How A Montclair High Student Uses Actors As Inspiration to Push Forward
By Kiara Rivera
The best thing that ever happened to Adam Grant was flunking second grade.
At just 8-years-old, Grant faced one of his major obstacles when being held back to repeat the second grade. Having to watch his friends move a step forward while he was being left behind, devastated him.
But he refused to let those setbacks get the best of him.
Watching movies that featured his favorite actors like Eddie Murphy and Jim Carrey brought Grant back on track. These movies gave him a sense of strength and purpose. Grant was so entertained and moved by the movies that he had watched that he wanted to do the same for others. This is when he realized he wanted to become an actor. His passion for acting now pushes him further and further no matter what life has to throw at him.
“I’m trying to succeed and make it to college,” he said. He uses his goals as a motivation to keep aiming higher and higher.
As Grant matures, he makes an effort to build his career at an early age by attending acting classes and educating himself about television and media.
Six foot tall, Grant comes from an African American background. His parents have always pushed him to be confident and outgoing. He is not afraid to speak up and have his voice be heard. He wants to make a point that you do not have to be loud to be powerful.
“It doesn’t matter what type of race you are whether you’re black, white, or Asian there will be obstacles that you will face but as long as you have passion, you will conquer them,” Grant said.
Barack Obama is an influence to Grant because despite all of the negativity from lots of Americans, he stood strong and continued to change the world for the better.
Martin Luther King Jr. is also an influence to him because of his powerful but peaceful movement. He loves the fact that King did not have to be violent or aggressive to make his mark on the world.
“Martin Luther King once said, ‘I have a dream…’ and so do I. Even though he has had a rough time while becoming one of our African American leaders, he tried. In a way I feel like I am doing the same thing because I keep trying and trying for my dream,” Grant said.
