Intro: Are you ready to change your habits, sculpt your destiny, and light up your path to greatness? Welcome to the epicenter of transformation. This is Mick Unplugged. We'll help you identify your because so you can create a routine that's not just productive, but powerful. You'll embrace the art of evolution, adapt strategies to stay ahead of the game, and take a step toward the extraordinary.
So let's unleash your potential. Now here's Mick.
Mick Hunt: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another exciting episode of Mick Unplugged where we go deeper than your why and talk about your because, that thing that fuels you into being the person that you are. And today, I have a very special guest. He's a rising star in the entertainment industry known for his versatility and captivating performances. With a growing portfolio of film and television credits, he continues to impress audiences with his talent and dedication. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh's own, the talented, Jaden Lucas Miller.
Jaden Lucas Miller: I'm doing good. How about you?
Mick Hunt: I'm doing great, my man. I'm doing great. So let's get into it. What inspired you to pursue acting?
Jaden Lucas Miller: What inspired me to pursue acting was through my imagination, my creativity, my entertainment talents. Much my mother saw at a young age in me just by me posing in random clothes. I could be running around the house naked or something. And when I was younger, just, you know, like this and that, be entertaining, and I love to dance. It's just that bug in me.
Mick Hunt: I love it, man. And so growing up in Raleigh, it's not like entertainment capital of the world. So I know this probably wasn't easy. Right? So I think if I remember right, was it 5 or 6 years old you kinda started?
Jaden Lucas Miller: 5 years old. Yes.
Mick Hunt: 5 years old. So how did you get into it? Because, like I said, I know it's not easy. It wasn't easy.
Jaden Lucas Miller: It's not easy. Yes. My mother originally got me into it, searching around networking. She did her own networking herself. You know, Riley is not major. Well, North Carolina is not really big on the acting, so there's not many agents to go to. However, she did find one in Hickory, North Carolina, which is the Brock agency. That's the one that I started out with. And going up and leveling not leveling up and to downplay Brock Agency. No. She helped us up with a lot and just understanding what the business is. But it's a journey and it's a process doing here in North Carolina. Like I said, she was networking and then found modeling. I was doing modeling, got into that, and then we eventually found friends. We still have relationships with them today, and now we're starting to understand that, okay, this such such person will know this such and such person. So it's an ongoing domino effect into knowing different people and then to answer your question, found agents, casting
Mick Hunt: calls. Good stuff. And you've made it look easy, but I know it hasn't been easy. Right? Like, I know that there's challenges that you face and you're a rising superstar. But what are some of the challenges that you face starting out in the industry?
Jaden Lucas Miller: That's a very good question. Like, there's a lot of challenges, but, like, I wanna point out the main key ones. I would say just me understanding myself and at a younger age, you don't really understand yourself to know, like, okay. What do I do next? What do I do this? And it's mainly your parents or your agents or your managers that do that for you. So I say, from my perspective, my challenge is listening and understanding what's coming from my parent, which is my mom. She knows best. And knowing that you can't get frustrated because everything is a process and everybody's learning along the way in which my mother is learning from me. So if I do have an idea, it's okay to say it, but I just know how to stand my ground. And I the challenge I don't know if that answers the questions, but the challenge, I would say, would be learning how to communicate, learning how to listen, like I said before. So communication and listening, learn how to brand yourself is the best thing.
Mick Hunt: That's awesome. One of the things that I appreciate about you the most is your preparation. And at a young age, I can tell that you take pride in your craft. So for the listeners and viewers out there, how do you prepare for a role, especially one that could be demanding?
Jaden Lucas Miller: I would take from my experiences and what other people have experienced as they tell me about their life and their back stories and may also relate with the character that is brought to my attention. I'm able to then and again relate from experiences and other people's experience. And just to know that, how would somebody else feel if they were in issues? Like, if you look at other people and look at their standpoint in life and their stature and how they get there and how they explain it and fully go in detail how they emotionally feel and just bring my vulnerability to that and then be able to create and really go in deep and hone in on it and then hold it. You know, just release it out into the character.
Mick Hunt: That's awesome. So let's talk about your latest project, man. Not another church movie. Out on Amazon right now.
Jaden Lucas Miller: Yes. It is.
Mick Hunt: Tell me about how you got the role. What's been some cool things? You're on there with some freaking rock stars, like the rock star that you are. It's an amazing cast. Like, let's talk about that film a little bit.
Jaden Lucas Miller: Talk about the film. It's a very comedic film. It's comedic. The genre's comedic. It's a parody. It was very fun to shoot. I mean, it's pretty much to sum it all up. What it's about is about Tyler Ferry. He's given the vision from God to help his community while the devil tries to intervene in not allowing him to pretty much do that by setting him up with challenges and people in his family going through different things, and he's having to navigate to help bring them to the light and help them see that they have a purpose on this planet. They have a purpose in doing things. Even though it is funny, you may not really understand that, but after you leave the movie theater, I kinda want you guys to envision that, like, wow. Okay. So this such person did this. This such person with this. So there must have been a way that they figured it out.
