Billy Kemp

Discovery and modeling

Kemp's look led to youth commercial modeling roles for brands including Calvin Klein and Banana Republic beginning at age 14.^[1] While based in Denver, he sent a physical modeling portfolio to Falcon Studios director John Rutherford, who referred him to a local adult industry scout.^[1] This contact led to an introduction to director Chi Chi LaRue, who noted a historical lack of representation for multiracial talent in gay erotica and arranged for Kemp to relocate to Los Angeles.^[5]

Adopting the pseudonym Jordan Young, Kemp made his on-screen debut at age 18 in the 1994 film Strung Up, followed by a lead role in Mustang's Nightwatch II.^[6] Beyond modeling for erotica publications, he penned a regular commentary column called "New Kid on the Cock" for Skin Flicks magazine and appeared in Ronnie Larsen's 1997 industry documentary Shooting Porn, which screened at the Berlin International Film Festival.^[1][7]

Transitioning behind the camera, Kemp wrote feature scripts for Falcon and All Worlds Video, including The Taking of Jake (1997), Like Father, Like Son, and Hardcore (1997). He earned his first production credit on the feature Lost in Vegas, for which he also wrote the script.^[8] His adult media work received one Grabby Award, a Men in Video Award, and two nominations at the GayVN Awards.^[8]

Mainstream and Early Unscripted Television work

Kemp left adult cinema in the early 2000s, reverted to his legal name Billy Kemp, and entered mainstream television as a low-level story researcher for daytime talk programs.^[3] He advanced into leadership roles within the reality, lifestyle, and dating sub-genres, managing casting blocks for network series including ElimiDate (Syndication), Wife Swap (ABC), Temptation Island (FOX), and Nanny 911.^[3]

FremantleMedia and Banijay Studios

Kemp spent a decade working as Vice President of Talent and Casting at FremantleMedia North America.^[3] He directed overall talent acquisition architectures, open calls, and celebrity bookings for major broadcast series including American Idol, America's Got Talent, The X Factor, The Price Is Right, Let's Make a Deal, and The Great Christmas Light Fight.^[3] He also created an internal tracking database to scout and develop incoming on-air personalities for the studio.^[3]

He later joined Banijay Studios North America as Vice President of Talent Development, steering casting strategy across the production house's slate while formatting new concepts.^[3] He pitched and sold the docu-soap What Happens at The Abbey to E! and scouted public figures Teyana Taylor and Iman Shumpert, serving as an Executive Producer on their resulting VH1 reality series Teyana & Iman.^[3] His development slate at Banijay also encompassed ABC's Child Support, USA's The Secret Life of Kids, and ABC's Big Fan.^[3]

Persons of Interest Productions

Kemp partnered with talent executive Katie Krim to launch Persons of Interest Productions, a full-service Hollywood packaging, casting, and celebrity booking firm.^[9] Operating independently, the company creates unscripted program designs and manages multi-market casting calls for various network programs, including ongoing cycles for ABC's The Bachelor and The Bachelorette television franchises.^[3]

Film

Director

Producer

Writer

Casting director