YOUNG ROCK’S TAJ CROSS ON MAKING A CONNECTION WITH THE CHARACTERS HE PLAY

BY DINO TAKASHI

Fans of Hulu’s PEN15 may already be familiar with rising American actor TAJ CROSS as Sam for two seasons. This year, he’s playing Gabe, Dwayne Johnson’s best friend during his middle school years in the NBC sitcom “Young Rock.”

There’s something magnetic with Taj’s presence on screen that makes you gravitate towards his character even after the credits roll. In ‘PEN15,’ Taj effectively played the awkwardness of early heartaches and unrequited love. His subtle but on-point characterization of Sam alongside Maya Erskine, Anna Konkle and the rest of the cast, definitely added those extra layers that made the show more enjoyable to watch. In ’Young Rock,’ though Taj is playing a role appropriate for his age, playing Gabe is like discovering a more social part of himself. His no holds barred character with his comedic timing mostly sets the tone and provided the stage for the undeniably incredible dynamic between him and Bradley Constant (who plays Dwayne Johnson).

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How is the experience of playing Gabe in Young Rock?

The experience was incredible working with the cast. The crew is amazing and it’s just an amazing experience doing the personal life of The Rock. It’s important to him. It’s cool to bring it back to life.

What’s the most memorable moment throughout the filming?

My relationship with my castmates. They ended up being my close friends and talking about the characters and our scenes and all the decisions. They helped me out and made the experience even better.

What is the best part about you as an actor?

It is probably dabbling into a character and making a connection with the character because you end up really almost having a relationship. And whenever I am getting into a character, for example, Gabe in Young Rock, I would do like “Hey Gabe, where are you? Come on, let’s get into the mindset. Now let me take a breath. And you come and like oh what’s up Gabe.” It is like almost a different new personality in your mind and it’s really cool being able to do that.

Out of the two characters you played on TV, which resonated to you the most?

Out of the two I played, Sam and Gabe, I think Sam is more like me. Gabe is very upbeat and loud and very energetic and sometimes I am like that but I am usually like Sam- more quiet and reserved and sometimes a little douchey.

If you would be a book, what would you be and why?

That’s a good question. It is probably a “Question Mark - title” It will be about skateboards and about how people started surfing and went toward that cardboard cutout with wheels. Skating is my favorite hobby.