Actor Ozie Nzeribe is a well-rounded mesh of talent. He’s an international musician, actor, humanitarian, and an accomplished scholar. Apple’s captivating sports drama is set to premiere Season 2 of Swagger in June. Royal Hughes, played by Ozie Nzeribe, is a young male basketball player who is constantly trying to prove himself in the series inspired by NBA superstar Kevin Durant’s experiences in youth basketball.
Stay tuned to watch Royale Hughes as he navigates more life situations in Season 2.
Tell us about Royale Hughes on Swagger.
Royale Hughes is a subpar basketball player who struggles with dyslexia and a wealthy hard-to-please father. Royale has a secret unmatched basketball knowledge and he’s a total defense boss on the court. His development and progression will be something to watch as he grows and adapts to situations, especially in Season 2.
How were you approached for the role and were you surprised when you landed the role?
My agency sent me the audition for a different character on the show, but they loved me for Royale better.
You’ve played on many different shows. Can you tell us about a particularly challenging role you’ve played? What did you do to prepare for the role, and what did you learn from the experience?
My first ever acting job as Todd on Showtimes (Shameless) was challenging. I had to be a bully, which is completely out of my character. I had to throw a kid a quarter my size into a locker, but it gave me my first (stunt work) experience, and it taught me how to make specific action movements look real.
How do you approach developing a character? What techniques do you use to get into the mindset of a character and bring them to life on screen/stage?
I read and revised all information, breakdowns, and packets given to me about the role I’m playing, then I proceeded to mentally put myself in the shoes of the character and emotionally apply my real-life experiences to there’s.
What do you consider to be your greatest strength as an actor, and how do you leverage that in your performances?
I believe my greatest strength as an actor is my ability to take direction very well. After putting in my own hard work into bringing a role to life, I can tweak, refine, or completely change my approach solely off the director’s notes, no matter how big or small.
How do you stay engaged and motivated during long days on set or extended rehearsal periods?
I feed off my fellow Costar’s focus and concentration. If one of us is locked in, we are all locked in. We always motivate each other to bring our A-game every time we step on set.
Can you talk about a time when you faced rejection in your acting career? How did you handle it, and what did you do to bounce back and keep pursuing your goals?
Acting is not for the faint of heart. You will get your fair share of rejections before you hear that one yes or consistent acceptance. But I love the art so much, and it always helps me to remind myself there is a role for everyone. You will eventually get your shot.
Do you have any advice for anyone trying to strive for an acting career?
Be consistent, turn in your self-tape, audition on time, and always be open to opinions.
Be sure to watch him on Season 2 of Swagger in June and connect with him on Instagram!
Image Credits:
Zmny-Records & Apple TV
