Meet Juan De Jesus | Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Juan De Jesus and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Juan, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I believe pursuing an acting career is all about risk-taking. The necessary risks you need to take to succeed are the key factors to a greater change in your artistic career. A leap of faith is all you need if you’re feeling stuck with your life. In 2021 I took the risk to move by myself to a completely new city without having connections or either knowing anyone that lived there. I saved enough money to move to Atlanta, and I started, little by little, emerging myself in the big entertainment industry that’s established here right now. By taking risks I ended up being cast in a movie called, They/Them where I got to work alongside John Logan, Kevin Bacon, and Theo Germaine. That job came along with some beautiful blessings, so it’s safe to say that I’m a risk-taking advocate.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I was born in Venezuela, and to be completely honest, back then the mere thought of being able to pursue an acting career here in the U.S. felt so far out of reach. However, I had a dream, and I was determined to achieve it no matter what. When I moved here with my family back in 2015 I immediately became part of the theater department at my high school without even knowing English at all. Getting where I am right now hasn’t been that easy, and like many actors out there I’ve faced a lot of rejections and sometimes hurtful comments from people throughout my life, but I’ve been able to get through the challenges with the constant support of my amazing and loving family. Without my family, I don’t even think I’d be where I am today, so I feel very blessed to have them.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to always keep on moving and not take things to heart. If something bad happens, you absolutely can take your time to dust yourself off, as long as you get back up at the end and keep persevering.

I’m a dreamer. I’ve always had big dreams, and I’m determined to achieve them. I don’t see myself doing anything else that’s not acting, so I’m willing to fight every day to get where I want to be. I’m very proud of how far I’ve come, and It’s only up from here!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m a sucker for nature, so I’ve been completely in love with the Botanical Garden here in Atlanta. I’ve just never seen anything like it before. Whenever my family is visiting me we love going on hikes at Stone Mountain Park, which has become a tradition by this point. I’ve recently been enjoying watching shows at Out Front Theatre. The quality of work they produce is always fantastic, which makes me want to be a part of a show at Out Front Theatre someday.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I honestly would like to take this opportunity to thank the incredible John Logan for where I am today. It truly takes one person to believe in you. I used to wonder if there even was a place for me in this industry, and John showed me that there is. Working on the film They/Them is always going to be a highlight of my life, and nothing compares to the feeling I felt every day on my way to the set, so thank you, John. I’m forever grateful.

Instagram: @Juandjesu5

Twitter: @JuanDJesu5