Today we’d like to introduce you to Jerome Hughes.
Jerome, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I go by the name Jaycee. I was born and raised in Chicago. I’d like to say I’ve had a pretty good life. I was adopted by an amazing family. Lived in Chicago, then my parents wanted us to have a better education so moved us all into the burbs. Bolingbrook/Plainfield area. In school, I was very much involved, sports like football, tennis, tried cross country but that didn’t work out at all. I was very involved in music. Choir, all the after school choirs, band, the school musicals, and theater. Fast forward a couple of years later, I moved to Georgia because my parents wanted to move wasn’t really keen on moving from the only place I’ve ever known, but I did. And it has its up and downs, but in the end, it worked out for me. At first, it didn’t. I started working jobs that I really didn’t like. I worked at a wear-house. Then, worked at six flags as a scare actor two years in a row and ended up at Walmart for a year. Although I didn’t care for it, I met some dope people that kept me there. I wasn’t happy, so one day, I just up and quit. I took a chance. Started driving for Lyft and it was cool but it wasn’t it. Until one of my friends hit me and told me about how he was doing extra work for these movies and shows around Atlanta. That was perfect because I’ve always wanted to do film also with music. So, I started doing it. As I was doing it, I noticed I was getting a lot of attention from a lot of people. To the point where I got to sing with my favorite artist, Ne-yo on the show, step up high water and ended up working on the show as a core student. And even getting a chance to sing for Brandy on the set of Star. And also, ended up working on how high 2 as a feature. You might have seen me in the room dancing alone with my shirt off, haha. Doing that while also going to school for audio engineering at SAE and it has been one of my favorite things.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been smooth sailing. I had my struggles. Quitting my job and not having constant pay coming in was a big thing.
Please tell us about your work.
Really just me getting myself out there and following my dreams and making them into reality.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Should I start over, no? I just wish I started earlier. Being my age, I think it’s a little bit harder. But luckily, with my personality, it works out here and there.
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