Today we’d like to introduce you to Sylvester Powell.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Sylvester. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Growing up on the Westside of Chicago and in Maywood my parents kept me active to avoid the troubles that came along with the neighborhood. My mom & stepdad started me in tumbling at a young age. My mother also signed me up for acting classes around eight or nine years old. It was short-lived because the little girl I liked left the class after the first month lol so I told my mom I wanted out too. She kept me in tumbling and that next year, I won 1st in State and a gold medal in Junior Olympics. After that, I played a lot of other sports. I was always around the entertainment business because my dad is a music producer/writer. My dad and stepmom really focused & molded me academically. I graduated high school early.
My stepmother filled out the application for me to go to college. The next year my dad and stepmom decided to move to Los Angeles and asked if I wanted to come. At this time, I was around 18. All my life I’ve said I was an actor. So this was my time to go and pursue my dreams. I moved with them to Los Angeles. I stayed for about a year then moved back to Chicago. Where my Mom helped me gather everything I needed for my acting career. Making sure I had a manager, agent and all the necessary photos. The week before my 21st birthday, I moved back to Los Angeles with my dad & stepmom. Fast forward seven years later, I’m still here.
Great, 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?
It has not been a smooth road none whatsoever! I’ve faced great obstacles to say the least. This industry has a way of bringing its own set of challenges, On top of your everyday life challenges as well. Thank God for me, I was blessed with a great support system. I was blessed with two sets of supportive parents. Also, a lot of close family members. When things would get tough, I could always fall back on having my parents in my life. At a young age, my dad used to take me to church on Sunday. So when times got hard for me, one of the many things that would uplift me was knowing the blessings that God has in store for me.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am an actor. That is what I do. That is what I love. I love being able to take a script, break it down, develop a character and stick my heart in it to make it a real person. The joy I get from acting is one that’s hard to describe. It’s more of a feeling. I am proud of my accomplishments, but what I am most proud of is what I’m able to do because of my accomplishments. My siblings are a major part of my life. A big reason as to why I am so driven to be great. I’m the oldest and I know that they’re watching me. I love being able to have their favorite actors and actresses FaceTime them or sign something for me to give them. It gives me great joy to be able to do things like that for them all while doing something that I love.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I feel the qualities and characteristics that are most important to my success are my faith in God, my determination and will which won’t allow me to give up. Also, my loving heart, my appreciation and gratefulness of the people who have and will help me along the way. I am a product of a lot of different sacrifices that my loved ones have made In order for me to be where I am today. I wouldn’t be me without everyone who has been in my corner helping me out along the way. My parents (Earl, Rosita, Roshawn, Phil), my grand parents, family and close friends who I consider family. J Tight for helping me get my managers (Thirdhill Ent.), who helped me get my agents at (Pakula/King). Sharon King, Marcia Tillman, Mykel Shannon Jenkins and the list goes on! All of these people are key parts in my success. They are always pushing me to be as great as I can be. Never allowing me to settle for less. I can continue to go on & on & on about how much my team contributes to me. Again I am a product of a lot of people’s sacrifices and hard work, including one of my top motivations, my siblings Mya, Solomon, Chyial and Michael.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Iamsylvesterpowell.com
- Instagram: @Iamsylvesterpowell
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