Today we’d like to introduce you to Nathan Reyes.
Hi Nathan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m originally from El Paso, TX, I graduated from Americas High School in 2014, and I actually went to the same high school as Khalid. Growing up, my parents always pushed me even though I wasn’t exactly a straight-A student my mom was happy to see that I even got a C. My parents have always been there and wanted the best for my brother and I. Sure growing up wasn’t easy, especially when you got picked on or felt like an outsider when you had to leave class to get extra help on a test; there were times when it had its moments. I want to say it started in high school. I learned a lot, especially about work ethic and just working hard. I never thought that my life then and before I moved out to LA to pursue my dream of acting would have a huge impact on everything I do now. In high school, I was never given the opportunity to show my talent or what I’m capable of doing on the field. I was a 4th string QB and the shortest QB on the team but learned that you have to work for what you want and prove it to those who doubt you and don’t see your talents. Where I’m from coaches don’t believe in opportunity or growth they believe in favorites. All players deserve an opportunity to play couches need to give all players chances and opportunities because what if that player becomes the next Tom Brady or Michael Jordan. There were so many times where the couch tried to get me to quit but no, that’s not me and I wanted to prove my worth but of course, till my last game of senior year, he never gave me that chance to prove myself.
Soon after high school, I knew I wanted to make a difference, so I tried to take the police test, and then that one test turned into years of taking it and even then, it was just hard to work a normal nine-to-five. I knew that in my heart I was meant for something more I didn’t want to live a life of regret and failure. So about two years ago, I wanted to do something with my life. When I was a kid, I was always inspired by big movies like Scorpion King, Walking Tall, The Rundown, The Replacements, The Expendables, Transformers, and many other movies. My entire life, I’ve always looked up to the action stars like Dwayne “The Rock Johnson, who I look up to a lot, Jason Statham, Sylvester Stallone, Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Heath Ledger, and Chadwick Boseman. When I came out to LA to pursue my dreams in acting, I attended the New York Film Academy here in Burbank, CA. Since I graduated, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a lot of actors and stunt coordinators. Working on shows like All American, Grey’s Anatomy, Barry, Winning Time, and Rap Sh!t. Having opportunities to train with Aaron Toney who was Black Panther stunt double and stunt coordinator for Wakanda Forever; also trained with Jeremy Marinas who was the fight choreographer for all the John Wick movies. Since I left home and started this journey, it’s been a blessing but I know I’m not done, and I’m just getting started.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, I want to say in the industry, it’s not easy. Everyone has their fight. I feel like we’re all heroes of our own story, especially when we make our dreams come true. Some struggles for me are opportunities; I have yet to receive my SAG-AFTRA vouchers. Right now, I’m still non-union, and I want to be Sag to have more opportunities and work with more celebrity actors. Everyone knows about the strike in the industry right now; some say it will probably end in September, October maybe, hopefully others say next year. I want to say one of the biggest challenges for me is like some great actors like Tom Cruise, Al Pacino I’m Dyslexic. Other than all of that, growing up from my dad and some of my favorite actors I’ve learned to never give up. The struggle were in is temporary, and no matter what happens, you never give up. I know the journey may have turns and big obstacles to overcome, and since my journey in the industry began, it has had its ups and downs, but I love the journey part of it because it builds you mentally and your character. Every road isn’t exactly a straight shot, but at the end the journey gets you ready and builds you as a person. The destination is the best feeling, but the journey to get to where you want to be is humbling.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an Actor who also wants to do his own stunts at least up to a certain extent before I get older. One of my biggest goals is to do an action movie either alongside with one of my favorite actors or just me playing the protagonist, trying to do my best to inspire as many people as I can. What I’m most proud of is I’m glad that I made the decision to move to LA to pursue my dreams in acting and film fighting. What sets me apart is my passion and heart to put everything I got into what I love. Since I graduated last year from the New York Film Academy, I had the privilege of working on shows like All American, Grey’s Anatomy, Barry, and many others. It wasn’t a big role, but if there is one thing I can take from this, it’s to take any and every opportunity that can get you one step closer to your goals and dreams. I learned a lot in the two years I’ve been here. I went from not knowing what I was doing to now waking up at three thirty am and hitting the gym at four to start my day, and I’m working on a feature film that I know will help my future in the industry. I’ve always had a passion for acting and film fighting. I can’t see myself doing anything else. I love what I do. I want to inspire the world, make a difference, make an impact, and inspire generations to dream big and chase their dreams.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Yes, sometimes things fall apart, so better things can come together. The night that Covid hit, I was actually getting ready to take my police test. I wanted to be a Police Officer back home in Texas and what’s crazy to me is I had all hopes of being a police officer like many relatives in my family, but then the day of my police test they shut everything down. The days felt like forever and at that time, I didn’t know what to do, but I just remembered in that moment that if I was going to do anything, I wanted to do something big, and if I failed at least I got to say I tried it. At least that was my mindset, so in those weeks of the world being on hold, I found a school that teaches acting for film and basically everything I wanted to do with my life. I never thought that Covid what change the trajectory of my future. I’ve always had a love for acting. I also started a YouTube channel in fitness, but I wanted to take that as let’s see where this goes and hope to get noticed since COVID made everyone stay home. Both my dad and I built a home gym, and I used that to start making my videos so at that time, I guess you can say I got hit with a lot of ideas that I’ve always wanted to do, and YouTube and looking into The New York Film Academy everything I’ve always wanted to do the drive to pursue my dreams kicked in. I’m super proud that I made this decision to come to LA and pursue my dreams.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nreyes7695.wixsite.com/nathan-reyes
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thereyes14/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYpBvUUrQCLYTi4kg_oV-7A
