Kelsey Maskell Delivers Nuance and Strength in the World of Vertical Drama Shorts

Kelsey Maskell didn't set out to become a face of vertical drama, but her early leap into the rising format has made her one of its most recognized talents, blending grounded performances with the high-energy storytelling that keeps millions of fans watching.

Kelsey Maskell is making her mark in the fast-growing world of vertical drama shorts, bringing both uniqueness and strength to a genre many are only beginning to understand.

Kelsey Maskell on set, posted on October 22, 2025. | Source: Instagram/kelseyannmaskell

Kelsey Maskell's Journey from South Dakota to the Spotlight

Originally from South Dakota, Maskell grew up on a horse ranch before moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting. She discovered vertical dramas early in her career, auditioning for a role shortly after arriving in LA. At the time, she admitted, she didn’t know what vertical dramas were.

"I had no idea what vertical dramas were at first," she said. But she adapted quickly, figuring it out on set. Her first project in the format came in June 2023.

Kelsey Maskell riding a horse, posted on July 24, 2024. | Source: Instagram/kelseyannmaskell

From First Audition to 31 Vertical Dramas and Counting

Since then, Maskell has built an impressive résumé. She has starred in 31 vertical dramas and counting. Her credits include titles like "Billionaire CEO's Obsession," "Beautiful Mistake," "Don't Mess with the Blind Heiress," "My Secret CEO," "My Dear Daughter, Love Me Once More," and "Bullied the Wrong Brain." Her favorite so far is "My Political Nemesis I Can't Resist."

Maskell describes the environment on set as fun and full of camaraderie. "We laugh so hard in between takes a lot of the time because the scenes we're filming are just so comedic," she shared. For her, the experience is about more than acting — it's about building memories with cast and crew.

Kelsey Maskell on set, posted on May 9, 2024. | Source: Instagram/kelseyannmaskell

Tapping into Global Trends and Entertainment Shifts

Still, Maskell hopes that vertical dramas earn more respect in the entertainment world. She sees the genre as a serious storytelling opportunity, especially in a time of industry uncertainty.

"The truth is, we're in a moment where the entertainment industry is kind of in crisis — budgets are tight, big projects are slower to greenlight — and meanwhile, this whole vertical space is exploding," she explained.

Kelsey Markell on set, posted on February 7, 2025. | Source: Instagram/kelseyannmaskell

What Are Vertical Drama Shorts and Why Are They Booming?

Vertical dramas originated in China and took off during the COVID-19 pandemic. The format, shot vertically to fit smartphone screens, is now a global trend. Analysts predict the vertical drama market will grow into a $14 billion industry by 2027.

Apps like ReelShort, ShortTV, DramaPops, and FlexTV are helping to fuel the boom. ReelShort, in particular, has become a breakout hit. Since launching in 2022, it has been downloaded more than 30 million times and even surpassed TikTok as the top entertainment app in the U.S. Apple App Store.

Maskell sees even more potential ahead. "There's this huge opportunity to surprise people with what vertical storytelling can be, and I hope more creators start to lean into that," she said.

A portrait of Kelsey Maskell, posted on July 19, 2024. | Source: Instagram/kelseyannmaskell

With her growing body of work and clear passion for the format, Maskell is helping lead the charge — proving that vertical dramas can be both fun and meaningful in today's changing entertainment landscape.