We recently had the opportunity to interview Parker Bates, star of This Is Us, as young ‘Kevin Pearson.’ A former model from Dallas, Texas, this star on the rise is making a name for himself quite early in the business. Not only is he an actor and model, he is also an excelling athlete. Check our interview out below to find out more!
(Isa Battaglin)
What was it like to work with Milo Ventimilgia and Mandy Moore on This is Us?
I couldn’t ask for better TV parents! They are both so supportive and always there if I need help or have questions. Mandy is always giving me hugs and making sure I know she is proud of me. Milo has the dad thing down! He is constantly making me feel good about our scene work together, and he totally encourages me! They are protective and always have our backs! They are the BEST!
How did you first get involved with the show? What was the audition process?
I’m from Texas, and my brother Prestyn was shooting the movie 9/11 in Los Angeles, so my family had extended our stay in California. Thank goodness they did, because I ended up in the audition room for “Little Kevin”! I got a callback right away and went in to meet Mr. Dan (Dan Fogelman), Mr. Jess Rosenthal and Mr. Charlie Gogolak. They literally started cheering when I walked in, so that was a plus! They hired me the next day, and that was it! I thought it would be a couple of episodes, but ten episodes later, I realized I was a permanent Pearson!
What was it like working with Mackenzie Hancsicsak (“10 year old Kate”) and Lonnie Chavis (“10 year old Randall”)? Did you all have fun on set during long days of filming? Who is the biggest goofball on set?
It’s super cool to play a triplet because I get two automatic best friends! Mack is one of the most thoughtful and giving people I have ever met. She loves giving little presents and making everyone happy. Plus, she brings girl scout cookies to set and always shares! Lonnie is such a jokester! We may team up sometimes to pull pranks, and we love making videos with special effects on our phones. Biggest goofball-I would have to say Lonnie! He is always making silly faces and doing funny dance moves to make us laugh!
On the show, Kevin is quite the athlete – do you like sports? Do you play any on your free time?
I love sports! I pretty much love them all, but my favorites to play are soccer and snowboarding! I just learned how to do a backside board slide…watch out Shaun White! I still play soccer year round on a team. I’m a right forward and sometimes play mid.
This is one of your first big roles. What was the best advice that you got before/during filming?
Milo and I are always talking about how we can make the scenes special. He gives great advice and encourages me to try things and grow in my acting. The best advice that he has given me is to really listen to my scene partner and stay out of my own head. I’m blown away by the actors I get to work with, and I try to soak in and watch everything around me!
What do you like to do in your spare time when you’re not acting? Hobbies? Favorite show on tv?
I love jumping on the trampoline, and I’m trying to talk my mom into letting take my snowboard on it to practice flips and tricks! She’s not going for it. Besides soccer and snowboarding, I love to cook, travel, and I am a serious LEGO fan! My favorite show…STRANGER THINGS, hands down! My favorite movies are the classics like The Goonies and ET, so it totally makes sense why Stranger Things is my jam!
