'TINY PRETTY THINGS’ DAMON J GILLESPIE WANTS TO MAKE THE DANCE COMMUNITY PROUD

Multi-talented Tennessee-born artist DAMON J GILLESPIE stars as Caleb in the Netflix Young Adult ballet teen drama ‘TINY PRETTY THINGS.’ The series revolves around the lives of the students and faculty of an elite ballet school in Chicago and the consequences that affected them all after a major incident happened.  

In the show, Damon shows off his exemplary dance skills, having grown up as a professional Hip-Hop dancer and trained in Ballroom, Jazz, and Tap, in addition to Ballet, since he was 3 years old.  

Gillespie is a multi-hyphenate who acts, sings, dances and could play several musical instruments (instruments including piano, drugs, guitar, bass, bongos, and congas).

PHOTOGRAPHER: STEPHANIE DIANI

Denim Cropped Jacket: TOPMAN, Jeans: AG, Overcoat: VICTOR LI, Boots: SHOTO

 Recently, Damon starred opposite Josh Radnor and Rosie Perez in the NBC musical drama RISE and in Netflix’s mystery series, THE SOCIETY. On stage, he played the role of “Buttons” in Disney’s Broadway Musical, NEWSIES and performed in Disney’s Broadway Musical, ALADDIN. He also played “Chino” in Carnegie Hall’s WEST SIDE STORY.

In this exclusive interview, DAMON talks about his character Caleb in the show, his character’s own soundtrack, challenges during filming, dance,  making the dance community proud, acting, his inspirations, his dream to play Miles Morales, and his favorite book.

FASHION STYLIST: MICHAEL FUSCO, GROOMING: LAILA HAYANI

Denim Cropped Jacket: TOPMAN, Jeans: AG, Overcoat: VICTOR LI, Boots: SHOTO

Hi Damon, thanks for doing this interview. 2020 is wild! But amidst everything, what’s the best thing that happened to you this year?

I got my beautiful pup, Schuyler. She’s a rescue from my hometown and she’s the light of my world. 

How excited are you Tiny Pretty Things?

I’m nervous, exciting, all of the emotions. I want to make the dance community proud and I want people to really enjoy the show. 

What is the show about and why should the audience be excited about it?

The show is about an elite ballet school in Chicago, and all the drama that ensues in and/or around it. Not only is there incredible dancing and beautiful people involved, there’s also a murder mystery that’ll make you never want to leave the series. 

How was your character Caleb’s development throughout the season of the show?

Caleb really start to stand up for what he believes in. I think prior to Cassie’s fall, he was content with being sort of passed over, almost like he knew what his path was already. He starts to fight for his father, his role, his girl, everything. 

LEFT: Denim Cropped Jacket: TOPMAN, Jeans: AG, Overcoat: VICTOR LI, Boots: SHOTO

RIGHT: Shirt: DAVID HART NYC, Pants: L.B.M. 1911

What’s the best part about playing Caleb?

I think the best part of playing Caleb is that I truly get to bring some of my culture to the screen. I grew up in the south, in dance, as a biracial kid. It can be a lot to deal with and I’m very proud to bring him alive. 

If your character would have its own soundtrack, what would it be and why?

I actually created a playlist for Caleb. It really helped me get into his heart. It’s a combination of country, and hip hop with like a hint of Lenny Kravitz, Keith Urban, and some Kendrick Lamar, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Nelly. 

What are the challenges and the highs that you experienced during filming?

The dance was the challenging part. Ballet isn’t my forte, but it was very fulfilling once I started finding my rhythm with it. It was definitely a high for me too because I found a deep appreciation for a style that I felt I could never get the hang of. Another high was getting extremely close to my cast. Those people have become my family and I cherish every waking moment with them. 

How did you manage to rise above these challenges?

We had an amazing physical therapist, Austin Norris, and amazing ballet coach, Angel Wong. Working with them literally fixed everything that I had struggled with as a dancer. 

Sweater: DAVID HART NYC

What’s the most memorable moment for you throughout the whole process of making the series?

I think the most memorable moment was my final day of filming. I was dreading it so much because I didn’t want to leave. I didn’t want to leave my family. That day was not the most difficult day physically, but emotionally draining. I knew, however, that it was something incredibly special and that I would remember it for the rest of my life. 

Everyone’s process is different and each has their unique approach in acting. Can you walk us through your creative process whenever you go and film a scene?

The first thing I do, with Caleb at least, is eat. I can’t go through my day without eating or my brain doesn’t work. I eat, I look at my lines, and start acting out my scenes. I establish at the top of the script the objective, and on every line, I write what I need to do to obtain that objective. 

How did acting start for you? Was it something that you’ve always wanted from a young age?

I actually wanted to play sports at a young age and my mom saw something completely different. She knew that this was what I truly should be doing. My freshman year of high school, I went to New York and saw Billy Elliot on Broadway. That was the moment I knew that performing is what I had to do for the rest of my life. 

Coat: LUIGI BIANCHI MANTOVA, Sweater & Pants: DAVID HART NYC, Shoes: CONVERSE

Out of all the roles that you’ve played, is there any role/character that resonated with you the most and why?

I think Robbie from Rise was the character that truly resonated with me. As I get older I look back and still find different moments that sparked a connection with my real life- from disappointing colleagues and teammates to really opening up and being vulnerable on stage. 

Who and what inspires you?

Who inspires me are the people who truly have a love for this art form. The ones who aren’t A-listers. Literally the unsung gems in Hollywood. They tend to be the most interesting to watch and I tend to connect with them more. 

What’s your dream project?

My dream project is to be Miles Morales. Spiderman has always been my favorite superhero and when Miles Morales was created I knew that I had a chance. I always believed I had a chance, but Miles solidified it. I also want to play in accurate depiction of Michael Jackson. Michael is the reason I got involved in this business. I want to know the good, the bad, the ugly of his life, and I want to tell his story truthfully. 

Denim Cropped Jacket: TOPMAN, Jeans: AG, Overcoat: VICTOR LI

Aside from acting, what else keeps you busy?

My music. During lockdown/quarantine, I found myself searching again for something outside of my career. So I really started studying my piano, guitar, and music editing skills. I want to write a musical one day, and I want to learn the art form more so I can write in different styles and tell the story honestly. 

What’s a valuable lesson that you’ve learned that you always carry with you?

Be Assertively Kind

If you were a book, what book would you be and why?

If I was a book I would be my favorite: The Perks Of Being A Wallflower. Charlie in that book seems so terrified of the world he’s in, but he still manages to keep going. No matter his trauma, no matter his hardships, no matter the sadness, he keeps pushing through. I really admire that, and it makes me want to do the same.

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TINY PRETTY THINGS is now streaming on NETFLIX