Trevor Jackson plays Kris McDuffy in the Disney Channel Original Movie Let it Shine. When we talked with Trevor before the network premiere of the movie, he told us a little about himself and how he relates to his character:
Musical influences: Michael Jackson, not only because he's so musically talented but also because of the good message he had within his songs...Also Brian McKnight, Rascal Flatts, Donny Hathaway, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, the list goes on and on...
Acting influences: Denzel Washington, Joe Pesci, Sidney Poitier, Leonardo DiCaprio -- anyone who can do drastic changes from character to character.
Would you wear the clothes that your character Kris wears in the movie?
...overall, you could say, not really.
How are you like your character, Kris?
We're both very ambitious and go after what we want no matter what it is. We try and go one hundred percent. But, I'd say we're different in the fact that he's really kind of cocky and a little bit arrogant -- I hope I'm not like that...and we love to be the life of the party. We love having a good time.
If you had to be a different character in the film, who would you be?
Brandon's character, Lord of the Bling
What is the message of the film?
The main message is, which I think the world needs at this very time and is always needed, is people being unique, and being individual, and being who you are, and not letting anybody influence you unless it's for the better. And, like the movie says, let your light shine, because nobody's going to love you unless you love yourself.
So, just always be comfortable in your own skin, and just go for it.
What is it like to be a role model for kids?
I'm excited about being a role model or being a person of influence, because I feel like that's the only reason I'm doing what I'm doing. Whether it's singing, acting or dancing, I'm not really doing it for myself. I'm doing it for people who are watching me, and for people whose minds I could change for the better. The decisions I make can affect people who are watching me, and that's why I always try to make good decisions and always be the best that I can be.
In one word, how did you feel watching yourself in the movie for the first time?
Overwhelmed
Musical influences: Michael Jackson, not only because he's so musically talented but also because of the good message he had within his songs...Also Brian McKnight, Rascal Flatts, Donny Hathaway, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, the list goes on and on...
Acting influences: Denzel Washington, Joe Pesci, Sidney Poitier, Leonardo DiCaprio -- anyone who can do drastic changes from character to character.
Would you wear the clothes that your character Kris wears in the movie?
...overall, you could say, not really.
How are you like your character, Kris?
We're both very ambitious and go after what we want no matter what it is. We try and go one hundred percent. But, I'd say we're different in the fact that he's really kind of cocky and a little bit arrogant -- I hope I'm not like that...and we love to be the life of the party. We love having a good time.
If you had to be a different character in the film, who would you be?
Brandon's character, Lord of the Bling
What is the message of the film?
The main message is, which I think the world needs at this very time and is always needed, is people being unique, and being individual, and being who you are, and not letting anybody influence you unless it's for the better. And, like the movie says, let your light shine, because nobody's going to love you unless you love yourself.
So, just always be comfortable in your own skin, and just go for it.
What is it like to be a role model for kids?
I'm excited about being a role model or being a person of influence, because I feel like that's the only reason I'm doing what I'm doing. Whether it's singing, acting or dancing, I'm not really doing it for myself. I'm doing it for people who are watching me, and for people whose minds I could change for the better. The decisions I make can affect people who are watching me, and that's why I always try to make good decisions and always be the best that I can be.
In one word, how did you feel watching yourself in the movie for the first time?
Overwhelmed