The American actor Lorenzo James Henrie started acting at a young age and has amassed various credits along the way. But it wasn’t until senior year of high school after filming a movie in Puerto Rico then he realised that he could really do acting as a living, even though he has been a working child actor years before. At 18 and at a point in his life that he is becoming his own adult everything comes together and he hasn’t looked back ever since.

DA MAN: Hi Lorenzo, awesome to have you with us. How are you?
Lorenzo James Henrie: Doing great! Thank you so much for having me, and doing an amazing photoshoot! Very grateful for this opportunity.

Jacket and pants by AG Jeans; T-shirt by Theory; shoes by Taft

DA: Your last project is “This Is The Year” that is virtually premiered on last August. How do you feel about the movie now that it’s out?
LJH: I feel incredibly happy. You see prior to the Covid-19 we had a theatrical release this summer so we were excited for that, but you know what? Our partners at Hub130 and our executive producer Selena Gomez decided to do something that’s never been done, a live virtual premiere benefiting Covid-19 relief. It was magical to get the cast, Selena and the D’Amelio sisters on screen afterwards for the Q&A. Our company Novo that produced the film feels that this is a model that can benefit good causes and help other independent companies get their movies seen!

Jacket and pants by AG Jeans; T-shirt by Theory; shoes by Taft

DA: You starred as his nerdy high school senior on a last effort to win over the girl of his dream, along with embarking on a road trip to see their favorite band at the biggest music festival. But what was your senior year like?
LJH: You know my senior year was amazing. It was by far the best time I had in high school given that a lot of the stress is taken off your shoulders. I was able to enjoy my day to day schedule, my friends and really focus on my future after high school. We had an epic senior year food fight in the cafeteria and got to go to Disneyland for our senior night.

Jacket and pants by AG Jeans; T-shirt by Theory; shoes by Taft

DA: Are there any special preparation for playing this role?
LJH: Given my company Novo Media Group developed and produced this project, this was a unique situation I got to prep for because we knew the role was being written with me in mind. So I was able to be a part of the writing process, pre-production, scouting and when we were for filming day one I felt super prepared to play Josh without even blinking.

Shirt by Raga Man; Jacket by GAP; Pants by AG Jeans; Shoes by Time

DA: Any memorable memories during the set of “This Is The Year”?
LJH: When we were filming at the ‘Mermaid Inn”, where Josh is the DJ, I was actually playing music for the extra’s and the cast to get excited for multiple cut shots and when I put on Miley Cyrus’s ‘Party in the USA’ things went crazy, and everyone was dancing like there was no tomorrow lol!

Shirt by Polo; T-shirt by billebeino; pants by Top Man; shoes by Time — Shirt by Polo; T-shirt by Billebeino; pants by Topman; shoes by Time

DA: Your brother, David Henrie, directed, co-wrote and co-stars on this movie too, what was that like being directed by your own brother?
LJH: It was a blessing. This was a dream come true for us, and the first of many projects we are doing as a company, so working with my brother was simply the best thing ever. He’s one of the hardest working guys I know!

Blazer by X suit; pullover by Premiere Apparel — Blazer by X Suit; pullover by Premiere Apparel

DA: On the end of “This Is The Year” trailer it said that this is the feel good movie of the year. Personally, what is your top feel good movie and why?
LJH: Ah! So many it’s hard to answer! But off the top of my head I would have to say my favorite feel good movie is ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’. Why? To me a film is truly great if it feels timeless,and can be applied to all people regardless of where you came from or your upbringing. This is one of those movies where you can sit down and watch it with any one, and by the end of the movie you are taken through such a journey of emotions, learned lessons, and leave the film wanting to love your friends and family. Beautiful storytelling. I’m a sucker for old movies as well lol!

Blazer by h&M; hoodie by billebeino; pants by AG jeans; shoes by Time — Blazer by H&M; hoodie by Billebeino; pants by AG jeans; shoes by Time

DA: We see on the trailer that the chemistry of the group is great, what was it like working alongside them? Are you guys close friends outside the set before?
LJH: Yes, the cast chemistry was amazing! We were so fortunate casting the people we did. We all grew up with very similar backgrounds as child actors so it was as if we all knew each other and shared tons of friends growing up in the same circles. It’s rare finding a good group to work with and working with the cast we hired was a joy everyday on set and they crushed it!

