Jacques Chevelle: From Stage to Screen meet the actor who's Hustling his way through Hollywood
Photographer: Tim Schaeffer Photography
Wardrobe:
White Turtleneck: Ben Sherman
Jacket: H&M
Growing up, Atlanta native, Jacques Chevelle has always graced the stage with his bubbly and comical personality. He acted in theatre productions such as MacBeth, Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors, Shrek The Musical, Into the Woods, Wedding Singer and more. He eventually went on to snag the lead in the 2018 comedy short, Sex Digits, which won the 2018 AT&T Create-A-Thon Los Angeles competition. Now, you can catch Chevelle on the Nickelodeon comedy series, Side Hustle, as Jaget, which premiered on November 7th, 2020.
Rival Magazine caught up with Chevelle to chat about his new role as Jaget in Side Hustle and takes us back to how he got started in the acting biz.
Tell us a little about yourself, and how you got into acting, leading up to your gig working on Nickelodeon’s Side Hustle.
I started like many young thespians in a high-school production of Comedy of Errors. The acting bug bit me, and it was a lot less painful than I thought it would be. I fell in love with embodying a character for two hours on stage. I continued this passion in college, performing in productions of Shakespeare's Macbeth, Into the Woods, Wedding Singer, and many more! I was doing the actors hustle by auditioning, working the overnight shift, and doing plays in Santa Monica. I auditioned a couple of times for a Nickelodeon show, but the part wasn't right. However, I got the audition for Jaget in Side Hustle and felt that it was a perfect fit.
Who are some of your inspirations and people that you would like to work with one day?
I would love the chance to work with Viola Davis. She is my north star when it comes to acting. She is such an inspiration to me, and in times of confusion about a character, I would ask myself, “What Would Viola Davis Do?”
Side Hustle really depicts how our current generation is growing up around technology and how to gain multiple streams of income. What else can you tell us about the show that kids watching can relate to?
I think kids can relate to the show's relationships. Having an older brother and the friends that are down for doing whatever with you. These are the relationships that build your character and the ones you have for a lifetime, and I think that resonates with the audience.
Your character, Jaget, really comes off as bold and aggressive, like how an older brother sometimes would, but in a very comical way. Do you relate to your character at all? How is it playing your character?
My brother is very similar to the character of Jaget, but don't tell him that I told you. I take a lot from the relationship I had with him growing up, and I try to bring some of that to Jaget.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have come across while filming the show playing Jaget?
Jaget always has multiple tools on him. He would be like Batman, if Batman were a crossing guard. I remember one scene where I had to pull out many different signs while holding my script. I learned that Jaget always has a lot of things going on, so if I can be off-book, it makes my life a lot easier for rehearsal and shoot days.
Now that the show has been out for a while, what’s the feedback been like and can you tell us anything about another season being in the works? The feedback has been great! We are currently finishing up the first 13 episodes, and we just got an order of another seven episodes for the season, which is exciting!
Photographer: Tim Schaeffer Photography
Wardrobe:
White Turtleneck: Ben Sherman
Jacket: H&M
What are some exciting projects that you’re currently working on?
I'm working on an exciting project with a couple of friends. I can't say much about it right now, but you can follow me on Instagram @jacqueschevelle to stay updated on new developments.
What is one piece of advice you would give to someone who is looking to break into acting?
Look around in your local area for any plays that are going on. The best way to learn is by doing. Get out there and start auditioning and taking classes.
Chevelle stars alongside Annie LeBlane, Jayden Bartels, and Mitchell Berg in the comedy series, Side Hustle. The show follows two motivated teenage girls who must find a way to make money after accidentally destroying their neighbor, Munchy, Dad’s boat. The kids decide to create an app that helps match people with odd jobs. However, Munchy’s protective older brother, Jaget, inserts himself to remedy the situation, putting himself in charge of making sure the business runs smoothly.
You can catch new episodes of Side Hustle every Saturday at 8:30 P.M. EST.
Be sure to keep up with Jacques Chevelle on social media:
Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/jacqueschevelle/
