Philemon Chambers Talks Single All The Way and Representation in Media
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Fresh off his first lead role in Single All The Way, a new Christmas rom-com streaming on Netflix, Philemon Chambers talks with us about working with an all start cast from Michael Urie to Jennifer Coolidge, why starring as Nick was so monumental for him and what roles he’s manifesting for his acting career.
Photographs by Ammar Thomas
Are you a fan of the Christmas/Holiday Season?
I am a big fan of Christmas and the holiday season. I love it every single time it comes around. I get happy because it signals the end of the year and you get to spend time with your family.
When the role of Nick in Single All The Way first got on your radar, what made you want to take on this character?
I wanted to take on the character of Nick because it was so different. The representation we often get in these stories is negative and filled with homophobia. With Nick, there is no homophobia, no negativity, no bashing. It's a movie about a family supporting their son and unconditional love. Reading the script and especially falling in love with the character Nick, a man of my own heart, he's super sweet, he's kind, he's the representation I wanted as a kid. Being able to represent Nick was honestly one of the best roles I could portray.
Sweatshirt and Pants by GRAMICCI c/o 180 The Store, Jacket ($2,210) by MONCLER, Boots ($249) by SPERRY.
Is it necessary for you to take on acting roles that recognize you as a black gay man?
I am an actor at the end of the day. So be it if it's a character that happens to be queer or heterosexual, I feel like the thing with me is I want to tell stories that I want to watch. I want to tell stories that mean something to me. Some people do projects to do projects and when things start to happen for us, we don't say no. But if you're not connecting with the role, you're not going to give it your all, and you're going to half-ass it, let's be completely honest.
You worked with a lot of legends on Single All The Way. What was the experience like being on set with co-stars like Michael Urie and Jennifer Coolidge?
I had 'pinch me' moments every single day. It's hard to explain. I think the entertainment industry is the only industry where you grow up watching actors, and then you get to work alongside those actors if you're lucky. I consider myself super fortunate, and blessed to work alongside Jennifer Coolidge, Kathy Najimy, Barry Bostwick, Jennifer Robertson, and last but certainly not least Michael Urie. All of these people I've watched growing up or I’ve come into contact with them. And I am a rookie amongst these veterans, and navigating that was a game for me mentally. While on set, I did a lot of meditation to recenter myself for my scenes, reminding myself I'm here for a reason, but I was still in awe.
In your first lead role, you’ve become the first Black actor to star in an LGBTQ Christmas rom-com. Identifying as a black queer man, how monumental is this for your career?
I reference back to when I was a little boy growing up in Compton, California. The representation of men that I had around me are heterosexual, very 'manly.' Watching TV and film, I only saw negative black queer characters. They weren’t financially well off. The character had to be DL or, something had to be wrong. Again, I count myself blessed and humbled to play a character that’s black and gay, well off, with no negativity or homophobia. It’s one of those things I still can’t believe is happening now. We have had the coming out stories, stories where you try to articulate yourself and who you are and people judging you for it. I consider myself lucky to play a character on the other side of that. That means a lot to me and I still get taken aback by everything. I got a DM on Twitter the day the movie was released and the gentleman said where he lives out of the country, it’s crime to be gay. But he watched the film, and he felt seen. I started crying because I realized it’s impactful to have representation like this. It means the world to me to be here in this position and to have a voice.
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Today do you now feel like you can turn on the TV and see yourself --positive representation?
I do! Not only with Single All The Way on Netflix, but we also have to bring Brian Tyree Henry and Eternals into this. It’s impactful to have Marvel have their first black gay superhero! That is monumental! They didn’t play to that stereotype of black men, he had a son and a husband. I’m excited to see what’s to come after movies like Single All The Way and Eternals.
What kind of roles are you manifesting for your future?
So honestly, I am a bid fantasy, sci-fi guy. I love Robin Williams, Jim Carey, and their character work so I would love to do anything sci-fi. I would love to do an action film, I think I would do good in one. Before I turn 30 I will work with Viola Davis, Denzel Washington and Meryl Streep.
Photographer: Ammar Thomas @manmeetsstyle.com
Styling & Interview: Nigel Isaiah @nigel_isaiah
Grooming: Ruth Fernandez @msruthiemakeup
