Today we’d like to introduce you to Rashad Addy-Davis. They and their team shared their story with us below:
A chameleon of sorts, Rashad Addy-Davis has found his way into the industry wearing different hats since childhood. Rather it’s belting out a musical number as Benny in the RENT!, Starring as Detective Stacy Molback in the upcoming series Scottsdale on the VIM network, or writing, directing, and producing his own sketch comedy series called “That Bleep Show”, on Patreon and Youtube.
Hailing from South Florida, with dreams in Musical Theatre, a star in the making moved to Los Angeles with an overflowing love for film. From witnessing the ugliness of life, Rashad overcame many hardships including having an incarcerated parent, homelessness, domestic abuse, extreme poverty, and sexual abuse to become the Champion he is today.
Thriving to make films on the side of the oppressed and normalizing the existence of the people who are deemed on the fringes of society. Rashad has decided that making films and content is the vehicle for him to show that everyone deserves love. His last short, “American Terror Story: Theatre Degree”, won Best LGBTQ Film at the 2021 Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival!
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?
Life hasn’t been easy. Having to grow up quickly because my father went to prison when I was five, leaving my mother (of 3) to fend for us. She tried her best, but like Matilda I become a self-sufficient latchkey kid by six, yet my magic developed in creativity. I began to fill my journals with songs, poems, and stories while fighting the world against me. You see, I was receiving phone calls from my then incarcerated father telling me to “not be gay”, lighting candles to see because the electricity was turned off, eating cans of parmesan cheese because there was no food, while simultaneously being sexually groomed by an older family friend who knew I would be the only one home. Since I was the only black kid in my class my school just labeled me a problem kid and never reached as I saw them step in for my peers.
I guess it was a blessing in disguise leaving that neighborhood because I wasn’t being assaulted anymore and I was finally in a school where the kids and teachers looked liked me and they nourished me FINALLY. But we secretly didn’t have a home. We slept at the Motel 6, Days INN, Park Parking Lots, A literal trap house… Yet all that did was light fire.
I’ve been through so much more, but nothing can break me because I’ve seen it all. Honestly, my only saving grace was that I grew up surrounded by a loving immediate family and knowing that there’s someone out there with a worse story than mine so I should always be grateful.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
With my start in musical theatre, I quickly hit the scene. But since we’re in LA, it became obvious that TV/Film will be a part of my life. And slowly but surely, I fell in love with it! Booking my first role as the psycho ex Chanel Houston in the HBO Outfest Series Cheetah In August and doing that for two seasons, along with commercial work, all while sharpening my tool in musicals, plays and classes.
It didn’t take time for me to notice that I have some extremely talented friends who aren’t actually appreciated in the industry. Rather they are too Gay, Queer, Trans, Black, Big, Little, Asian, Latino, On the spectrum, you name it! I for one was sick going into auditions having to say things like, “yo that’s not my baby mama”, or “Werk queen, yasss mama, death drop *tongue pop”. So instead of sulking, I made the decision to create my own art with what I wanna talk about. Digging deeper inside a lot of my insecurities to make gold out of it. That Bleep Show was born.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to be is true representation. As a marginalized person who has lived many different lives and HAS to navigate through spaces that aren’t dominated by people like me, I’ve always had to fight for people to see others like myself and POCs/queer people as the Hollywood “Everyman/Ingenue”.
The color of our skin, nor who we love should not overshadow our “believability” to play a character that has nothing to do with said race or sexuality. Ask yourself what would a diverse “Hangover, Mean Girls, or Bridesmaids” look like. As a child who grew up watching Disney Channel, It would have benefitted me immensely to see someone who looked like me or my neighbors as the lead, and I know most of my peers would have benefitted too.
Pricing:
- $5 Patreon
Contact Info:
- Website: rashadadavis.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/rashad.addydavis/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rashad.davis/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rashadtheartist
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ThatBleepShow
- Other: https://patreon.com/ThatBleepShow
