UPDATE: It’s been a busy couple of months for Chris McMiller. Since I interviewed the actor in March, he’s been working hard both in person and online to keep building his brand and achieve his career goals. I caught up with Chris during a rare break in his schedule to learn about his recent developments. While he’s still excited for his role in MJ The Musical, Chris has also found his own audience on social media, with his TikTok posts closing in on three million views.

“Being able to connect with fans and people from all over the world is such a great thing!” he enthused. “I love being able to make people laugh and give them something to look forward to on TikTok and Instagram. You don’t know what people are truly going through on a daily basis, so being able to create videos that will make people laugh makes me feel good, knowing I can at least try to make their day in a crazy world that we live in.”

While it’s very common for actors to be on social media, it presents a unique opportunity for Chris as he’s working his way up in both Broadway and Hollywood. Not only does it allow his fans to get to know him, but it gives himself another platform to introduce himself to the industry and show what he can do, on his own terms. “Knowing that people see first-hand what’s going on with my life makes me happy that everyone is in the loop,” he explained. “I love being able to present the events and the people that I meet to my followers because it shows that I take what I do in life seriously.”

He also believes his journey can inspire others. “Meeting public figures and [their] knowing who I am might give someone else the motivation to get up and want to pursue their dreams,” he added. And Chris has met a number of important people recently, in the entertainment industry and beyond. He’s crossed paths with the likes of civil rights leader Al Sharpton and New York City mayor Eric Adams.

“The list continues to get longer and longer,” he told me. “In the past couple of months I’ve had the opportunity to meet Tyler Perry, Robert De Niro, Martin Luther King III, T-Pain, 2 Chainz, Hill Harper, Al Sharpton, Wesley Snipes [and] Mayor Eric Adams. All of them gave me words of encouragement by telling me to continue to pursue my dreams.”

One of his interactions with Perry was particularly memorable, as it turns out Chris has a previous connection to Perry’s TV empire. “I said to him, ‘I auditioned for your show Assisted Living, but I didn’t get the part,’” Chris recalled. “He said, that’s a good thing you didn’t get it [because] I’ve got something better coming for you. That in itself goes to show what I’m doing doesn’t go unnoticed. Mr. Perry said he’s heard a lot about me.”

Naturally, finding new audiences and new inspiration has made Chris determined to keep his momentum going in the second half of 2023. “I would love to continue to put my name out there for more notable actors to hear about me,” he concluded. “I want to continue to grow my [following on] social media platforms and continue to encourage people to take that step in pursuing their dreams.” Whether it’s on stage, online or in person, he has a lot to look forward to.

For tickets to and more information about MJ the Musical, visit the production’s website.

Article content is (c)2020-2025 Brittany Frederick and may not be excerpted or reproduced without express written permission by the author. Follow me on Twitter at @BFTVTwtr and on Instagram at @BFTVGram. For story pitches, contact me at tvbrittanyf@yahoo.com.