By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — Ten-year-old Kelvinte’ “K.T.” Barber, a fifth-grade honor student at John L. Ory Magnet School in LaPlace, enjoys a host of activities common to children his age, including skateboarding and playing football and video games.

One of his interests that isn’t as common, however, is something viewers can see for themselves this month when K.T. appears on a popular show and demonstrates just how much he loves to act.

K.T. was hand picked by a director to appear in an episode of “American Horror Story: Freak Show,” a show premiering in its fourth season Wednesday on FX. His episode is scheduled to air Oct. 22.

K.T., the son of Kevin and Bridgette Campbell of LaPlace, said he started acting around the age of 3 when he appeared in a commercial for Memorial Hospital. Campbell said a talent scout at a baby pageant discovered K.T. when he was 1.

Fast-forward seven years and many other commercial appearances later, K.T. said he was excited when his mom told him she had been contacted by an “American Horror Story” director to request his appearance in the show.

“My mom was really excited, and so was my grandma,” K.T. said of the director’s call. “It was pretty interesting to be on the set and learn.”

Campbell said she was contacted via email from a director about a month ago, and on Sept. 22 K.T. traveled to Westwego to film his spot on the show.

K.T. said his favorite part of the experience was being on the set and learning about how television shows are made.

“There were a lot more cameras than I thought there would be,” K.T. said, adding the experience of filming the show definitely made him want to appear in more television shows.

K.T. and his mom traveled to New Orleans Wednesday to audition for a role in a movie starring Halle Berry, and Campbell said she will continue to cultivate her son’s love for performing.

K.T., who serves as a co-anchor in JLO’s morning announcement television show, said he thinks he would be interested in acting when he’s an adult. If not, he said he really loves taking care of pets and might want to be a veterinarian.

When it comes to memorizing lines or preparing for an audition, K.T. said his mom helps him prepare for whatever challenge lies ahead.

“Everyone said I’m a lucky child because she likes doing extra things with me,” K.T. said with a smile.

JLO Principal Christal Sylvain said K.T. is an amazing student who continues to be a well-rounded child.

“He’s a good role model inside and outside of the school,” she said. “I’m very proud to have a student like him (at John L. Ory).”

K.T., who is a staple of the school’s honor roll, said he loves to study math in school.

“It makes me feel good when I figure something out,” he said.

For any of his peers thinking about acting or pursuing any other dream, K.T. had simple advice.

“Be yourself,” he said. “It’s important because if you’re not yourself people might find your real self more interesting than the person you’re trying to be.”