JADEN MICHAEL
Chats with Tessa Swantek
About his starring role in
NETFLIX series
COLIN in BLACK and WHITE
Photography Vanessa Granda
Stylist Rachel Gilman
Jaden Michael, NYC-born actor, began modeling at 2 years old before quickly moving into commercials for the likes of Nick Jr. at the age of 3. Since then, he has starred in Todd Haynes’ Wonderstruck, appeared in Baz Lurhmann’s The Get Down, and starred in Oz Rodriguez’s Vampires vs. the Bronx. Most recently, he starred in Colin in Black & White, Netflix’s new mini-series which premiered on October 29, 2021. The mini-series, directed by Ava DuVernay, allows the viewer to see through the eyes of Colin Kaepernick, intensely talented former NFL quarterback well-known for kneeling during the national anthem before games to protest racial injustice and police brutality against Black Americans. Michael, partially hand-picked by Kaepernick himself, brilliantly portrays young Kaepernick in his navigating micro-aggressions, ignorance, stereotypes, and systemic racism as a biracial teen athlete in a predominantly white environment. The series is as broadly educational as it is also a deeply intimate look into Kaepernick’s experience “trusting his power” even when no one else did. Michael, much like Kaepernick, is extremely articulate as he notes the lack of diversity at the top of the entertainment industry, and tells us about working with and understanding Colin Kaepernick, a time when he trusted his power, and advice he would give to his younger self. Read below for our full conversation with Jaden Michael!
White Coat and White Pants: KYLE’LYK, Black hoodie: stylist’s own, Sneakers: Adidas, Rings: BOND Hardware
Jumpsuit: A. Potts, Trench Coat: KYLE’LYK, Plaid Jacket around shoulders: Overcoat, Shiny Jacket around shoulders: Overcoat, Boots: Dr. Martens, Rings: BOND Hardware, Sunglasses: Gentle Monster
You’ve been in front of cameras since you were very young as you started out modeling and then transitioned into commercials and acting, what was your first vivid memory of the entertainment industry and how did it make you feel?
My first vivid memory was shooting a commercial for Nick Jr. when I was 3 or 4. I felt excited to be there and happy to speak to adults.
Has your view of the industry changed in any way as you’ve gotten older?
I’ve started to notice more and more of the industry’s iniquities/inequities with the more work that I do. There is a huge lack of Latinx-led film and TV. There is an absence of black and brown people in creative rooms and in the crews- I see it in the types of roles that I have always seemed to be auditioning for-the kid who steals flour, the gangbanger from the ‘70s, and so forth. While it aggravates me to realize and learn these things, I think coming to terms with these realities enables me to be a part of the conversation to change these issues.
Jumpsuit: Martin Asbjorn, Sweatshirt: Stylist’s own, Gold necklace worn as suspender: Young Frankk, Coat: A. Potts, Black jacket worn on shoulders: Fried Rice, Boots: Dr. Martens, Rings: BOND Hardware
You’ve said in previous interviews that you like to create birthday and astrology charts for characters that you’re playing. What is the process for this? What are some things you find most important to know about a character?
I find astrology charts as a good basis to discover the range of emotions for my characters. I actively think about the character and personality as I work backwards to decipher who he is. It offers me a bit of insight as to what makes the character mad or what their faults are and bad traits. The funny thing in playing a living person like Colin [Kaepernick] was that the character ALREADY has a birthday. Somehow, I must have forgotten that, and continued my normal process. When I put it together and decided young Colin was a Scorpio, I realized that I could just look up Colin’s birthday, and found that Colin IS in fact a Scorpio.
Fleece multi color top: Kule, Pants: KYLE’LYK, Jacket around waist: KYLE’LYK,
Trench coat around waist: Christian Wijnants, Sneakers: his own Air Jordans,
Silver chain necklaces: Annie Costello Brown, Rebecca Pinto, Machete
You’ve worked with plenty of incredible directors from Oz Rodriguez in Vampires vs. the Bronx, and Baz Luhrmann in The Get Down to Ava DuVernay in Colin in Black & White. Is there anything you learned from a particular director that has stuck with you?
Jim Jarmusch has probably influenced and mentored me the most throughout my journey. He has taught me to be decisive and think for the future, while still enjoying the flow of today. I feel very fortunate to have him as part of my family.
