|
 17 Questions No One Has Asked Kris Williams
I'm sure Ms. Williams has heard every TAPS and "Ghost Hunters" question there is to be asked, so I thought I would try a different approach. I sent her a list of 17 questions about herself, rather than just about her television career. I only asked her to answer 10, but to my surprise, she answered all 17.
Ms. Williams really went through a lot of effort to do this interview for me, including getting the approval at multiple levels. She also spent a lot of time on the answers as well, so please don't hesitate to comment her a "thank you" after the article, and be sure to visit her links listed in the conclusion of the Q & A!
And just so everyone knows, and despite some assuming comments I've heard, after emailing back and forth with her a few times (actually, I knew after the first email) regarding this interview, her popularity has definitely not gone to her head. She is very polite, down-to-earth, and get ready for the big one - normal. Not to mention very cool and funny as well - you will get a sense of her personality in some of the answers to my questions.
VERY awesome of you, Kristen - YOU ROCK!!! THANKS for your time and effort!!!
Here is the entire Q & A unedited, including both of our typos, lol:
1. What were you doing, professionally and/or personally before appearing on Ghost Hunters?
Before joining TAPS and getting involved with the show Ghost Hunters I did several different things. I was a flooring installer, working mainly with tile, hardwood, vinyl and VCT. I also did some carpentry, building oak staircases, building cabinets, hanging doors and windows, sheet roc, etc. I also worked at an electronics company making computer boards (and wire assemblies) that went into things from battleships to Flir cameras!
Personally, I messed with photography and acting. I was an art student basically my whole life and after getting into modeling and acting I became interested in photography. Even considered going to school for it. I worked with several local models and actors helping them get headshots and their books started. I started doing pretty well with that-UNTIL! I got the job with TAPS, lol. Now I spend my time photographing the locations we go to, some of which have ended up in the TAPS PARAMAG! Check it out ;).
2. Did you have any sense of how popular you would become from joining the cast, prior to appearing on the show?
LOL…in all honesty I still don’t think I have a full sense of it. I just had it in my head from the beginning that I am who I am-people are either going to love me or hate me. Like with everything else I have ever tried I just knew I would refuse to be anything other then who I am.
3. Are you comfortable with the fame, or do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by it?
I would definitely say I get overwhelmed at times. I’m goofy and open with the people I know well but outside of that I have always been a quiet, private person, who’s careful about who I let get to know me.
A lot of people say I should be used to it by now but in reality we work so much with such a small tight knit group that we kind of forget the fact that what we are doing will eventually air and viewed by millions of people. It’s not till we do an event or I’m out with the guys on down time that how big the show is will it hit me.
The part that hit me the hardest was when people started to recognize me with out being around the guys, lol. At first, if I was out with Jay or Grant I’d get “hey, aren’t you Kris?” or “Bait?” but a few months ago people started to figure it out while I was out on my own and it overwhelmed me quite a bit.
I don’t think anyone getting into something like this really knows what to expect (even if they are warned). Nor do they know how they are going to be received or how to handle it until it happens. I’m just a girl from NH who’s just as nervous as the people who come up to say hello, lol.
I do appreciate it though and love how well people respond to what we do. A lot of people seem to get some comfort in it which is nice because I feel like while I’m looking for answers to my own questions we are helping people find answers to their own and letting them know they aren’t alone or crazy.
4. Have you had any "bad", or uncomfortable experiences because of your popularity?
LOL, uncomfortable…Well, that would be shopping at Victoria Secret and having the girls who work there ask me if I was the girl from TAPS… not a place I cared to be recognized, lol.
5. Which came first, why, and how: modeling, acting, photography, TAPS, "Ghost Hunters"?
Actually, I went pretty close in that order. I started with modeling first. I had always wanted to work in TV or radio when I was younger but I was always too shy. So, I heard about this open call for a scouting event for models and forced myself to go to it. While there, I got called back by several different agencies and I decided to go with Click, Boston because it was close to home and I was still in college.
I figured this would help me get over my fear of cameras and help me start to over come being so shy. Then I forced myself to take acting classes, which lead to forcing myself to go to auditions for local Indies and extra work for films like 21, Mystic River, Fever Pitch, etc.
While I was starting with the indie films I met Jay and Grant through a mutual friend. They told me about their group and right then I wanted to get involved (this was long before the show) but I had school full time, I had a job, some family issues, etc and I just couldn’t find the time. Back then it was more of a hobby for them, they did it when they had the time and a case. So when I was available, they didn’t have a case and when I wasn’t available they’d have a case, lol. We did become good friends and even became like older brothers to me over the years.
From the modeling and acting (and being an art student my whole life) I became interested in Photography. I figured I would try my hand at it and I did pretty well. My art background helped out a great deal as well as my experience on the other side of the camera. I knew what it was like to be shy and put on the spot so I was able to help calm the people I shot with and was able to get some great pictures out of it.
THEN comes actually joining TAPS. By this time Jay and Grant had the show and hit a point where they lost some team members and felt they really needed a female cause there were so many guys on the team. They knew I was low maintenance, no drama, called BS when I’d see it, didn’t scare easy and had enough experience being around a camera that I wouldn’t be shy or be a total ham. They also felt my background in genealogy could be of use for the team with research on the locations we’d visit. Genealogy is really just the research or study of people who have passed, so it has been pretty useful with this job. I think it all came down to they knew what they were getting with me and felt I would be a good fit with the rest of the team.
