JHARREL JEROME
Jacket, pants, shirt and tie by Gucci
Jharrel Jerome is an American actor and musician. The 21-year-old Bronx native and graduate of well-known performing arts high school LaGuardia is best known for his role as Kevin in the 2017 Academy Award winner for Best Picture, “Moonlight.” Shortly after, Jerome landed a role in Ava Duvernay’s latest project, the Netflix limited series “When They See Us,” which tells the true story of the Central Park Five. His portrayal of Korey Wise has earned him an Emmy nomination for “Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie.” The show has garnered 16 nominations in all. ContentMode sat down with Jerome to discuss the groundbreaking series, how he handles newfound fame and what’s next for the rising star.
Interview by Sydney Nash
First, bravo. I just finished When They See Us. It’s a TV show that stops you in your tracks. The critics and audiences seem to agree. What’s it been like for you to see the reactions to the series?
Thank you very much. It’s been a blessing. The entire cast and crew poured our hearts and souls into the project for these beautiful men. To see it all payoff is what makes the journey worth it. The title came to life, we now see them.
You grew up in the Bronx, close to Harlem. In an interview, you said that as a child, you’d hear the story of the Central Park Five as a cautionary tale. Tell me how this awareness informed your performance as Korey Wise.
It made the gravity of the entire project weigh heavier on me. This is real life. And boys who look like me or my friends. That helps everything remain grounded and important.
Tell me about your first introduction to acting. Was there a singular moment where you realized you wanted to be a performer?
I’ve always been known to be a character, always putting on a show and being dramatic. I decided to try it out in high school after deciding that I wanted to step outside of The Bronx for school.
You attended LaGuardia High School, a performing arts school in New York City with many notable alumni. What was it like to attend such a prestigious school. Do you feel an added pressure to succeed?
No. It’s a blessing to have gone there. LaGuardia was the birthplace of my passion. It’s where I realized I could be so much more than what the stereotypes told me I’d be. I’m happy to be alongside other notable alumni.
Left: Jacket, pants, shirt and tie by GUCCI; Right: Jacket, pants, shirt, tie and shoes by GUCCI
Speaking of success, it has come early and quick for you. Your first film was Moonlight, which won Best Picture at the Oscars in 2017 and is a very important milestone in cinematic history. What was it like to be a part of a project with such a large cultural and social impact? How do you stay grounded?
It’s been a true blessing. Everything is so new to me. I am trying to keep my feet on the ground and focus on the next step. It’s all about the work and the passion, not the paycheck or the attention. If the works stays beautiful and real to me, then it won’t be too hard to lose sight of the passion.
You play Korey Wise in Ava Duvernay’s When They See Us. How did this audition come about?
My team sent me the sides of young Korey. I ended up reading both old and young Korey in front of Ava after months of waiting on her to cast.
You originally auditioned for the role of Young Korey. I read that Ava then asked you to read the part for older Korey as well. As the only member of the main cast that played both the younger and older version of the character, what was your approach in portraying a character over the span of more than a decade?
Playing both old and young Korey became a multi-step process. It was not only about embodying Korey, but about embodying him at two completely different points in his life. A lot of it came from controlling the pattern of his voice and movements.
When They See Us brings a human touch to the story of the Central Park Five that many Americans haven’t seen. What do you hope that audiences take away from the show when the credits roll?
I hope the audience sees these men for who they are, not the group they were forced to be known as by the media. The humane side of these men need to be visible.
You’ve said that you have become close friends with Korey Wise outside of the show. What’s it been like to build a friendship with someone you are portraying on the big screen?
Getting to know Korey is what made this whole process so worth it. He has taught me will, strength, and courage like no other. As actors, we have the ability to create a false reality for the world. This reality isn’t false, and the pain would be so unbearable knowing or thinking that Korey or the other men did not make it out. To get the chance to give him a phone call at any time just to hear from him kept me grounded and mentally healthy.
I have to ask about Ava Duvernay. You’ve called working with her a “masterclass” in acting. What’s the most notable thing you learned in working with her?
More than anything, I’ve learned discipline and dedication through Ava. She was the captain of a very tight ship. It was my first experience knowing I was working on such a high caliber, but that caliber is only so high because Ava is a genius at work. She sees her vision and guides the team to capture it with ease. Ava was more than a director. She was a mentor. She was a friend first. That allowed you to feel comfortable on such an intense project. I’ve also learned that if I get the chance to portray another real life person, that it is not about “being” the person. No one can ever ‘be’ anyone else, but as the artist, it is our job to embody the soul and spirit of the person. I will carry that note with me at all times.
