Koffee ChitChat
Koffee ChitChat
Pursuing Dreams: Balancing University Life and Hollywood Ambitions with DeVariyay Harris
Have you ever wondered how a young actor juggles the demands of university life while making strides in Hollywood? Our latest Koffee ChitChat episode features an inspiring conversation with DeVariyay Harris, an actor and student at Georgia State University, whose journey from a Disney Channel admirer to landing roles in films like BET's "Deadly Entanglement" and Tubi's "Hot Girl Winter" will leave you motivated. DeVariyay shares his unique preparation techniques involving music and mirror exercises and the tightrope walk of balancing academic responsibilities with his acting career. His story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of prioritizing education while chasing your dreams.
In another riveting segment, he opens up about his aspirations to work with industry legends like Denzel Washington and his mother, Dolly Gray, who has an upcoming film release. DeVariyay also shares his preference for revealing projects only upon completion, underscoring his commitment to his craft. Join us as we explore his transformative journey from football to acting, fueled by faith and perseverance. Don't miss out on following his promising career by connecting with him on social media and joining our vibrant Koffee Chitchat Facebook community for the latest updates and inspirational content.
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Hey y’all hey, don’t miss the next episode of Koffee Chitchat!!
Hey y'all. Hey, it's your girl, paula. We are back with another exciting episode of Coffee Chit Chat. But you know how we do. We have a very awesome guest in the building, but let's shout out our Coffee of the Week, which is a pumpkin spice. So today, guys, we have one of my cousins and his name is DeVarier Harris. He was born in Houston and raised in California. Currently an actor and student at Georgia State University, devarier has starred in the BET movie Deadly Entanglement and the Tubi film Hot Girl Winter. He also appeared in the short film why Not, which is produced by NBA star Russell Westbrook, which is produced by NBA star Russell Westbrook. Now he's residing in Atlanta, the ATL, and DeVoree continues to pursue his passion for acting, inspired by his roots and the support of his family and especially his mother, dolly Gray. Welcome to Coffee Chit Chat.
Speaker 2:Thank you so much Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Speaker 1:Happy to be here, okay, so I want to thank you first for taking time out of your busy schedule to chat with us on Coffee, chit, chat. What inspired you to pursue a career in acting?
Speaker 2:It goes back all the way back to watching Disney Channel. You know my favorite actor at the time. Well, he still is my favorite actor, cameron Boyce. I don't know if you know him. Yeah, he had passed not too long ago. He was a dancer and he was on his hit show called hey Jesse and he really inspired me to, like you know I'm saying, be myself and that stuck with me outside of, outside of just watching TV. So I was just, like you know, dance on the stage at school, performances and stuff like that, and that prepared me to, I guess you know, be on the big screen.
Speaker 1:So yeah, so you always you knew when you were a little bit that this is what you want to pursue.
Speaker 2:Yes, ma'am, yes ma'am.
Speaker 1:That is so awesome. And how long have you been acting?
Speaker 2:Oh, so professionally four years. But I couldn't like I wanted to act when I was 12 years old, but I couldn't because grades weren't the best. So once I got to high school and I joined the football team, I had to get my grades up. So I'm gonna say, my junior year of of high school I booked my first uh, modeling gig, uh, with um champion and no, not champs, champs, full locker, full locker. And I was like, okay, this is, this is what God has for me, so I'm gonna keep on going with it. So it started like I'm gonna say, yeah, my junior year of high school awesome.
Speaker 1:But you know what I love how you said in the beginning your grades were not right. So I'm sure mom said okay, hold on, I speak, you're gonna get these grades right there. We'll think about the act it's all god's timing.
Speaker 2:It's all god's timing, you know it's so true.
Speaker 1:Oh so so true. If you just wait, your time is coming. I I'm I'm firm believer yes, yes, ma'am okay. So how do you prepare um for a role and get into character when someone I guess they send you the audition and you go? Do your go see? How do you prepare for that?
Speaker 2:um, how do I prepare? I know I kind of turn my phone off, like I just lock you in, look in the mirror and just practice, you know, uh, with different facial expressions, and say, for example, I'm doing a like a gangster role, I will listen to like some gangster music, you know. Okay, get myself in the zone and start like I will randomly talk to my mom, like in an accent. She's like what are you doing?
Speaker 2:I'm like I'm just practicing, mom, I'm just practicing mom, I'm just practicing, so yeah, I'll just practice with the accent and also with my facial expressions in the mirror and listening to music that's what I do. Or look at a movie like a Denzel movie or something like that, just to see what kind of character it is and just go off of that.
Speaker 1:Oh, I love that. I mean, it kind of helps you get focused, like, okay, this is what I have to do. And, by the way, we did watch the Deadly Entangler. I was like, ooh, this is kind of intense.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:Great movie. Were you going to say something?