So, that’s pretty much how I got my start on Ghost Hunters. Almost 2 years later I’m still running around in dark places with the boys! Sometimes they are scarier then the ghosts ;).
6. All good things come to an end, what are your future plans for yourself?
Hmmm… tough question! I actually think about it everyday and I couldn’t honestly tell you. During the 1st 6 episodes, I was also taking classes online so I would probably go back to school to at least finish my degree. Not really sure what I want to go for though.
As scary as that may sound I have always had a job and made things work and I have never been afraid to try new things so I’m ready for where ever I may end up! I think half the fun is not knowing! :)
7. Do you currently, or have you ever had, any public display of your work in photography or modeling?
No public display of my photography other then the models or actors using them for their own promotional reasons.
Modeling, lol-yes. I had done hair shows, fashion shows, promotional work and a couple of ads. One was for a retail store and it was in a store flyer that also appeared in the local papers. I was 21 and they had me dressed up like a 14 yr old in the junior’s section for an Easter sale, LOL. Bit embarrassing.
8. You are still very young, but do you have any future plans or aspirations of starting your own family, kids?
I would love to eventually have a family of my own. I am very close with mine, my parents are my best friends and so are my grandparents. I hope to one day have kids who will say the same.
9. Short, but sweet, how would you describe yourself as a person?
I'm a no nonsense kind of girl with things I believe strongly in, a bit of a prankster, loyal to those who are to me, a bit hard on myself, can be a bit hard headed at times, ill be the first to make fun of myself, huge family person and lastly I try to be as honest as possible with everything in my life.
10. So far, what is your favorite memory since becoming a part of TAPS and "Ghost Hunters"?
I have a ton but one I still find funny were the golf carts at Waverly Hills the week of the live show. The security used them to get around the grounds and Jay and Grant got a hold of one. I was crazy enough to jump in the bucket on the back. We were flying around the building in this thing like a bunch of maniacs and at one point we drove up to the front entrance and pretended to be security. It was so dark out most the people trying to get in had no clue the people they were trying to see where the ones telling them they had to turn around, lol. A few people caught on though, it was pretty funny.
11. Do you see yourself as a role model for girls and young women? Why?
I don’t know, lol. I suppose I may be to the girls or women who watch but I don’t really think of myself as one. Growing up I always had a lot of respect for strong women so I refuse to be a screaming, crying, running little girl working among the boys. It’s just not in me. I have gotten in situations where I have been spooked or excited but I think the worst you’ll get out of me is a potty mouth, lol.
I have had many jobs or hobbies that are considered a “guys” job, space, etc. I have always believed that if you are going to work in a field like that you have to play/work like the guys. Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty, don’t complain and expect to have them pull your weight or clean up after you, etc.
I've always been very serious about what I do and am constantly trying to outdo the guys. I will die trying to prove that even though I'm a girl I can do things just as well as them. Being a female isn't a weakness or an excuse!
I have had several guys say there is no way they could do what I do, see what I see or go where I go and I love it. If the girls or women watching take anything from me I hope it’s to not be afraid to show people what they can do!
12. Do you have any talents or skills that some may NOT know you?
I don’t know…I think most people know I’m big into genealogy. I started back when I was 11 years old and have been obsessed ever since.
Other then that something people might not know is I’m not as quiet as I appear on the show, lol. I love to play pranks on the guys and like to fire back when they give me a hard time. Got to keep them on their toes! :)
13. How long do you foresee being involved in actual paranormal research on a regular basis?
I’m not sure! I would love to stay with TAPS for as long as they need me. I really enjoy what I do, the things I have experienced & learned, the locations I’ve seen and the friendships that have come out of the job.
When it does come to an end I think I will stick to it in some form or another. Probably not so public though; maybe hunt locally without the cameras! That’s one experience I haven’t had, lol.
14. Is there anything you would take back in recent years?
Not that I can think of, even the things I regret I have learned something from and have become a stronger person for it. People need to spend less time worrying about the past and spend more time focusing on the present. Learn from your mistakes and move past them!
15. Is there anything you missed out on in recent years that you wish you had not?
I’d say time with my family. You’re away from home a lot with this job. I don’t regret being apart of TAPS at all; it’s just hard sometimes to be away so much. Good thing is, most my family has watched the show since day 1 and they support what I’m doing 100%. It makes things a little easier when you know the people you love are behind you.
16. How often do you have free time just for yourself?
Time to yourself? What’s that? :)
17. Finally, you are free to say anything you wish, and promote any links you wish - would you like to add anything?
Just want to say thank you to everyone who tunes in each week to watch-we all really appreciate it! You guys keep us going!
I do have a site that is a horrendous mess at the moment but I’ll get it together soon (with pics, Q&A’s, events, etc), its: www.kriswilliams.com & a photography site at: www.kriswilliamsphotography.com
Also! If you ever decide to checkout my lil home state of New Hampshire you should check out the Inn Jay and Grant just bought! It’s called the Spaulding Inn- www.thespaldinginn.com it’s in a beautiful part of my state and they are now taking reservations.
For any other information about TAPS (events, behind the scenes, etc) you can check out www.the-atlantic-paranormal-society.com , www.tapsparamag.com or www.scifi.com/ghosthunters
Wednesday nights!
9pm on Sci Fi!
Season 5!
Thanks so much!
Kris Williams
|
Comments