Mick Hunt: I love it. So in shooting that film, like, what's a memorable moment that you have in just either being on set, seeing maybe some of your role models for the first time, like, what's a memorable moment that stands out for you?
Jaden Lucas Miller: The memorable moment that I would say the first day I walked on set, and we're shooting the scene. It was a kitchen scene with me and Kyla Pratt, which she played my mother. And Kyla Pratt came to the room. She was like, you must you playing my son? I was like, she knows who I am. Like, she I mean, like, the doors literally was open, and she came right in and looked directly at me. I was like, Yeah. I did not expect you to know who I was. So it was like, that was a big excitement. I would say, like, a big peak excitement. Like, wow. Okay. I belong here. That's it was very much of belonging.
Mick Hunt: That's awesome. So now that you've got this movie out, it's only gonna continue to rise from here. So how is Jaden gonna stay grounded?
Jaden Lucas Miller: My mother talks about that every day, and I try to go deep into that question, get my answer from that. By staying grounded is by knowing that this is not it. If I want to pursue, I have to keep setting goals for myself and, like, okay, what do I wanna accomplish today? And building it brick by brick each day by going to admin classes, looking at different plays, looking at my auditions more, and keep honing in on the craft and reading and doing and researching as much as I can, learning about my mental health, learning about myself, and learning about other people, I'm able to then again bring it to another character and help fulfill that character's fulfillment in life and their purpose in their life by me just being a great human being. And, yeah, that's to really sum it all up. It's just me being a great human being too is the most grounding part.
Mick Hunt: I can tell you you've been raised right, brother. I can tell you've been raised right. So give mom a big pat on the back for me for sure. That's awesome.
Jaden Lucas Miller: Yep. Mhmm.
Mick Hunt: You brought up something I'm really passionate about and that I speak a lot about, which is mental health. Why is mental health important to Jaden, and what are some of the things that you do to protect your mental health?
Jaden Lucas Miller: Why mental health is so important to me is because it's a gateway to success. If you begin to understand what your mental health can do for you in the future from now, you begin to understand that, okay, if I change the way I think, if I change the way I look at this negative impact on me, I could change to a positive and be able to help someone that is going through the same thing and relate them to it. You'd be able to both succeed because you've changed the mentality of how you think. And I would like to be an advocate to that as well as I've gone through things in my life. Answering your second question, I've gone through things in my life dealing with, you know, racism and being in, predominantly white school and also dealing with acting. And it is a maturing stage in your life where I'm going through it now where I'm 18. I'm not a kid actor anymore. It's more of a okay. Now you are a young man. You are starting to understand that you have to make your own decisions. You have to now understand who you are, and that's outside of anybody's career. It's not an easy thing as you may have different perspectives on things, and you have to encounter it and go head on, and it's not easy.
Mick Hunt: You were wise beyond your years, man. That was an amazing response, an amazing answer for sure. What are some of your long-term goals, both personally and professionally? So why don't we start personally? Like, what are some of your long-term goals on a personal level?
Jaden Lucas Miller: My long-term goals on a personal level, I would say, is to make sure I'm giving back, making sure I'm understanding what I'm truly here for, what is my purpose, what am I most passionate about, and which is acting in track and field and school and all that. But what am I really here to do? It's like every day I'm asking myself that question. And the more and more I keep accepting the challenges, I get to understand, okay, wow. I learned something from this. Wow. I can now go tell a young individual that maybe has the same upbringing as me or maybe has a different perspective, and I can help them change their perspective. It's understanding that they have a talent, and they think you're passionate about that talent, and don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something because that's their perspective. That's their opinion.
Mick Hunt: Love it. And then what about professionally? What are some of your goals professionally?
Jaden Lucas Miller: My professional goals, I would say, is to be a catalyst. Yes. Entrepreneur. Everybody says that we're nowadays. I would say, yeah, entrepreneur. But to really be a source of, like, outreach to help people to understand that your life is your life. You live it how you wanna live it, but why not live it to the best that you can and dream big instead of dreaming small? Because you live one life, so why not just dream big as possible and help understand that you can accomplish anything you want as long as you have your mind straight and your mind is set on what you truly want to do?
Mick Hunt: Again, wise beyond your years, Jaden, I'm very impressed with you, man. And you've got a fan for life, so I want you to know that. Who were some of your role models as you were growing up?
