Failure is essential. You must fail. I’ve learned far more from my failures than I have ever learned from my successes. For those wishing to follow this path of becoming an actor, I’d say never give up. If you know deep down inside your core that this is what you must do, then do it. There will always be a chance you will fail, but then again, there’s a chance you will succeed. And succeed more than your wildest imagination. Also, don’t count on luck, work hard every day and when your time comes to showcase your work, you’ll be ready.
As a part of our interview series with leaders, stars, and rising stars in the music industry, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Damian Romeo.
Canadian-born actor and former Canadian Infantry Army Soldier, Damian Romeo stars as the steaming hot and mysterious ‘Matt Press’ on Netflix’s hit mother-daughter drama series “Ginny & Georgia”, which has its’ season 2 premiere on Thursday, January 5th.
Born in Toronto, Canada, Romeo got into the arts at a young age at the insistence of his grandmother to take music lessons. Around the age of 9 he began performing in theatre solidifying his lifelong desire to become an actor. Sporting a fit physique and measuring a staggering 6’4”, he was scouted by a designer who asked him to walk in his show, which led to him being named “Canada’s Next Top Male Model” during Vancouver Fashion Week. Around this time he also decided to follow in the footsteps of some of his family, and joined the Canadian Infantry Army where he remained a reserve soldier for 4 years. His heart remained with acting though and he continued to pursue auditions and work in film and television. He booked a small part on Amazon’s “The Expanse”, and then shortly after booked the role of ‘Matt Press’ on Netflix’s “Ginny & Georgia”. On the film front, Romeo has the upcoming thriller PINS & NEEDLES opposite his “Ginny & Georgia” co-star Chelsea Clark.
A horseman and overall fan of the outdoors, Romeo admires the work of Taylor Sheridan, and would love to star in one of his projects. He is an avid rock climber and is dedicated to a healthy diet and working out. In his free time, he enjoys giving back to the non-profit SickKids and spending time with his hairless Sphynx cat.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
I had a wonderful childhood growing up in Canada. Shoveling snow in the winters, being involved in a range of youth sports and playing the piano. I always look back on my life and how much my mother did to support me. She was always there when I needed advice and to guide me. She would tell me that one of her dreams was to travel the world and that I should, as soon as I can. She instilled in me an imagination and wonder that as I grew into a young man, I still carry to this day. She told me to never listen to those who say ‘“be realistic” and that I should always follow my heart. To her, I owe the man I am today.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path of being an actor?
At a young age, I was involved in various programs that taught me about music. When I decided I wasn’t interested in skipping Saturday morning cartoons for piano lessons, my mother told me to choose an art form to get involved in. Since I couldn’t paint or draw, I decided to try theatre. From that moment on, I fell in love with the craft. It wasn’t until much later that I decided to pursue acting as a professional career.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
Not many people know this but it has to do with my Ginny and Georgia audition. I had been studying the craft and working hard for many years, but it seemed as though I couldn’t catch a break. I joined the army and was beginning to let go of my passions. Facing so much rejection can take its toll on anyone and auditioning for pirate number 4 had lost its appeal. Just as I got back from a training exercise in the army which had taken me away for a couple of months, the very next day I had the audition for Ginny and Georgia. And it felt like something out there told me to keep going, and here I am.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
When I started professionally around 18 years old, I went with my mom to the mall, as I knew at the very least I needed headshots. The headshots came out as a ’70s mall shoot would look. I didn’t have anyone to mentor me at the time and had no idea how to transfer my theatrical skills to a professional career. After that, I applied to my first gig and got an audition. Before the audition began, the casting representative asked me to slate; I had no idea what that meant at the time. I could hear him saying to the other people in the room “ Where do we find these people.” Suffice it to say, he didn’t let me audition and I took the two-hour bus ride home again, vowing to know everything there was to know about the industry.
Tell us about your role in the upcoming season of “Ginny & Georgia.” Do you have any other interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
Matt Press is a high school kid who is still figuring out who he is. Like most people at that age, he struggles to communicate his emotions and quite often is misunderstood. It was fun playing such a young character. I am in the mix for something far more exciting than I could ever dream of, but that is yet to be talked about.
You have been blessed with success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?
Failure is essential. You must fail. I’ve learned far more from my failures than I have ever learned from my successes. For those wishing to follow this path of becoming an actor, I’d say never give up. If you know deep down inside your core that this is what you must do, then do it. There will always be a chance you will fail, but then again, there’s a chance you will succeed. And succeed more than your wildest imagination. Also, don’t count on luck, work hard every day and when your time comes to showcase your work, you’ll be ready.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
There are many things I wish I was told when I started acting. Although two things remain with me forever. Advice that my brother has said to me and Alan Watts’ story of the Chinese farmer. My brother showed me this picture of two men digging for diamonds. One of the men gives up while the other keeps going. The man that didn’t give up found the diamonds right after the other man gave up. My brother would remind me of this story any time I felt as though I was stuck and it would always be my encouragement that I may be closer to my goals than I realize. Now the idea of giving up is no longer an option for me. I am in this career for the long haul. The other story is complex yet simple in the way Alan Watts tells it. The messaging behind it shows it’s impossible to tell whether anything that happens to you in life is good or bad — because you never know what will be the consequence of the misfortune; or, you never know what will be the consequences of good fortune.
Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?
Believe. You must believe that you are the one. Extraordinary things can happen to you if you keep going. Fill your life with other passions and interests. Don’t wait around for the world to give you a chance. Instead, build a life you’re proud of outside of your work. I believe that actor’s life and experiences build their craft. It’s everything outside of this industry that grows you, and those human experiences can then translate towards being a mirror of society for the rest of the world to see and enjoy.
If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
I would inspire a movement to call your loved ones. Tell those who inspire you how they make you feel. I believe many of us are always afraid to tell those we care about how we feel. But communicating your thoughts is not only better for you but for others as well.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
One story. At 19, my mother rode in the car with me to a screen test, helping me run lines along the way. I felt at the time that this opportunity would’ve shaped the trajectory of my career. I was told by the director, that I wasn’t rugged enough for the part and he let me go. I remember the car ride home, I was silent. But my mother began to tell me about what could be possible. That even if no one else sees it for me, I must see it for myself. To this day, I still live by that quote a decade later.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
That the journey is the goal. The older I’m getting, the more I reflect on everything that has happened to me in my life. It was never about the destination, it was always about my experiences getting there. They have shaped the man I am today. Rejection, failure, heartbreak, and mistakes. Everything has made me who I am.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them.
There are two people I would love to sit down with and talk to. I watched an interview with Sylvester Stallone, where he said he would love to mentor new people in the industry, to avoid the traps he encountered starting. I’ve never had a mentor before but I’m sure one lunch with him can help shape my career. Also were both Italian, so they would have to roll us out after the feast we would have. I also recently read an article about Sydney Sweeney manifesting her 2023 year, featured in vogue. I’d love to ask her about what she does to help her manifestation process. I’ve been journaling for 482 days, manifesting what I want out of my own life. I’d also ask her for some career advice. Things she’s learned along the way that could aid me. I think she’s a brilliant actress and a strong role model, and that she’s going to do amazing work.
How can our readers follow you online?
I’m most active on Instagram! They can follow me @dammromeo
Thank you for these wonderful questions and for taking the time to interview me!
Rising Star Damian Romeo On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Entertainment Industry was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.