The idea of “how to make it” in Hollywood, has become more and more farfetched as the years go by. Before, it was a maximum of ten years give or take, and given the amount of work you put in, the people you come across and the sheer chances that you’re in the right place at the right time. Either way, these sets of ideas have seemed to be contradicting or become fabricated in numbers from the initial plan set forth preventing to keep the tradition alive.
Consistently attending workshops and acting classes, while paying ridiculous amounts of money that you could just consider being another bill.
Forking over money for Head Shots, updating photos; only to be dormant on a wall or to have tossed in a bin, which is within a minimal amount of seconds from how long it took to even take them. If you’re past due on that botox injection then good luck with trying to make them last. Parents, for children under a certain age, make sure to put aside money on top of their college tuition. Their updates are based off of months.
With social media, reality shows and people sneaking in through the back door from those who have spent years trying to perfect their craft and respect the art of acting, they’re also the ones who are the case of drawing short straws from the stack.
Please bring this cartoon back!
I myself, have stood on the sidelines willingly watching and observing the nature of the game while the dynamics have shifted and changed, but I applaud those that take every and any effort to set forth how things ought to be, all while strategically and psychologically playing along. If you can’t beat them, then beat it in them.
Recently, I’ve familiarized myself with an undeniably hidden talent. I don’t mean hidden talent as in him being unnoticed, but being underestimated. He’s nearly been in this industry just as long as I have, with me being a couple years shy. While our experiences have created different routes for our lives, I’ve found somewhat of an admiration for him seeing him as a mentor. He’s gone through just about the same trials and errors of any known struggling artist and continues to prevail vigorously in his continued path of success. The only problem is that, he’s not exactly on everyones radar quite yet.
Meet Sam Sarpong originally from the UK, and another Jack of All Trades, whose path to success is followed by years of experience, dedication and a strong will of being able to achieve anything.
Photo credit to Curtis Sabir
with Sam on set of his new comedy series”Average Dad” co starring with my name is earl star Jaimie Presley due out spring 2015
With everyone on social media thinking they’re the next instagram model or Google search star, just because they’re virally linked through their picture by their name, then into a computer, people like Sam, are absorbed in the midst of people who are over exaggerating who they actually are. Granted Google is his own photo collage ranging from Red Carpets, Movie Screenings, Fashion Week ect, I still didn’t know who this guy was. Sure I’ve seen him around and about for years, but I just could never depict his name and level of status aside from his presence.
The way of an altered perception
Photo Credit to Deepan Jaddoo where
Sam gives a homeless guy love and some money while shooting his music video”Mr Boy London”, on the streets of the UK, and Sam shooting a shopping scene for”Mr Boy London” video on the streets of shortage, next to Boy London flagship store.
Sam “Living in LA, has been awesome for me, because LA is a place where if you have your head on straight, then there’s no better place for an opportunity”.
Here in Hollywood, when you’re associated with social or inner circles, it’s easy to get caught up in the idea of fame and being a known public figure within your surroundings, but once you step outside of that comfort, it’s a different world of trying to credit yourself to everyone else. That’s what I took before actually having a sit down conversation with Sam where I could ask questions more in depth to get a better feel for who he is as a person, and individual outside of the image he portrays.
Sam and I at BLD for lunch
Look at that gorgeous smile, and to think he actually doesn’t like smiling in photos. See, when I look at this photo I see a softer guy behind the hoodie and shades, which makes him more approachable. Sam Sarpong is one of the genuine ones. Not too many of them left. His sense of direct honesty is very respected where you couldn’t question his integrity in this business.
Sam “The people who inspire closely in my life are my dad, he’s an amazing man whose never ever given up on me and my sister June, whose one of the biggest stars in the UK, but has never ever changed being a great example for me. Duane Martin has also been a true inspiration in my life and he doesn’t even know, but I’ve known him over a decade and he’s said some of the most meaningful inspirational things to me, he’s so smart as a business guy and still sooo humble. Love that dude man!”
After meeting him a few times, one during his events at XLounge ( Read Fashion Party Wrap Up review) and his hosted party (Halloween Runaround) I felt the initial perception I had of him was all wrong.
Photo Credit to Curtis Sabir Where
Sam is at Scream Famous on melrose, the store that carries his”Chosen One” line, standing in front of his one of a kind custom designed jackets that sell for over $500 a piece.
I found him intriguing, something about his aura made me want to engage. So I asked him to grab lunch so I could sit down and explain to him my observations from my confusions, offer my insight and in return take away a better understanding. Well, what I was not expecting, was to get new light on Never judging a book by its cover because you might actually enjoy what you read. It’s only fair to say that we’re all human and at times those instincts will come naturally. I found Sam Sarpong to be like an older brother who too, has seen and been through it all, and only wants the best for those who enter his private life. His words were strong and powerful, his hand gesters, as if he were Ganesh; religious Lord of removing obstacles for new beginnings. Lord of success and prosperity. His eye contact, as he was fully involved in our discussion, showed me that he knows how to maintain that balance in staying grounded.
While I find that sometimes conversations are better meaningful when you can hold it dear to your heart, that’s where I will keep it nearest to, so please forgive me for keeping it sacred.
I could read into our conversation that although he may not be in the same category as your next biggest A-list star, he still deserves that right. This is why I feel so strongly towards the industry and how they forget that those who work with integrity are sometimes shadowed by the new fad.
Sam on the MTV hit show “Yo Mama”, Featured in MensStyleMagazine, in the film “Carmen Hip Hopera” and Sam in the film “Love Don’t Cost A Thing”
This guy has been in plenty of movies and more than enough runway shows and fashion magazines that I couldn’t even count on both fingers and toes Over 115 to be exact. Well you just blew me out of the water. So why is he not a household name yet? Well that’s something that some of these big power balls need to answer while cutting past the bull.
I do not condone animal cruelty or bullfighting, but I use this as a way to emphasizing my point.
After doing my thorough research on him even after having our lunch, because you can’t always trust the Internet, I found so many interesting details about this guy. First off, look up June Sarpong. The woman is an African Goddess and also his sister, hence the last name, but I don’t want to take away from Sams accomplishments.
Photo Credit to Curtis Sabir where Sam greets fans on the set of his highly anticipated film”Crossed the line” with Ice T. and Vanessa Williams, also due out spring 2015, and Sam and Ice T. rehearse a very intense scene in the film
Sam “I think my path to success, has been to never, never compromise who I am as a person and stand up for what I believe in. I have awesome family support, friends who care, which is soooooo important and a great team behind me Agent, Management, PR, Brand Manager, you need it all.”
I agree! Unfortunately I’m a team of my own… womp womp. Within the next five years, Sam sees his clothing line, “Chosen One”, blowing up and becoming recognized world wide. For his production company, Future Stars Entertainment Group, he sees himself involved behind the scenes of producing Television, Film, Documentaries and managing talent.
His brand is to be an overall entertainer who gives you all he has while bringing you the best events in Fashion, Music,
Hosting, Television and film. Though the point is that when it comes to Sams idea about success, there’s a bigger picture that comes with it and it’s always strive to being the best you can be!
“@AmberSocialLA people been sleeping on me my whole career. God will wake them up one day soon!”
Update
My dear friend has since passed. Please read my letter to him.Dear Sam
