We were lucky to catch up with Roy Fowler recently and have shared our conversation below.
Roy, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
Taking risks is a very important part of the journey. I took my first big risk when I decided to move to Atlanta, Georgia to pursue a career in entertainment. I had people in my life at the time who told me that trying to be an Actor or Artist would be hard without knowing someone in Hollywood or without an agent. I knew it wouldn’t be an easy task to just up and move but it still did not discourage me from making my decision. I always knew that anything that comes easy is not meant for me. If it comes with a challenge then count me in because i’m all for a challenge and proving others wrong. I went to Atlanta and lived out of my car for the first 6 weeks. I would go to the local QuikTrip gas stations every morning and brush my teeth, take a quick wash up, and say a prayer and then out the door I would go to see if I would land any auditions that day or if I would get a call back for any acting gigs or any job offers surrounding anything in entertainment. I had a membership at the YMCA, so every day I would go and shower there. I had a daily plan and routine. No one ever knew I was homeless. I kept myself up to par and in style. After my 4th week of being in Atlanta, I met a friend at a movie screening that I was invited to and he ended up asking me to help him with a red carpet event that upcoming week. That was the door that opened a lot of opportunities for me. I began to work those events at least two or three times a week. I began to build connections with other Celebrity Publicists, Agents, Managers, and also Celebrities. I took advantage of that opportunity and eventually became a celebrity publicist as well for a small amount of time. A few months later, I received a call to do background acting full time on a few shows airing on FOX network. I hung up the phone that day, and the biggest smile came across my face. I said to myself, ‘Well, it’s time! This is only the beginning. This is what I wanted. This is what I have been praying for all of these years! God thank you! You answered my prayer! Time to shine my light!”
Roy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am Roy Fowler. I am an Actor, Artist, Director, Script Writer, Music Producer, Filmmaker, Song Writer, and all things Entertainment. I made history in my hometown and city, Greenville, South Carolina as the first African American male to Star in a Feature Film on television (HER FATAL FLING, which aired on the Lifetime Movie Network) in over 30 years since the legendary Rev. Jesse Jackson (whose first tv role was in 1989 on the hit show, ‘A Different World’)! I’m also honored to making a name for myself like my fellow talented brother who was a major influence in entertainment and in Hollywood, Chadwick Boseman. He’s from Anderson, SC. Which is about 30 minutes from Greenville! Rest In Peace! This is one of my biggest accomplishments to date, making History! I will forever be proud of myself for not giving up on my dreams! A small town, country boy that made it to Hollywood!
What sets me apart from others is that I have always been different. I’ve always had STAR quality! I’ve always had the confidence. I’ve always had the IT FACTOR! I used to always say that I would be Famous one day! I always manifested it and spoke it into existence! Growing up in middle school, high school, and college I was always voted Class President. My fellow class mates have always seen the leader inside of me. I was always a popular and well liked person! I was also always voted at the end of the year in the year book superlatives, Most Likely To Be Famous or either Most Talented. And I think they voted the right thing.
The main thing I want my followers, supporters, and my fans to know about my brand and my work, is that I take it serious! I don’t just do it for fame, I do this because I love entertainment. I do this because i’m able to give back to charities and orphanages. I do this because there is a young black boy who is saying that they want to do what I do when they grow up! I do this because my brand is my legacy. I receive messages all of the time on social media from people that I grew up with and from some people that I don’t even know, and they all say that they watch me, they have been following my journey, and they are extremely proud of me! They can’t wait to see what I do next! They can’t wait to support! And that alone means the world to me! That pushes me harder. I wake up and I go harder because I know someone is watching me. Someone wants to follow my path. I am an inspiration to others! I’m blessed. And now I am able to be a blessing to others.
One time my Bestfriend Kendra told me, “You are a Celebrity friend!!” I responded “No I’m not. I’m not rich!!” She said, “So!! You are still a celebrity! You hang with A list stars. You are on tv! YOU ARE A CELEBRITY!! Look at what the definition of a celebrity is!” I looked it up.
Celebrity – a person who is well known
That opened my eyes! It made me stop doubting myself! My Bestfriend probably doesn’t even know that she helped me to gain my confidence back. I was losing it! She has been there for me through thick and then! So I have to simply say, Thank you Kendra! And I love you more than all of the clothes in the world! And I love clothes!!
I am currently writing a short film and a web series. I just finished writing my first Feature Film. I will soon be casting Nationwide for these new projects. I will also be Executive Producing them as well. I can’t wait to give someone the chance to audition and then give them a role and make their dream come true! That’s what it’s all about! Passing down the torch!
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
I think a lot of people that know me or grew up with me think that since I was an only child and had a great upbringing, they think I had it easy when it comes to my life now working in entertainment and even coming into the entertainment industry. But my parents did not help me with my transition to the entertainment world. I hustled, struggled, and worked hard to get here! I was going to auditions all across the United States. They didn’t give me any money to move to Atlanta or money to take acting classes. I traveled all around the country and sometimes spent my last bit of money just to go to an audition. I worked restaurant and hotel front desk jobs to provide for my career in entertainment and flights and to rent cars to get to auditions because there was a period of time when I didn’t even have a car.
What a lot of people also don’t know is that I attended an HBCU, Claflin University, in Orangeburg, SC. And what they also don’t know is that I settled on that college. I wanted to go to my dream school, which was Howard University in Washington, DC. My Junior year of high school and my Senior year of high school, my dad told me that if I did not receive a full ride scholarship to Howard or any other school out state, then they would not be paying for me to go. That was one of the most disappointing things in my life. Not being able to go to my dream school and major in Theater and the arts. However, I am still thankful for the path I chose to take. I wouldn’t change a thing. I am also thankful to my parents for instilling in me the importance of going to church at young age, growing up in the church, and the importance of knowing God! And also knowing the importance of Prayer and Faith! Prayer has lead me every step of the way in my journey and in my life!
If I could still get the chance to go to Howard, I would still take it. Maybe I will be able to teach a class or an entertainment course in their arts program one day.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding is being able to see yourself on the big screen or your name in the credits! It makes me feel good! It reminds me that all of my pain and hard work I endured was not in vain!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13908867/
- Instagram: @officialroyantwon