The cultural obsession sparked earlier this year by the limited series Love Story: JFK Jr. & Carolyn Bessette seemed inescapable. For months following its February premiere, fashion enthusiasts and casual viewers alike flooded retail spaces, investing heavily in oval-shaped sunglasses, classic tortoise-shell headbands, and vintage Calvin Klein apparel. A collective cultural nostalgia took hold, driving a widespread aesthetic shift toward effortless preppy charm, old-money sensibilities, and quiet luxury. Men across the country suddenly sought out Kangol flat caps and Timex Intrepid watches, chasing that distinct mid-90s American royalty aesthetic.
Amidst the massive cultural wave of the series, actor Paul Anthony Kelly emerged as a breakout star, capturing the public’s imagination with his compelling portrayal of historical royalty. But for his next major television project, Kelly made a sharp and unexpected creative pivot, swinging in the complete opposite direction to join the cast of FX’s long-running anthology thriller, American Horror Story.
In the wake of the highly anticipated Season 13 finale of American Horror Story, Kelly sat down to discuss the whirlwind transition from playing an American icon to portraying Young Mr. Nas—the formative, younger version of a character who matures into a manipulative, darkly charismatic, and thoroughly devilish figure. Throughout the conversation, the actor opened up about embracing larger-than-life performances, drawing inspiration from the golden age of cinema, and actively manifesting the thriving career he is experiencing today.
The Contrast of Playing History Versus Playing the Devil
Stepping from the rigid historical framework of a real-life public figure into the unfettered chaos of a horror anthology required a total recalibration of Kelly’s acting process. Reflecting on the stark differences between his preparation for Love Story and his work on American Horror Story, Kelly describes the transition as night and day.
When portraying a heavily documented historical individual like John F. Kennedy Jr., an actor must operate within a clearly defined boundary. There are established mannerisms, public records, and specific historical expectations that shape every scene. Conversely, playing a manifestation of the devil or a deeply sinister villain offers no such guardrails. According to Kelly, the lack of traditional boundaries meant that anything went, transforming the creative process into an exhilarating exercise in imagination.
While he expressed a genuine appreciation for the disciplined structure required by biographical drama, the limitless freedom of playing a dark, malevolent force proved uniquely rewarding. Rather than relying on standard horror tropes, Kelly chose to craft his own distinct interpretation of Young Mr. Nas. He envisioned the character through the lens of old-Hollywood suave, portraying him as a sophisticated and debonair figure who exerts influence effortlessly. Because Young Mr. Nas always secures what he desires, he never needs to push too hard or force his hand, lending the performance an eerie, calm composure that contrasts sharply with the frantic nature of traditional villains.
Exploring the Darker Side and Channeling Old Hollywood
For an actor whose real-life demeanor is far removed from villainy, stepping into darker territory offered a welcome psychological playground. Kelly admits that exploring sinister characters is uniquely entertaining precisely because it stands in such stark contrast to who he is at his core. The role allowed him to take bigger artistic risks, push his performance to new heights, and embrace a theatricality that standard drama rarely permits.
Looking ahead, Kelly is already eager to push boundaries even further. He views each project as an invaluable education in self-discovery—an opportunity to test his own capabilities and figure out how to take even larger swings in future performances. If subsequent opportunities arise to play characters of a similar dark nature, he intends to lean into the wickedness with even greater enthusiasm.
To ground the villainous and upper-class demeanor of Young Mr. Nas, Kelly looked backward in time for inspiration. He drew heavily upon the ethos of classic Hollywood screen icons like Clark Gable, channeling the sophisticated yet inherently cold attitude associated with America’s historic industrial and railroad families. In these powerful dynasties, generations of wealth cultivated an outer shell of refined upper-class elegance paired with a distinctly ruthless, calculating interior.
Wardrobe played a critical role in unlocking this mindset for the actor. He notes that the physical transformation provided by period-accurate costumes—such as walking around a set in a tailored smoking jacket—instinctively places an actor into the psychological headspace of the character without requiring overthinking.
Life Beyond the Screen: Manifestation and the Road Ahead
Away from the intense, demanding atmosphere of horror and historical drama, Kelly maintains a grounded perspective shaped by his background. Having spent time in both Oregon and Ontario, he finds comfort in landscapes that share a rugged natural beauty. While acknowledging that Oregon boasts the Pacific coastline and exceptional regional vineyards, he notes that Ontario’s massive Great Lakes carry a similarly powerful, raw energy that makes him feel right at home. When pressed on his favorite local spots during his time in the Pacific Northwest, he happily highlights Matt’s BBQ, a renowned Texas-style smokehouse in Portland.
Balancing a demanding production schedule with a quiet family life remains central to Kelly’s daily routine. When asked to describe his ultimate ideal day, the actor keeps it remarkably simple: spending quality time with his wife and child, regardless of the activity.
This grounded outlook extends directly into his views on personal ambition and career trajectory. As a self-proclaimed Libra who constantly seeks equilibrium in life, Kelly speaks candidly about the power of intention. When asked if he believes in manifestation, his response is immediate and definitive, pointing out that his current professional reality is living proof of its effectiveness. Looking forward toward the horizon of 2027, his primary manifestations include securing more challenging creative work while ensuring he carves out necessary time to rest and recharge.
Fans eager to see what Kelly tackles next will not have to wait indefinitely. The actor is currently deep into production on The Housemaid’s Secret, directed by Paul Feig, which is slated for release in December 2027. With additional film and television projects currently in development, Kelly continues to build a versatile resume across multiple genres. Ultimately, as he reflects on his rapidly expanding body of work and the legacy he hopes to leave behind, his ambition remains clear and straightforward: he simply wants to be remembered as an artist who gave every role everything he had.
