Jharrel Jerome: 7 Facts About the 'When They See Us' Star
You're probably aware of the hype that arose when Jharrel Jerome won an Emmy Award for his portrayal of Korey Wise in the Netflix miniseries, When They See Us. This award followed his outstanding performance as a lead actor in various projects in the film industry. Jharrel's on-screen talent continues to dazzle audiences around the globe, but there is more to this star than his excellent acting ability.
Jharrel Was Born in New York
Jharrel was born on October 9th, 1997, and is a proud native of the Bronx, New York. The actor recalls his experiences in the area as a child, dating back to the memories he enjoyed at Central Park while growing up.
He Went to School in Manhattan
Jharrel's passion for the entertainment industry was built to last. He attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in Manhattan. His goal was to enroll in a school of music and arts to fulfill his desire of being a renowned entertainer. Several of the celebrities he looks up to – such as Marlon Wayans, Nicki Minaj, and Omar Epps – also attended the same school.
After high school, Jharrel enrolled in Ithaca College as a Bachelor of Fine Arts student. His career journey became more promising in 2016, when he landed a role in Moonlight.
Jharrel Has Significant Support From His Mom
The actor appreciates the support that his mother has given him from the start of his career. In fact, she persuaded him to pursue acting when he was in the eighth grade. As a teenager, Jharrel joined the Riverdale Children's theater before going to high school. When he learned that he was nominated for an Emmy Award, his mom was the first person he called.
His mother is Jharrel's biggest fan; she has been dedicated to helping him grow in the acting business from a young age. During his Emmy acceptance speech, Jharrel thanked his mom, who accompanied him to the event. Jharrel is proud of his mom, and features her in many of his posts on Instagram.
He is Also a Rapper
Jharrel's love for the arts doesn't stop with acting – he is equally passionate about music. During an appearance on Hot 97's radio show, he revealed his love for hip-hop and rap. Similarly, he proved his love for lyricism when he performed a short but impressive acapella piece on Ebro in the Morning. In the future, Jharrel has plans to venture more into music and continue to build his career as a successful rapper and actor.
Jharrel Appeared on BET's 'Future 40' List
BET's 'Future 40' list features the most inspiring leaders and changemakers who are defining success in a world of young and gifted Black individuals. Jharrel was also listed on the annual 'TIME 100 Next' list among several other quickly-rising stars in the industry.
Jharrel Has Won Other Accolades
Besides winning the Emmy Award for his role in When They See Us, Jharrel has also won the MTV Movie and TV Award in 2017 for Best Kiss in Moonlight.
The Actor Has a Film Project With Idris Elba
During one of his recent chats on Hot 97, Jharrel mentioned that he'd been working on a project with the multi-talented Idris Elba. The two celebrities had just wrapped up production on the movie, Concrete Cowboys. The film debuted in January 2020 at the Sundance Film Festival, and its initial release was eight months later, in September.