Jaden Lucas Miller: I would say Denzel Washington. I would say everybody. Yep. Denzel Washington. You know, he's like, yeah. You know? His roles. He's just so demanding. He knows how to capture somebody in a scene by just looking at them, and this is like, wow. I'm very gravitate to where it seemed like I wanna just know what's next. And he brings that to each and every role, and it just sells. He's a blockbuster. You know, a movie blockbuster to where, like, you put him in a movie, and he's just like, man, like, he is it's gonna live on. This movie's gonna live on for history. And that's the type of actor I would like to be. You know, he is Denzel and I, me, and I have to say that to myself every day because I can't go into the roles like he does. You know, I'm from Mount Vernon. You know? Like, I've heard about a lot of us as a complete different background. So another issue too where, like, I can't relate myself to other people, but they have a blueprint. And I always say to everybody else, they have a blueprint that why not? Can I not follow it? They've been what what they're doing. So why not just be as big as them and be able to shake their hand one day and be like, well, we're gonna go work today. You know? That's a dream come true for me.
Mick Hunt: That's amazing. That's amazing. So for an aspiring actor, so someone that's looking to get into the industry, what advice would you have for them?
Jaden Lucas Miller: You're gonna have a peak in valleys with auditions, and you're gonna have issues where you don't know how to communicate this certain way because you may not understand in that moment, but that moment is just temporary. You have a lot of years to understand what just happened in your past or in that moment that you're experiencing. So just keep dreaming, keep looking forward, and keep looking at, man, I wanna play this such character one day. And somebody may say, no, you cannot. Forget what you say. I wanna play this type of character, you know, and just accept the fact that everybody's gonna have the opinion. And it's not hatred. It's just because it's just their opinion. You can't change what they what they say about you. Really, what I would say, just change the narrative how you think and understand who you are.
Mick Hunt: That's awesome. That's not even for aspiring actors. I think that's for people in general, man. I applaud you for that. Like, that's some great advice right there. Good stuff. Thank you. Good stuff. Any upcoming projects that you're excited about?
Jaden Lucas Miller: Yes. I have a couple auditions I've auditioned for, and I know I'm gonna hear back from them. That's just how I think all the time. And I have this short film that I just filmed. It's called Strands that should be releasing soon. I don't know when. Hope the director would text me right after we finish this, you know, say like, wow. Oh, wow. It's starting out. So I can send it to you, but look after that. You can follow me on Instagram, and I'll be posting about that. But what it's about, it's about two parents that used to be in the home, married, but we don't know what happened to the father. It's a short film. And I play the son, which has to deal with the father not being there as he grows up and the mother is end up struggling with cancer. Into perspective, like, with someone that has a parent that's going through something, and how would the child feel? That's the type of perspective I want people to leave with. Like, wow. Okay. How would I feel if my mother was told that she's gonna be living for a certain amount of time, and she might, you know, die tomorrow. And that's not something to just play with. So it was a very emotional role that I had to really dive into, and I didn't really have to just dive into it. Like, I was just thinking, like, man, I wanted my mother to just pass away. And then, like, what we want so many years to live with her and this and that, but I would say just keep on a lookout for that.
Mick Hunt: Alright. Good stuff. And so you brought up Instagram. So what are your handles so I can make sure I put it in the messages so everybody can follow you?
Jaden Lucas Miller: Yes. So my Instagram is Jaden Miller 05. My Twitter is Jaden Lucas Mill 05. My Facebook is Jaden Lucas Miller. So all of them pretty much have Jaden Lucas Miller. If you just type in that Instagram box, you should be able to find it. And I do have a YouTube channel where I talk about my mental health and my experiences as well, and I try to vlog it as much as I can.
Mick Hunt: Every listener, every follower of Mick Unplugged, if you don't do anything else for me at a minimum, go follow Jaden's YouTube channel. You all know that I'm a big proponent and advocate of mental health and so is Jaden. And so do both of us a favor and go listen to the wisdom that Jaden's providing over there. And not just wisdom, but also advice and input and things that you can put into your life. So, Jaden, I appreciate you for that.
Jaden Lucas Miller: Thank you. Yes, sir.
Mick Hunt: Now rapid fire. Get you out of here on two questions. UNC or Duke?
Jaden Lucas Miller: UNC.
Mick Hunt: Perfect.
Jaden Lucas Miller: Yeah. I must be a UNC fan today even though I got green on. So it's like, why going green should have wore blue? Yeah. I would say you would see. Yeah.
Mick Hunt: Thank you. The Tar Heels, we appreciate you. And then 400, is that your event?
Jaden Lucas Miller: People say it's the 800, but I'm preferably more of a 400 guy because I don't feel like going around the track twice. But the 800 is my bread and butter, so I will just stay with it, I guess.
Mick Hunt: Alright. Good stuff. Brother, I appreciate you being on. Anytime you wanna come back on the show, you just let me know. I got you covered.
Jaden Lucas Miller: Thank you so much for this opportunity for expressing me.
Mick Hunt: Absolutely. And for all the listeners, remember your because is your superpower. The one reason.
Intro: Thanks for listening to Mick Unplugged. We hope this episode helps you take the next step toward the extraordinary and launches a revolution in your life. Don't forget to rate and review the podcast, and be sure to check us out on YouTube at Mick Unplugged. Remember, stay empowered, stay inspired, unplugged.
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