Interview with Terrell Ransom Jr.
Glitter sat down with Terrell Ransom Jr. to talk about what it’s been like growing up with a family of performers, what it’s like to voice Darwin Watterson on the Cartoon Network animated hit series, The Amazing World of Gumball, his YouTube channel, and the one thing you might not know about him. We’re hoping to hear new music from him soon! Read on to find out more about this talented actor and singer/songwriter.
Photographer—Birdie Thompson and Stylist—Terrell Ransom Sr.
GLITTER: When did you first start acting?
TERRELL: We moved to Los Angeles when I was four-years-old and I got an agent. My first television audition was for the role of Theo Carver on the NBC soap opera, Days of Our Lives. I booked the role and filmed close to 40 episodes the first year.
GLITTER: Is it true that you come from a family of performers?
TERRELL: Yes, my Dad, Uncles, Grandpa, Great Uncle and Great Aunt are all amazing singers and really great self-taught piano players. I sing too and play a little piano, but I may be the only one that plays the guitar really well in the family.
GLITTER: What’s it like being the voice of Darwin Watterson on the Cartoon Network animated hit series, The Amazing World of Gumball?
TERRELL: Being Darwin is really fun for me because I was a huge fan of The Amazing World of Gumball before I even auditioned for the role. I watched season 1 and 2 all the time with my granny who introduced me to the show. So to actually be one of my favorite cartoon characters of all time is incredible and unreal.
GLITTER: What can you tell us about the new season without giving too much away?
TERRELL: The new season is going to be like the previous ones, just 500 times more awesome, of course. You’re definitely going to see some crazy fun storylines and hilarious adventures from the brother duo Gumball and Darwin. I will say that there’s a fun Ghostbuster reference in one of the episodes that’s perfect because Halloween is coming up. You don’t want to miss any of it. Make sure you tune in every Thursday at 5 pm.
GLITTER: Who are some of your favorite actors or influencers?
TERRELL: I really love Denzel Washington, Will Smith and Tyrese because he’s in a lot of the movies that I would love to do like Transformers and Fast & Furious. Plus, he has a great music career, which is what I want to have. As for the music side, I’m a huge fan of Pharrell Williams. His music career is incredible. He sings, he raps and produces super dope beats. I actually do all three too and someday I hope to be as great as he is. I also love the rapper Logic because his songs have a lot of great messages and I definitely want my music to be fun but talk about important things like I did in my single, “Where You From.”
GLITTER: What can you tell us about your YouTube channel, Terrell’s World? Do you post on it often?
TERRELL: Basically I record myself telling funny stories about things that happen to me or I make fun of myself or my family by dressing up and acting like them. My family are my biggest supporters and find my videos super funny because they know it’s all true. I’ve been getting a lot of love from fans that can relate to my videos which is super cool and encouraging. Sometimes school and acting take up a lot of my time so I can’t post as often as I like, but I’m working on that and will have a new video up soon!
GLITTER: How did you get the stage name, Kid Prodigy?
TERRELL: When I was young, my Mom was always telling me that I was a little kid prodigy, that I was her little prodigy, so that really inspired me growing up. I think of myself as a kid prodigy because I feel like I do a lot of different things. I’m smart, I’m a thirteen-year-old 9th grader. I’m an actor, I’m a singer, rapper and musician, so I’m sort of like a triple threat.
GLITTER: We also know you love to sing. Have you ever thought about doing your own album?
TERRELL: Yes, I have quite a few beats that I’ve made that I’m perfecting now and writing lyrics too. I’m hoping to either drop a new single in the near future or maybe an EP.
GLITTER: Is there something about you that your fans would be surprised to know?
TERRELL: I don’t know if they would be surprised to know that I’m an only child. For me that’s a little unusual because I have a lot of friends and every single one of them have siblings.
GLITTER: What is your dream role?
TERRELL: I have two dream roles, a lead superhero role in a Marvel movie series like The Avengers and a Jedi role in a Star Wars movie.
GLITTER: Best advice you were ever given?
TERRELL: The best advice I was ever given was probably advice my Mom tells me all the time which is, “Do what you gotta do so you can do what you wanna do.” That keeps me motivated. If I work hard I can play hard. She remembered Denzel Washington sharing that line from the film, The Great Debaters, on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
GLITTER: What do you enjoy doing during your free time?
TERRELL: I’m a huge Xbox and Nintendo gamer, plus I watch a lot of YouTube gaming videos. I’m also usually working on music. Either producing beats or writing lyrics. I try to film stuff for my YouTube channel as well.
GLITTER: What charities do you work with?
TERRELL: I’m a celebrity youth ambassador for the Jonathan Foundation. I’m also a huge supporter of Jaylen’s Challenge which focuses on anti-bullying.
GLITTER: Any projects you can tell us about that you’re working on next?
TERRELL: I can’t say much about the project but I am on location for the next three weeks filming a movie that I’m super excited about. It’s such a great opportunity and I’m working with some awesome actors, so stayed tuned.
GLITTER: How can fans follow you?
TERRELL: You can follow me on Instagram and Twitter @terrellransomjr. Subscribe to my YouTube channel Terrell’s World. Be sure to leave a comment, I’m usually good about replying back.
Glitter Co-Founder | Writer | Journalist | Host | Tweet me @zoefowler28
