Meet John David Maner

Today we’d like to introduce you to John David Maner.

John David, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was a young black kid from the hood with eight siblings, with big dreams but no voice. It’s always an interesting conversation when I bring up the fact that my mom is a twin and had two sets of twins. Growing up in a household with so many different personalities was always a struggle for me. Being the middle child and a twin made it even more difficult. I found myself somewhat fading to the background and being a sidekick instead of a leader most of the time. Like most, the real challenges came later in my life from (what I think), not developing valuable personality traits throughout my youth. This affected my sanity, my inner peace, and most of all my relationships.

Three years ago, my girlfriend Tam came to me and told me that she wanted to move to Los Angeles to pursue acting. Honestly, I thought she was crazy. Why uproot ourselves from this foundation I thought to myself. But she was serious. I couldn’t let her go by herself and decided to “tag along”. On the day we left, I cried the hardest I’d ever cried. It was time to say goodbye to everything I’ve ever known. But I knew everything happens for a reason. This was the start of something beautiful. Something I’d never thought possible for my life. We took it day by day and a lot of time I resented her for the hardships that I encountered internally. I knew I couldn’t be mad at her because I was the one who decided to tag along. Especially because I knew I wasn’t going anywhere working in a kitchen at a movie theater, making minimum wage. Oh, don’t let me leave out the part where I left this job, got another job; and broke down in my car. Crying. Losing my sanity. It was a news flash. So yes, I took the opportunity. Within a blink of an eye I found myself alongside Tam on multiple TV sets, red carpet premieres, having the time of my life and not to mention going viral. Everywhere I go, people would recognized me from Fear Factor, Netflix, buzzfeed videos, Tasty videos or ad campaigns I’ve done. Now, I’m officially an actor and model.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road. Nothing but hardships. I had lonely nights, I ran out of money, and I was missing home. But with a strong-willed girlfriend, who reminded me everyday how strong and special I was, I pushed through. I have to learn its not a race, it’s a marathon.

I also had to learn that it was all mental. Look at life as though it is a tree. A strong foundation provided by constant sunlight and water allows the tree to grow tall. This is our stimulation in our youth. The branches are personality traits or skills. The more time spent on building these traits/skills will allow us to bare many leaves.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I think my compassion for people. Staying after sets and helping cleaning up. Treating everyone on set the same. The extras and the director. Just trying to find that human connection. I can make anyone laugh and smile, even on their worst day.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I think everyone has a different definition of success. With that being said, there’s also different levels of success. I might be successful to someone who’s just starting out, and I might look at others who have more experience as me, successful. But I do have a really strong quote that I go by every day now, do not compare!

Contact Info:

• Phone: 4078607890
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: Www.instagram.com/jd_maner

Image Credit:
TAM NGUYEN

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