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Emily Gately | Source: instagram/emilygateley
Emily Gateley on Acting, Persistence, and Finding Success in Vertical Dramas
Years of training, independent films, and survival jobs helped shape Emily Gateley's path as an actor. Today, the "The Encore of Us" star is among the performers helping define the vertical drama genre.
Emily Gateley's path to becoming a working actor did not happen overnight. Years before earning a Best Lead Actress in a Drama nomination at the 2025 Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards for her role as Amelia in "The Encore of Us," she was balancing auditions with day jobs, building credits in independent films, and working toward a goal she had set for herself as a teenager.
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Today, Gateley is one of the most recognizable faces in vertical dramas, with dozens of lead roles to her name. But her journey began long before the genre took off.
From Washington State to Los Angeles
Gateley grew up in Washington State, where she spent much of her childhood dancing competitively and riding horses. Her interest in performing eventually led her into modeling, which opened the door to acting opportunities.
Although she participated in a few school plays, she described herself as shy growing up and initially felt more comfortable expressing herself through dance. That changed when she performed her first monologue and discovered a passion for acting.
As a teenager, she decided she wanted to pursue acting professionally. She recalled saying:
"This is going to be my career. I'm going to go to LA. I'm going to be an actor."
Two weeks after graduating from high school, she moved to Los Angeles to begin building that career.
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Learning the Craft
Soon after arriving in Los Angeles, Gateley began training with acting coach Kimberly Jentzen, whom she credits with helping shape her development as a performer.
Over the next several years, she built experience through independent films, short films, and television projects. Her credits included Disney+'s "The Quest," where she played Mila, as well as films such as "Burn It All," "The Family Ornaments," "They Don't Cast Shadows," and "Aberdeen."
Recognition followed along the way. She won Best Young Actress at the Independent Shorts Awards for "Run Rabbit, Run" and received an Audience Choice Award from the International Christian Film Festival for "They Don't Cast Shadows."
But like many actors, Gateley spent years balancing auditions with other jobs while trying to establish herself.
In a 2026 interview, she recalled working in restaurants, at an EDM club, and in other positions while pursuing acting opportunities. At one point, money was so tight that she joked she survived on "baby carrots and hummus," a combination she now associates with that period of her life.
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Finding a Home in Vertical Dramas
Gateley's first vertical drama was "Rebirth: The Revenge of Billionaire's Wife." At the time, the format was still relatively new, and she remembers being surprised by the vertical camera setup.
"I was like, why is the camera that way?" she recalled.
As the genre expanded, so did her involvement. She went on to appear in numerous series, including "The Heiress and Her Three Princes," "Will You Be My Love Again?," "The Art of Revenge," "Rejected Luna's Prince," "The Day You Came Back," and "My Poor Husband Is a Billionaire."
More importantly, the format provided something many actors spend years working toward. She said.:
"Vertical dramas have made me into a working actor."
After years of uncertainty, acting became her full-time profession.
She later described that achievement simply as "the dream."
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Bringing Amelia to Life in "The Encore of Us"
One of Gateley's most notable roles came in 2025 with "The Encore of Us."
The series follows Amelia, a young woman who accidentally causes her father's death while trying to protect Noah. To preserve Noah's future and musical ambitions, she conceals her pregnancy, pretends to have an affair, and ultimately spends seven years in prison.
The role earned Gateley a nomination for Best Lead Actress in a Drama at the 2025 Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards.
In her Vertical Drama Love interview, she recalled filming an emotionally intense confrontation scene opposite co-star Griffin Blazi, describing it as one of the most powerful experiences she had on a vertical drama set. The scene left her emotionally drained and required time afterward to decompress.
Emily Gateley and Griffin Blazi in "The Encore of Us"
Looking Ahead
As vertical dramas continue to evolve, Gateley hopes to see greater variety in the stories being told and more opportunities for creative collaboration.
She has already witnessed changes in the industry, including improvements in scripts, safety measures, and on-set support systems.
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Through it all, she remains focused on growth rather than arriving at a final destination.
When reflecting on her career, she often thinks about the teenager who dreamed of becoming an actor and moving to Los Angeles. That dream has become reality, but she still sees room to keep learning and improving.
"I hope that I haven't reached my final form and I hope that I never do," she said.
