NEVER HAVE I EVER'S JAREN LEWISON ON REMEMBERING THE FEELING, AND OTHER LIFE LESSONS

By: CLARA SEELY-KATZ

Jaren Lewison is as passionate as he is vibrant, as eager as he is hardworking, and as engaging as he is interested in learning and examining all that is around him. One would be hard-pressed to find a more ecstatic young man with as much love for the art of film and television and more exuberance about his own life. During my conversation with Lewison, I was impressed with his speaking style and how well-informed and genuinely interested Lewison was in acting and filmmaking in general. He might be simultaneously balancing his college work with a full-time career as a star, but he handles it with the down-to-earth attitude you would expect from a young man whose life motto is "remember the feeling" (a more updated, stop and smell the roses, if you will).

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 As the second season of "Never Have I Ever" hits streaming platforms, Lewison's fanbase is sure to continue to grow, as more and more watchers become familiar with his goofy and sympathetic character, Ben Gross, and fall in love with not just the character, but with Lewison himself. Even though "Never Have I Ever" is primarily a coming of age story focused on the young Devi Vishwakumar (played brilliantly by Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher (the showrunners) were also intent on telling a wide array of diverse and in-depth stories about what it really means to grow up in the melting pot that is America. Lewison adds to the narrative as both a love interest, a nemesis, and an onscreen representation of the younger Jewish generation (since I am a part of that group, I appreciate it immensely).

"Never Have I Ever" was one of those shows that came out right at the lockdown in America began to take full effect back in early 2020. For that reason, it was a comfort show of sorts for many, including myself. Brilliantly written by Kaling, Fisher, and all other writers, "Never Have I Ever" is a must-watch, fun, and light-hearted comedy that isn't afraid to shy away from the more messy parts of life.

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Before we even got into the real meat of our conversation for the article, we got sidetracked as Lewison asked me about me and my own experience balancing college and work; his curiosity almost made us run out of time. In this interview, read about Lewison's penchant for baking, his obsession with psychology and tying his studies into his work, as well as his devotion to the 2008 superhero film "The Dark Knight" and Heath Ledger's iconic performance as the Joker. 

I've noticed on your Instagram that you are into baking; you've made multiple posts featuring some of your treats. Can you tell me about your baking and also what the best baked good you've eaten (or made) is?

I love baking. My grandmother is the one who actually got me into baking; to me, she is the master. She can make literally everything, and if I ever have a question, that's who I call. I think my best baked good that I can make my red velvet cake. It is absolutely unreal. I make homemade cream cheese frosting to go with it. For birthdays or special occasions, everyone's like Jaren please bring the red velvet cake. But I would also say my chocolate chip cookies are a close second.

You just named both of my favorite desserts. I'm blown away!

That cake is my favorite thing I've eaten, too. It's really not that hard to make. You can absolutely do it if you have a little bit of experience, or just straight up all the directions. You're there.

Well, also on your Instagram, I saw that almost every one of your posts, as well as your bio, feature the hashtag #rememberthefeeling. Can you tell me about this and what this means to you?

Yeah, so that's pretty much my life motto. That's what I live by. In every situation that I go into, it's always in the back of my mind. My grandfather on my dad's side was the one that started it. He passed it down to my dad, and he passed it down to me. Within my family, it means that you should always take time to stop, and remember each and every situation, really take in everything about whatever you're doing. Just relish it and enjoy it and be able to look at whatever it is that you're doing and think, wow, this is amazing. It's about picking something out that's beautiful within whatever it is that you might be up to. It's kind of like "stop and smell the roses," but a bit more intense. I would say anytime that one of my seasons comes out, or I have an audition, or I go and do something amazing, or I spend time with people that I love and get these overwhelming feelings of joy, even the small ones, I take a minute to stop. I remember the feeling and recognize how amazing my life is. That kind of mindset helps me keep a positive outlook and attitude for everything I do.

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That definitely sounds like it is something that would help in the realm of acting since there are so many ups and downs. Can you tell me how you started acting?

