We had the good fortune of connecting with Bryson Steen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bryson, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factors behind my success have been God, my village, consistency, tenacity, and audacity. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my faith, which has kept me grounded through every high and low. I’ve also been blessed with an incredible village of family, mentors, friends, and supporters who have believed in me and poured into me along the way.

Beyond that, consistency has been everything. Success rarely happens overnight, and I’ve learned the importance of showing up every day, even when no one is watching. Tenacity has helped me keep going through rejection and challenges, while audacity has given me the courage to dream big, take risks, and pursue opportunities that may have seemed out of reach. Together, those things have shaped not only my career, but also the person I’m becoming.

Young person wearing a black headscarf, looking to the side, with yellow text reading 'Cuttle Fish' and additional smaller text.

Group of five smiling people indoors, two women and three men, standing and sitting, with plants and furniture in background.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is rooted in truth and connection. As an actor, I’m drawn to stories that feel real, characters who are layered, human, and honest. What sets me apart is that I don’t just perform roles, I try to bring real emotion and lived experience into everything I do.

Getting to where I am today hasn’t been easy. It’s taken patience, resilience, and a lot of growth through rejection, waiting, and uncertainty. But I’ve learned to see every audition, every self-tape, and every “no” as part of the process, not the end of it.

What’s helped me overcome challenges is consistency, perspective, and my support system. I’ve learned that this industry is just as much about the business as it is about the craft, and understanding both has been key to my growth.

What I want people to know is that I move with intention. I’m still learning, still evolving, and still hungry, but I’m committed to the journey, telling meaningful stories, and building something lasting.

Person standing on stage holding a microphone, smiling, with a blank screen behind them.

A man looks up at a sign that says 'DON'T DO IT!' in orange letters, with a kitchen background.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was coming to Detroit for a week I would make sure they really feel the city, the energy downtown, the food, the riverfront, and the culture that keeps growing. We would start in Campus Martius Park grabbing food from the Cadillac Square food trucks and just being in the middle of everything downtown, then walk the Riverwalk at sunset because the skyline hits different when the sun goes down over the water. During the week we would hit the Detroit Institute of Arts and spend time at Eastern Market for food, art, and local energy where you can just walk around and naturally find good things without even planning it. At night we would be downtown hitting newer lounges, rooftop spots, or places with good music and a good vibe depending on the night because I like places where you can actually feel Detroit and not just visit it. We would also spend a day at Belle Isle to slow it down, ride around, and relax by the water, and overall it would not be a strict schedule, just good food, good views, and moving through the city in a way that lets you really experience Detroit.

Young man with dark skin and braided hair wearing a sleeveless beige top at an event.

Three people shopping in a grocery store, holding bags of Lay's potato chips, smiling and excited.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Without question, my biggest shoutout goes to my mom. She is the real MVP of my story.

She’s been there through every chapter of this journey.. the highs, the lows, the wins, the losses, the lessons, and the moments in between. From countless self-tapes and auditions to rejections, callbacks, bookings, and days on set, she’s been right there beside me every step of the way.

What makes her support so special is that she didn’t just help me pursue acting; she helped me understand the business behind it. That’s something that often gets overlooked, but it’s just as important as the craft itself. The amazing part is that she was learning it alongside me. As we navigated this industry together, she took the time to learn, grow, ask questions, and figure things out so we could make the best decisions possible. Through that process, she helped me understand how this business works while she was still learning it herself.

I also have to recognize the incredible village she’s helped build around me. Through her friendships, relationships, and support system, I’ve been surrounded by people who genuinely want to see me succeed. It truly takes a village, and I’m grateful for every person who has poured into my journey.

None of this would be possible without my mom’s sacrifices, guidance, belief, and unconditional support. If anyone deserves recognition in my story, it’s her.

Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14315981/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brysonsteenofficial/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bryson.steen.5/

Two young men outdoors, one in a yellow hoodie and the other in a green hoodie, with a blue sky background.

Group of six diverse people standing in front of a banner, smiling, with text thanking sponsors, indoors.

Image Credits
JC Davis (@jcapturezz), MIE IMAGES (@mieimages), Maya Solganik (@tibblepics), Michael Paradise, Elle Margot, Aisha C.

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.