What Happens When You Don’t Quit
Kevin Fredericks—known to millions as KevOnStage—knows what it feels like to chase a dream that seems just out of reach. Today, he’s touring the country with his comedy show, filming a commercial, and kicking off a new series with TBS. His BET comedy series, Churchy, is gearing up for its second season this summer.
Kevin Fredericks, known as KevOnStage, performs during his Life from the Back Pew Tour. In the clip, he shares an impromptu comedic moment with friends Chance and Tabitha Brown.
But there was a time when his dream felt more like a an impossibilty.
In a recent Instagram post, Fredericks opened up about his corporate days at Boeing—sitting in a cubicle, feeling stuck, and wondering if his dream of a creative career would ever come true.
“God, if you’re not going to let me do this,” he prayed, “then take the desire away.”
But the desire didn’t leave. It stayed with him through setbacks, doubts, and the tough lessons—like the day he accidentally left a stand-up flyer in the office copy machine, and his manager found it.
The Reality of Chasing Dreams
“You just might get it all,” Fredericks said. “And I don’t want you to stop. Because if I had stopped, I wouldn’t be here today.”
It’s not easy to chase a dream. Sometimes, it feels safer to stick with what’s comfortable—to avoid the risk of failure. But as Fredericks put it:
“You’re going to have to be crazy. You’re going to have to be delusional. You’re going to have to ignore people who tell you not to do it. A lot of people choose safety over chasing dreams. But if you don’t try, you can’t succeed either.”
That’s the reality. Progress isn’t comfortable. Risk is always scary. And dreaming takes more faith than most people realize.
It Won’t Be Perfect, But It’ll Be Worth It
Even now, Fredericks hilariously admits that success isn’t a perfect package.
“The abs have not come in yet, nor the muscles. And I’m bald. So you know what I’m saying? Everything don’t come, you feel me. But a lot of things will.”
The dream might not look exactly how you pictured it. Some things might never fall into place. But if you stay the course, a lot of things will.
Celebritiy Co-Signers
Fredericks’ honesty resonated with people who know exactly what it feels like to hope for more—and keep going.
- Erica Campbell (Grammy-winning gospel singer): “What a beautiful testimony! And I can agree 1000% that if you stay faithful to the dream and fight for it, God will blow your mind!!”
- Amber Riley (actress and Grammy-nominated singer): “I am right here. I receive it. Thanks Kev 🙏”
- Sterling K. Brown (Emmy-winning actor, currently starring in Hulu’s Paradise): “Yessir!!!”
Their reactions reflect something universal: When someone is living the dream, odds are that they had to once believe in the vary dream before it became a reality.
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The Takeaway
Fredericks’ story goes beyond simply breaking into entertainment. His journey illustrates breaking through fear, chasing something that feels impossible, and believing it will all be worth it.
Keep dreaming. Keep fighting. Don’t stop. Because one day, you might find yourself living a life you once thought was out of reach—and realize it was worth every risk and every late night wondering if it would ever happen.
