Four time
NAACP Image Award nominee for his role as Justin Barber on CBS' "The Bold
and the Beautiful"; ensemble cast NAACP Image Award WINNER for BET's
"Being Mary Jane"; star of award winning independent
film Blue Hill Avenue; Executive Producer and star of the highly acclaimed
film "The Mannsfield 12"and graduate of Oxon Hill High School
- actor, producer and poet Aaron D. Spears is poised, versatile and
on fire!
Aaron D. Spears
(Part One)
Aaron D. Spears
By Rodney Wayne Branche.
Copa: Where are you from Aaron?
Aaron: I grew up in Washington, DC.
Aaron: I grew up in Washington, DC.
Copa: When did you move to Oxon Hill, Maryland?
Aaron: I was just a kid when we moved from Southeast Washington, DC, . My Grandmother lived in Northwest DC., It was like one big triangle!
Aaron: I was just a kid when we moved from Southeast Washington, DC, . My Grandmother lived in Northwest DC., It was like one big triangle!
Copa: How was your experience at Oxon Hill High School?
Aaron: I thought it was awesome our class in particular was just a great group of people. The high school provided a great landscape for activities in ways that we did not understand at the time. It was great growing up in DC with the whole Go Go scene, we created our own music and I was actually in a Go Go band. It had an interesting dynamic because we competed with our dress, language etc. At Oxon Hill High, we had many different classes of students there, some kids were middle class then some kids were not. Now, I could kick it with the 'homies' on the corner or I could talk with the president of the United States if I wanted to, and feel just as comfortable in either situation.
Aaron: I thought it was awesome our class in particular was just a great group of people. The high school provided a great landscape for activities in ways that we did not understand at the time. It was great growing up in DC with the whole Go Go scene, we created our own music and I was actually in a Go Go band. It had an interesting dynamic because we competed with our dress, language etc. At Oxon Hill High, we had many different classes of students there, some kids were middle class then some kids were not. Now, I could kick it with the 'homies' on the corner or I could talk with the president of the United States if I wanted to, and feel just as comfortable in either situation.
Copa: What was the catalyst in college that gave you the idea to begin acting?
Aaron: It all started with a speech class, the teacher that taught the class also had a class for play production. I was given a choice, if I wanted to be part of the play production or I had to work on the paper. So this was a great way for me to make up that particular class so I participated in the play. So we started production and that was the beginning of when that bug bit me and started me with the world of acting. Everything was downhill from there, from that point on I shifted from football and concentrated on acting. The way I looked at it I could enjoy myself, do what I like without destroying my body like football would. I was quite concerned for my body so when I age I wouldn't have to worry about putting much stress on it. So that's pretty much the story.
Aaron: It all started with a speech class, the teacher that taught the class also had a class for play production. I was given a choice, if I wanted to be part of the play production or I had to work on the paper. So this was a great way for me to make up that particular class so I participated in the play. So we started production and that was the beginning of when that bug bit me and started me with the world of acting. Everything was downhill from there, from that point on I shifted from football and concentrated on acting. The way I looked at it I could enjoy myself, do what I like without destroying my body like football would. I was quite concerned for my body so when I age I wouldn't have to worry about putting much stress on it. So that's pretty much the story.
Copa: What role would you say reflected your true personality as you see it?
Aaron: The way I look at it each role has individual bits pieces there is no role that is directly 100%. But it may have some personality regarding where men are like a winners or how the character perceives themselves, to tell you the truth all the characters I’ve played are just bits and pieces of me but there's never been any character who has been spot on. Some have been pretty close but not exactly what I'd call reflecting my true character.
Aaron: The way I look at it each role has individual bits pieces there is no role that is directly 100%. But it may have some personality regarding where men are like a winners or how the character perceives themselves, to tell you the truth all the characters I’ve played are just bits and pieces of me but there's never been any character who has been spot on. Some have been pretty close but not exactly what I'd call reflecting my true character.
Copa: Now this is a question that a lot of your fans would like to know, how do you stay so fit. With your crazy schedule it must be difficult.
