Kelly Barrett has studied acting with some of the best teachers in NYC. She got her start with Jason Bennett, then studied with Richard Scanlon who taught at Stella Adler for 10 years. She also works with Stephen Michaels who was a direct student of Lee Strasberg. Kelly is a big fan of Stanislavisy's "The System" and the work of Eric Morris. She also uses Adler's techniques in her film work.
Kelly grew up in Milford, CT where she studied dance at the Lee Lund Studio of Dance. At the age of 9, she was featured in Teen Magazine for a modeling competition and again at the age of 11. She received much hometown press for Modeling. Her parents are Peter Barrett and Linda Potter. She has 1 younger brother Peter Barrett Jr., and a niece, Bailey Rain Barrett.
In 1995, Kelly graduated from Foran High school. When her dreams of going to college for dance didn't come true, she discovered music. After hanging out with dj's and music producers, she purchased a pair on turntables and a mixer, and taught herself to DJ. She is also know as DJ Shugga. For 13 years she had a great career traveling all over the world including Hong Kong. She also produced music.
In 2003, Kelly relocated to LA where she had become one of three finalists to dj for "The Wade Robson Project". Unfortunately, she did not get the job, because production wanted an Asian girl. That didn't stop her from pursuing her dreams of dance, music, and now acting. While becoming a rising star, she was also scouting bands for Jimmy Ienner who's brother Donnie Ienner, was head of Sony at the time. That's when she discovered Ryan Tedder and "One Republic". Kelly introduced them to Sony and said "You guy's have to get out here to see this kid! - Ryan Tedder. They ended up signing a 3 year dealwith Sony-BMG.
After getting her feet wet in the acting world, Kelly realized that if she wanted to do this, she would need lessons. 2006, she returned to Connecticut where she enrolled in acting classes in Manhattan with various coaches, and studied for two years. Since then, she worked at building her résumé, and getting to know the industry. In 2009,after being sucked into the real world, Kelly said F-it and went for it! She began taking her career seriously. She went to NY, got some headshots, and put together her résumé. In 2012, she was cast in a lead role for "Deadly Sin's" for Discovery ID. She has been featured on the Discovery Health and Fit Network, The Travel Channel, NBCNY, The Food Network, MSG, ESPN, including Independent films.
2013 Kelly took her career to another level and wrote "Before They Were Famous". This is a feature comedy based on true shenanigans her and her really smart friends get into to try to make it in the biz! Will they ever?
