Brit Pack Interviews
SAM SARPONG
photo by Jovi for JB Photography
Name: Sam Sarpong
Profession: Actor/Model/Host/Rapper
Current Residence: Los Angeles
Previous Residence: Leytonstone, East London
What are the odds that two siblings, raised in different countries would both become media personalities?
Sam Sarpong and his sister June are blazing a trail in the world of television, film and fashion - one in the UK and one Stateside.
The epitome of an entertainment hustler, Sam has already appeared in over 60 movies and TV shows, made fashion history by becoming the first black male model to do a Luis Vuitton editorial campaign and achieved platinum status in Asia with his group The League.
He’s self-assured, focused and unpretentious and on his way to becoming the next British-born breakout star.
Sam’s Hollywood journey began when he was 11 years old. After his parents divorced he followed his father to America and fell in love with his new surroundings in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles.
“I came to visit and from that visit I could tell I was more of an American cat,” he tells me from his LA pad. “This place was better suited for me. Not just the weather, there were way more opportunities out here. People were way more open; I just felt that vibe instantly.”
He’s thankful to have come over at an early age. There was no credit rating to establish, no new driving laws to learn - just the constant excitement of being the new kid in town.
“American kids thought I was unique, they loved my accent so I didn’t have a hard time adjusting to anything, I kinda just fell into it,” he admits. “My accent went quick….within 6 months to a year. I wish it would have stayed longer because all the other kids loved it. That’s what made me unique, but hanging around other kids it goes very, very fast.”
At the time when a Brit in Hollywood was rare, Sam began working intensely to perfect his craft doing commercials and small roles - a work ethic he adopted from his father, who came to the UK from Ghana and worked hard to provide for his family.
As recognition grew he started documenting his journey on film and now has more than enough footage for his own biopic, titled ‘The Life of an Entertainer’
“I’ve been filming it for 14 years,” he tells me. “It’s just really about my struggle and my grind, my whole story trying to make it. The footage that I have is bananas, you get to see the story honestly. Right now we don’t have a network for it but I feel like at the right time God will give me that break and when the right person and right situation comes and we’ll do something.”
Sam’s most recent successes have come as host of MTV’s hit show ‘Yo Momma’ and with international acclaim playing Paul Unanga in the award-winning independent film ‘Anchor Baby’.
He has also recently finished the movie ‘No Weapon Formed Against US’ where he plays a detective raising his daughter and is currently on set with Ice T and Vanessa Williams shooting ‘Crossed the Line’, described as a modern-day ‘Set It Off’. You can also see him in the TV series 'Average Dad', starring Jamie Presley, this fall.
Many of his most successful roles have been playing American characters. Ironically he says it’s getting harder to land a role that requires a British accent.
“There’s so many Brits working here, it’s crazy, it’s such a trip to see. I’m up against all these actors fresh from the UK, they’d hire one of them before they hire me so it makes it that much tougher. But it’s great and it shows you how much talent there is in the UK.”
The recent comments from British presenter Reggie Yates and comedian Lenny Henry about the lack of black talent on British TV have ignited the debate on actors finding success across the pond.
It’s something Sam hears often.
“I know some actors who are huge in the States and the number one thing they say is you get to a certain level in the UK and max out. But when you come to the US there’s always someone bigger, doing more than you.”
Profession: Actor/Model/Host/Rapper
Current Residence: Los Angeles
Previous Residence: Leytonstone, East London
What are the odds that two siblings, raised in different countries would both become media personalities?
Sam Sarpong and his sister June are blazing a trail in the world of television, film and fashion - one in the UK and one Stateside.
The epitome of an entertainment hustler, Sam has already appeared in over 60 movies and TV shows, made fashion history by becoming the first black male model to do a Luis Vuitton editorial campaign and achieved platinum status in Asia with his group The League.
He’s self-assured, focused and unpretentious and on his way to becoming the next British-born breakout star.
Sam’s Hollywood journey began when he was 11 years old. After his parents divorced he followed his father to America and fell in love with his new surroundings in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles.
“I came to visit and from that visit I could tell I was more of an American cat,” he tells me from his LA pad. “This place was better suited for me. Not just the weather, there were way more opportunities out here. People were way more open; I just felt that vibe instantly.”