Aaron: This is just a very interesting balance; it's all about what you choose to be part of in your life. You must understand that each important aspect of your life takes time out of your day, so you have to spend your time wisely between your family and your workout schedule. When you're at the gym and working out you really have to concentrate on the time that you are there and really working out. It's very important to stick to your schedule. When I was at college I played football, basketball, ran track, and was part of the student government, so it was very important to stay on a schedule. Your day had to be planned out, it was a routine you have to follow, things would not work out if you fell behind, it would be quite difficult to catch up so now this is basically a continuation of what I said earlier. So it's important to stick to a firm regimen. I would have to work accordingly to whatever my shooting schedule would be for the next day. So if you fall off it's not that serious, I believe when you get off the horse just get back on and start back up again. Everybody messes up now and again but you just get started back up and get back on schedule no reason to cry about. You must remember you're never really on a diet is all about lifestyle. Don’t be a nuisance to yourself, just keep moving!
Aaron: This is just a very interesting balance; it's all about what you choose to be part of in your life. You must understand that each important aspect of your life takes time out of your day, so you have to spend your time wisely between your family and your workout schedule. When you're at the gym and working out you really have to concentrate on the time that you are there and really working out. It's very important to stick to your schedule. When I was at college I played football, basketball, ran track, and was part of the student government, so it was very important to stay on a schedule. Your day had to be planned out, it was a routine you have to follow, things would not work out if you fell behind, it would be quite difficult to catch up so now this is basically a continuation of what I said earlier. So it's important to stick to a firm regimen. I would have to work accordingly to whatever my shooting schedule would be for the next day. So if you fall off it's not that serious, I believe when you get off the horse just get back on and start back up again. Everybody messes up now and again but you just get started back up and get back on schedule no reason to cry about. You must remember you're never really on a diet is all about lifestyle. Don’t be a nuisance to yourself, just keep moving!
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Copa: What advice do have for any aspiring actors out there who wish to make a name for themselves?
Aaron: Everything in life will require time, work, energy and effort. So you are going to have to put your best foot forward. You have to give best effort in the energy that you're putting forth in what you say you want to be. You might sit back and say I see I maybe didn't want it that much, but you never really know until you really give it your full effort. It's like the time you raced your best friend and things got a little rough so you thought you will lose so you started to slow down. At this point you cheated yourself because you didn't actually put forth your best effort in winning that race so when you really look at it you cheated yourself. Nothing in this life is easy, it takes a certain regime to make things happen for you. The lesson learned here is to prepare yourself to win and really do your best and never give up too soon! Every profession requires a certain effort or protocol that must be followed. A painter has to paint, a writer has to write or a director has to direct and a producer must produce. You can’t say that you want to something by not doing anything, are you an Actor or a waiter?... you have to grow. Going to the movies doesn’t make you an Actor, just because somebody is getting their groove on doesn’t mean you are getting yours off. You need to act, you need to go off and perform in a play, take a class…do something. If you want to be a cameraman get a camera and start making films, you have the Internet now, and entire new world. Go for it!
Aaron: Everything in life will require time, work, energy and effort. So you are going to have to put your best foot forward. You have to give best effort in the energy that you're putting forth in what you say you want to be. You might sit back and say I see I maybe didn't want it that much, but you never really know until you really give it your full effort. It's like the time you raced your best friend and things got a little rough so you thought you will lose so you started to slow down. At this point you cheated yourself because you didn't actually put forth your best effort in winning that race so when you really look at it you cheated yourself. Nothing in this life is easy, it takes a certain regime to make things happen for you. The lesson learned here is to prepare yourself to win and really do your best and never give up too soon! Every profession requires a certain effort or protocol that must be followed. A painter has to paint, a writer has to write or a director has to direct and a producer must produce. You can’t say that you want to something by not doing anything, are you an Actor or a waiter?... you have to grow. Going to the movies doesn’t make you an Actor, just because somebody is getting their groove on doesn’t mean you are getting yours off. You need to act, you need to go off and perform in a play, take a class…do something. If you want to be a cameraman get a camera and start making films, you have the Internet now, and entire new world. Go for it!
From "The Bold & The Beautiful"
~Copa