I started when I was five. I had an improv group come to my school when I was in an aftercare program, and they asked for volunteers for a bunch of games. And I just loved it; they couldn't get me to shut up. Afterward, they told my mom that I should really get into this business, and they gave me a number of a local agent. It kind of took off from there. So because you couldn't stop talking, and they're like, you'll be a great actor. Pretty much. Yeah, I mean, I just loved the attention and loved every game. And anytime they were like, Hey, does anybody wants to in my head when they're like, Okay, I guess, did you do acting in high school. Also, I assume I did theater in high school, but I can't sing or dance. So in high school, all of the acting that I did for my school was pretty much just background parts of musicals. I loved the dancing, and I'm a capable dancer, but I wouldn't say that's my strong suit. And singing is definitely not my thing. My high school ended up doing a play called "Shakespeare in Love," which was my first lead role in high school. Disney asked our school to be the pilot premiere of "Shakespeare in Love," the high school edition, and then we wound up going to Nationals for it. And I was Shakespeare, so that was a wild experience. That was my biggest role, and that was my senior year too. I was also doing film and TV stuff outside of school, but in terms of school, that was the biggest role I had.

What made you want to make the jump to LA?

I always knew that I wanted to be an actor, even from five years old. I knew that from a very young age. And when I was applying to college, I fell in love with USC and the idea that I could audition and possibly work at the same time as attending school. That was always my goal. USC was my dream school, and I wound up getting lucky and getting in, and have been able to shoot Never Have I Ever" and go to school at the same time. I'm insanely lucky, and that's just a great example of when I have to stop and remember the feeling.

Aside from acting, what are you passionate about?

If I was not acting, I would want to be a forensic psychologist. I'm a psychology major, and I have a minor in forensics and criminality. I love learning about criminal deviancy and understanding the reasons behind certain types of criminal behavior and also the genetic components of the reasons behind some of those actions. I'm fascinated by that, and I think I would be interested in researching schizophrenia, genetics, and research similar to that nature. There are many different forensic psychology pathways that I would want to do, but I'm most fascinated with abnormal psychology in general. So something in that sphere, I would say.

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Do you think you're going to do something with psychology anyways, even with acting?

The goal, and the reason why I'm a psychology major, is that I want to use psychology to help me as much as I can within my roles. So with forensic psychology, if I ever get a villain, or a psychopath, or a sociopath, or an abnormal character - which I would love to do, that's like my dream role - I would be able to utilize a lot of what I learned in school to hopefully portray that as honestly as I can. I think those roles are so unique and fascinating.

So I’m assuming you watch a lot of thrillers and true crime stories.

A little bit, yeah. I think my favorite performance by an actor in a role ever is Heath Ledger's Joker. I think it's legitimately perfect. And Joaquin Phoenix's Joker is a different type of abnormal psychology, and his Joker is also special in its own way. The Joker is just an abnormal psychologist's dream role. If you're going to be an actor to play something, obviously, it's probably the hardest role ever, but those two performances I love so much. Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs is another one where I'm just like, oh my god, this is brilliant. The other one that I also really love is Primal Fear with Edward Norton. I think that that's an incredible performance, especially with such a really deep, dark role. But in terms of watching things, I'm pretty diverse in my tastes. I love watching Game of Thrones. That is one of my favorite shows. Avatar The Last Airbender is a cartoon, and I can probably quote, almost every episode. I also love international shows, and I'm always open to new recommendations. I've been watching Money Heist, which is so good. If people haven't seen that- they should definitely check that out. Peaky Blinders, which is a UK show, I love that too. So I would say I'm pretty diverse.

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As a fellow college student as well as an actor, can you tell me how you are able to make that work/school balance work for you?

It is very difficult to be able to manage school and a full-time job at the same time, but the biggest trick for me has been time management. I think that if I had a superpower, that's what it would be because I always get things done really early. I'm kind of the opposite of a procrastinator, where I get things done sometimes too early in advance where it's like, you don't need to be working on this essay that's due in a month. I'm like that, so if I get really busy all of a sudden, my other work is done, and I don't have to worry about it. Also, working with professors at USC has been great. USC is generally really accommodating, and the individual professors have been really helpful to get me to be able to work at the same time and excel in my coursework. And I also take it really seriously. I don't slack, I always make sure that I get everything done early in advance, and I try my best to schedule office hours or other things if I need to. I just have really open communication with my professors where I'm able to say, Hey, I know that I'll be gone two weeks from today, I know that we have an exam or a project or presentations or something, is there any way that we can figure this out together. Generally, they're pretty accommodating and help me do that.

Ironically it seems like the pandemic may have made it easier for you, with classes online that are more malleable to your schedule.

