The feeling of discovering your destiny is one that is unmatched. The sheer bliss of making up in your mind what your future will be and working to attain that is special. This was the case for Markeith Coleman in late 2012 when he decided his studies at University of Southern Mississippi couldn’t satisfy the hunger within himself for more.
Though already studying for a degree in Business Administration, Markeith made acting his priority. He took what was the projected path and shifted it to something unique, as his small hometown of Moss Point, MS had little to no history of acting and film for the most part. When asked about deciding to enter the world of acting Markeith did stress that he had to become accustomed to thinking outside of the box.
The ambitious thoughts became reality for the budding talent as he has carved a nice niche for himself as an actor. Starting with an appearance in Lee Daniel’s “The Butler”, Markeith has been cast in over 10 films to date. The initial belief in himself has birthed credits alongside industry heavyweights like Oprah, Cuba Gooding Jr, Meagan Good, Romeo Miller and more.
2016 brings upon one of Markeith Coleman’s shining moments to date with a recent role in “A Girl Like Grace”. This particular film is special because it marks his national television debut on BET. Markeith states that the appearance on the network was one of his earliest goals growing up. From speaking with him I sensed a determination that leads me to believe it’s just the first of many goals that will be attained in the future.
With “A Girl Like Grace” garnering such attention I was happy to get the chance to speak to Markeith. As someone who is very humble and focused, it was an honor and the dialogue we shared gave great insight into his journey and the film industry. Continue on to read the Q&A between us.
Who is Markieth Coleman?
Markeith is a 25 year old actor from Mississippi striving to make a name for himself. He is setting the tone as a individual who is driven and will not stop until he reaches his goal of becoming a well known working actor.
What are some of the things that drive you as a person?
I’m driven by success. I want a better life for myself and my family. I don’t want to limit myself or the people around me to just dreaming of going to certain places, or the idea of “what if?” I want to show people that whatever you want in life you can get it. I want my parents to be able to see the world from a different angle. Most people don’t think outside of the box, they are comfortable with the everyday life of just working and paying bills. I want something different for myself and I’m not going to slow down until I can do that for myself and my family.
Take me back to the exact moment you knew you were going to be an actor. What was that day like?
Acting has always been something I was interested in. It started from being a little child participating in the stage plays at my church. I used to watch movies until I learned all the words then I would act them out with the actors on TV. Once I got in Jr. High I started looking at life differently. In Moss Point, Ms there weren’t any acting schools or classes that I knew of. I had never even heard of a professional actor from my city ever. That’s when I began to look at what people from my city were doing. If you were a young African American male raised in Moss Point 9 times out of 10 you were into sports heavily. I got connected more with baseball and band with the mentality that I needed to be in California somewhere if I wanted to be an actor. I graduated from high school and it wasn’t until my senior year of college that I ran into someone who was basically responsible for getting me a role in the Lee Daniel’s movie “The Butler”. I remember going on set with Oprah, Cuba Gooding Jr., Forrest Whitaker and knowing this is what I wanted to do my whole life. Even though I had no lines in that movie, I felt good. I remember being on set for about 13 hours just walking around the background of different scenes. I left set that day with the mentality that the next time I went on set for a movie I will book a speaking role. Less than 2 weeks later that’s exactly what happened.
Even though it was just as an extra that’s still a very high profile start. Starting at such a high level how often have you doubted yourself since then?
My first year of acting was like my confirmation from GOD that I was doing what he put me on earth to do. I was spoiled when I first stepped into the industry. I was booking roles, making good money, and traveling like every other week. My second year of acting was a lot more challenging. Things didn’t go like the first year and there were a lot of moments when I doubted myself as a actor and a person. I had dropped out of college during my senior year to pursue my dreams and around that time I was feeling like that wasn’t a good decision. I was so stressed out. It wasn’t easy finding jobs to work around my acting schedule, because as soon as I would find some type of hustle to make ends meet I’d have to leave because of acting. I felt accomplished because I had tons of acting experience under my belt but at the same time its frustrating when your not consistently booking work as an actor. Year two was definitely my year that I doubted myself.
But obviously through that doubt you managed to stay focused. So who or what motivates you more than anything else?
Success is my biggest motivation. I’m driven by the fact that whatever it is that I want, I can work hard until I get it. Also my family.