DA: You’ve been in the entertainment for quite some time now but what would you do if you weren’t an actor
LJH: That’s a great question. I’m a people person and it has always been a dream of mine to own a coffee shop, or some sort of Italian restaurant. I also have a passion for start-ups and real estate as well!

Outfit by A. Tiziano; shoes by Aime-Moi Paris

DA: Any dream “gig” that is still on your list?
LJH: For sure. I would love an opportunity to be a part of a franchise series on either the TV/film side. I’ve been fortunate enough to be very close to booking some big trilogy series, so the hunger and competitive side in me wants to land a franchise!

DA: You are also a producer and correct us if we’re wrong, you also produced “This Is The Year”. What was it like producing your own movie?
LJH: Yes! So my company Novo Media Group produced ‘This Is The Year’ which originally was an idea my brother had. Producing the movie was such a great learning lesson especially as growing up as an actor. You learn so many things that go into the film that you don’t realise sometimes as an actor showing up for day 1 to shoot. From storyboards, scouting, pre productions, It’s kind of a mini miracle getting a movie done because your biggest enemy is time and money but that’s where you truly make decisions which will contribute to making a beautiful project! We were able to put something together that we feel was special and so needed during quarantine.

DA: And what other projects that you have produced recently?
LJH: Yes! I can’t say too much about it, but we have an animation series with Netflix, and are producing several other Movie/TV show’s that we have partnered with some great studios and producers!

DA: Do you have any dream team on working in a project? I.e: dream director/actor or actress to work with
LJH: Ahhh! Everyone? hah that’s a tough question because there’s so many talented people in the industry. Just off the top of my head I would love to work with James Gunn. I thought what he did for Guardians of the Galaxy was brilliant, not just as a director, but as a writer and storyteller. Father-son arc’s are my favorite and if you watch both moves back to back you see this incredible father-son story line, but also it’s rare to see supporting cast to have such deep emotional arcs, so yeah I would love to work with James, and I like the fact he works with his brothers like myself. As for actor/actresses there are SOOO many this is hard hahaha. I can’t choose one but I would love to work with Christian Bale and Zendaya…and also Will Smith, DiCaprio, Chris Pratt, Emilia Clarke….etc.

DA: With the ongoing pandemic, how do you motivate yourself to be productive?
LJH: Just like all the NBA/NHL/NFL players were ready to start playing in the bubble because they were practicing everyday and bettering their craft, I have been trying to stay motivated like them in the sense I want to be ready for when things hopefully get better and more normal. So this motivates me to take the time to be a better person, a better producer, to learn more and more, to try to read more, to grow in the things I never thought I could because this is truly a great time to learn about yourself and what you can do for others.

DA: What was the best advice anyone has ever given you?
LJH: “How you think when you lose determines how long it will be until you win.”

DA: Looking back on your career, what was the first moment that you decided that you wanted to be an actor?
LJH: Well I started acting when I was a little child, but it wasn’t until senior year of high school after filming a movie in Puerto Rico when I turned 18, and was at a point in my life of becoming my own adult and it just really clicked that I could really do this as a living even though I’ve been a working child actor. It just really hit me that I’m ready and I guess you can say I haven’t looked back ever since.

DA: What’s your plan for the rest of the year?
LJH: Well as far as the rest of the year goes I have a ton on the producing side that we are finishing up several deals and getting into production. But the most important one is getting settled into my new home here shortly, and going to spend some time with my family and friends.

U.S.-BASED CREATIVE DIRECTOR MITCHELL NGUYEN MCCORMACK
PHOTOGRAPHY IAN PHILLIPS
STYLING KIMBERLY GOODNIGHT
GROOMING MICHAEL JANDA
HAIR PRODUCT USING STARRINGBY TED GIBSON
SKIN CARE USING LAURA MERCIER

“This Is The Year” Star Lorenzo James Henrie Talks About Producing His Own Movie

Lorenzo James Henrie,

Mitchell Nguyen McCormack,

This Is The Year