Speaker 2:Oh, you guys liked it.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah. Oh yeah, I'm not sure if Brittany is still signed on that, but oh yeah I thought it was an excellent movie.
Speaker 3:I was like good, I'm still here. Yes, I really liked it too. I watched it last night. I had my popcorn and my drink. I was like yeah, yes, you did really good, you did really good.
Speaker 2:Thank you so much. Thank you Great acting.
Speaker 1:So we asked about how do you prepare for your characters and you're a student now at Georgia State University. How do you balance that workload, because I know that can be kind of tough. You're going to all these auditions, you have probably papers to write and classes to attend. How do you balance that workload?
Speaker 2:School goes first. You know I make sure I put my school in first. You know the acting always going to be there, but my education is very important so I take my education very seriously. So basically I would look at the audition.
Speaker 2:I look what I got to do or if I'm already on set. I would just like you know what I'm saying getting a character. But if I'm auditioning, I would have to put that to the side and finish all my schoolwork. I don't care if it's three o'clock in the morning, I'm still knocking out that audition. I have to, you know. So I'm losing sleep. I'm losing sleep for sure, but if there's something you want to do, you lose the sleep. You know what I'm saying. You got to do what you got to do. It's worth it.
Speaker 1:Okay, and let me. What's your major? Is it TV for your life?
Speaker 2:It was TV film, but, um, I kind of want to have a job outside of acting as well, so I love helping people out. I'm very interested in the human mouth, so I'm doing dental hygiene.
Speaker 1:Awesome. Okay, really that is interesting, but that's a great career because I know they need those people all the time.
Speaker 2:Eventually make my own mouthwash. You know what I'm saying. I do what I got to do, so yeah do so, yeah, okay, okay.
Speaker 1:So you're thinking outside the box, you're thinking into the future. I love strategic thinking.
Speaker 2:Yes ma'am, yes, ma'am got you oh, yes, I love that.
Speaker 1:So now have you had the favorite childhood stars? Oh, okay.
Speaker 2:My mom is. My mom is an actress and we had moved to LA and she had booked this job and she didn't have nobody to watch me at the time. She had booked this job called um it's I think it's on Tubi still it's called Life as a King and the uh, the actor, cuba Gunn Jr, is the main star.
Speaker 1:Yeah, from Norbit, I don't know if you remember Cuba Gunn Jr. Oh, I know Cuba Gunn Jr. Okay, oh, yeah, yes, yes, I met him.
Speaker 2:Um, so basically my mom didn't have nobody. She was a background actress at the time, right, and basically she didn't have nobody to watch me after school because, uh, they, uh, they had moved her up from being a background actor to one of the main cast. Okay, I was like, uh, cuba gun jr was the one that had told her. And she, he was like, aren't you happy? And she was like, yeah, but I have nobody to watch my son because, mind you, it's just me and her out there in la. Um, so he was like, uh, you know what, bring your son to set, bring your son to set.
Speaker 2:And then that day uh after he told my mom to bring uh me to set he had run to set also to watch me, which is pretty dope oh, wow and isn't that awesome? Yes, yes, I got the picture. I got the picture. I'm gonna send it to you okay, so you got the picture.
Speaker 1:Okay, yeah, and to me that's like speak to his character, because sometimes people you know, I know hollywood can be like a dog dog world and they don't care, like, okay, then, well, you just messed up. But for him to say bring you to set, that was, that was great yes, yes love to hear it, so there's still good people out there. So I know that sometimes everything is not yes you, you get no's. How do you handle the rejection?
Speaker 2:oh, how do I handle the rejection, okay? So, um, my mom told me I'm a mama's boy, I love my mom. I hope you probably know by now. So, yeah, yeah, she has said, um, sometimes rejection is God's protection. So I always have that mindset. So if it's meant for me, it's meant for me. What God has for me was for you, and sometimes that role might not be for you, and that's totally fine. It's something bigger and better waiting for you.
Speaker 1:So yeah, oh, that is just so profound. I know I'm color, but it's a proud auntie moment, proud auntie moment. I love that and that is so true. What God has for you is for you, so you don't have to go, you know, being angry or mad because, hey, they took my position, like, okay, maybe God didn't want me doing that at that particular time. I love that. Okay. And how do you stay motivated to continue? You know, because, like, if you were rejected five or six times before there's a yes, how do you stay motivated to say I will keep going because I know that it's coming, my time is coming.
Speaker 2:I feel like I just have like a good circle around me. So, like at first, it was times like before I like book, my before I like book a big role or something like that. It'd be times where it's just silent. You know what.
