Rigging the System in Your Favor: An Actor's Journey with DaJuan Johnson
Host Colleen Foy and guest DaJuan Johnson reconnect on this episode, taking us through DeJuan’s journey as an actor in Los Angeles. Together, they reflect on his 15-year career from his humble beginnings in theater to notable TV roles on Bosch, Grey’s Anatomy, and NCIS. DaJuan gets candid about his struggles in the industry and gives advice on how to navigate the ups and downs of being an actor by rigging the system in your favor, the importance of mindset, and strategies for lifelong success. From his Emmy campaign to making an impression with cookies, this conversation will leave you encouraged in getting to exactly where you want to be in your career.
00:00 — Introduction and Welcoming DaJuan Johnson
00:11 — Reflecting on 15 Years of Friendship
00:17 — DaJuan’s Journey to Los Angeles
00:36 — Early Struggles and Realizations
01:38 — Finding Seriousness in Acting
03:02 — Meeting and Learning from Stan
04:37 — Booking the First Role
08:59 — The Impact of Bosch on DaJuan’s Career
16:31 — The Importance of Mindset and Coaching
19:17 — Navigating the Modern Acting Industry
27:40 — Embracing Uncertainty and Self-Care
28:13 — The Reality of Talent and Persistence
29:21 — Mindset and Personal Growth
29:54 — Navigating the Acting Industry
31:18 — Rigging the System in Your Favor
32:42 — The Emmy Campaign Journey
33:58 — The Importance of Visibility
42:52 — Auditioning and Building Relationships
45:16 — Holding the Vision, Not the Circumstance
50:05 — Validation and Self-Worth
54:53 — Final Reflections and Advice
EPISODE LINKS:
· Follow DaJuan on IG @dajuanjohnson
· DaJuan’s IMDb
· Listen to the Think Bigger Actors Podcast
Host: Colleen Foy
Producer: Kristyn Daniel
Music by: Lindsay Boreing and Will Boreing
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