NEED TO KNOW
One of TV newest faces has already made a decision on his public persona.
While discussing his role in on Netflix’s Forever in an interview with PEOPLE, Michael Cooper Jr. shares that has no plans to be the stereotypical Hollywood man-about-town.
“I’ve made a conscious decision to not move to L.A.” Cooper Jr., 23, says.
The actor, who plays Justin Edwards in Mara Brock Akil’s adaption of Judy Blume’s 1975 novel of the same name, is looking to keep his work and personal life separate. “I can have a normal life with my family, and my friends, and remain as grounded and as tethered as I possibly can. And then I’ll go to [Los Angeles] to work.”
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Despite spending his early career days in Atlanta, Georgia, Cooper Jr. resides in Dallas — the lone star city where he was born and raised.
Growing up in Texas, Cooper Jr.’s childhood looked different than that of actors who find fame at a young age.
“I rarely dabbled in theater when I was a kid,” he says, explaining he was much more focused on academics and athletics than acting.
In fact, it was one of his high school football teammates who urged him to audition for the school’s musical that, apt to Cooper Jr. ‘s high school experience, was High School Musical.
Cooper Jr. ended up “getting the part, ended up loving it” he says.
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Though he initially did not think much of his enjoyment of acting, the bug was unshakeable and he graduated high school early and moved to Atlanta to pursue his craft.
Soon after the move, Cooper Jr. went through the whirlwind process of being cast in Forever, in which his character Justin falls in love with Lovie Simone’s Keisha, who reunite as teenagers after being childhood friends.
However, with all of Cooper Jr.’s newfound fame from the series, he is taking precautions besides just living outside of Hollywood in order to keep his wellness a priority.
“I got a flip phone,” he shares. ” Just mental clarity is important. I’m going to take [fame] as it comes.”
With the care to his wellbeing, Cooper Jr. will be able to bring his best self to Forever season 2, which will answer fans’ most pressing questions about the fates of Justin and Keisha.
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In his conversation with PEOPLE, Cooper Jr. also shares how playing Justin — who is very in touch with his emotions — helped him outside of the role. “He was able to help me heal things and be vulnerable in my life,” the actor notes.
“We typically go down the lane of ‘suppress, suppress, suppress,’ because that’s strength. And especially within men, or young boys, it’s ‘don’t feel, don’t feel, don’t feel,’ ” he says.
Cooper Jr. adds a lasting lesson his role taught him: “Vulnerability is strength.”
Forever season 1 is currently available to stream on Netflix.
