My Students, the Movie Stars: an Interview with the Kids behind “Moonlight”

When I ditched my New York City desk job to become a middle school teacher at an under-resourced school in Miami, I had a variety of expectations.  Based on my own haunting middle school experience, I braced myself for everything from questionable school lunches and paper airplanes to red pen markings and the smell of Axe body spray. However, watching my own students become Hollywood celebrities in the feature film “Moonlight” (this year’s Best Picture) was certainly not on my list.

I can distinctly remember when Jaden Piner (who plays the role of Kevin) came to me in the beginning of the 2015 school year to tell me that he would be missing school the following week to begin shooting a small local film.  “What kind of excuse is that?”  I thought, “He’d better finish all of his make-up work.” Fast forward one year later and that small “local film” has just won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

After getting permission from their agents (you remember your agent from 7th grade, right?) I met with Alex (who plays the role of Chiron) and Jaden (Kevin) to ask them a few questions about their experience filming Moonlight and their journey into the Hollywood spotlight. Here’s what they had to say:

Thanks so much for joining me guys. To start off, what experiences have you had that inspired you to start acting?

Jaden: My first experience happened two or three weeks before 6th grade, I performed in a skit for my grandma’s sermon since she’s a preacher. I had never acted before but I decided to just be myself and act natural. People were laughing and crying in the crowd and I realized how much I loved it so I decided to apply for the drama program at Norland Middle.

Alex: I never really had any experiences with acting, I kind of just picked it up. Ever since I was in elementary school my mom always said I was too hyper, so we thought it was a good way to express myself.

How would your friends describe you? Natural born Hollywood actor?

Jaden: My friends would describe me as the funny light skinned one or the short one. They definitely don’t frame me as a movie star, they keep me regular and keep me humble. They would say I’m funny, always willing to try new things and hopefully that I’ve always been a good friend.

Alex: My friends would say I’m small, cool and funny. My friends have all treated me the same since all of this started, and to be honest, they have kept me grounded. It doesn’t matter where I’m at, an Oscar awards party, or sitting in class, they treat me the same no matter what.

Describe what it has been like to balance your role as a student and an up-and-coming actor?

Jaden: Balancing acting and school has been kind of hard: tons of late nights, auditions all of the time etc. Sometimes I stay up at night practicing for an upcoming role.  Some of my school is now online it’s much easier to balance now.

Alex: It was very hard at the beginning as we spent so much time filming and traveling. I felt like when ever I would come back to school with all of my make-up work, I would have to leave again and the cycle would start all over. Over time I learned how to balance things out, and I am very thankful for the role of my friends in supporting me.

Moonlight captures a Miami that is unfamiliar to an audience who expects the typical star-studded, glamorous perception of the city. Considering the Miami that you grew up in and what is portrayed in the film, what do you think is most special about Miami?

Jaden: The thing that is most special about Miami is the beauty and uniqueness of the neighborhoods. You can drive through any area and get a totally different kind of people and culture that you’re not going to find if you limit yourself to just thinking about the beach.

Alex: The people of Miami are the most special. The beaches and city are nice but without the people it wouldn’t truly be Miami. In Miami people are so expressive, just walk through Wynwood and look at the graffiti. In Miami they speak up for themselves and make their voices heard.

What would you want people to know about your community that other people might not know?

Jaden: I want people to know that Miami Gardens is not a bad neighborhood even though it could be seen that way. You see things on the news, shootings, robberies, fights but they don’t like to show the good things. There’s actually a lot of talent here and I’m glad that I can be proof of that and inspire others. When Moonlight came out people were asking me how they can start acting.

Alex: I want people to know that Miami Gardens is not just bad stuff just like Miami isn’t all about the beach and big buildings. Miami is actually very inspiring and full of leaders. I think that is why Moonlight is popular, because it makes the unseen, seen.

How can you relate to your on-screen character being that you’re both kids growing up in Miami?

Jaden: Kevin and I are both athletic. We both want to help other kids overcome their fears and feel comfortable, to be their true selves and not be shy.

Alex: I actually didn’t really grow up in Miami, I’m from New York City originally but Chiron is a lot quieter than me. There’s a lot of people getting bullied out there, luckily I haven’t experienced that too much but if I could say anything it’s that it’s got to stop.

What scene from the film impacted you the most?

Jaden: The scene where teenage Chiron hits the bully with the chair.  It shows that you can overcome your fears. 

Alex: The scene where Chiron is learning to swim impacted me the most because it showed that no matter what job you have or where you come from you can still help somebody. Juan (Mahershala Ali) taught me how to swim in the scene and even though he was a drug dealer he was still a good person. That scene proved to me that people are complicated.

What does your role in this film make you think about what you want to do next?

Jaden: I want to keep acting, I really want it to be my career. My dream role would be to act in an action/superhero movie, those are my favorite.

Alex: For my next acting role, I am working on this new project called “The Chi” on Showtime. Next year I am hoping to work on a project in Africa. I plan to be an actor as my career. My dream role would be to act in  “The Walking Dead.”

Thanks for speaking with us here guys. Finally I’m wondering, to whom do you credit your success?

Jaden: I credit my success to my drama teacher Mrs. Cidel and my mom and my teachers. I talk to them what about what’s happening next, and they help me to stay a step ahead and support my dreams.

*(cough, cough)… any specific teachers?*

You know I’ve got you Mr. Syros.  

Alex: I credit my success to my mom and dad. My dad taught me how to be strong and mom and Mrs. Cidel kept pushing me to do what I had to do. They helped me along the way and set me up for success.