Speaker 2:I'm saying and you've got to trust, you just got to trust in God because I'm like dang, who am I really doing this for? Am I doing this for me or am I doing this for my purpose that God has for me? So I'm like, ok, I just learned how to just sit still, because sometimes God just wants you to sit still and, like you know, I'm saying just and be thankful for the stuff around you. Because how do I say this? It's times where I'm like dang man, I'm not booking anything Like what's going on. Then I look back and I'm like, dang, god really blessed me with this big booking from two years ago. I'm like why am I still tripping? If he did it before, he'd do it again. Amen.
Speaker 1:Amen, you know.
Speaker 1:I just love it. You're so young and have so much profound knowledge, so I am hoping that a lot of my young listeners are out there listening to you, because at the tender age of 21, that's a lot of knowledge to have. I can tell that your mom has raised you correctly and just keeping God first, because that is so, so near and dear to my heart, my faith. I always know none of this is, none of this is possible without him, but I know all things are possible through him and so continue to be unstoppable and keeping that same attitude. I mean because in this, I guess this 21st century, we need young people like you, the knowledge that you are sharing. I just love it. I'm so happy you're on the podcast. So, parents, listen and make sure you get all your young folks and let them listen to this young man. Thank you, he's giving us some good, good knowledge today. Let's see. Did I miss any questions? Is there a particular actor or actors or actresses that you would like to work with?
Speaker 2:Oh, ok, that's a good question. It's a lot. It's a lot, of course, of course, denzel, denzel, oh yes.
Speaker 1:Everybody, everybody, denzel.
Speaker 2:Denzel. I, oh, yeah, everybody, everybody want to work with him. Denzel, denzel. I can't think I have a foggy brain right now, but Denzel for sure, that's uh. And then I also want to work with, um. I want to work with, uh, my mom. I want to do like a huge film. I want, you know, yeah, I want to do something with her um, but she doesn't look like she could be my mom, like a lot of people say. That's my sister, you know.
Speaker 1:So I don't know how to yeah shout your mama name out, what's your mama name, so we can watch her movies too dolly, dolly gray dolly gray.
Speaker 2:Okay, all right he has a movie coming out on uh lifetime I forgot the name. Um, oh, wow, oh uh.
Speaker 1:Because you know I'm a lifetime girl over here.
Speaker 2:Oh I forgot the name. Oh my gosh, I forgot the name. Ok, I'll let you know. I'll let you know, never let me know.
Speaker 1:Let me know Is it coming like August, September? Do you know that?
Speaker 2:August 17th this Saturday.
Speaker 1:Oh, this Saturday.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:All right, now you text me that name so I can shout it out on my Facebook conference chat as well. Ok, awesome, awesome, awesome, yes, oh wow, okay, and you want to work with your mom, you want to play her son, or you want to play like somebody else, like just a neighbor or something.
Speaker 2:I feel like it would be fun not to play her son. I feel like a friend or something. You know what I'm saying, just like move you up a little bit, you know it. Know what I'm saying, just like just to pull you off a little bit, you know not? Not to put her son, it's too obvious.
Speaker 1:So definitely not her son probably her brother or something you know. Okay, okay, that is so nice too for you to say you want to, you know, to work with your mom. I know she she's doing a great job and I'm sure she's gonna listen to this podcast, so keep up that good work, mom. Um, is she in Atlanta with you or are she still in California?
Speaker 2:yesia yes, uh, she's in atlanta with me. We, uh, we both decided to. Uh, my mom had a a big divorce and you know, she was about to put in a towel and just give up. And then she was. She was on the couch of my friends at my friend's house and, uh, she was about to break down crying because her divorce. And then, um, before before that happened, she heard god book, she heard god voice and god told her that it's not over yet and that just kept us going. And, uh, she said it, um, god put it on her heart to move to atlanta. And once we moved to atlanta, uh, it's been a lot of, a lot of big stuff happening, like my mom booked a commercial with Taraji P Henson for her, yeah, so she did a commercial for her and I booked my first show on Paramount.
Speaker 2:Plus it was called.
Speaker 1:it's called Wolfpack, so I think my daughter watched Wolfpack.
Speaker 3:Oh, because I used to like Teen Wolf and I knew it was from the people who created Teen Wolf. I used to like Teen Wolf and I knew it was from the people who created Teen Wolf. I like Wolf shows, wow.
Speaker 2:Yes, so Brittany.
Speaker 3:I saw you and didn't know who you were. It seemed like I watched it before I knew. Oh wow, Not even knowing I'm related to my other show.
Speaker 1:That is so cool. So, brittany, when your book gets turned into a movie, you already have a young man that can be an actor.
Speaker 3:I know when I work.