What’s the biggest obstacle you think you’ve had to face in your life both as an actor and as a person in general?
The biggest obstacle I’ve faced in my life has been exercising my brain to think outside of the box. Being able to look at life in a way I’d never be able to see before and treating it as if it’s my personal project. My mentality and mindset is one of the biggest keys to my success. One of my biggest obstacles as an actor has been learning how to be patient and staying ready. Its not easy to get on TV and there have been many moments when my patience was tested.
I’m not very familiar with the acting world. That being said what was the most interesting thing about the industry you’ve come to learn?
There are a lot of interesting things about the industry but the most interesting thing to me is probably the fact that its a lot smaller than you think. Its very competitive but most of the actors I’ve met and become close with all look out for one another. Its like a family at the end of the day even when you’re auditioning for the same roles.
What’s the most surprising thing behind the scenes someone who isn’t an actor wouldn’t know?
There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes that would surprise many people. I enjoy watching how different actors get into character.
You’re from Moss Point, MS. Not the biggest town at all and not one very familiar with the film world. What is your hometown support like and whom do you look to as mentors inside and outside of the city?
With Moss Point being a small town I receive a lot of support from people. Everyone pretty much knows me some type of way so when I go somewhere people speak and congratulate me. Occasionally I sign a few autographs or whatnot. People reach out to me on Facebook and share my post and keep the community informed on what’s going on in my career. Its real humbling. I look up to a lot of people from my area who are successful on a major scale. I keep in contact with Jhai Keeton, Tony Sipp, Alvin Moore just to name a few people from my hometown that I could consider my mentors. Outside of my city my mentors include Darrin Henson, Romeo Miller, Tommy Ford, Ty Hodges and the list goes on.
At your first audition what were the thoughts going through your mind?
My first audition I ever done was for a football movie called “One Heart” that was filmed in Dallas, TX. Going into it I was confident and ready. Once I got to Dallas though I realized there were over 400 people auditioning for a role in the movie. Once I noticed that I was thinking in my head like “I shouldn’t have came all the way out here without knowing what I was getting myself into.” I was sooo nervous about it and unprepared. I just tried to stay confident and give it my best effort.
Even though you were overwhelmed did you pull through and get the part?
I ended up getting the role in that movie but as a different character than what I auditioned for.
Since then has it become more comfortable auditioning? Also, how many movies and other spots have you managed to film to date?
I’ve become a lot more comfortable with the audition process. I don’t get nervous anymore. Once I’m done auditioning I throw away my scripts and move on to the next thing so that I wont have my mind on it. I’ve filmed about 13 movies.
Of the 13 what do you feel is your best performance?
I’m constantly getting better and better with each performance, so I feel like whatever I’ve done most recently is my best performance. If I did an audition last then I feel like my audition is my best performance
You made your first national television appearance on BET recently. What is it like to see yourself on such a tenured and important platform?
To be honest, BET was my only goal growing up. I wanted to be on BET. When I made my first vision board as I started acting I put on there that I wanted to be on BET. To see myself on that screen was so close to my heart because it was a goal that I set for myself a long time ago.
I’m sure it was an amazing feeling and you did great with your scene. Walk me through how it all came about?
Thank you. Going into that movie I was referred the role and went through the process to book the speaking role. Romeo has been a good friend of mine since 2012, so we already had pretty good chemistry before filming our scenes. Once we got on set we knocked out both of our scenes in two takes.
Has being in that high profile of a movie gotten you any more opportunities as of yet?
Being on screen in a movie like “A Girl Like Grace” alongside stars such as Meagan Good and the rest of the cast has definitely helped out my career. I still have to audition but I’ve gotten a few opportunities since the movie has aired.
What else should people look for in the near future from you?
I have two films that’ll be out next year. As of now I don’t have any specific dates but everyone can stay up to date through any of my social media sites (markeithcoleman) on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
If all goes as planned I am going to interview you again next year. What’s the main thing you would like to happen in the time from now to then?
Next year when we interview I plan to be coming off of a lead role in a major film. That is what we will be talking about.
Do you have any words you want to leave the people with?
Stay true to yourself. Go after what you want in this life that we have. Keep GOD first and work hard. Treat people kindly and everything will fall in place for you.
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