A conversation with actor and model Sam Evans

Photography: Katie Levine / katielevinephoto

Words: Chioma Mordilyn Worlu / mordilynworlu

Meet actor and model Sam Evans / samevans, who can brag about opening John Varvatos NYFW Fashion show at the age of 15, making himself the youngest male that has ever made it so far. Down to earth, laid back and self-aware, he tells us about his life behind the scenes, his ambitions and the new film for which he will play a part: The Ravine.

Modeling or acting if you had to choose?

I started as an actor then signed with NEXT Models when I was 12 years old. Modeling gave me the opportunity to travel the world and work with really amazing people. I am 19 years old now and have been focusing more on the acting side of the business. I like how acting gives me the opportunity to help tell stories, build a character and hopefully get people to think of things in a different way. 

If someone was going to make your life into a movie, who would play you? 

What would be really cool would to be able to write or direct something like that one day but hopefully it would be a story not told for a while. I have lots more to add to the story before it is ready for a movie.

Who do you look up to career wise? 

There are actors I have been studying who I admire. Actors like Leo DiCaprio, Jake Gyllenhaal, Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling and Tom Hardy to name a few. I like the choices they make and the passion they put into their work. Acting is a craft that takes a lot of hard work and dedication. 

You played the waiter in Blackish. How did it feel being around the cast?

It was an amazing experience. Every actor and member of the crew made me feel like I was a part of their family for the day. I study lots of old movies. Right around the time I booked Blackish, I had just watch “Apocalypse Now” and “Boyz in The Hood” both had Laurence Fishburne in them. A few days later I was on set actually acting in a scene with Mr. Fishburne and Anthony Anderson. I found myself sitting on set in between takes talking with both actors. It was surreal and inspirational all at the same time. 

What is your favorite fashion event you took part of?

Two come to mind. I opened for John Varvatos when I was 15 years old for NYFW in Times Square. They told me I was the youngest male to ever open a fashion show so that was a great feeling. I had a reporter and photographer from Getty Images and the NY Times following me around before the event for the whole day getting to know me. The other was having Saint Laurent fly me to Paris for my first time ever in the city. I attended the Vogue Fashion dinner with their team and had an amazing experience. I feel very fortunate to have as many experiences I have in the short time I have been in the industry. 

Who’s your favorite designer?

I have enjoyed all the designers I have been fortunate to work with. John Varvatos took a chance on me when I was young. I walked into their store when I was 12 and told the manager I would work for them one day. 2 years later I was not only working with them but actually became friends with John himself. Saint Laurent has been an incredible designer to work with also. They are super nice people and treat me very well.

Your relationship with social networks: you use it as a platform to socialize being vocal, you keep up with influencers, YouTubers, TikTokers, you consider yourself a content creator?

Oh my love/hate relationship with Social media. I first got into it to help with my career. I had all sorts of agents telling me to do it. I get why it is important. I also think it can be a negative thing when everyone tends to just put the best possible version of themselves out there and the younger generation think that what they see on social media is reality and start to model themselves after an unrealistic expectation. I think it’s important to have the right attitude towards social media and treat it like it should be treated: as entertainment. That being said I do enjoy reaching out to people around the world that send me nice messages. I appreciate the support I get. I wouldn’t say I am a “content creator” but I do try and have a few regular type posts like “Sunday Conversations” or “Friday Dance Party”. It is a form of expression and I enjoy the creative aspect, but my advice to others is don’t take it to seriously. I encourage people to try and connect to spread positivity and stay away from negativity towards others. 

What does your perfect Sunday afternoon look like?

I love going to Amusement parks. I like going to see bands play live. I also like catching waves at the beach, playing my guitar, hanging with friends and family and catching a good film with a huge bucket of popcorn.

Tell us about some upcoming project you’d like to share, or a project you would like to be part of

I shot a movie before the Pandemic hit. It’s called, “The Ravine” with Eric Dane, Teri Polo, Peter Facinelli, Leslie Ugamms and others. I have a good role. True story based on a book. We shot part of it in an actual working maximum security Prison deep in New Orleans.  I have a few other projects in the works that I can’t talk about right now. I will keep people updated on my Instagram @samevans. I have worked hard for the last 7 years in both Acting and modeling and I feel like I am just now getting my foot in the door to bigger opportunities. I hope you can come along for the ride.