You are so right! My freshman year, I shot season one of "Never Have I Ever" in-person while also going to in-person classes, and that was difficult because I didn't have the opportunity at the time for easy access to recorded lectures. So if I missed a class, I was relying on a friend's notes, which is great, but sometimes really difficult to read your friend's writing, or sometimes they think differently than you. And with the pandemic, that changed. USC has a lot of international students, so they had to record every lecture since everyone was in different time zones. So, if I missed class, I could go back and watch it, and it was as if I didn't miss anything at all. I was already caught up. This year I didn't have to rely on teaching myself the material as much as I did during the first season of shooting.

So how was the experience filming “Never Have I Ever” season two during the pandemic?

It honestly was really positive, and it was my shining light in all of the pandemic. I felt really safe on set. Being around such an incredible cast and crew (we're all so close) just absolutely skyrocketed my mental health. Being around such positive and creative people and pouring so much love into a show that we already know people have been able to relate to and love as much as we do, is really encouraging. And the second season is so great; I can't wait for everybody to see it. I think it's so witty and so smart, and also so meaningful and complex. And to be able to do that, to create such a beautiful piece of art and a story with some people that I admire, look up to, and love with all of my heart, is the best thing that could have come out of the pandemic for me.

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The first season came out just as the pandemic started in the US, so I know that it was also a saving grace for a lot of people, a welcome distraction.

I've gotten the chance to speak a little bit with some fans that I've interacted with, whether it's online or in-person, and so many of them have come up to me, and been like this was what gave me some joy in the pandemic. And because it was such a hard time for everyone's mental health, to be able to be in a show that does sprinkle in a little bit of joy and shed a positive light is something I'm really proud of. I'm glad I could be a part of something that gave people some of that joy back.

You also shot to fame because of “Never Have I Ever,” can you tell me about how it feels to now be “known”?

It's so unreal, I grew up extremely normal, and I was not experienced in posting on social media; I've had a bit to learn. But again, going back to what I was saying earlier, having a fan base and having forty-eight million people around the world watch your show, that's what you dream of as a little boy. Every time I interact with fans, it's always so incredible. I don't know who's more excited them or me to get the chance to talk and interact, to hear their favorite parts of the show, because the show is so diverse. There is so much for everybody, and there are so many different communities represented in our show, which is so important right now. It's amazing to be able to be on a show that champions diversity and representation, and I think that's why our show has such an extensive fan base. There's something for everybody to relate to, regardless of age or any kind of identity that you have. It makes me feel so blessed to even be a part of that.

In regards to representation, when I first watched the show, I immediately related to your character, Ben Gross, because he is Jewish like me, and like you. Can you tell me about playing a Jewish character (as a Jew) in a mainstream show?

It's so, so cool. To be able to portray an honest portion of yourself as an actor in a tailored, specific way within one of your characters, I haven't gotten the chance to do that before. And to talk about something like a bar mitzvah in a show is fantastic. Growing up, I don't think I ever heard characters talk about their bar mitzvahs. So for me to be able to deliver that line [in the show] and talk about being Jewish and having Jewish ideas and traditions, and having part of that culture represented, is so cool and special for me as an actor. I love getting to share aspects of my Jewish life, and I'm very proud of being Jewish. There are so many different characters that are proud of various parts of their identities, and I love that my character, Ben gross is so proud and pumped up about being Jewish because I am too. And I think that that's awesome. And it's really cool that Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher put that in there and were able to showcase that representation as well. I think that's super cool.

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Can you tell me a little bit about season two Ben Gross and how his Jewish identity may be expanded upon?

I'm gonna try not to spoil anything. I think that being Jewish, at least for me, is always a part of your life. It's always there, whether it's explicitly mentioned or not. There are always parts of your Jewish identity that I think when Jewish people watch the show if they see a mannerism or a certain delivery of a line, or some context, I think they're gonna be like, yeah, that's relatable. There's more of that, it's in season one, and I think it's in season two, and fingers crossed, it will be there in season three (if we get a third season). I believe that it's always important to showcase that it's a part of his identity, that's always there, and it never goes away, even when he has tons of other stuff that he's going through. That's always part of his core values and identity.

It sounds like it's part of yours as well.

Absolutely. I'm proud of it for sure.

Also, in season two, there is a love triangle between your character, Ben, the lead girl Devi, and her other love interest, Paxton Hall-Yoshida. All over the internet, there are a lot of fangirls who are set on your character ending up with Devi. How do you feel about that?