He’s thankful to have come over at an early age. There was no credit rating to establish, no new driving laws to learn - just the constant excitement of being the new kid in town.
“American kids thought I was unique, they loved my accent so I didn’t have a hard time adjusting to anything, I kinda just fell into it,” he admits. “My accent went quick….within 6 months to a year. I wish it would have stayed longer because all the other kids loved it. That’s what made me unique, but hanging around other kids it goes very, very fast.”
At the time when a Brit in Hollywood was rare, Sam began working intensely to perfect his craft doing commercials and small roles - a work ethic he adopted from his father, who came to the UK from Ghana and worked hard to provide for his family.
As recognition grew he started documenting his journey on film and now has more than enough footage for his own biopic, titled ‘The Life of an Entertainer’
“I’ve been filming it for 14 years,” he tells me. “It’s just really about my struggle and my grind, my whole story trying to make it. The footage that I have is bananas, you get to see the story honestly. Right now we don’t have a network for it but I feel like at the right time God will give me that break and when the right person and right situation comes and we’ll do something.”
Sam’s most recent successes have come as host of MTV’s hit show ‘Yo Momma’ and with international acclaim playing Paul Unanga in the award-winning independent film ‘Anchor Baby’.
He has also recently finished the movie ‘No Weapon Formed Against US’ where he plays a detective raising his daughter and is currently on set with Ice T and Vanessa Williams shooting ‘Crossed the Line’, described as a modern-day ‘Set It Off’. You can also see him in the TV series 'Average Dad', starring Jamie Presley, this fall.
Many of his most successful roles have been playing American characters. Ironically he says it’s getting harder to land a role that requires a British accent.
“There’s so many Brits working here, it’s crazy, it’s such a trip to see. I’m up against all these actors fresh from the UK, they’d hire one of them before they hire me so it makes it that much tougher. But it’s great and it shows you how much talent there is in the UK.”
The recent comments from British presenter Reggie Yates and comedian Lenny Henry about the lack of black talent on British TV have ignited the debate on actors finding success across the pond.
It’s something Sam hears often.
“I know some actors who are huge in the States and the number one thing they say is you get to a certain level in the UK and max out. But when you come to the US there’s always someone bigger, doing more than you.”
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It’s true all traces of English pronunciations have been replaced with a casual, West coast dialect and he has a distinct Cali swag, but Sam stays connected with his British roots through regular trips back home. He tries to go back at least twice a year to see family.
“When I go back it’s like I fall right back into it. In LA nobody walks, in the UK it’s my time to unwind and people watch and be on the bus. I’d never take a bus in LA! I love London fashion too. In America there’s a trend and everyone follows it. In London everyone makes their own unique style.” His own clothing line Future Stars has been influenced by different British looks and fits well in both markets. But has he ever considered furthering his career in the UK? “If the opportunity was right," he reveals. "But it’s a tougher market. If you don’t start there young it’s very hard to have any influence. My sister has been really blessed and she started so young. She’s one of her kind and was able to cross-over.” |
photo by eGlamour Photography
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In between filming and modeling Sam can be seen this weekend hosting red carpet and behind the scenes interviews for the 2013 BET Awards.
He may have lost his accent but his humility is going nowhere. Maybe it’s because his father, stepmother and aunts around to keep him grounded.
“I’ve never understood when people start believing their own hype. I’ve been at different levels when you’re not working and nobody will call you back and your friends aren’t around because you aren’t going to the cool parties. Then there’s times when you’re on a hot show, your billboard is everywhere and everyone’s feeling you, so when things are good I really enjoy it but I never get caught up in it.”
The 2013 BET Awards airs Sunday, June 30th @ 8pm (EST)
He may have lost his accent but his humility is going nowhere. Maybe it’s because his father, stepmother and aunts around to keep him grounded.
“I’ve never understood when people start believing their own hype. I’ve been at different levels when you’re not working and nobody will call you back and your friends aren’t around because you aren’t going to the cool parties. Then there’s times when you’re on a hot show, your billboard is everywhere and everyone’s feeling you, so when things are good I really enjoy it but I never get caught up in it.”
The 2013 BET Awards airs Sunday, June 30th @ 8pm (EST)