Shifting to Colin in Black & White, I just first want to congratulate you on the series, you are incredible and the series as a whole is so well-done. Kaepernick himself had a hand in casting you. It was an entirely new experience for you to be working so closely with the person that you are portraying on screen. How did this change the way you prepared for the role as opposed to previous projects?
I was afraid, at first, but Ava [DuVernay] created such a healthy place to build and practice my artistry. Not to mention, Colin is one of the most honest, intelligent, and descriptive men that I’ve ever met. Thus, having Colin as a part of the process only elevated my ability to play him.
Jumpsuit: A. Potts, Trench Coat: KYLE’LYK, Plaid Jacket around shoulders: Overcoat,
Shiny Jacket around shoulders: Overcoat, Rings: BOND Hardware
I love how the series’ narratives are often complimented by research studies, like The Doll Test, for example. When watching, I felt that the series would be perfect for showing in schools to teach about race and the effects of racism. What do you hope people take away from the series?
The purpose of the show is to educate the misinformed and those ignorant to the complexities and hurdles of black and brown culture. I think its presence in the education system would be as timeless as the institution of racism itself. As long as there is racism, there is always someone to educate in regards to its perils and its victims. Not to mention, there are hundreds of other Colins- biracial teens attempting to navigate a white world. Colin’s story could very well empower and enlighten those teens to find and trust their own power.
White Coat and White Pants: KYLE’LYK, Black hoodie: stylist’s own, Rings: BOND Hardware
A major theme in the series is Kaepernick both feeling and being treated like a “visitor,” as the series notes, in many spaces he occupies. How did you seek to convey this through your acting?
I wouldn’t use the word “visitor,” that word implies that Colin was a guest and that he was accepted or invited to be in that space. Colin wasn’t invited. His presence is highlighted by everyone else in the room, as they contemplate the efficacy of his nature there and his motivations. Does he deserve the “white man stamp of approval?” Colin is a stranger. A lot of that emotion and disconnection comes from the looks you try to reject. You keep your eyes and head down as you dodge the looks and judgement, your shoulders shrink as the rest of your body tries to hide into the rest of the crowd, but the crowd always seems to be gathered around you.
Jumpsuit: Martin Asbjorn, Sweatshirt: Stylist’s own, Gold necklace worn as suspender: Young Frankk, Coat: A. Potts, Black jacket worn on shoulders: Fried Rice, Boots: Dr. Martens, Rings: BOND Hardware
Without giving anything away, in the series there is a part when Colin Kaepernick is writing to his younger self. I know you are only 18, but is there any piece of advice you would write to your younger self even if it’s advice to yourself a year ago?
To love yourself. I’ve struggled and continue to struggle with loving myself and accepting myself. Ava has helped me see myself differently though, and for that I am eternally grateful.
Jumpsuit: A. Potts, Trench Coat: KYLE’LYK, Plaid Jacket around shoulders: Overcoat, Boots: Dr. Martens, Rings: BOND Hardware, Sunglasses: Gentle Monster
White Coat and White Pants: KYLE’LYK, Black hoodie: stylist’s own, Sneakers: Adidas, Rings: BOND Hardware
Can you tell us about a time that you “trusted your power?”
When auditioning for the role of Jamie, on Todd Haynes’ film Wonderstruck, I remember coming out of the first director’s audition, looking out to my mom and saying, “I got this.” I felt it, I trusted my power.
Fleece multi color top: Kule, Pants: KYLE’LYK, Jacket around waist: KYLE’LYK,
Trench coat around waist: Christian Wijnants, Sneakers: his own Air Jordans,
Silver chain necklaces: Annie Costello Brown, Rebecca Pinto, Machete
Any fun behind the scenes stories, or scenes that were your favorite to film?
I loved working with Sheldon Candis on the football scenes. It was three months of football practice and drills. I was so happy I could finally use them and show off! It was very physical, and I always returned home tired, but it was ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT. So much fun!
Jumpsuit: Martin Asbjorn, Sweatshirt: Stylist’s own, Gold necklace worn as suspender: Young Frankk,
Coat: A. Potts, Black jacket worn on shoulders: Fried Rice, Boots: Dr. Martens, Rings: BOND Hardware
What can we look forward to next from you?
I’m currently working on producing a feature. It is Latinx-led and I am very excited to share this story with everyone…soon.
Photography
Vanessa Granda
Interview
Tessa Swantek
CD & Casting
Deborah Ferguson
Web layout
Tori Smith
Stylist
Rachel Gilman
Grooming
Laila Hayani