You seem to be very conscious of the roles that you play and the power behind them. Explain your selection process when it comes to roles and how you choose which to accept.
I’ve got one career. I look at that as having one chance to create a body of work that I will die proud of. Pride won’t come from how much money I end up making or how many followers I end up gaining. My pride will come from the idea that the world, or even a small group of people, has been eternally changed by a performance of mine. Art is medicine in my opinion. We can heal pain. We can heal doubt. We can heal worry through the characters we bring to life on screen. That is the beauty behind what I do, and I want to continue to do so. Especially now, my goal is to work on projects that tell an important story. Not just for me and my benefit, but for the benefit of anyone who decides to press play.
You play Jerome Robinson in Mr. Mercedes, which is adapted from a Stephen King novel by the same name. What initially drew you to the role?
Mr. Mercedes stood out to me for a few reasons. One was that I’ve always been a fan of the horror genre and we are talking about the King of Horror. Stephen King’s early films like Cujo, The Mist, and Children of the Corn were my introduction to horror films. On top of that, I fell in love with the characteristics of who Jerome Robinson is. He is a smart, well-educated, and well-spoken African American kid from Ohio. If that isn’t the opposite of the stereotypical lens placed on a young black actor, then I don’t know what is. I am happy to portray a character that can stand up for the smart and educated children of color who don’t get an opportunity to shine academically due to their nationality.
Music is another passion of yours. Tell me about this part of your part of your life. Can we expect to hear more music from you soon?
Just like theatre, music is a huge passion of mine. It came before I even picked up a script for the first time. Being from The Bronx, free styling came natural to me. I’ve been rapping off the top of my head since I was 11. Once the platform for my acting kicked into gear , I decided to start dedicating my focus to creating songs. I’ve released a couple things that I had fun with a few years ago. But soon, I will be dropping music that I think really embodies who I am. It’s energetic, it’s poetic, it’s catchy, it’s hip hop, the real kind.
Acting and music are different mediums, but both are creative outlets. Do you feel drawn to one over the other?
Both crafts go hand and hand for me. You could keep me at gunpoint, and I still couldn’t tell you which art I loved to do more. To me, there’s a lot of theatre in music. My cadence comes from the confidence of my acting persona. My free styling is similar to jumping on stage to do an improv scene. As rappers, we act on the mic too. There’s no limit to artistry or creativity, so I am determined to continue to create in both fields.
So what’s next for you? What are you looking forward to most in the next few years?
I am looking forward to inspiring the next young artist the same way all my inspirations have done to me. I’ve never thought about having a voice in the world, but now that I do, I’m here to share it with those who don’t.
Shirt and pants by GUCCI
Quick Qs
Favorite NYC spot?
I’d have to say my favorite NYC spot is the West 59th street entrance of Central Park, right by the globe. That was the spot to hang at with the homies after school since I studied a couple blocks away. It’s that or a Spanish restaurant called Caridad on Jerome Ave in The Bronx.
You’re not on set. Where can we find you?
9/10 I’m in the studio working on music. If not, you can catch me in my apartment hiding from all responsibilities as best as I can.
Dream music collaboration?
I want to jump on the next Dreamville’s ‘Revenge of the Dreamers’ album. I’m so inspired by the entire Dreamville camp. I want to jump on one song with J. Cole, JID, Earthgang, Bas, and Cozz.
Pet peeve?
When people stare at me… it’s definitely an NYC thing. But it’s been happening a lot more lately. I’ve been accepting it cause it’s a blessing for my work to have inspired people, but jeez, I feel my eyes burning when people stare at me.
Who’s your role model?
My mother, my father, Barack Obama, Denzel Washington, and Will Smith.
What show are you currently bingeing?
Euphoria!!!
Guilty pleasure?
McDonald’s. It’s bad…
What album should we all be listening to right now?
Either “Revenge of the Dreamers III” by Dreamville. Or “Diaspora” by Goldlink.
Photography : Dylan Coulter
Creative Director: Deborah Ferguson
Grooming : Courtney Housner
Interview & Web Layout: Sydney Nash
Location courtesy of
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