Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bryson Steen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Bryson thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
Honestly, I feel like I was born a creative. As early as five or six years old, I knew deep down that I wanted to pursue a creative path. I started off drawing, just little cartoons and once I got access to an electronic device, I dove into apps like Adobe Illustrator and PicsArt. I taught myself digital art and started designing for others, which opened the door to photo and video editing. That curiosity eventually turned into a real love for graphic design.
But what really flipped the switch for me was this app I found that let me clone myself on video, I don’t remember the name of the app. I was an only child on my mom’s side, and sometimes I just wanted someone and/or a sibling to talk to, so I created that. I’d act out scenes with myself as two different characters, that were twins and make little movies with my family, and that’s where my love for acting and filmmaking really took off. By the time I was seven, I knew in my heart this was the path I’d follow.
I started auditioning pretty seriously not long after that. Then at age 12, I landed an opportunity to re-enact a scene from the classic movie “Love & Basketball” in a music video that ended up going viral, over 12 million views online. That moment and the response gave me a real taste of what it felt like to connect with people through performance, and it just fueled the passion/fire for acting even more.
I did drift for a bit, got into sports, ran track in high school and thought that might be the thing. But after a foot injury sidelined me, I had time to reflect. And it just hit me again, acting has always been that fire inside me that never went out. Even now, it’s still burning strong. I love it, truly. At 17, I signed with my first talent agency and since then, I’ve been blessed to pursue acting and creativity professionally. I’ve worked on a range of projects, from films and commercials to modeling campaigns, with brands like the Detroit Tigers, Ford Motor Company, State of Michigan Voters, Directions Credit Union, and more. I’ve modeled for Klutch Athletics by New Balance, Henry Ford Museum, and other print campaigns.
On the film side, I’ve had the opportunity to lead in projects like “Dance with the Devil” (2024) on Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime, “Broken Vowels” (2025) on YouTube, and an upcoming feature film , “Cuttlefish”, coming Winter 2026. I also served as assistant director for the feature film “Energy 2” in 2024 that aired on Tubi (2025). And honestly, this is just the beginning, I am now 20 years of age and there’s so much more coming.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
For those who may not be familiar with me, my name is Bryson Steen, and I’m an actor, creative, and filmmaker from Detroit, MI. I’ve been drawn to storytelling for as long as I can remember. From a young age, I knew creativity was my calling, I started off drawing cartoons, editing videos, and designing digitally. What began as curiosity turned into passion, and that passion evolved into a career.
Acting really became my focus when I was about seven years old. I’d create fun short films at home, sometimes playing multiple characters, using apps to clone myself just to bring my ideas/imagination to life. By the time I was 12, I landed an opportunity to re-enact a “Love & Basketball” scene for a music video that ended up going viral with over 12 million views. From there, I started auditioning, booking roles, and taking the craft seriously. At 17, I signed with my first agency and officially stepped into the industry professionally.
Since then, I’ve been fortunate to work on films, commercials, and modeling campaigns with brands like the Detroit Tigers, Ford Motor Company, Klutch Athletics by New Balance, Directions Credit Union and more. I’ve had the honor of leading films like Dance with the Devil (2024) on Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime, Broken Vowels (2025), and Cuttlefish, an upcoming feature film coming Winter (2026). I even served as assistant director for the Tubi feature film Energy 2 in 2024 and aired in 2025.
In terms of what I provide, I’m a storyteller at heart. Whether it’s acting, directing, or creative concepting, my work is rooted in creating emotion, connection, and meaning. I aim to inspire, represent, and bring stories to life that resonate with people on a real, raw and authentic level.
What sets me apart is that I’m not just an actor showing up to perform, I’m hands-on throughout the creative process. I understand both sides of the camera. I’m constantly learning, evolving, and staying grounded in why I started. My perspective as a young Black creative who’s grown up with both traditional and digital storytelling tools helps me bring something fresh and authentic to every project.
In addition to acting and filmmaking, I’m also a certified graphic designer. I earned my certifications in high school and I’m currently finishing my final year at Oakland Community College, where I’ll be receiving my associate’s degree in Graphic Design. I offer creative services including image and video editing, flyer and logo design, brand development, YouTube banners and thumbnails, podcast editing, content creation, and more.
I also served as the editor, social media manager, and graphic artist for the MBJ Podcast on YouTube, where we interviewed entrepreneurs, creatives, musicians, and artists, giving them a platform to share their stories and journeys.
What I’m most proud of is that I’ve never given up on this dream, even when I stepped away for a bit or life took me in other directions. That fire never went out. I want people, whether they’re clients, followers, or supporters to know that I’m in this for life. My brand is all about heart, growth, authenticity, and telling stories that matter. And the best part? I’m just getting started.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the connection, real, human connection. I love hearing how people interpret my work, what they felt, what message they took from it. Whether it’s something I intended or something completely different, it’s always eye-opening. Those deeper conversations that come from sharing art, those are the moments I truly love.
Working with other creatives is also something that means a lot to me. It’s not just about making a project, it’s the friendships, the energy on set, the stories people bring with them. You really get to know people in a way that goes beyond surface level. And sometimes those connections turn into lifelong friendships, or at the very least, unforgettable moments.
I think there’s also something really personal and rewarding about being able to sit back and watch your own work, not from a critical place, but from the perspective of someone in the audience. Seeing everything come together, the time, effort, late nights, the passion, it’s powerful. And it reminds you why you started.
On top of that, I’ve had the chance to visit places I may have never seen otherwise, to learn about different communities, cultures, and ways of life through the lens of a story or character. That type of exposure has helped shape not just my work, but who I am as a person.
And above all, it’s rewarding to be able to represent where I come from, my family, my city, my culture, and put that on a bigger stage. To know that someone out there, whether they’re just starting or already established, might feel inspired by my journey or my work, that’s something I hold close. That’s the part that never gets old.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
The film industry is full of “no’s”, it comes with rejection, silence, and a lot of waiting. But what’s always illustrated my resilience isn’t just one big moment, it’s the consistency in the quiet seasons. It’s the tenacity, the audacity, and the vulnerability it takes to keep showing up even when nothing seems to be moving.
For me, resilience looks like continuing to audition, training to stay sharp, updating my materials, keeping my mindset strong, and staying ready, even when I haven’t booked in a while. That internal fire I talk about? It never goes out. Holding on to that passion through the stillness, through the “almosts” and “not this time,” and still pushing forward, that’s where my resilience lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14315981/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_2_nm_6_q_bryson%2520steen
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brysonsteenofficial?igsh=MWN2ZGNtZDFjODRxbg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16ugFEtd7k/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: UC8NN85ortzcvVp08P_MwpHA
- Other: Snapchat Link: https://t.snapchat.com/rYt6iuQS
Image Credits
Maya Solganik, Michael Paradise