Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Panic’s Camron Jones

2021 is shaping up to be a banner year for Camron Jones. The talented up-and-comer has not one, but two exciting new projects under his belt.

From playing a star athlete who’s trying to escape his small Texas town in Amazon Prime’s Panic to a druggie in Molly Robber, Camron has emerged as one of Hollywood’s most versatile young talents.

op-Culturalist had the pleasure of speaking with Camron about discovering his passion as a storyteller, Panic, Molly Robber, and so much more.

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Camron: My mom really pushed me into it. She used to call me a drama king when I was in middle school. [laughs] I made a big deal out of everything. I was pretty good at it. She really, really pushed me into it.

I was embarrassed at first because it wasn’t something that was cool to do when I was growing up. She convinced me to be proud of what I want to do and what I want to pursue.

She got me into speech and debate, which in a weird way led me to where I am now.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success already in your young career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out to you?
Camron: That’s a good question. For me, moments like today and this past month have really stood out. I’ve had a lot of moments for sure. Being able to go to premieres after the year that we’ve had is amazing. I can’t even describe how amazing it feels to be outside again. It’s pretty crazy.

I do have another cool, fun moment. I once did a monologue with Denzel Washington. It was in a room full of people. How could that not stand out? That definitely stood out because I remember I was shaking while doing it. It was a monologue from a movie he was producing called Fences, which is the play that got me into acting. I remember asking if I could do the monologue. He was like, “No,” at first. [laughs] Because I said I had a question. He was like, “What’s your question?” I was like, “Oh. I don’t have one.” [laughs] I didn’t know what to do. Then he was like, “Do the monologue!”

I did it. He was like, “That’s pretty good kid. That’s pretty good. Now do it with me!” I was floored. That moment definitely stands out to me.

Panic

PC: You’re currently one of the stars of Amazon Prime’s Panic. Tell us about the series and what drew you to this project.
Camron: The series follows a group of kids in a small town in the middle of nowhere. They’re trying to escape not only the town itself but also the boredom that comes from living in such a small, mundane place. It’s about this game that they have to play to escape that boredom. There are a series of challenges you have to play that are based on fear. If you win the game, you win a life-changing amount of money.

I auditioned for this role a year before I booked it. I remember reading the book it’s based on by Lauren Oliver. She’s an amazing writer. In my eyes, she’s an amazing painter with a typewriter. The way she paints with words is beautiful. I remember really wanting it and not getting it. I was bummed. Then when it came back a year later, I was really excited and stoked I had landed it.

PC: When you’re working on a project that’s being adapted from a popular book series, how much do you use the source material as a frame of reference?
Camron: Most of the time when you work on a project like this, the person who writes the novel or book doesn’t usually write the TV show. But Lauren Oliver wrote every episode of the TV show. I was able to sit down with her and have conversations about my character and his relationships with the other characters in this world. We were able to pull and take from the book.

In the book, there are a lot of differences. For instance, my character is White. There are some things naturally, just being Black, that are going to change. It’s a bit of give and take, if you will, when you’re trying to navigate this situation.

PC: Which was your favorite relationship to explore and why?
Camron: That’s a good question, too. My relationships with Heather and Natalie were very, very fun to explore. Specifically Heather, considering our story arcs within the show. The relationships that I would eventually have to explore as a result of that were very, very fun for me. My relationship with my dad in the show was amazing. Ben Cain is incredible. I learned so much from everyone on the show.

I had a really fun time exploring and navigating those relationships with both Heather and Natalie—and everyone else on the show, to be honest.

PC: The series has been incredibly well received. What do you think is resonating most with audiences?
Camron: We’ve been cooped up for so long. We’re looking for an escape right now. We’re looking for something that we can relate to. Even though the characters in the show aren’t dealing with a historic, unprecedented pandemic, the thing that they’re trying to escape is big.

The stakes are very, very high. It’s relatable in that sense. People are connecting with that.

Molly Robber

PC: In addition to Panic, you also have a short film that’s premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival. What can you tell us about Molly Robber?
Camron: It’s a fun, fast-paced short film by some very, very, very talented up-and-coming directors: Zach Visvikis and Austin Hall, whom I adore and admire. If you don’t know their names just yet, trust me, you’re going to want to watch out for them because they’re killing it. Once you watch this film, you’ll be like, “I need more. I need a movie.” They’re really good at their jobs. I’m really proud and honored to say that I was able to work with them before they blow up. They’ll be as big as James Cameron, Spike Lee, and all those big-name directors.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Camron: House Hunters. I can’t get enough of it. My girlfriend and I watch it like clockwork.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Camron: Frozen. I love Frozen. I wanted to not like Frozen, and then my girlfriend made me watch it. I mean, I knew all the songs already. [laughs] I was singing along. I loved every second of it.

PC: Favorite book?
Camron: The Light We See.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Camron: My favorite play is Fences. Bar none. Best play ever made. My favorite musical that I’ve never seen before is Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.

PC: Dream role?
Camron: I want to play Virgil Hawkins one day. Aka Static Shock. I would love, love, love, love, love, love to work with Michael B. Jordan on that project. That’d be an honor.

To keep up with Camron, follow him on Instagram. Watch Panic today on Amazon Prime.

Photo Credit: Storm Santos