Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with The Oval’s Vaughn W. Hebron

When the pressure is on, Vaughn W. Hebron rises to the occasion. From his time as a running back to his work on screen, Vaughn thrives when the spotlight is on him and the clock is ticking. It’s a skill and innate talent he’s brought onto the set of Tyler Perry’s The Oval and one of the many reasons why he’s quickly become one to watch. Pop Culturalist had the pleasure of speaking with Vaughn about his path to acting, the new season of The Oval, and his upcoming film, King Richard.

Career

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Vaughn: I went into pharmaceutical sales out of college. I was in that industry for almost three years when I was really getting tired of going through the motions. I started to look at other things that I enjoyed and things that made me happy. I have always been a TV and film guy. I always enjoyed going to the movies and using my imagination.

So when I started to look at other passions in my life, I decided to give acting a shot. I wanted to see how it would go, even while I was working at my corporate job. I started taking acting classes and eventually made the full transition.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Vaughn: The biggest influence has been my stepfather. He’s always been somebody that made me feel confident in being able to do anything that I put my mind to. He always emphasized working hard and being responsible as a man, a big brother, a husband, and he always set the example for me. I’ve always gone back to the way he raised us as far as just working hard and having the confidence to do what you want to do. Also having faith that whatever you put your mind to you can accomplish.

PC: You were involved in the sales industry and athletics prior to starting your acting career. What did you learn from those experiences that you’ve now been able to apply to this chapter in your career?
Vaughn: It’s funny. Acting gives me the same exact feeling that playing football did. I was a running back, so when I had the ball in my hand—even though it was a team sport and there were other people around you that you had to look out for—it was really a very individual high-intensity, high pressure-moment.

So with acting, we have these intense scenes and we have all this work that we put into our characters. But it’s a team effort because there are other people on set. You’re working with the crew and other actors. It’s a very high-pressure, big-moment type of experience.

I think being able to rise to the pressure and not be nervous or shy away from those big moments is something that I learned from playing sports. It’s a good feeling that I enjoy. It shows that I love what I do because I don’t shy away from it.

The Oval

PC: Speaking of pressure, you’re one of the stars of Tyler Perry’s The Oval, and I heard he called you personally to audition for the role. What was that like?
Vaughn: That was a lot of pressure because that was the first audition that I felt like I already had the job. All you can do if you have it is lose it as opposed to other auditions where you don’t have it yet. You don’t really have anything to lose. You just go up there and do your thing. This one, it was like I had it already, so I just wanted to do the best I could not to lose the job.

It was also refreshing too! I was like, “Wow, I have the job, so let me show why I have it and prove that I deserve it.” But it was a lot of pressure. But at the same time, again, it was a different type of pressure because it was something I’ve never experienced.

I always go to auditions and I have to, just like anybody else, put my hat in and do the best job to get the job. But for this one, I already had it. Plus, Tyler seemed pretty keen to give it to me based on conversations we had about the character and conversations we had about the show. I had a good idea of what I was getting into when I got the script.

PC: This is a breakout role for you. When you look back at this experience thus far, what’s been the biggest takeaway as a man and artist?
Vaughn: You have to enjoy the process. If I would have booked something like this when I first moved to LA, I probably would not have been very good. I wouldn’t have known how to handle myself on set.

I wouldn’t have known how to handle the aftereffects of people recognizing you and the things that are now required and expected of you. It’s a whole different life when it comes to booking something like this. I wouldn’t have appreciated it as much, and I wouldn’t have been able to handle it as well as I have.

I know, as an artist, it showed me that there’s a process and you need to enjoy the process and work through the process. You need to let it take its course because you’ll get things when you’re ready to get them. You can’t rush it because if you get something before you’re ready, then it might not go well for you.

As a man, it showed me that if you feel strongly about something that you’re supposed to be doing or that you want to accomplish, you should go ahead and do it. A lot of people looked at me and questioned my judgment when I left pharma sales to be a broke actor. But at the same time, it was something that I felt very strongly about. It’s something I knew I wanted, so I went out and did it. I was like, “I’m going to put my best foot forward to do it. If this works out, it works out. If it doesn’t, then at least I can say I don’t have any regrets.” It really showed me as a man to stick to your guns and trust God.

PC: The Oval is back. What can fans expect? What can you tease about Barry’s arc?
Vaughn: What I can tease about Barry’s arc is that he goes into a different world. He gets involved in a different world, I can say that. The stakes and danger and the price on his head get a little higher too. He’s no longer safe.

PC: Tyler is really known for being unpredictable in his storytelling, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats. Has there been a storyline of Barry’s that’s surprised you?
Vaughn: I never saw Barry driving his truck into the pharmacy store last season. That came out of nowhere. When I saw that, I had to read it again just to make sure I read it right the first time. Barry had a lot of issues with the women in his life, between his girlfriend, his mother, his baby mother, and even the president’s daughter.

I thought the main thing was going to be his daughter being kidnapped. I didn’t see, until the second season, how he’s really affected by the women in his life as well and how that plays a role in him wanting to be such a good father and get his daughter back. The relationship that he has with his loved ones, especially the women, threw me for a loop because he definitely goes through it with his baby’s mother and his girlfriend.

PC: In addition to The Oval, you’re also going to be starring in King Richard. Is there anything you can tease about that project?
Vaughn: What can I tease about King Richard? I’m not one of the good guys, I know that. I can say that I’m not one of the good guys. It was an absolute honor to be on set with Will [Smith] and to work with him so closely, but I get a little up close and personal with him. I’ll say that.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Vaughn: I watch a lot of anime, so that’s probably my guilty pleasure. If there’s something I feel like I should be doing, sometimes I turn on anime and just zone out for a couple of hours.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Vaughn: Basic Instinct. That’s taught me a lot about life, I’ll say that.

PC: Favorite book?
Vaughn: The Alchemist.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Vaughn: West Side Story.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Vaughn: Amy Lee from Evanescence.

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Vaughn: Idris Elba.

To keep up with Vaughn, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Binge-watch The Oval on BET today.

Photo Credit: Rowan Daly