Life & Work with Joshua King of Newark Nj/Brooklyn Nyc

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua King.

Hi Joshua, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started my acting journey when I was around 13 years old, in the 8th grade. Before that, I was never really interested in acting, but I always loved films. I was a very social, outspoken, and outgoing kid growing up. Because of my energy, I was always asked to do speeches or debates.

My first time ever being in a show was actually back in 6th grade. I played the lead role as a bird in what was basically a puppet show. We had these huge bird puppets that we controlled. Even then, I still didn’t have much interest or knowledge about acting.

Everything changed during the lockdown. I started watching a lot of Nickelodeon and Disney, and I remember telling my mom that I wanted to be on TV. She didn’t really take me seriously at the time and kind of just went along with it. But by the time 8th grade came around, my mindset had shifted. I had made a decision—I wanted to be an actor.

I threw myself into research. I studied the industry, watched interviews, and paid attention to how actors built their careers. What started as curiosity quickly became obsession. I applied to Arts High School in my city because they had an acting program, and I wanted it more than anything. While researching the school, I found out that Michael B. Jordan graduated from there. That discovery lit a fire in me. I told myself, if he could do it, then so could I.

After auditioning and giving it everything I had, I waited. Every single day, I checked my mom’s email, hoping for an answer. Then one day, it came—I got in. I was overwhelmed with joy. In that moment, I told myself, this is where my story truly begins.

When I got to high school, I walked in focused, excited, and determined to become the best actor I could be. From freshman year to senior year, my goal never changed. As a freshman, I even attempted to create my own film while I was still learning. I was so hungry for opportunity that I ended up falling for scams due to my lack of knowledge. But instead of letting that stop me, I learned from it. I started asking questions, doing deeper research, and becoming more aware of the industry.

From sophomore to senior year, I stayed consistent. I performed in talent shows, acted in school productions, created my own short films, and submitted them to my school’s festival. During the summer going into my junior year, I discovered Actors Access. I begged my mom to pay for the subscription, and once I got it, I started submitting to everything—even without proper materials. Unsurprisingly, I wasn’t booking anything at first.

Over time, I began to understand the platform and how the process worked. Eventually, I got my first real audition. I truly believed I was going to book it—but I didn’t. Still, I refused to stop.

Then during my junior year, things began to shift. A local production company saw me perform at my school’s annual talent show and asked me to audition for their upcoming film. I was beyond excited—I couldn’t stop talking about it. In my mind, this was my moment. I auditioned and then didn’t hear anything back for four months.

On my birthday, I received a message saying I got the part. I almost cried. At that point, I had started to lose hope, but that moment reminded me that everything happens in its timing—and that my journey was still unfolding.

After that, I booked my first role through Actors Access in a short film. That same year, me and a group of friends created our own short films and hosted a premiere at a local movie theater that we rented out. Over 200 people showed up, and we made over $1,000. It was one of the biggest achievements of my life.

That experience reignited something in me. Around that same time, I signed with my manager. She took a chance on me when I didn’t have much, and she helped build me into who I am today. With her guidance, I began booking more short films and continuing my training.

My senior year of high school was slower, but I accepted that. I was ready to graduate and step into a new chapter. Before graduating, my manager helped me secure my first agent.

After graduation, I moved to New York City—and that changed everything. Being in New York opened doors and exposed me to new opportunities. Since being here, I’ve booked my first lead role in a short film, along with two more lead roles. I’ve been gaining experience, building connections, and continuing to grow as both an actor and an artist.

My journey is far from over. In fact, I’m just getting started.

I’m grateful for how far God has brought me. I believe He gave me this talent for a reason, and He continues to shape me every day. I know that one day, everything I’ve been working toward is going to align.

I’ve been blessed with amazing parents and people who see my gift, support me, and push me to keep going. I am only 18 years old, with so much life ahead of me. I know my future is bright, and I’m excited for everything that’s coming.

