I love that you said that you’re growing with every single role, and you’re tapping into a new emotion, new memories, or even creating new realities. With this role in particular, Antony Robles’ story is so inspiring, what part of his story inspired you the most?
Jharrel: I would say his willpower, his mental drive. The reason we’re inspired by it is not just because he won, it’s because of how incredibly militant he was and how he persevered through everything. I can’t complain about nothing anymore, like if I’m too tired and I don’t wanna go to the gym I think of Anthony. I think “Well, would he be tired and I go to the gym?” He probably would be tired but he would still make it there. I trained with him for seven months, five days a week. I got to see his grit and his determination and I just want to take that and apply it to all aspects of my life. That sort of grit, that determination, that willpower, and the idea that I really can’t be stopped.
And it was also the headspace to always overcome whatever society has said you must be, where you fit in this box.
Jharell: Exactly.
So how do you ensure that live your life past the expectations of what society expects of you as a young Black man?
Jharrel: Just sticking to my word. Believing in me first. I have a lot of crutches in my life, my mother, friends, and even people on my team that I really truly care about and trust but at the end of the day, I have to trust in me first. That sounds a little selfish but it’s allowed me to be this selective and for you to compliment me the way you did in the beginning and say like “bang, bang, bang” – I’ve said being selective and saying no can be risky. Life moves on, finances and all these things exist so it’s a risk game to be like “no, no, no” but because I believe in myself it allows me to be in a room like this at the right times and in the right places, so I like just sticking to my word. That sounds like a cocky answer.
Not really!
Jharrel: Phew okay!
If you don’t trust and believe in yourself, then who’s going to trust and believe in you? You have got to be your own number-one fan before you get another.
