about the story of Taurus that has captivated viewers? Everyone wants to believe that someone in bad circumstances, who has a good heart, can be saved. Maybe the appeal is also that I don’t believe anyone else could’ve played Cole—so it makes what you’re watching unique [and an honest portrayal].
Do you have a dream role you’d like to play as an actor? A Viking. The Joker. Barney the big purple dinosaur.
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