BE ’ N ORIGINAL
for the fact that I was not and had not truly gone through it as well . Which again is perspective , right ? It ’ s all that we are trying to share in film .
Can you share with us how Michael Jackson ’ s death impacted you personally ? I think everyone knows where they were or the week . I listened to Michael Jackson ’ s music . I loved his music … I remember watching his funeral procession on the TV in New Zealand as a young man . I know where I was . And it was a real honor to be able to play that in this movie . And again , see it sort of come to life in the way it had affected so many people and the gift that was there in the music and the cultural shift in that .
What was it like to work alongside Jasmine Batchelor , who plays your sister Grace , in bringing the sibling dynamics to life ? Oh , wow . I wish she was here so I could take a little jab at her . But after that jab , I would tell you the truth , which is that it was an absolute pleasure . She is so well prepared . She comes in and we just get to play . I have so much respect for her , and she is just such a beautiful , kind human being … We just really , really clicked and we ’ ve stayed in contact , and we ’ ll catch up from time to time . And I just adore her .
The film received critical praise for its portrayal of blended families and the complexities they face . How did you personally connect with that theme ?
Well , I am a single father , and so I understand what it ’ s like to fortunately have a very healthy relationship with the mother of my daughter . And that takes a lot of work from both parties , making sure that the child ’ s or children ’ s best interest is at heart at all times . And that can be difficult because of our perspectives , pains , resentments , traumas , and all these things . It makes me so incredibly grateful for my daughter ’ s mother . Playing AJ makes me more aware of their home conflicts and relationship with their father . I understand the importance of always stepping into kindness in any way possible and checking myself because , you know , we can very easily think we ’ re right when we are wrong .
How did those how did you approach those moments where reality and memory seemed to merge for the characters ? That ’ s a that ’ s a tough one … Yeah , yeah , you stumped me . I love to talk and now I ’ m silent and thinking . I think that those parts of the script and story are the foundation of helping her to see my perspective . If we can approach someone and acknowledge something was a part of the shared experience , we can have the parts that allow us to find the ground of negotiation , if that makes sense , because you know it ’ s true for the both of you . But then from that truth of the reality , you then get the shared perspective .
BE ’ N ORIGINAL
URBAN | 75