Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Young Rock’s Taj Cross

Taj Cross is a talented up-and-comer who made waves with his television debut as the boy next door, Sam, in the Emmy-nominated PEN15. He’s about to do it again with his latest project: Young Rock!

Based on the life of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, the series takes a look at the formative years of the global superstar from his time as an adolescent through his college days playing football at the University of Miami. Taj shines as Gabe, Dwayne’s right-hand man during high school.

Pop Culturalist had the pleasure of speaking with this fast-rising star about his career, Young Rock, and the upcoming season of PEN15.

Career

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Taj: It was in fifth grade. Back then, I was all about sports; I played three sports every day. I was always going to practices and was in a bunch of leagues. I ran, like, so much that my heel crumbled into a million pieces. I was forced to wear a boot, so I couldn’t run or do anything for about a year and a half. During that time, I was trying to find new hobbies.

As fifth graders do, I was going on a play date. I was hanging out with one of my friends and she took me to her musical theater class. I attended it and the teacher included me in all the exercises. After that, I signed up right away. I fell in love. I kept going. I did all the plays for two years. Then I was like, “Mom, I want to go into film.”

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Taj: Definitely Heath Ledger. When I first watched The Dark Knight with him playing the Joker, that really inspired me. It inspired me to act. Also, anything Timothée Chalamet does. He’s a huge inspiration as well.

Young Rock

PC: Tell us about Young Rock, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Taj: Young Rock is a show about Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and his life. It follows him when he was ten-years-old to when he was a teenager and then playing football for the University of Miami.

I come in during his time in high school. I play his best friend. My character’s name is Gabe. Gabe is very enthusiastic. He loves helping out Dwayne in any situation they’re in. He’s Dwanye’s right-hand man, his buddy, his wing-man. He’s mostly very excited about the usual high school things: parties, girls, and beer.

My manager and agent sent me the audition. I looked at it and it said it was for the Rock and that sparked my interest. I love the Rock. I’ve been watching him ever since he started acting. When I read the character, he was probably one of my favorite characters that I’ve ever read for. I found him very, very interesting. When I read him, I was instantly thinking of all the things I could do with him. It was a really fun character to read for.

PC: Fans will recognize you for your role as Sam on PEN15. How did that series prepare you for Young Rock?
Taj: PEN15 was my first role. Season 1 was a bit scary having the whole crew and all the cameras in front of my face all the time. The only thing I did before that were self-tapes and auditions. It really helped me prepare for the interactions with people on set and the cameras in your face and not to automatically look into the camera when you’re looking around. [laughs] Also, it helped me to interact with the directors and writers because, on Season 1, I was a little nervous to talk to the director or ask questions or make suggestions for my character. I started to build that courage. There was such a mutual respect there. They respected me for my acting choices and I respected them for their directing choices. That prepared me to jump onto Young Rock.

PC: Did Dwayne share any words of wisdom with you?
Taj: I got to meet him over Zoom. That was the best we could do. I was very grateful to be able to meet him. During the table read with the cast, he shared some words of wisdom about how special the show is to him and his family.

PC: The show is premiering tonight. What do you hope audiences take away?
Taj: I hope they realize Dwayne is just like you or I. Everyone knows him as a famous wrestler, but he went through all the same family issues and struggles of being a teenager, just like all of us. It’s going to change how people think of Dwayne.

PC: You’re also gearing up for the back half of PEN15 which will air later this year. What can fans expect?
Taj: Fans can expect the same cringy, uncomfortable weirdness that PEN15 brings every season. I think it’s a little more weirder this season if I dare say it. So get ready to binge away.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Taj: A year and a half ago, I binged every season of Gossip Girl in a week.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Taj: Ice Age. I don’t know if that’s a guilty pleasure though.

PC: Favorite book?
Taj: I read Catcher in the Rye last year for school. That was cool.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Taj: The only musical I’ve seen is Hamilton and that was magnificent.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Taj: I have so many. Surf Curse is a punk rock band. I like MF Doom who’s a rapper. I like Post Malone, Minnow, Mac Miller, Frank Ocean, A$AP Rocky. The list goes on and on. How much time do you have?

PC: Dream role?
Taj: My dream role is someone who is the complete opposite of me because I think that’s where you really get to step into a character.

To keep up with Taj, follow him on Instagram. Watch the season premiere of Young Rock tonight at 8/7c on NBC.

Photo Credit: Connor Clayton