Greenville Native Hits the Big Screen in Biopic along with Hollywood Stars Mary J. Blige and Camila Cabello
Big dreams do come true. This for sure is the sentiment of Greenville native Jay Will who is currently making waves in Hollywood. The spotlight is shining bright on Will as he stars in the biographical drama ‘Rob Peace’, showcasing his acting prowess alongside some of the industry’s finest, Mary J. Blige and Camila Cabello.
Roots to stardom
Will, the Greenville-born and bred actor, portrays the lead role in the biopic. The drama, ‘Rob Peace’, is based on the life of Yale University graduate Robert DeShaun Peace: a highly academic student who made it into the Ivy League while his father served a prison sentence for a murder charge he may not have committed, and his mother worked long hours to pay for his education. Will’s performance in the film captures the essence and emotional journey of the real-life character he portrays.
Childhood, education and passion
Though now a rising star, Will’s footing in acting began at Southside High School in Greenville. The passion transpired into pursuing the arts academically, and he got accepted into South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities for his junior and senior years. His trail of success continued as he later got admitted to the prestigious Juilliard School in New York, from where he graduated in 2020.
Putting Greenville on the map
Determined to inspire other students in Greenville, Will’s message is emphatic and simple, “You can make it too. I went through the process that you went through. You can go further. You can be greater. It just takes hard work and discipline, and knowing exactly what you want, intuitively.”
Screening at Cherrydale Cinemas and Co-stars
It wasn’t long before Will showcased his breakout performance to his community. A special screening of ‘Rob Peace’ was held at Cherrydale Cinemas, bringing together Will’s family, friends, teachers, and significant figures from Greenville who have impacted his life in one way or another. Along with them, the opportunity to share the fruits of his hard work also involved his co-stars Mary J. Blige and Camila Cabello. Mary J. Blige plays Peace’s mother in the film, portraying a vast array of hues in character while Cabello brings vibrancy and light to the project.
Final Thoughts
As his journey in Hollywood unfolds, this Greenville actor continues to find connections between his life and Peace’s story and extends his gratitude to Jackie Peace, mother of Robert Peace, for the opportunity to depict her son’s life on screen. “The Rob Peace theory is honing in on what you know for yourself and supporting those around you, working on those micro-environments so that it can spread out to the macro and influence the whole world,” Will shared.