Speaker 2:I'm trying to do this horror short, so we'll have actors. Okay, let me know. Hey, I got you fam.
Speaker 3:Keep it in advance.
Speaker 1:For sure, that is so, so, so awesome. Um, yeah, I think we're gonna ask how can our people follow you. Oh, no, let me ask this question do you have any more? Uh, I mean, can you tell us, because I know sometimes you guys can't tell us, I ain't gonna lie.
Speaker 2:Uh, look, I keep my move silent. You know what I'm saying, I just I move I move in silence. I I'm the type to pop out with something y'all, y'all. But oh wait, you were working on something.
Speaker 1:I'm one of them, guys, you know what I'm saying. Okay, okay, I move in silence. But if I pop out with it, just no, no, I'm saying so you know, we just say, hey, yeah, he didn't even tell me he interviewed with me sorry, that's just how I move.
Speaker 2:I'm sorry, I love it.
Speaker 1:I love it that sometimes we have to move myself, we do so. That is so awesome what is it now?
Speaker 2:oh, before even, um, I wanted to become an actor. I was like in church I was playing football at the time because I thought football was the only way out, right, and um, we're all like, we're all at church and just praying and stuff like that, and there was like the pastor was like hey, uh, what do you guys want to? Do in the future and everybody told them their moves and what they want to do. They want to become like a famous soccer player and stuff like that, and it was like what you want to do?
Speaker 2:and something told me not to say anything. I'm like um, I can't tell you guys yet, I can't tell you guys yet. And then what? Um, a year later, that's when I uh started, uh booking my first uh short film with uh Russell Westbrook and stuff like that.
Speaker 1:I just like sometimes, god wants us to just stay quiet, you know, and just wait you know, because sometimes when you start talking too much, sometimes people can mess that up for you.
Speaker 2:I mean that can happen too, but I feel like God's word is too, like his promise is too strong, so they're not going to mess it up. You know what I'm saying.
Speaker 1:Even if I tell y'all, if it's for me, it's mine. Ma'am, I hear you. I hear you I am so excited for you, so you didn't pursue. I hear you. I hear you I am so excited for you now, so you didn't pursue sports in college.
Speaker 2:You just it's probably way too much. I had a bad ankle injury so I couldn't play the same. So I was on junior varsity, my junior year, and I was like, ok, yeah, football is probably not for me. I should have been had an offer. And yeah, that's when I just started praying, praying and praying and asking God like, what do you have for me? You know, that's when he just led me to the film industry. And I know I'm saying I don't look back ever since.
Speaker 1:That's awesome, that is so great. And for you to just continue to book and do well and to be a college student. Yes ma'am, we are so proud of you. We're happy for you. Thank you, we're going to be watching you get your first Emmy, or your.
Speaker 2:Oscar, I claim it.
Speaker 1:Yes, lord, we're going to speak it Speak those things as though they were.
Speaker 2:I just think it's so dope because I didn't know there was anyone in the family that does podcasts and stuff like that.
Speaker 3:And once you messaged me.
Speaker 2:I'm like, oh my gosh, it's so dope.
Speaker 1:You know.
Speaker 2:Thank you for this opportunity. Thank you so much.
Speaker 1:You are so welcome. I love trying to promote our young people like, especially the ones that are positive, because maybe that helps somebody who may not be as positive. The ones that are positive because maybe that'll help somebody who may not be as positive. But you know, if they hear you guys, it's for you to be 21 and living for the lord, because you know, sometimes that's rare, you know.
Speaker 1:Yes yes so I love to to promote everything positivity. That's uh basically why we started the podcast, because we wanted you know some positive things into the world. It seems like every time we turn on social media, something negative, something crazy, and I'm like I said we got to get God out there, we got to get you know, we got to promote, make Jesus great again. Now let me ask this question how can our chit chatters follow you?
Speaker 2:Oh yes. Now let me ask this question how can our chit chatters follow you? Oh, yes, yes, um, you guys can follow me on instagram. It's my name d-e-v-a-r-i-y-a-y and, uh, my username is, uh, the same as my tiktok as well, so you guys can follow me on tiktok. I post a lot of motivational comedy Christian content on there. So, yeah, check that out.
Speaker 1:Thank you so much. So, chit-chatters, you guys, make sure you keep an eye out for this young man. He is just profound with all this good knowledge and he's going to be a great actor. Well, he's already an actor. He's going to even come into more greatness. So make sure you follow him on all his social media sites and I will put all his information in our Facebook Coffee Chit Chat group, and we're going to leave you with the quote of the week. I say to you today, my friend. So, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. Martin Luther King Jr, be sure to tune in next week for another exciting episode of Coffee Chit Chat.
