At only 14-years-old, Jahi Winston is definitely becoming a force to reckon with in #younghollywood. From the small screen to the big screen, Winston has held coveted roles in everything from The New Edition Story to Proud Mary to Netflix’s Everything Sucks.
Recently, the young rising star took time out of his busy schedule to dish with Gold Crown Mag about everything from what it was like to work with Taraji P. Henson and Danny Glover to Kevin Hart giving free pizza and more. Check out an except from the interview below.
Jahi Winston’s first professional gig was playing ‘Young Simba’ in ‘The Lion King’. It took place in NY.
“A friend of my brother actually saw the breakdown for it and suggested that he give it to me so I could audition…confusing I know!!! I went to the audition and there were about 1,000 kids there also auditioning. I kept getting called back and eventually I got my first job as Simba in the Lion King.”
What was your favorite thing about being on Broadway?
“My favorite thing about Broadway is the discipline that comes with doing theatre. I learned work ethic and discipline in theatre that I don’t believe film and television gives you. These are things that will stay with me throughout my entire career.”
“Proud Mary’ debuted in theaters on January 12. He played the role of “Danny,” a young teen doing his best to navigate life in Boston. Jahi is the second lead opposite Taraji P. Henson who plays “Mary,” a hit woman working for an organized crime family. Jahi and Taraji’s worlds are flipped upside when one a professional hits goes awry.
“The main thing about the “Proud Mary” script is when I was reading it, I thought it was so cool that there was a woman being portrayed in a powerful and uplifting way, instead of a damsel in distress. Then I realized that this was a woman of color, I knew I had to be a part of it somehow, some way and I’m so honored that I was able to achieve that.”