It is so fun. I love going on social media and reading the team Ben versus team Paxton debates, where they compare things like their test scores. I think it's so brilliant that so many fans are so passionate about this love triangle. And don't get me wrong, there are great qualities for both teams. Obviously, I'm biased, gotta be team Ben - he's my boy. I portray him on screen, and I do think that he is the better match for Devi, personally. But there are different qualities in both of the characters that are really special and that Devi relates to in certain ways. And, it's explored further in season two; we keep building on it. I don't know if I'm going to give too much away, but all I can say is we're gonna get into the triangle, I promise you that.

In the future, do you think that you will focus on getting more roles like this one, roles that are part of shows with diverse stories and casts?

Absolutely, diversity on screen and representation, in general, is so so important, especially now. I love that we can showcase different identities in different communities on our show because that's representative of real life. And as an actor, you want to be involved in projects that champion an honest, truthful representation of some aspects of different types of communities. I want to be a part of projects where people can watch them and say, hey, that's part of my life. I can relate to that. Whereas before, I didn't realize that that was possible, now I look forward to continuing to do that in different projects. I think that "Never Have I Ever" does an unbelievable job, and Mindy, Lang, and all of the writers really do such a great, great job at showcasing representation. And we continue to do that in season two, to really dive into those communities. I look forward to being able to do that further in future projects.

Also, in terms of future projects, are you leaning more towards film or television?

I love films. I'm a huge film nerd, I love all aspects of film, and as an actor, it's a different type of challenge. The shoot could be a couple of months of you portraying one character, and unless there's a sequel, you don't come back. It's really interesting to be able to dive in to build that world to create a character and, in the end, have this finished product, and that's it. You don't get to step into that world again. But I love building those worlds, and I'm obsessed with the process of the creation of film in general. I love being on "Never Have I Ever," and I love doing TV, and coming back for different seasons is also super cool. I want to continue in TV, but I also want to do movies. I want to do it all, I want to learn more, I want to create more, and I want to hopefully showcase something that I'm proud of that fans will be as well and that they'll enjoy it as much as I enjoy making it.

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You definitely seem very passionate about the whole industry, which is so refreshing.

I love it. I'm obsessed with it. I also still can't believe that I'm making it, but it still feels like my dreams come true every day. Every time I drive into the gates at Universal Studios, where we film, I pinch myself. I say to myself, remember that feeling every time because I grew up a pretty normal kid, and I have been doing this for a long time, but it feels like my dreams come true every day. Every single scene, every single note that I get, and every time someone watches an episode, and they love it or laugh or cry or anything, that's what means the most to me.

Would you ever want to direct or produce your own movies or shows in the future?

Yes! I think directing is definitely in my future. I do want to learn more first, though. I think I'm a huge learner in general, and I especially want to learn more about directing. Directing is really, really difficult. I've learned a lot from the directors on our show who have been so kind to me even though I ask so many questions. They're always willing to give me their expertise and to answer my thousands of questions. There's just a lot to learn. There's a lot of knowledge to gain, whether it's about lighting or about the sound or working with actors, and that's just one part of it. I know how to work with actors, and I know how an actor thinks, but I need to learn more about how to set up a shot in order to be able to give the editors the best seamless cuts; how to do things like that. I think continuing to watch Oscar-winning indie films and different kinds of TV shows in different styles, all of that can really help me achieve more, gain more knowledge, and to be more comfortable to eventually be able to direct on my own. But I've still got a lot to learn.

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What's your favorite movie off the top of your head?

The Dark Knight. I love that. Again, Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight is my favorite performance ever; I think that it is the most brilliant, complex acting I've seen. Every time I watch that, I find something new where I'm like, oh my gosh, I can't believe he did this here or that. There's no way that this wasn't improvised. It's the most brilliant thing ever. I also think the direction is beautiful, and the score is unreal. I love the set dressing, and I just love everything about that movie.

And the last question for today is, if you were a book, what book would you be and why? This can be a preexisting book or a book title you make up.

Firstly, I love adventure books. So I would want it to be some type of adventure book. And it would have to be named "Remember the Feeling." I don't know necessarily what that adventure entails, but it would be epic. It would be a kind of a coming-of-age travel adventure with some magic in there. Maybe I'll throw in some Greek mythology because I love Greek mythology. I grew up reading the Percy Jackson books and was obsessed with every single aspect of Greek mythology. So an adventure book about Greek mythology called "Remember the Feeling." I would hope that my character, maybe me, would be a demigod - that would be sick. And we'd get into some crazy adventures. Perhaps it would even be a series. Who knows.

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Never Have I Ever Season 2 is now streaming in Netflix