Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin David.
Hi Justin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
With acting, I started my career in 2016- when I moved to Georgia from Tallahassee Florida. I’m originally from Illinois but lived in Florida from 2008-2016. I went to high school, graduated, dabbled with college, and eventually just started working for different companies mainly in Sales. I had always wanted to be an actor since I was about 6 years old, but because of the cultural stigma around being in the arts as a South Indian; a Mallu, also being one of the first in my family to be born and raised in America- the idea of chasing your dreams and cultivating “passions” was absolutely ludicrous. Even in the church I went to growing up- it’s an Indian Pentecostal church, we had to keep it a secret if we went to a movie theater or talk anything related to the arts. In high school, I was an avid guitarist. I played in a few bands with a few of my brothers from Florida, and somewhere along the lines- after I graduated high school I just didn’t feel the fire that I once had with music. I ended up getting really into fitness. I dropped 100lbs, was in a relationship with the girl I thought was the girl of my dreams (my first girlfriend EVER), which that in itself was also taboo to the Indian community; to date a girl?! Haha. Also, I dropped out of a community college I went to in Tallahassee, Tallahassee Community College. I always lived by the idea that if I’m going to go to school, get into enormous debt, and study- it’s going to be in a field that requires a college education. I was too afraid to go to a performing arts school mainly because I had so much fear that my family would get ridiculed or have their name be tarnished by other family members and the Indian community because gossip is so real with Indian people. It’s the realest. Also, my dad- specifically- despised at the time my wants and wishes to pursue anything of this nature because for one- he and mom came from India first from both of their families to America (Like the majority of Asian American families here), to have better opportunities and start a family, and be able to live a different life than what they lived in India; for my brother and I. And of course, the uncertainty and lack of security at any literal given moment as a performer in any regard is so volatile. To top it off, my grandparents and uncles and aunts from my dad’s side work in the education field in India. So if you haven’t figured out yet, I brought a whole new level of stress to my family, ha!
When I played music, I taught myself the majority of what I know. I took 4 years of guitar at my high school and learned how to read sheet music and understand theory to an extent. It’s the same practice I brought to acting when in 2016 when I decided to dive into it.
I dove into acting right off the bat, came near-drowning on multiple occasions, like many actors. I decided at a point very early on that I wasn’t going to hold a stable job or have a part-time job- not out of ego or to say I didn’t have a job and pridefully stand on some rock, it’s because no matter what, whenever I got an audition, or I was shooting a short with students, or whatever- it somehow always conflicted with the job I had. My last “real” job was at Wells Fargo. I actually have a video of me talking to my camera by myself as I was driving to work, and I was telling myself I’m not going to do this anymore. It was quite dramatic at the time, but it’s kind of cool to look back on.
I know most people and Casting directors, and everyone who is anyone preaches about taking classes and whatnot to continually grow as an actor. I kind of have an issue with that statement. I learned what I know, a lot on my own. From working for free. On student projects, short films, I even worked on one of my first movies I ever did- for free. The only time I really made money super early on, was from doing stand-in work. Classes are super expensive at times, many are coaches that try to push a certain style of acting on to you- than really understanding how you work, and then building from there. And also- these classes are only a few times a week; for me I had to do something almost every day to keep sharp and practice. Much of my practice came from helping other students and other filmmakers make their movie. My first demo reel was comprised of terrible audio, film that looked like it was shot out of a potato, editing that was questionable, and acting that matched the rest of the production quality of my reel- everything looked like it was practice, because so many of the people I worked with early on, were practicing too in their own respective craft.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m still a puppy in this industry, I’m still trying to get better at this literally every day. I found a coach in the UK who is also a director- who I prefer to work with because I need a director-type coach, rather than someone who tells me to surface the trauma I felt from 9 years ago to bring life to a character. No disrespect to coaches that do that, I see how it works for others. It just doesn’t blow my skirt up.
from 2016-2021, I did everything from Background, Stand In, photo doubing, to doing Co Stars, supporting leads and a lot of the less pivotal characters in the script, and then landing my first lead, amongst Reba Mcentire, John Schneider, Candice King, and Norm Lewis- in “Reba Mcentire’s Christmas In Tune”. This was an absolute dream come true, and one of the least expected jobs that I thought I would ever do. I never thought I’d ever do a Christmas movie, let alone work on an entire movie with a cast of tv/film/broadway legends, and then there’s me. One of my favorite genre’s of film are RomComs. To be able to get to have a part in this story and play a character that’s different than anything I have ever done- it was one of the greatest feelings ever. It reinstated that I need to trust my gut more, and to not let the “noise” change the path I’m on. And that noise at times do come from my fellow thespians and artists.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not. I don’t think the road will ever be “smooth”. Which is totally fine, I want to be able to do what I love, grow and make an impact before there’s no air left in my lungs. Here’s to hoping to changing the world baby! Haha. One of the biggest hurdles is getting over and accepting that rejection is guaranteed and knowing that I have to bring 100% into anything I do, and then eventually letting it go. That one is still hard for me. Going months without working takes a toll mentally, emotionally, and of course financially. What’s even tougher is knowing all of that, and still working for free sometimes because at the end of the day- you gotta love this to really do this. Truly. Stability?Fame? Fortune? Or train your butt off to be really good at what you do one day- and sacrifice it all? I apologize for the dramatic nature of how that sounds, but it’s my way of thinking.
