By James Wright
AFRO Staff Writer
Evan Ross is rapidly becoming one of Hollywood's rising stars. (Courtesy Photo/exposay.com)
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(June 21, 2009) - One of the hottest young African-American entertainers has had a first-hand view of the superstar life.
Evan Ross, the son of singing legend Diana Ross, is making a name for himself as an actor and drawing praise for his talent and passion in his roles.
The 20-year-old is turning heads in Hollywood with noted performances in 2007’s “Life Support” and last year’s “Gardens in the Night.” In his newest project, Ross plays the part of "Romeo" in the addiction movie drama, "Life is Hot in Cracktown,” showing in selected cities starting June 26.
Ross said knows this is his big break and is looking forward to seeing how the movie is received by the public. Ross said playing the character of Romeo was an eye-opening experience.
“When I read the script, I was taken aback by it generally,” Ross told BET.com. “It's hard to get films made that are that dark. I thought it would be exciting to have the opportunity to play somebody I've never met.”
“I didn't go into the role with anybody specific in mind,” he said. “I could create somebody that had these vulnerabilities and wasn't the stereotypical gangster.”
Ross said actress Kerry Washington’s character, a individual who is a transgender, drug-addicted prostitute, particularly resonated with him.
“I was so taken aback by her mannerisms and the different things she was doing,” he said. “You can tell she wasn't thinking about it at all, it was so precise and amazing.”
Ross said that he respects the work that his mother has done in her career and said it has had an effect on how he wants to do his own work.
“I look at her in such a high respect that I got to take a great deal of responsibility in whatever I do,” he said. “What's she done is amazing and the more I get older, the more I see that. I've had an amazing mother and I got to respect what she's given me and do the best I can. I'm creative, that's just what I do and that's all I can really focus on.”
Born in 1988 to Diana Ross and shipping magnate Arne Naess Jr., Ross has three sisters who are entertainers, Tracee Ellis Ross and Rhonda Ross Kendrick, and another sibling from his father, pop singer Leona Naess.
Ross began his acting career in high school. His first major role was in the film, “ATL,” which was released in March 2006, in which he co-starred with rappers T.I. and Big Boi.
In “Life Support” he received rave reviews for his portrait as a troubled teenager, along with Queen Latifah and his sister Tracee. He was also praised for his role in “Pride” as a teen with a speech impediment.
In addition to acting, Ross hopes that his mother's tremendous musical talent has passed into his gene pool. He said he is working with artist Dallas Austin on a CD but said that he has been singing all of his life.
“I grew up where I wanted to sing and perform,” said Ross. “It's not my focus right now. I think the music industry is tough because it's a lot of business more than anything else. It's not something I am trying to rush. I want it to be done the way I want it to be done and I don't want everybody messing with it.”
Ross is working on a movie project with Cuba Gooding Jr. and he is being sought for other shows, he said. On “Life is Hot in Cracktown,” he wants people to remember that life is tough, no matter where you are from.
“I think people can gain understanding of a reality out there [from the movie],” he said. “There are these things going on and a lot of young people are trying to figure out who they are. No matter where they are in life, no matter how much money they have and where they come from.”