Travis Bryant. I’m sure you have heard of him or at least seen him in the numerous television shows he has done over the years. The 21-year-old is currently one of the busiest actors in Young Hollywood and we thankfully had the opportunity to chat with him — and could have not been more excited!
Travis is currently gearing up for the second season of the CW’s Legacies, which premieres October 10. He’ll once again reprise his role of Isaiah for the TV series. If you’re not caught up, the supernatural series, created by Julie Plec, is a spin-off from the long-running The Originals and the even longer-running Vampire Diaries.
Travis was also most recently seen in the Teen Choice nominated film Breakthrough and has had notable recurring roles on the hit television series like Nickelodeon’s The Adventures of Kid Danger, BET’s American Soul, YouTube RED’s digital series Weird City.
You may also recognize his voice from the the Disney Junior animated series, Sofia the First, as the fan-favorite character, Tyler in Season 4.
Travis Bryant is definitely making a name for himself in the industry. Check out interview with him below.We can’t wait to hear what you think – let us know in the comments!
At such a young age, you are already one of the busiest actors in Young Hollywood right now. When did you realize you had a passion for acting and when did you start?
Acting has always been a way for me to express myself and explore my identity as to who Travis Bryant is and luckily I was blessed to have such a supportive mother who really fostered and nurtured my passion and talents.
Although I’ve been acting for as long as I can remember, putting on performances for my family and creating scenes from my favorite shows with my younger brother, it wasn’t until I was around 13 years old when my mom took me seriously and helped me start a lifelong career.
After doing a couple local short films for the college students in my area, I was hired for my very first project in Jason Reitman’s Men Women and Children. It was on that set, I learned a lot and made a couple of realizations including that acting was truly my passion.
What were some of your first projects as an actor and which role really catapulted your career?
My first major primetime television speaking role was on the Freeform series The Fosters and actually how I got my SAG card; it was an uncredited single episode role and Peter Paige, who was the showrunner, loved my performance so much it actually became a three episode run. The show had and still has such a strong fan following, it’s like a huge family.
It was the first time in my life where I was being noticed in public and people were commenting on my social media, it changed my life. Peter’s faith in me as well as the fan support definitely launched the beginning of my career and forwarded me into more on screen roles rather than just the voiceover ones I was a part of.
Being a part of such a groundbreaking show that tackled controversial topics surrounding immigrants, marriage equality, racism, and so much more was such a magical moment for me not just as an entertainer but as a teenager (I was 17 turning 18 when we filmed The Fosters) becoming a young adult in the world. The Fosters didn’t just change my life though, I truly believe it changed television.
You are most known for your role on CW’s supernatural series, Legacies, which is the highly anticipated spinoff of The Vampire Diaries. Can you tell us a bit about your character?
I play Isaiah who is a young witch at the Salvatore school with Hope, Josie, and Lizzie. Although we didn’t get to explore his background in the first season, he comes from a powerful line of notable witches. With all the pressure of his family heritage placed on him, he’s got a lot to live up to as well as going to the same school as the only tribrid in the world, two powerful gemini witches, he feels this innate need to shine but struggles a lot to do so.
I think that fear of not living up to expectations whether you place them on yourself or others place them on you is something everyone can relate to, not just spell crafting supernaturals.
Before being casted in Legacies had you seen the previous show’s The Originals and The Vampire Diaries?
Believe it or not, I was a huge fan of The Vampire Diaries long before I was casted in Legacies. The Vampire Diaries was my favorite television show from sixth grade through high school. I was an OG stan and followed the show when it first came out. I was in middle school at the time and my brother and I would tune in every Thursday night to see what Stefan, Bonnie, Elena and the other Mystic Falls crew were up to.
My brother and I were such huge fans that we forced my mom to watch it and she bought the five season that were available on DVD at the time and binged it all in like a month time frame. We would watch the show together and argue about whether or not Katherine Pierce was the best character on the entire show. So to go from being a fan to being a part of the universe, it honestly feels full circle.
I definitely feel the pressure to add to the legacy (sorry I had to) of the beautiful world Julie and Brett created and serve justice to the character’s in a way that would make the fans proud because as a fan myself, if I don’t think there’s any other option.
The season two premiere is set for October 10th. Is there anything you can tell us to expect in the new season?
Uh– that’s a tough question to answer, I can’t reveal too much without possibly losing my job, but Mystic Falls is gonna have some new characters, a few new monsters, the Salvatore School will have a new headmaster, new relationships will be formed, so expect love, expect danger, expect a good laugh, and expect a great coming of age story for these young supernatural beings.
