Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Project Power’s Allen Maldonado

Allen Maldonado is a firm believer that if you want to have a lasting career, you need to build it. And that’s exactly what he’s done. He’s worked his way up the ranks in all areas of the business, which has only further developed his love for his craft. He’s starred in projects like The Young and the Restless, black-ish, The Last O.G., and most recently, Project Power. We caught up with Allen for an in-depth conversation about his career, Project Power, and his upcoming series Heels.

Career

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Allen: It was during my senior year in high school. I played sports, and basketball was my love. I needed an extra elective for my senior year to fill in the time between classes and basketball practice. I started taking an acting class, and from day one, I felt like a fish in water. It felt like my natural habitat, even though I played sports my whole high school career. That always felt difficult, but acting just seems like it fit for me. I went from writing skits to taking over the theater department in one semester. It felt natural, and it just stuck after that.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Allen: Life and relationships. I’ve been through a lot of different situations. I mean, I got hit by a drunk driver walking. Real life is the nectar to a great actor. The depth that we have to go through in real life really adds to the colors that we’re able to add on screen. Life has had the biggest impact, as far as my performance and my ability.

PC: You’ve had tons of success already in your career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out to you?
Allen: Man, there have been several. Usually it’s always life-changing moments for me. I call Kiko Ellsworth my big brother. At the time he was on Port Charles. He was on General Hospital as well. He had different movies and stuff coming out. He was the first actor that I befriended, and it made acting real to me. He made it real. It wasn’t this magical box with people inside of it. It was a real person that I knew, that I spoke to, that we talked about real life issues with, and it made this a reality.

The second would be the same version of that but in the writing world. I met and became good friends with Kenya Barris, the creator of black-ish, and watched him develop that show.

As a writer, I never saw myself in that position until I saw another Black lead in that position. It inspired me to get out and take my writing seriously. Then a year and a half later, I’m writing for Survivor’s Remorse. I always say your first step is always your biggest. Everything else is going downhill. [laughs]

PC: In addition to acting, you’re also a writer, producer, and director. How has your work behind the scenes made you a stronger actor and vice versa?
Allen: You understand what goes into every project. Man, I’ve been blessed and fortunate to have held every position in this business from craft service to directing to producing to writing to script supervising. Early on, when I was producing a lot of projects, I had to wear many different hats.

I have a deeper appreciation for everyone involved and the importance of every component that goes into making a project because it takes a village. You can have the greatest actors in the world, but the lighting can be off, you have a problem with the sound, or the directing isn’t great. It’s a collective group of artists that have to magically come together and all have to give great performances as a group. That’s what I love: the beauty and the challenge of filmmaking.

PC: Having worn all those different hats, what’s one thing that you know now that you wish you knew when you started your career?
Allen: Oh, man. Be patient and build. That’s the biggest thing. Things that take a day to build won’t last forever. You have to understand that if you really want your career to last, you have to build it. You can’t be an overnight success because your foundation isn’t as strong as if you built it over the years. Not to say that overnight success doesn’t happen, but we don’t see all the work it takes to get to that point. It’s preparation meets opportunity, and however long that takes is the meat of who you are as an artist.

Project Power

PC: Speaking of opportunities, you’ve got a new project out now. Tell us about Project Power and what drew you to this role.
Allen: This movie is a lot of fun. It’s an action-sci-fi film. There’s a street drug that gives you superpowers for five minutes. It’s a fun idea. I’m honored to be part of the project alongside Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jamie Foxx, and Dominique Fishback. It’s an incredible cast and project. These films are important, especially in these trying times where we just need a small glimmer of hope that we can overcome impossible odds. That’s what this film represents.

PC: If you could have a superpower for five minutes, what would it be and why?
Allen: Teleportation. I love the idea of being able to think of somewhere and go. I would travel the world. I would go to all the places that I would love to see in person, feel that energy, and get a better education of the world. That’s what I would use it for.

Heels

PC: You’re also starring in the upcoming Starz’s series Heels. Is there anything you can tease about that project?
Allen: It’s an incredible show about a small indie wrestling league in Georgia. I play a character named Rooster. I’m like the high-flying wrestler out of the group. He’s definitely got a chip on his shoulder. He feels like he’s not being appreciated in this league. I’m sure everybody feels like that when they’re first starting out. They don’t feel like they’re getting what they deserve.

I’ve put on twenty pounds for this role. I’m locked in. Unfortunately, due to COVID, we weren’t able to do the wrestling training, but we start production next month. We get back to wrestling training in two weeks. I’m super amped for people to see this show and see myself in this new type of role.

PC: We’re living in really unprecedented times. As productions start up again, does that bring a new sense of gratitude? What is it like going back?
Allen: I’ve been salivating to get back on set, man. I miss acting so much. I miss performing. I miss the challenge of tapping into these variety of emotions and having them sway and be in that creative space. I’m yearning for it. I can’t wait to get back on set no matter how it looks. We got to put masks on and off every time, I don’t care. I’m here to do it. I’m blessed and fortunate to be able to do what I love. We’re willing to do anything to keep everyone safe.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Allen: Tiger King.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Allen: 9½ Weeks.

PC: Favorite book?
Allen: Think and Grow Rich.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Allen: Jon Bellion.

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Allen: Neil Brown Jr.

To keep up with Allen, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Catch Project Power on Netflix today.

Photo Credit: Steven Gerlich