We were lucky to catch up with Prentiss Watson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Prentiss, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

In the beginning of my my acting and modeling career I was going up and down the east coast creating opportunities. I noticed the more I did the better the talent around me got . I knew I had to step my game up .. I remember going to an audition and I did a horrible job . I was stumbling over my words and I wasn’t confident. I was so focused on messing up . I started studying the craft of both modeling and acting. I took acting and modeling classes and workshops . I would practice in the mirror , read books , watch videos. I started to get better and more confident securing many more acting and modeling gigs . I noticed a common message from A List actors and Suoer Models alike that was “Learn the the craft” My peers noticed me staying busy and would ask me how am I getting the gigs . My message was the one told to me” Learn the craft be prepared for the opportunities because you don’t want to have an opportunity for something and your not ready”

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?

My name is Prentiss Watson I’m an Actor/Model based in Baltimore, Maryland. I started my journey after being released from Federal Prison. February 23, 2012 while waiting for transportation to take me to Greyhound station so I can report to Galway house I got my confirmation. Wesley Snipes walked passed the room I was in . Mr. Snipes along with few other inmates were going to clean visiting room. I tapped on the glass and said to him “ I’m going to be in a movie with you one day “ I wasn’t sure if he heard me but the universe did . Many other waiting with me started to tell me they can see me on tv and I should give it a shot . During my time in prison I would in vision myself in different artist music videos as the leading man . I would be watching a movie seeing myself as the lead actor . So when I seen Wesley Snipes for the first time after only hearing about him being in the same prison I knew it was a sign for me to do it .

After being released from the federal halfway house May 25, 2012 two days after my birthday it was on . I was on Facebook when I came across a post for actors for a stage play titled TO HELL WITH MEN TO HELL WITH WOMEN By Fajaya Singletary.
This where my acting picked back up from my first play when I was in elementary school.
What set me apart from others is my life’s journey filled with much trauma and pain despite it all being able to stay disciplined and focused at the task at hand . Spending many years in different prisons help me to easily adapt to any situation and handle pressures while still healing . My mother passed from breast cancer January 20th 2004 while I was incarcerated. I wasn’t allowed to attend funeral or wake . My mother birthed four children three girls and myself the youngest and only boy . Mental health has been a challenge for me during this journey. I loss many people close to me including my daughter father two nephews a niece thirteen friends to gun violence. I’m very much blessed to hear today . I’m constantly working to better myself. It’s not how you , it’s how you get up when you fall, heal when you’re hurt and keep going no matter what . No excuses just results

I’m most proud of me being able to do my first stage play after prison . I had a very bad stutter I would work on while in prison. I always felt this fire inside to speak up or express myself. I knew I had to work on my speech to be heard . My weakness became my strength. When I did my first performance in front of a sold out crowd a weight was lifted off my shoulders. Nobody knew but I was crying inside . The little boy who knew the answer but didn’t raise his hand because of the embarrassment of his words not coming out or coming out so rapid you didnt understand him just did what he dreamed of . In the past I pastvup on many opportunities in fear of stuttering or getting stuck . As my confidence grew on the stage so did I in life.

I’m SAG eligible now. Meaning once I pay the fee to be apart of the actors union I’ll have more opportunities to further my career and leave my mark.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My goal is to give the people who come from similar conditions and situations hope and a blueprint . I know sometimes when all we see is negativity we don’t believe nothing positive is possible. I’m here to show and prove with a vision , discipline and consistency anything is possible

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

When I was introduced to Les Brown via Facebook post after my nephew was murdered . What was left of my heart was scattered in a million pieces . I couldn’t eat , sleep , think even function . When I heard his voice playing over an exercise video it’s like he was talking directly to me . I don’t know who the speaker was at the time so I sent a message asking who was the speaker. That was a game changer . I started to watch his videos everyday , even got his book and went to one of his seminars where I bumped into my little cousin she was so excited to see me knowing my past . Les Brown mentored and guided me through my traumas . If it wasn’t for his words at my lowest I don’t know where I would be right now . Another influential person was Dr. Myles Monroe. I was taking classes for solar panel installation training at Power 52 . Ray Lewis is co owner . After graduation is was a company cookout . I got to sit and eat with Ray Lewis , his daughter and his two close friends . They were dropping g heels to myself and another classmate . For some reason others stayed away . I knew I could not leave that cookout with gaining some knowledge . Ray Lewis himself powerful message of “No Excuses “ watered that seed of not giving up no matter what . My mother Florence Watson planted the seed of not giving. She would play music around the house and she would always sing a particular song that always stuck with me “ Rough side of the mountain “ By Rev F. C. Barnes . When my mother would sing the song I would envision myself climbing a mountain and not giving up. She’s the reason why I never will quit ! No retreat no surrender .

Contact Info:

• Instagram: http://instagram.com/sir_prentisswatson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prentiss.watson?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits
CashLand Moses King Wear GMAXX Photography Loves Life Photography Photographer Vani Jay Stylist Lana Rae Photographer Damon Rice Designer Malcom Staples Runway International Junda Morris Designer Koimene Brothers Designer Stanlion Clothing Ihephoto Photographer Don Sherrill