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What was the audition process like?
I did multiple self-taped auditions. Then I did a chemistry read in LA with the guys. But not only did I have to read lines, I had to do a basketball test as well. They didn’t want actors that didn’t know how to hoop. They wanted hoopers. So I went out there and really hooped.
Tell me something I don’t know about working with Wood Harris, who plays your father (Dru Joyce II) in the film.
That he’s the rizz God. He has all this swag that’s out of this world. He’s the best. Wood is a super down-to-earth, grounded dude. He’s one of the GOATs of the industry and he’s doing his thing right now. He’s a student and teacher of the industry and his craft.
Is there any advice that he’s given that’s stuck with you?
There have been so many different conversations that we have had. One thing that he did say was just that even if you’re not actively trying to get better at acting, you will, because the sets that you’re on and the people that work with—you’re going to be able to take it in and automatically become a student even if you don’t realize it.
Tell me something I don’t know about the biggest risk you’ve ever taken for a role.
For the Shooting Stars auditions, I had to cut my facial hair. Usually you don’t cut your facial hair for an audition, you cut it when you get the part. But I wanted to do the part, so I went in and showed him how Dru is gonna look.
Tell me something I don’t know about your most memorable fan encounter.
I was in Paris when I was about 15, 16 years old. I was on a press tour for Stranger Things. Fans were waiting outside our hotel all night—I think they even slept outside that night. There was one girl in particular who we wanted to say hi to because we noticed her waiting all day. We hopped out of the van to take a picture, but she grabbed Gaten [Matarazzo] out of the van and gave him a nice bear hug, and even picked him up off the ground.
