--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I moved to Los Angeles, I thought…" description: "\"When I moved to Los Angeles, I thought, 'Whatever hits, I'll go that direction. If it's music, fine; if it's acting, fine.'\" — Brian Stokes Mitchell" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85e/brian-stokes-mitchell-6113_acting_when-i-moved-to-los-angeles-i-thought-wh_2993943.jpg" --- # When I moved to Los Angeles, I thought, 'Whatever hits… ![“When I moved to Los Angeles, I thought, 'Whatever hits, I'll go that direction. If it's music, fine; if it's acting, fine.'” quote by Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85e/brian-stokes-mitchell-6113_acting_when-i-moved-to-los-angeles-i-thought-wh_2993943.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85e/brian-stokes-mitchell-6113_acting_when-i-moved-to-los-angeles-i-thought-wh_2993943.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85e/brian-stokes-mitchell-6113_acting_when-i-moved-to-los-angeles-i-thought-wh_2993943.jpg) > “When I moved to Los Angeles, I thought, 'Whatever hits, I'll go that direction. If it's music, fine; if it's acting, fine.'” [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He reflects on following opportunities in entertainment, adapting to whichever medium presents itself. **In simple terms:** Follow where success leads. Key Takeaway Stay adaptable in career. Themes career flexibility opportunity adaptability Mood reflective optimistic Type interview career When to use this quote - acting - music - theatre - career planning Key Concepts entertainment industry personal growth Questions to Reflect On - How do you decide which opportunity to pursue? - What values guide your career moves? A Different Perspective Changing direction can dilute focus. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Direction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/direction/) [Fine Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fine-acting-4660267/) [Los angeles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/los-angeles/) [Moved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moved/) [Moved Los](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moved-los/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Music Fine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music-fine-2282284/) ## Related quotes > [When the target audience is American teenage kids, you can have problems. My generation prized really fine acting and writing. Sometimes you have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cleese/when-the-target-audience-is-american-teenage-kids-you-can-have/) [John Cleese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cleese/) > [I got my first job when I moved to Los Angeles. I worked at a coffee shop for five years and it was one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-leclerc/i-got-my-first-job-when-i-moved-to-los-angeles-i-worked-at-a-coffee/) [Katie Leclerc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-leclerc/) > [When I first moved out to Los Angeles I was thinking, you know, I wanted to be an actor but I didn't really know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-biehn/when-i-first-moved-out-to-los-angeles-i-was-thinking-you-know-i/) [Michael Biehn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-biehn/) > [When I moved to Los Angeles, right away I met all kinds of musicians.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dianne-reeves/when-i-moved-to-los-angeles-right-away-i-met-all-kinds-of-musicians/) [Dianne Reeves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dianne-reeves/) > [I kept saying that I'd never live in L.A., and I didn't think I would. But that's where the work is, and I ended…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cusack/i-kept-saying-that-i-d-never-live-in-l-a-and-i-didn-t-think-i-would/) [John Cusack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cusack/) > [I don't have any message in the music. Music will be fine as long as you take care of yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/i-don-t-have-any-message-in-the-music-music-will-be-fine-as-long-as/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [I have a lot of problem selling things to our fans. But video and radio is a way to get to fans who wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-popper/i-have-a-lot-of-problem-selling-things-to-our-fans-but-video-and/) [John Popper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-popper/) > [Certain kinds of people will always have an issue with my music. But that's fine; it's OK. I don't want to be the McDonald's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kacey-musgraves/certain-kinds-of-people-will-always-have-an-issue-with-my-music-but/) [Kacey Musgraves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kacey-musgraves/) > [Being a woman in music was fine, but when I wanted to direct, I was poking my head into a man's world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbra-streisand/being-a-woman-in-music-was-fine-but-when-i-wanted-to-direct-i-was/) [Barbra Streisand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbra-streisand/) > [In the liner notes, music is fine by itself. It doesn't need any explanation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-bozzio/in-the-liner-notes-music-is-fine-by-itself-it-doesn-t-need-any/) [Terry Bozzio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-bozzio/) > [When I was 20, I picked up and left my entire family, who were in Ohio, and moved to Los Angeles on my own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-schmidt-hissrich/when-i-was-20-i-picked-up-and-left-my-entire-family-who-were-in-ohio/) [Lauren Schmidt Hissrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-schmidt-hissrich/) > [I'm Canadian - I came from a small island off Vancouver. I moved to Vancouver and a couple months later moved to Los Angeles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-sipos/i-m-canadian-i-came-from-a-small-island-off-vancouver-i-moved-to/) [Shaun Sipos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-sipos/) > [When I first moved to Los Angeles, I don't think anyone knew what to do with me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-chastain/when-i-first-moved-to-los-angeles-i-don-t-think-anyone-knew-what-to/) [Jessica Chastain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-chastain/) > [I've called myself an actor - I won't say I've been an actor, but I've called myself an actor - since 1989. That's when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-dean-morgan/i-ve-called-myself-an-actor-i-won-t-say-i-ve-been-an-actor-but-i-ve/) [Jeffrey Dean Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-dean-morgan/) > [My parents are from the Midwest. They're from Evanston, Illinois. They moved out to Los Angeles right before I was born.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-wilmore/my-parents-are-from-the-midwest-they-re-from-evanston-illinois-they/) [Larry Wilmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-wilmore/) ## More by Brian Stokes Mitchell > [Stay as connected as you can. Sometimes that means you're going to do a job that may not pay you much but may give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/stay-as-connected-as-you-can-sometimes-that-means-you-re-going-to-do/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) > [Cabaret presents different challenges, as it is all on me. I love having the freedom to say anything you want - do anything you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/cabaret-presents-different-challenges-as-it-is-all-on-me-i-love/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) > [I love doing theater. It's what I grew up in and is my roots. I get a huge fulfillment from it. But if my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/i-love-doing-theater-it-s-what-i-grew-up-in-and-is-my-roots-i-get-a/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) > ['Kiss Me, Kate' was my 'Ragtime' Tony.