Starring Tyler James Williams, Trevor Jackson and Coco Jones, the Disney Channel Original Movie, LET IT SHINE, is all about making music and pursuing your dreams. The movie airs on Family Channel this Friday and we got a chance to chat with Tyler James Williams (EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS)!
In what way are you similar to your character, Cyrus DeBarge?
I think that everybody feels some sort of insecurity and I think that’s the core emotional thing that’s happening with Cyrus in this movie. I was able to tap into that pretty easily. I think anyone who’s ever done music is always questioning if other people think it’s good. That’s one thing that he deals with and that’s something that I’ve dealt with—finding that confidence.
What was your favourite scene to film in LET IT SHINE?
There’s this scene when we first come in to the club. I’m not actually in the scene, but it was so much fun to watch as they were shooting it with all the dances and the rap battle.
What was it like working with Trevor Jackson and Coco Jones?
It was great! I love working with the new, fresh faces out there that we’re not necessarily used to seeing in the industry.
Did you ever have any vocal lessons or is rap just something that comes naturally?
Nothing vocally. [My brothers and I], we’re all musicians, so we definitely all had training.
What was the best part about being on the set of LET IT SHINE?
I would say just the creative atmosphere. You rarely find these projects where you can combine all these aspects of your creative being. We had so much music going on, and dance and acting just that atmosphere for a creative person is so stimulating.
Did you get to write any of your own songs for the movie?
I did not. That’s actually one of the things that I really loved about it, which is that it was so well written. I didn’t even want to try and do anything to it, because it was so good!
What’s your favourite part about your job?
My favourite part about my job is becoming another person and just building that person from scratch: their mannerisms, the way they talk and how they feel about the lines they’re not even saying. That, to me, excites me regularly.
Which celebrity do you look up to?
It’s really hard picking one, but I would have to say Will Smith because of the longevity of his career and how he’s diversified and shown his range as an actor.
What advice would you give to any young actor trying to break into the industry of TV and film?
I would say just do it constantly. Opportunities will open themselves up for you if you work hard. With practice you get better, you really challenge yourself and opportunities will naturally open themselves up to you.
Thank you, Tyler James Williams! Catch LET IT SHINE when it premieres this Friday, June 15 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Family Channel.
(Images courtesy of Family Channel)