The world hasn’t seen what I can do yet—but it will. Soon, people will know the name Joshua King, because I am in pursuit of greatness, with God by my side.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has not been smooth, but it has been meaningful. Everything I have been through up to this point has shaped me and forced me to grow. Many of my challenges did not come from the outside, they came from within. I was a victim of my own mindset, constantly doubting myself, overthinking, and creating limits in my own head before I ever had the chance to break them.

Another challenge has been the environment around me. Being surrounded by like minded people in my everyday life has not come easy. I crave being around individuals who carry the same hunger and passion for their craft that I do. I love collaborating, creating, and building something powerful with others, but too often I find myself in spaces where that energy is not matched. When that happens, the work suffers and the connection falls apart.

That being said, I know those people exist because I have worked with them. I have met them on set, in moments where everything clicks and the passion is undeniable. The difference is that those moments feel temporary, while my everyday life does not always reflect that same drive. That contrast has been one of the hardest things to navigate, but it has also made me more certain about the kind of people, spaces, and work I am determined to be a part of.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an actor. Before anything else, I love acting. I love becoming different characters, stepping into lives that are not my own, and telling stories that matter. This is not something I found recently. This has been my dream since I was a child. Acting is not just what I do, it is who I am.

But my passion does not stop in front of the camera. I am just as driven behind it. I take on the role of a filmmaker and a director, creating my own short films from the ground up. I write them, shape them, and bring them to life. Writing is a major part of who I am. My mind is always creating, always building new stories, new worlds, new ideas. I do not just want to be part of stories, I want to create them and make them real.

Right now, I am not known for a major project, but I am known for something just as important. I am known for my ambition, my hunger, and my determination. The people I have worked with see it. The people around me feel it. I approach my craft with intensity and purpose. I am building something, and I know where I am going, even if the world has not seen it yet.

The moments I am most proud of are every time I step on set or create something of my own. Every film, every role, every project is another step forward. I take pride in those moments because they are proof that I am getting closer to the life I have always envisioned for myself.

All my life, I have been told that I am different, and I have come to accept that. I have never fully fit into one group, and that is because of how I think, how I move, and how seriously I take my purpose. My desire for greatness at a young age can come off as ego or pride to others, but that comes from a lack of understanding. They do not see the vision. They do not feel the drive the way I do.

What truly separates me is my faith. My relationship with Jesus Christ is the foundation of everything in my life. I carry that into my work, my decisions, and my purpose. I understand that none of this is possible without Him. He is the reason I have the strength to keep going, the vision to keep creating, and the belief that what I am working toward is already meant for me.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
My parents are my advisors. They are the foundation behind the decisions I make, guiding me with wisdom, honesty, and intention. Alongside prayer, they help keep me aligned, reminding me to move with purpose even when things feel uncertain. Their guidance is not just support, it is direction.

My advice to anyone searching for a mentor is to find someone who truly sees you, someone who understands your value but also refuses to let you stay where you are. A real mentor does not exist to comfort you, they exist to grow you. They challenge your thinking, push your limits, and hold you to a higher standard than you may even hold yourself to.

To me, a mentor is someone who shapes you into a better person in every sense. Not just in your craft, but in your character, your discipline, and how you move through life. They are not afraid to tell you the truth, even when it is uncomfortable, even when it is the last thing you want to hear. That honesty is what builds you. That is what forces growth.

A true mentor is someone who has lived, someone who has experienced failure, success, and everything in between. They bring perspective to situations you have not yet faced and prepare you for what is ahead. Their voice becomes a source of clarity when your own thoughts feel clouded.

When choosing a mentor, you have to look beyond what feels good in the moment. The right mentor will guide you toward purpose, not temporary satisfaction. They will help you make decisions that build your future, not just feed your present. That kind of guidance is rare, but when you find it, it has the power to shape the course of your life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tiktok.com/@livelikejosh1?_r=1&_t=ZT-962IZvvzzJt
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livelike_josh?igsh=MWJhMjVsN2F6NzQ2ag%3D%3D&utm_source=qr