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/kiss-me-kate-was-my-ragtime-tony/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) > [I've always felt that my career was in wiser hands than mine. Whatever, in its good time, is supposed to happen will happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/i-ve-always-felt-that-my-career-was-in-wiser-hands-than-mine-whatever/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) > [I started out on the stage, then I had a great career in television for quite a few years. The good news about a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/i-started-out-on-the-stage-then-i-had-a-great-career-in-television/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) > [My favorite music is jazz, actually. It's what I listen to, it's what I was raised on, and it's what I prefer to sing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/my-favorite-music-is-jazz-actually-it-s-what-i-listen-to-it-s-what-i/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) > [I love the theater, and I just don't love television like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/i-love-the-theater-and-i-just-don-t-love-television-like-that/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) > [You need raw talent to be successful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/you-need-raw-talent-to-be-successful/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) > [I always say it takes three weeks to know a character and three months to own it. And I think that's probably true of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/i-always-say-it-takes-three-weeks-to-know-a-character-and-three/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) > [Oddly enough, I almost never listen to show tunes. But there are some shows I love, like Adam Guettel's 'Floyd Collins.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/oddly-enough-i-almost-never-listen-to-show-tunes-but-there-are-some/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) > [I like being different people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/i-like-being-different-people/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) > [I kind of feel the career chose me. My motto has always been, 'Go where I'm wanted.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/i-kind-of-feel-the-career-chose-me-my-motto-has-always-been-go-where/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) > [I'm one of the few lucky actors in the world. I've never waited tables. I never pumped gas. I've always earned a living. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/i-m-one-of-the-few-lucky-actors-in-the-world-i-ve-never-waited-tables/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) > [Through most of my life, music has been like a radio that plays and plays in my head.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/through-most-of-my-life-music-has-been-like-a-radio-that-plays-and/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) [Explore all 100 Brian Stokes Mitchell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) ## More Acting quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [Acting is a grind, just like music is a grind. Sometimes it takes longer than what you can give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/acting-is-a-grind-just-like-music-is-a-grind-sometimes-it-takes/) [Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/) > [It was only when I started making short films in college and I was looking for girls to play the me-ish parts that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-was-only-when-i-started-making-short-films-in-college-and-i-was/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! Whether you're a child mucking around with your friends or a grown up being paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-hewson/actors-don-t-hate-acting-most-people-don-t-hate-acting-whether-you-re/) [Liv Hewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-hewson/) > [It was only when I went to acting school that I was like, "You are absolutely such a pigheaded freak show that you thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/it-was-only-when-i-went-to-acting-school-that-i-was-like-you-are/) [Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) [Ryan Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-newman/) > [The show was number one in the ratings, Gordon Russell was our head writer, the story lines were magnificent and the acting most exciting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-storm/the-show-was-number-one-in-the-ratings-gordon-russell-was-our-head/) [Michael Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-storm/) > [I've done so many other projects where you're in a room with a reader and you're acting your lines out: 'We have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cummings/i-ve-done-so-many-other-projects-where-you-re-in-a-room-with-a-reader/) [Jim Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cummings/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. I do believe that young adults go to college to learn things, and that this process will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-weingarten/i-do-not-believe-in-public-shaming-i-do-believe-that-young-adults-go/) [Gene Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-weingarten/) > [Poetry has, in a way, been my bridge to my acting career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omari-hardwick/poetry-has-in-a-way-been-my-bridge-to-my-acting-career/) [Omari Hardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omari-hardwick/) [Browse all 12,062 Acting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I moved to Los Angeles, I thought, 'Whatever hits, I'll go that direction. If it's music, fine; if it's acting, fine.'", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Brian Stokes Mitchell" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/when-i-moved-to-los-angeles-i-thought-whatever-hits-i-ll-go-that/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Acting" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/when-i-moved-to-los-angeles-i-thought-whatever-hits-i-ll-go-that/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85e/brian-stokes-mitchell-6113_acting_when-i-moved-to-los-angeles-i-thought-wh_2993943.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85e/brian-stokes-mitchell-6113_acting_when-i-moved-to-los-angeles-i-thought-wh_2993943.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85e/brian-stokes-mitchell-6113_acting_when-i-moved-to-los-angeles-i-thought-wh_2993943.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When I moved to Los Angeles, I thought, 'Whatever hits, I'll go that direction. If it's music, fine; if it's…” — Brian Stokes Mitchell", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Brian Stokes Mitchell", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When I moved to Los Angeles,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/when-i-moved-to-los-angeles-i-thought-whatever-hits-i-ll-go-that/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/when-i-moved-to-los-angeles-i-thought-whatever-hits-i-ll-go-that/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```