Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Robert Shearn III

Robert Shearn III is a multifaceted talent who acts, directs, models, and produces. He’s equally comfortable behind the camera and in front of it with credits in Limitless, Copycat Killers, Murder in the Family, and Celebrity Watch Party. We caught up with Robert to learn more about him and his thriving career.

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Robert: I first discovered my passion for the arts in high school when I put my creative skills to the test my senior year by taking art classes.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Robert: My private advanced acting coach at the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts, Mr. Hartley. He’s had the biggest influence on me in my acting career. He thought of me as a baseball player. I asked him why and he said, “You’re built like one.” I was surprised because no one else said that before. I said, “I’ll take it because it’s a positive image.” He was always entertained with my acting, full of laughter, and always had such positive feedback about it—like no other acting teacher that I had before. I always left feeling good about my acting.

PC: In addition to acting, you’ve done work behind the scenes. How has that strengthened your craft?
Robert: Getting involved behind the scenes with film production helped me realize that I like being in front of the camera the most and to focus more on acting.

PC: What’s one thing you know now that you wish you knew when you started your career?
Robert: Something I know now that I wish I knew in the beginning of my career is that sometimes we have to be uncomfortable in order to experience growth, and our greatest asset is our authenticity.

PC: You have a couple of projects coming out. Can you tell us anything about any of them?
Robert: A project that’s coming soon with me is that I’m acting as a detective in Geraldo Rivera’s Murder in the Family, Episode 4, of the Roman Polanski case on the Reelz Channel. It’s a show that Geraldo Rivera digs deep into for some of the darkest hours in celebrities’ lives, from the moment they lose family members to murders or when they commit crimes. It’s the real stories behind the tragedies that befall famous people.

Also, you can see me now on Episode 5 of Celebrity Watch Party free on Fox.com and on demand with Tyra Banks, Raven-Symoné, Kelly, Sharon, and Ozzy Osbourne, Lindsay Lohan, Curtis Stone, and Reggie Bush.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Robert: Pose. It’s about early 1990s characters that are dancers and models who compete for trophies and recognition in the underground culture and who support one another in a network of chosen families known as houses. This show brings out different emotions. One minute you can be happy, sad, or crying. It’s great hearing the ’90s music and seeing them dancing.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Robert: My guilty pleasure movie is Queen & Slim. The movie is a romance/drama about Slim and Queen’s first date that takes an unexpected turn when a policeman pulls them over for a minor traffic violation. When the situation escalates, Slim takes the officer’s gun and shoots him in self-defense. Now labelled cop killers in the media, Slim and Queen feel that they have no choice but to go on the run and evade the law. When a video of the incident goes viral, the unwitting outlaws soon become a symbol of trauma, terror, grief, and pain for people all across the country.

PC: Favorite book?
Robert: My favorite book is The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. This book will help you understand the hidden, untapped power that’s within you. It contains wisdom from modern-day teachers that are men and women who have used it to achieve health, wealth, and happiness.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Robert: My favorite musical is Grease. I love the music, and John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John have great chemistry together.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Robert: “You’re So Beautiful” by the Empire cast.

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Robert: Travis Cure, known as Bobby on Tyler Perry’s The Oval, because he is a versatile actor.

To keep up with Robert, follow him on Twitter and Instagram.