MICHAEL COOPER JR.

GN: How did you feel when you heard you landed the role of Justin in Mara Brock Akil’s Forever?

MCJ: The right answer is exciting, but the truth is I was petrified. I’d been acting for only three years, I'm not classically trained and I don't have a “name”. I was excited but also terrified. A mentor of mine classified it as a quantum leap. And a quantum leap it was. Quickly after getting into filming was when I felt truly excited.

GN: Tell us a little bit about the show.

MCJ: The show is an adaptation of Judy Blume’s best selling novel, “Forever”. The show centers around Justin and Keisha who find each other, then break apart, then find each other again. It is about first love and young love and how two people can learn and grow from one another in a relationship. It even tackles how social media can be weaponized if used in the wrong way.

GN: What was it like to play a character struggling with ADHD and what is the message for anyone out there struggling with a challenge, particularly in high school

MCJ: I loved playing Justin, but he is so different from me. He is weird, and uncomfortable, very emotional and sometimes just says too much and vomits out words. I haven't seen a character like him on TV. The message of Forever is one of self love. You have to really love yourself before you can give that love to someone else. If you love yourself, and are true to who you are, all the challenges can be faced head on. Also, a strong support system helps, and Justin has very strong parents and a close knit family in the show.

GN: Give us three words that describe your personal style:

MCJ: Three words that describe it: Cool, calm and charismatic.

GN: With so many late nights spent on set, in classes, or studying scripts, how has your relationship to nighttime and the phrase “goodnight” shaped your personal sense of rest and renewal?

MCJ: Goodnight means the day is over and it is time to leave all the things that happened behind, both good and bad, and drift away to sleep because tomorrow is a new day!

Photography: KIMBERLY GOODNIGHT & SCHLAGENHAUF

Stylist: SCHLAGENHAUF

Groomer: NATASHA GREISSING for EXCLUSIVE ARTISTS using LANEIGE & ZOTOS HAIRCARE

Location: AE STUDIO