Talent to watch - Jalon Christian

Jalon, you are a rising star so tell us a little bit more about yourself.
I'm originally from Boston where I started in the industry and mostly print and commercial work. I loved it from the start - being on set, meeting new people, seeing an idea fully come to life, and all the people and work going into it. As I began exploring how I might be more likely to become an actor, I knew that was what I wanted to do with my life. We came to LA for a visit and I met my current manager and mentor Constance and I jumped in to learn all facets of the craft. Things were aligned with my mom's job so we could actually move over the country. As they say, make a decision when all the forces of the universe conspire and secure it.

Looking back on your role in A Journal for Jordan directed by Denzel Washington, how was that life changing experience? How did you land this coveted role?
Working with Mr. Washington was a dream come true. I had just gotten around old enough to watch his films when the first audition came. We broadcast in a self video and then I got the call every actor dreams of. I will forever cherish my very first meeting with the Director is with Mr. Washington. It was such an honor to be in the room with him. In addition, I told the true story of Jordan, so really wanted to honor him. I did a lot of emotional preparation that allowed me to just be real and be present during the audition.

You were also in the blockbuster film Black Adam. Tell us a little about the journey of how you got the role of "Hurut".
When I first auditioned for the role, I didn't even know what project it was for, but I definitely knew it was something big. I think the character's name was just "Young Held." We did the first audition via self-recording and then started the directing session on Zoom with Mr. Jaume, that was so much fun. I was actually in New York to do "A Journal for Jordan" and one night after filming we got the call I booked. I was so happy but still didn't know that much about the film or the role. We have A Journal for Jordan on a Saturday and flew to Atlanta this Sunday to start filming Black
Adam." We didn't get the script until we landed in Atlanta and I remember calling my manager and just yelling "I'm Shazam!!!" Every day on that set was a new adventure from the From the first shave of my head to learning a new language to doing my own stunts and then seeing it all come to life on the big screen Premiere after an epic red carpet took over Times Square was truly magical!

What was it like sharing the big screen with The Rock for this DC film?
First, it's huge! I obviously knew he was going to be big, but he's a very big man with a very big presence. Our scenes are quite vulnerable, and it was incredibly obvious how important this project was to The Rock, our actual shooting time had a high level of respect for the scenes and story. In between filming we would just chat and joke, which was fun to see him being able to slip in and out of character. It was clear to everyone working on the film also loved him. I remember I was there on a Friday and he did a big raffle and the PA won so they got a bunch of money to spend over the weekend. He's really nice and generous.

You're still at the beginning of your career, but you've already been part of some exciting Hollywood projects. Tell us the most exciting moment behind the scenes from each set you worked on.
I don't think I can choose one. First, there's the graveyard scene at the end of A Diary for Jordan, where my character makes a heartfelt speech to you
Audience. We shot the scenes, I don't even know how many times, but Mr. Washington did
would run through it and my emotions would build and build and then when it felt like i was at my peak he would just say "run it again" and we would now start the scene at the peak level we finished it just before. We were so locked in. And then when we finished the scene, it was the last shot of the whole movie and we finished it. So everyone hugged and cried, I had never experienced anything like that. Second, in Black Adam, my character Hurut dies in his father's arms (The Rock). I'd been shooting on these huge sets all week, with larger than life scenes, which seemed like hundreds of backing actors. And the director cleaned out all but the essential crew, and we spent a couple of hours just shooting our own intimate scene with a father who tragically loses his son in his arms. It was really powerful.

What advice would you give to other actors trying to establish themselves in
this industry?
It's a long game, not a sprint. I would say keep sharpening your sword and fall in love with the process of the craft. I've been fortunate to find an incredible tribe of actors and we meet up every week. We are very focused on the craft itself, the technique and the scene performance, but also work a lot to be fully present and open to whatever is intended for us. We are here to make each other better. We get involved and celebrate each other's success. One of the things I've worked on a lot is not to seek approval from others. In an industry that can seem like it's asking others to decide whether we're "good enough," I try to take every opportunity I get to discover new characters and tell authentic stories.

Congratulations, you're the youngest actor on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list this year! What was your reaction when you found out you made the list? What does it mean to you to be on this list?
I was shocked! It came out when I was in school and kids started calling me "Forbes". So I called my mother to see what it was all about. My PR team, Claudia Greene with Mayhem Entertainment PR nominated me and I was selected! It's such an honor to be among young entrepreneurs, producers, innovators. This gave me even more motivation to keep telling great stories and hope that my own story will inspire people around the world. Being a Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient definitely reminds me that I should approach everything I do with the utmost integrity and conviction.

What role or genre would you like to play?
I would very much like to play a role in Mr. Quentin Tarantino's 10th and final film. Our tribe studied his work closely. I love pulp fiction, so something like that Pop culture lines meeting black humor would be epic! As for the near future, I would really like to work as a series actress in a drama.

Which actor has inspired you the most throughout your career so far?
Who is your dream actor that you would like to work with one day?
Mr Denzel Washington. He really is an icon, and now that I get to direct him, I feel like I almost have to share the screen with him. As a director, he's sort of an "actor-director" in the sense that he would take notes but always leave them open ended with "or". whatever feels right to you." He also never called me "Jalon" on set, since it was always "Jordan" or "man of the house". Now that I've seen so many of his films, "Training Day" is mine all-time favorite, playing alongside Mr. Washington is my ultimate dream.

Photographer: Deihra Fhey

Creative Director: Claudia Greene (Mayhem Entertainment Public Relations)

Styling: Alex Fischerman and Claudia Greene