Another big hurdle I sometimes deal with, are really knowing who is there for you and who is not. There are some people in this industry and outside of this, that are there for you when there’s nothing going on and they feel some kind of power by being around people that aren’t doing as much as them. But the moment anything that brings me joy in this industry comes around, it’s almost as if they disappeared. Or you can hear the salt in their voice when they interact with you again. It’s one of the strangest things honestly. I’m a massive cheerleader for my homies. I love seeing them eat. Not literally eating, but you know- I like seeing them happy and accomplishing things and doing what they love. I go all out sometimes. I know how much it means to have a supportive group of friends and family. But sometimes, feeling like you have to dim your light to make others comfortable, it’s a weird mixture of emotions. Don’t get it confused, I know at times you feel like your life is so silent, when everyone else’s lives are so loud. But that doesn’t mean someone should take away from that person’s joy because your feelings are coming from a place of lack and even jealousy.
Big hurdle was relationships. My relationship with my family was tough for a while. And even in romance. I was with another actress in Atlanta for some time. It was tough. Being in my mid-twenties, seeing so many of my friends get their careers, buying homes, opening businesses, getting married, having kids on purpose; where I for a while was cruising along, sending in auditions, monitoring my bank account, shamefully living in my parent’s house for a bit, in a relationship and not feeling like I could amount to being who I needed to be and just not feeling good about myself almost everyday. I could barely talk to my own family at times and even some childhood friends from Chicago, just because I felt embarrassed of where I was at. I’ve come to learn now- you are always where you’re supposed to be no matter the circumstance, as long as you are being true to you. Not everything needs to make sense off the bat, just ride the waves for a bit.
This one is my pet peeve. I have been told “jokingly” before, and even in some serious circumstances, people saying I’m taking their jobs, or “they want your kind!” “they don’t want me because they want someone who looks like you, even when I am who I am!” “You’re a diversity hire”, etc, basically throwing shade. I never know how to properly respond to those things diplomatically. All I know is, I’m not stopping for anyone and I don’t care why anyone thinks I am taking “their” jobs. I’ve been busting my butt for years, sacrificed too much-I’m not taking anything away from anyone. Nor is anyone taking anything away from me. I won’t let that happen. I’m getting what’s mine, above all- I’m getting what I earned.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m an actor. I’ve done a few plays, some shorts, feature films, tv shows, commercials, a bunch of different things that involve me following what’s written on a script and performing in front of others on camera or on stage. Right now, I’m most proud of my upcoming Christmas movie. (Reba Mcentire’s Christmas In Tune, Premiering on Lifetime Nov. 26th! @8Pm ET) It’s my first lead! I play Troy Garrison, a captain in the army who meets Belle (Candace King) to try and get Belle’s parents (Reba and Schneider) to perform together for a Christmas Ball, honoring the troops. They haven’t performed together in years, so in the midst of getting that squared away, Troy and Belle end up having a love story of their own as the story progresses.
What sets me apart from others is that I’m unorthodox in my approach to many things in life. I don’t go a traditional or common route with almost anything. I don’t say this to be braggadocios, it’s what I’ve realized and learned about myself as I look back on my life thus far. I’m also an extremely hard worker. Talent is not in abundance with me, but I strive to work my tail off to learn and absorb as much as I can and do the best I can in everything. Especially if there’s even the slightest bit of my heart in it.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Living in Park City Illinois. We didn’t have much growing up, my folks STRUGGLED. Like, real bad, They always did everything they can to make my brother and I happy, regardless of the fact at times it seemed like the roof was caving in on us. But my favorite memory is Christmas time with my family when I was kid, and there was one year when we got Remote control cars and we had Jingle All The Way playing on TV, and family was on the phone, it was warm and cozy inside and there’s fresh snow outside, there’s some food in the kitchen on the countertop. You can smell whatever my mom was cooking fill the air with each breath you took, and it was yummy man. I love that memory just cause the vibe from that day as a kid was just so amazing. I miss those vibes.
Contact Info:
- Website: imdb.me/justindavid
- Instagram: @suitupjustin
- Facebook: facebook.com/justind3
- Twitter: @suitupjustin