You are no stranger to the small screen as you have also held numerous guest and recurring roles on shows like Nickelodeon’s The Adventures of Kid Danger, BET’s American Soul and YouTube RED’s Weird City. What’s it like having been involved in so many different projects?
Such a blessing, I mean 2018 and 2019 were the first two years in my entire career where I was you could say ‘booked and busy’ and while it’s definitely been stressful it such a blessing to get to do something I love for a living.
As to being a part of such diverse projects and having this variety in my resume, its honestly been both challenging as a performer yet so incredible to have the opportunity to showcase different faucets of my capability.
Each project I’ve worked on have taught me unique skill-sets to add to my toolbelt in enhancing my craft and it’s of course, it’s pure fun. I mean, that’s the great thing about being an actor, today I could be a witch but tomorrow I might be a lawyer, who knows?
Has there been a particular moment filming all of these shows that has really motivated you to continue pursuing acting?
Last year I had the great opportunity to work with the UCLA Mattel’s Children Hospital for their Annual Party on the Pier Fundraiser, and I met this little girl who was a fan of Sofia the First came up to me and she shared with me that she was bullied at school in a similar manner that my character in the show was. For those of you not familiar Sofia goes to the Royal Prep Academy and my character Tyler is a village boy and one of the first village kids to ever be accepted to the Academy but he doesn’t share the same privilege as his school peers and for that, he’s bullied.
While hearing that this little girl was also bullied that way broke my heart, she then told me that the way my character stands up for herself inspired her to do the same. It completely renewed my spirit and I got to share with her my personal experience with bullies and how I handled them.
In that moment in particular though, I knew that this was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Knowing that I can connect with these fans through a tv screen and give them characters they can relate to as well as emulate as positive role models, it’s the best way I know I can be in service to the public.
Off the small screen, you were most recently seen in the Teen Choice nominated faith-based film, Breakthrough, starring alongside the likes of Chrissy Metz and Marcel Ruiz. What has it been like working with these talented actors?
The entire cast in incredible in their own ways. I didn’t get to work with everyone on set but Chrissy is an absolute sweetheart who I adore so much. She’s like the sweet neighbor next door that if you were locked out of your home after returning from school, she would invite you over, feed you and let you finish your homework while you wait until your parents came home.
And oh my gosh she’s so talented, I’ve never seen her show This is Us but I after working with her I can definitely see why she’s Emmy-nominated. Marcel is so talented as well, he gives so much in his performance, he really serves the story and serves the direction of the project as well as his fellow actors. I learned a lot from him.
One person that I never got the opportunity to work with on set but I met at the premiere and said that I was a pretty great basketball player and incredible performer was Mike Colter! Mike Colter played Marvel’s bulletproof black superhero Luke Cage and he said I was an incredible performer. One of the most iconic superheroes of all time called me incredible on top of the fact I had the pleasure of working in the same project as him, THAT was a moment.
What has been the biggest difference in acting for film compared to acting for television?
With television I feel as if there’s more opportunity for complexities to layer into my character development both on and off screen. When I worked on Breakthrough, we filmed for a month and that was it. Whereas my experience with Legacies and I’ve been doing this for over a year now and I’ve had time to learn things within a deeper history of my character that allow me to add these rich layers that translate on screen.
With film you aren’t given that opportunity. It’s like here’s the script, you learn it, study it, shoot it and then drop it and normally never touch that character again.
With television every week I get another opportunity to revisit and add to the existence and experience as well as try new things to show evolvement that everyone experiences in their day to day lives.
Where do you see yourself and your acting career in the next five years?
Haha, I feel like this is THE interview question. Honestly I try not to think that far ahead. This industry is so unpredictable very much like life and I can only speak for the present as that’s all that’s guaranteed really. Ideally, I guess, I’d love to see Legacies going into their sixth’s season and be part of that in any capacity as I can. I can only hope for so much in a Julie Plec show when we know she has a tendency to kill off characters on a whim #RIPAuntJenna.
Perhaps I’m leading a film that I am producing as well, that would be cool but honestly anything could happen. Who knows, maybe in five years I’ll retire from the entertainment industry and try something different? I don’t want to rule anything out.
Any advice for people looking to pursue a career in acting?
It’s harder to understand than it is to hear but, try to know that what’s meant for you, is meant for you. Everything happens for a reason and while it may feel like an opportunity just slammed shut in your face, you were probably knocking on the wrong door. A lot of rejection will come your way and you can’t let that discourage you. 99% of the job is being told no and that’s ok because if something is meant for you, it’ll find its way to you.
Be Sure To Keep Up With Travis Bryant and Follow Him on All His Socials!
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/Travis_Bryant
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Travis_Bryant
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TravisBryantFans
Snapchat: iamtravisbryant
