GN: Your new film Obsession arrives with major anticipation following its Midnight Madness premiere at Toronto International Film Festival. What first drew you into the world of this story, and what convinced you to take on the role?

MJ: I’ve always been captivated by stories that explore uncomfortable moral gray areas. When I first read the script, it hooked me. I read the whole thing in one sitting.

Bear isn't your typical horror protagonist. He is the architect of his own nightmare, and he slowly transforms into the antagonist as the story unfolds. It was a balancing act, and I knew he would be a divisive character for audiences. I jumped at the chance to play him!

GN: Horror often taps into fear, obsession, and the unknown. Did working on Obsession leave you thinking differently about human psychology or emotional fixation?

MJ: It forced me to confront how dangerous our own coping mechanisms can be when we act solely on our emotions. We all like to think we’d be the hero, but Bear is an example of how extreme desperation can give rise to willful blindness. He starts as this meek, heartbroken guy trapped in a one-sided crush that anyone can sympathize with. But once the supernatural chaos begins, his refusal to face reality becomes his ultimate downfall. It’s easy for someone in that position to ignore red flags and justify horrific consequences, simply because they finally got the one thing they always wanted.


GN: The atmosphere in supernatural thrillers can become intense very quickly. Was there a particular scene during filming that genuinely unsettled you, even after the cameras stopped rolling?

MJ: The scene where Bear and Nikki come home from the party really stuck with me. There was so much screaming and raw emotion that it was hard to shake off. This shoot was intense. I spent a month inside Bear’s head and just accepted the high cortisol levels! Luckily, the atmosphere between takes was playful and light when we needed it to be.


GN 4: You became a fan favorite through your role as Corey Bryant on Teen Wolf. Looking back, what did that chapter of your career teach you about fandom and longevity in the entertainment industry?

MJ: I’m so grateful for my Teen Wolf fans. Their loyalty after all this time is amazing. I try not to focus too much on the concept of 'longevity,' but I do think that staying dedicated to the craft and really connecting to the human elements of every character has a lot to do with it.

GN: Beyond on-camera work, you’ve built an impressive career in voice acting with projects like Kingdom Hearts III, Demon Slayer, and Tales of Zestiria. How does stepping into a character through only your voice differ emotionally and creatively from live-action acting?

MJ: Thank you! In the VO booth, you’re conveying the story and emotions using only your voice. You learn to use your body to power the performance, but you must stay properly distanced from the mic and avoid making noises with your movements. Live-action is a different beast with its own technical skillset. The camera catches every micro-expression, demanding a level of body awareness and stillness that voiceover work doesn't usually require.

GN: You’re also a trained tenor and songwriter currently developing new music. Does music serve as an escape from acting, or do the two art forms constantly influence one another for you?

MJ: Acting is a collaborative puzzle where you are ultimately clay in a director's hands. Because of that, making my own music has mostly been an escape for me. It’s a space where I have total creative control. That said, I'm looking forward to bridging the two and bringing my singing to the screen in the future.

GN: When you are creating music privately, do your songs tend to come from personal experiences, imagined stories, or emotions that are difficult to express elsewhere?

MJ: It’s a mixture of all three, but primarily my music has been an outlet for me to process and express emotions tied to my own personal experiences.


GN: Living in Los Angeles can be both inspiring and overwhelming creatively. What helps keep you grounded amid the constant noise of the industry?

MJ: Creating a peaceful environment at home is key. I try to surround myself with things that make me feel good, keeping my space clean and free of clutter so there’s less distraction and more room to be creative. I also keep my inner circle small. I don’t go out much, other than to hit the gym, grab food, or go to the market, and I definitely don’t spend my free time talking about the industry. Keeping those boundaries is what helps me stay grounded and completely focused on my work and my goals.


GN: Goodnight Magazine often explores the space between dreams and reality. Do you remember your dreams, and have any of them ever influenced your creative work, performances, or songwriting?

MJ: My dreams have inspired some lyrics, but I haven’t fully committed to any of those songs. What happens more often is that I’ll hear melodies in my dreams and record them when I wake up. I have lots of those on my phone, and I’ve used fragments of them here and there. While most of my focus has been on my acting work lately, I’d love to properly finish and share some of those songs one day.


GN: As a final question, what does your personal nighttime routine look like when you truly want to guarantee yourself a good night?

MJ: For me, a guaranteed good night starts with committing to an early bedtime, which I honestly rarely do. First up is a long hot shower, followed by a few minutes of yoga or stretching before crawling into a made bed with clean sheets. I love turning on my galaxy projector and playing some white noise. If I’m not feeling sleepy yet, I’ll turn on anything narrated by David Attenborough. If I don’t have to set an alarm for the next morning, I know I'll sleep like a baby.

photographer: matt alves 

eic kimberly goodnight @mediaplaypr