Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Justin Awn. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Justin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I was inspired by my mother. She was a model in Switzerland and encouraged me to get into the creative sector. She got me started when I was one. My father has also been an inspiration as he was a musician. They both encouraged me to continue. Creativity is in my blood. It’s been a wonderful experience thus far and I’m forever thankful. I continue to stay on the grind, move forward in a good manner and always give thanks.
Justin, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My full name is Justin Paul Mitchell Awn (born October 6, 1982), Jamaican-American actor. Many also know me as Justin Hadeed Awn. I was born in New Jersey, USA to a Syrian-Jamaican mother (Frances Hadeed Awn) who worked as a model in Switzerland and a Lebanese-American father (Paul Awn) who was a musician. My parents separated when I was still a child and my mother raised me primarily in Jamaica and a bit in Ireland. I started as a model and got into acting some years later. My mother got me interested in the entertainment industry as a child model where I got my first taste of the limelight. I’ve done TV shows, movies, music videos, commercials and so on. I landed a lead role on the Caribbean’s #1 show, better known as Royal Palm Estate where I stayed for 10 years until my director retired. I played the villain and the audience seemed to love it. I have also worked on sets like LAW & ORDER SVU, Blue Bloods, The Newsrom, ‘Gotham and many others. I’ve worked with brands like NIKE, Ocean Spray, Macy’s, POLO, Nautica and French Connection. You have to constantly stay focused and active. Keep your brain sharp and use the tools that you need to require what you want to achieve. I’ve been an actor for years now. You have to be able to take rejection. Going to so many casting calls in Jamaica and abroad, I’ve heard the word no but I don’t focus on that, I focus on the times I hear the word yes. You won’t always get a call back but keep on pushing through either way. Also, you don’t have to take everything that comes your way. Do things that you are comfortable with. Set a good standard for yourself. I continue to work on productions locally and abroad as time goes by. Putting in the work. It’s a difficult journey especially when it’s just you. I have to be my own support system. It’s hard work, time, energy, effort and dedication. It’s not an easy task being an actor. It takes a massive amount of mental capacity. You have to be able to entertain your audience. It’s a profession, not a hobby. It’s a love. It’s a passion. Feels good to be recognized for my contribution to the creative sector. Many will say, give up on your dreams…ladies and gentlemen…I say follow your dreams. You can achieve anything you want in this life. All you have to do is put your mind to it. With God all things are possible. I made up my mind years ago, I’ll shall continue to act for the rest of my days.
Much of my early childhood was spent at my grandfather’s factory: SERV-WEL, The Standard Of Quality, located in Kingston, Jamaica which was started in 1950 and still stands today. My grandfather, Ray Hadeed is widely regarded as the founding father of manufacturing in Jamaica. During the height of his career, Ray Hadeed was one the most powerful businessmen in Jamaica. My parents, grandmother and the employees are also fundamental in the growth of the company. It was the largest in the Caribbean. At one time there were a few thousand people employed by the company. Some of which have been there for over 50 years. We were also the Caribbean’s first automaker. I saw what they had to do and build something out of nothing. You have to put your all in what you are trying to achieve. Get knocked down but get right back up. Now I don’t know the meaning of give up. My time and experience living and learning from my grandparents and parents has contributed to my drive as an actor. My loved ones have inspired me to continue and the people that love my work. It’s a blessing and I give thanks. I returned to New Jersey to finish high school with my father where I got my first taste at working as a radio host. After graduating from high school and attending college where I studied Psychology and Business, I relocated back to Jamaica to pursue a career in entertainment. I’m an actor, model, broadcaster, director, producer, teacher, talent and location scout, and voiceover artist. I’m best known for my ten year leading role as Farouk Tavares in, “Royal Palm Estate”, which for years attained the #1 spot on the Ratings Chart for Caribbean film productions. Currently, I host a radio program, “The Vintage Lounge” on NEWS TALK RADIO, 93 FM on the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies. In addition, I have taught acting at the University of the West Indies, Mona, in the Tourism and Research Department along with Speech and Debate at Sidwell in Washington, D.C. My acting experiences have included working with ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and HBO. Television Networks, in productions such as: ‘Flesh & Blood’, ‘Law & Order SVU’ ‘Gotham’ (Batman), ‘Good Business’ and ‘Manhattan Love Story’ to name a few. I’m also one of the Executive Producers of Jamaica’s #1 cartoon, ‘The Frumpy and Stumpy Show’ airing on the BCMC television network on Saturday’s at 11:30pm. In addition to the big screen, I have acted in music videos with world renowned artists many other accomplished musicians.
I also volunteer for environmental and charity work, especially for children, like St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital which my grandparents Mitchell and Lourdes Awn helped from the start with promotion, advertising and finance along with a Hollywood actor by the name of Danny Thomas. I only got the pleasure of knowing my grandmother as my grandfather passed away before I was born. They have inspired me in life to reach for high goals and never give up. I try to do what I can to continue their vision in my own way as much as possible. I also play Santa at Christmas events, along with donating my hair to the Locks of Love charity organization. I’m also the founder of the largest positive thoughts self help group in the Caribbean. It’s called POSITIVE THOUGHTS and it’s listed on Facebook with almost one million members worldwide.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Support your local creativity industry and the people within it on a equal level. We are a growing industry in Jamaica therefore a work in progress. We have a lot more than just music. Jamaica in full of creative people. In order for any industry to grow, there must first be a community of unified people. We all need to support. With the right support, we can all grow together. I love to see people do well. With hard work, determination and dedication…you will succeed. Remember, your future is whatever you make it…so make it a good one.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding thing for me as an actor has to do with my audience. In other words, the people that support my work. Whenever I go to the grocery, pharmacy, gas station or just taking a walk, people come up to me either to say hello, I love your work, can I take a picture with you or ask for an autograph. So I would say, it’s the people that appreciate me and the work I do. They always encourage me to continue and never give up. I don’t know the meaning of give up. I get to do what I love and I love what I do. I seem to be OK at it and the people seem to love what I do. I am forever thankful and I always give thanks. It’s like God gave me a gift. It really feels good. I would like to thank everyone for their continued support. It means a lot.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: justin_hadeed_awn
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awn5000
- Twitter: Caribbean_Actor
- Other: Instagram (@justin_hadeed_awn).
Facebook (www.facebook.com/awn5000.
Twitter (@Caribbean_Actor).
TikTok (@justinhadeedawn).
Wikipedia (https://en.everybodywiki.com/Justin_Awn).
IMDB (Justin Awn).
