Ryan Rosery: The Actor of Fear Street Prom Queen Says Will Smith is the Reason He Wanted to Act

Canadian-born actor Ryan Rosery stars in the recently released Netflix film Fear Street: Prom Queen, a throwback to 80s slasher films. He plays the character Chad in what he calls not a scary movie. Read more as he shares how the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air character Will, played by Will Smith, encouraged him to get into acting and why becoming famous was payback toward his ex.

Will Smith, because he was one of the catalysts that helped me go down this path, I would probably be like, “Whoa! I’m really looking at one of my heroes.

Your acting journey began when you were 8, and by 16, you were performing professionally. Did you always know you wanted to act, even before that time?

I got bit by the (acting) bug—I’m going to give a little bit of a story here. I remember I was in the fourth grade, so about eight, and I was sitting down watching The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. It was a scene where Uncle Phil was dancing with baby Nicky, and I remember Will runs down the stairs and he said, “Earthquake,” and Uncle Phil looks at Will and Will looks at Uncle Phil and Uncle Phil chases Will up the stairs. I found that to be the most hilarious thing in the world, and I remember my mom and sister sitting behind me. I turned to them and said, “That’s what I want to do for a living. I want to be like Will Smith. I want to make people laugh. I want to make people feel things. My mom is from the Caribbean and an immigrant. She told me that acting was not a real thing, even though I did a little bit of acting in school and was a class clown. Eventually, sixteen rolled around, and I went full throttle (following my dreams). At that time, I remember a girl broke my heart and I was thinking, “How do I get back at her for breaking my heart, and I decided, “Oh, I’m going to be famous and be an actor,” (laugh) and so, here I am so many years later and still acting. And it’s now more than fame for me. I truly love it to the core!

If ever you can speak to Will Smith, would you want to tell him this story?

One hundred percent. I don’t get star-struck very often. I see a lot of celebrities. I’ve worked with many people. But Will Smith, because he was one of the catalysts that helped me go down this path, I would probably be like, “Whoa! I’m really looking at one of my heroes. One of the Icons of black media, so I definitely will tell him that story.”

How do you convince moviegoers who don’t like scary movies like us (laugh) to watch one?

For starters, you’ve got this handsome man right here in the movie— you guys have to make sure you check me out doing my damn thing. Secondly, this movie isn’t as scary as people think it is. There are moments of shock value and moments of Whoa! What’s coming next, but I personally don’t think it is a scary movie. I think moviegoers are going to be totally fine tuning in, watching and enjoying it. It’s got a story (narrative) behind it and lots of great acting as well.

Beyond acting, you co-founded Big Dreamers Brotherhood “BDB” Productions Inc., collaborating with six like-minded creatives to bring bold new projects to life. What is one of the projects?

Yes, we’ve actually partnered with another company Lenz Films on a project called “It Comes in Waves.” The movie will be dropping sometime this year. I cannot say when just yet, but it stars my really good friend Adrian Walters and is directed by Fitch Jean. That’s one of the projects that BDB had the opportunity to partner with and work on.

The verse speaks to me a lot to humble myself

We heard BDB and as a play on the acronym, we thought of BBD (laugh) as in Bell, Biv, Devoe? Do you know them?

No, I don’t.

New Edition, do you know the group New Edition?

Yeah, I know New Edition.

They have a small (music) group called BBD within the (original) group.

Ah! (laugh)

BDB was formed in 2016 when the seven of us became friends. We were not working as actors at the time, and we wanted to create more work for ourselves and also with people within the community and the black diaspora. And because we are all seven men of faith, we called it the Big Dreamers Brotherhood.

As a Canadian, what do you miss about home that you can’t get anywhere else?

Honestly, it’s the culture because growing up in Caribbean culture is such a big part of my life. St. Lucia, that’s where my lineage comes from. Growing up around that and then coming back to the city and feeling the culture, aside from Caribbean culture, you have the Chinese culture, Korean culture, and Indian culture—Toronto is one of the most diverse cities in the entire world. Growing up around so many different people and cultures and to come back… it’s something special. You have to experience it to get it.

You have on your Instagram profile 1 Peter 5:6. How does that scripture help you in places like social media?

I actually have it tattooed on my left rib. It speaks to me so deeply. When I got back into seeking my faith more, my walk with God, that verse basically said, Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, and he will exalt you. It’s a reminder I don’t need to exalt myself. I don’t need to say, “Look at me, guys; look what I can do; look at what I’m doing.” Because God will exalt me as long as I continue to stay focused on him, it’s so easy to allow yourself to get caught up in… look at what I’ve done…me me me and to remember, “Oh, no, it’s God first before everything else, and everything else will follow, which is also another verse in the bible. The verse speaks to me a lot to humble myself. It’s a reminder, “Don’t make it about self,” make it about God, and again, everything else will fall into place.”

Are there any cast members you would like to give a shout-out to?

Oh, Man! I can shout out the whole cast, but David Iacono is a talented dude and fun to be around. Suzanna Son is a talented singer and is really focused on her work. India Fowler, seeing her do her thing, and Ella Rubin, who plays my girlfriend in the movie, was so much fun to be around a bright light. Shout out to that cast, man! My guy, Damian Romeo, as well. I could on… It’s a big cast. Shout out to those people.

Love the inflection in your voice. We hear your accent go in and out. How does that work with the roles you play?

I watch a lot of American TV. For the most part, I generally try to speak as American as I can. In my day to day, sometimes, people will ask me, “Where are you from?” New York, and I’ll tell them, “I’m from Toronto,” and the people are usually like, “Alright, cool! (laugh).

Why should the streaming audience watch “Fear Street: Prom Queen?”

The performances are off the charts! The surprises are going to catch you. You are not going to see certain things coming. The deaths are really cool. Remember it’s all make-believe (laugh).

Great catching up with you, Ryan!

Ladies, Thank you!