Her Story
Kersee Whitney was born in Palo Alto, California, and although she moved 16 times before turning 16, she claims Southern California as her home. She is the daughter of two loving parents and is the oldest of their 4 girls.
The name, “Kersee” comes from renowned track coach, Bobby Kersee, and his wife, 6 time Olympic Medalist (3 Gold), Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Kersee Whitney’s mother, Erin Blunt Robbins, ran track and field for UCLA under Coach Kersee who became a great mentor in Erin’s life after her father unexpectedly passed away in a plane crash when she was only 14 years old. Erin asked Coach Kersee if she could use the name, “Kersee”, for a future child, and he responded positively but only if the name was used for a girl.
Kersee always knew from a young age that she was destined to be a performer. As a child, she acted and sang anywhere that would let her. She even went so far as to put on personal concerts for her family in their living room. Some of her favorite performance opportunities from her youth include attending NESA (North East School of the Arts) in San Antonio, Texas, being a Principal company member of Utah COPA (Conservatory of Performing Arts), and starring in her high school’s production of Footloose.
In high school, Kersee had the opportunity to attend YASE Summer Camp (Young Ambassadors Singing Entertainers Workshop) at Brigham Young University. It was there where she discovered that performing could be about more than the rush of thundering applause. Performing became about sharing light and truth with others as means of connection and love. These ideas of light and love became so important to Kersee, that she decided acting needed to be her full-time career.
During this time of life, Kersee’s dad would drop her off at school everyday, and before she went to class, he would always tell her to “Shine Loud”. This saying became, and is to this day, Kersee’s mantra. She believes in spreading light with humble confidence.
Kersee attended college at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah where she graduated in 2024 with her BFA in Musical Theatre. During her five years there, she performed as Mabel in Gilbert and Sullivan’s, Pirates of Penzance, she sang Lindsay Mendez’s version of “Bless the Lord” in BYU’s production of Godspell, and she toured with the musical revue, Thank You For The Music, to South Korea, the Fringe Festival in Scotland, and China with BYU’s Young Ambassadors.
While attending Brigham Young University, Kersee found her perfect match. Kersee met her husband, Karter Whitney, on a blind date. They instantly hit it off, becoming best friends very quickly. After dating for a little over a year, Karter and Kersee tied the knot on July 30th, 2021. As a couple, Karter and Kersee enjoy working out together, creating YouTube (@Karter & Kersee) and TikTok (@karter_and_kersee) videos together, and going to Disneyland together.
Kersee currently works in film, onstage, and in recording studios to create and share meaningful art with others.