PEOPLE TO PEOPLE
THADDEUS
“Papa Jay” BY NADIA SIMMS, 8TH GRADE, PHOENIX
MIXSON
F
or most of his life Thaddeus J. Mixson has been a dancer and singer, but now he can add acting to his resume. He made his acting debut playing the role of “Fahmarr” in the Disney+ feature Safety. I was lucky enough to chop it up with the 13-year-old rising star, better known as Papa Jay, to talk about his first movie, celeb crush and his fitness challenge book Breaking Bad Habits. True Star Jr.: What sparked your interest to become a singer? Thaddeus J. Mixson: I was always very motivated listening to my dad’s music because he used to be a rapper in Chicago which kind of made me want to rap. Years later when I was 11, I figured I could sing and I just took it from there. TSJ: Who or what is your motivation? TJM: I would say my mom and my dad. They push me to do better in life. TSJ: What was the best and worse thing that happened to you in 2020? TJM: The worse thing that happened was quarantine. I know a lot of people were going through it but 2020 [was actually] a good year for me. The best thing would be the release of my movie Safety. TSJ: What is your favorite shoe brand? TJM: I love Nike and Jordan. I am a big sneakerhead ever since I was little. My parents always kept me fresh with the new Jordans as I was growing up and my collection keeps growing. 18 TRUE STAR JR.
TSJ: What is your favorite movie? TJM: It would probably have to be one of my favorite childhood movies called Big 5, along with Glory, Creed, and Black Panther. TSJ: What is your all time favorite song and why? TJM: That would have to be Bruno Mars’ “Like It”. The music video was super clean and the vocals are super on point. It’s something that I always listen to. TSJ: Who is your celebrity crush? TJM: Since I was little, I’ve always liked Zendaya. I actually met her. And also Skai Jackson. TSJ: What is your dream role? TJM: I would like to play a superhero. I would like to fly. That would be super cool. TSJ: How did you feel when you found out you booked the role of Fahmarr in Safety? TJM: I was screaming and running throughout the whole house. I didn’t even cry because I was
