Pop Culturalist Chats with Juan Antonio

Juan Antonio is no stranger to being on screen. He made a splash in Beyoncé’s “Best Thing I’ll Never Have” music video before launching into a steady stream of acting roles on shows and films like How to Get Away with Murder, Modern Family, and Gemini.

Now, Juan can be seen on the hit series, Empire. As Philip, the military vet turned PTSD therapist, he’s got a sizzling romance going with Jamal Lyon (Jussie Smollett) that we’re rooting for. So, we were excited to chat with him about his experience so far on Empire, what he’s looking forward to doing in the future, and what the best advice he’s ever gotten is.

PC: How did you prepare for your role at Philip?
Juan: He’s a vet with PTSD so I did some research on it. It’s something that happens after a traumatizing event. I was not completely familiar with PTSD myself so the research actually helped me a lot. It gave me more insight into [Philip’s] background and kind of built a story of what he’s been through in the military. I think that insight into that gave me more than enough information to build Philip.

PC: Obviously, PTSD is something Jamal and Philip have in common. Otherwise, they are pretty opposite. Why do you think they are pulled toward each other—and work so well together?
Juan: I think it’s intriguing when you have something in common with someone, but your walks of life are completely different. You share something so that kind of pulls you into learning a little bit more about yourself, and, at the same time, about the other person and their walk of life.  So, I think that was the genuine interest in each other. There was chemistry so they could just build on top of that. Chemistry will escalate a situation pretty quick.

PC: Is there some aspect of Philip that you’d like to explore more in the future?
Juan: I guess you could show a little bit more of his background. That would help tie [Jamal and Philip’s] story together a little more. Obviously we know Philip’s a therapist, and we see the first encounter they actually have, but we don’t see much backstory or get a peek inside Philip’s life. We see the other part of the love triangle, [Jamal and D-Major]. We see D-Major in the studio; we see him working. So, maybe a little bit more of a peek into Philip’s world would help build the relationship a little bit more.

PC: Do you personally have a favorite character on Empire?
Juan: Several! I don’t think there’s just one. I love the rawness of Lucius Lyon, but that’s just as well matched by Cookie. Obviously, those two stick out. They cause the most drama on the show.

PC: What has been your favorite thing about being a part of Empire so far?
Juan: There’s so many aspects, honestly, to it because I’ve been in the business a while myself. And prior to fully diving into the business, I followed the business. So, to be able to work with some of these people that I followed for so long…you know, I got to work with Taye Diggs prior to Empire [on the series Murder in the First], and it just so happens we both ended up on Empire. It’s just kind of surreal. It’s very humbling. It’s very inspiring. It’s very motivating because I see Taraji (Cookie Lyon) and Terrence (Lucius Lyon) winning awards, and then I’m next to them on set working so it’s very inspiring for me. I just hope that I can turn around and inspire others like I’ve been inspired.

PC: You mentioned the great people you currently work with and, in the past, you’ve also worked with a lot of talented people. Is there someone you hope to work with in the future?
Juan: Oh man! There are so many juggernauts in the business that I would love to go toe-to-toe with. There’s Will Smith and Denzel Washington. Daniel Craig, Daniel Day-Lewis, Meryl Streep…the list is so long of actors. But, more so, they are ones that have been doing it longer than I can imagine, and I can gain a lot from them. I think it would be a real treat for myself.

PC: You’ve been in the business a while—music videos, commercials, film, tv…Where do you see your career going? Is there something you haven’t done yet that you still want to do?
Juan: I haven’t given my speech yet and taken home that golden trophy. [laughs] In the meantime, I will start venturing more into producing, writing, and directing my own content. I just feel like we’re in a time when the business is just so high in-demand for content that I can give a great perspective from being on the inside. I get to be on set and see the way these things are operating. I get to work with great directors and writers. So, I think I would be able to provide some inspiration by sharing that.

PC: What is the best piece of advice that you’ve gotten from someone that you would pass along to someone starting out in the business?
Juan: You want me to give away the secrets!

PC: Yes! [laughs]
Juan: [laughs] Well, I had a professor in New York by the name of William Esper. He really inspired me to dedicate my life to what this is because if I was doing it for any other reason, at the end of the day, I would be unhappy. It’s not about fame, money, or Instagram followers. You have to really be inspired solely by the art, the craft, and just do it for that. Dedicate and do it for that.

PC: What has been the biggest challenge you’ve had to face in your career?
Juan: Patience. Patience—in career and life. I think I’ve found a pretty good balance. You have to understand…it’s been said before, but I’ll say it again, “Dreams don’t have deadlines.” So, you know, as long as you’re happy, and it continues to move you forward, it doesn’t matter when it happens as long as you know it’s going to happen.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

Guilty pleasure TV show or movie
Rosewood

Favorite play or musical
La Bête

Favorite musician or band
Prince

Hidden Talent
I can fall asleep anywhere. Anywhere, anytime.

If you could have dinner with five people, alive or dead, who would they be?
I would love to sit down with Oprah. My grandmother would have to be there. I would want Will Smith there. I would want my mom there, and I would want my niece there.

Photo Credit: Nicholas Padron