This holiday season, rising actor Alonzo B. Slater can now say he’s officially made it, starring in his first feature film alongside Vivica A. Fox, Jackee Harry, and Morgan Dixon. Slater will play a leading role as “Michael Payton,” in the upcoming Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) holiday movie, ‘A Christmas For Mary.’
What You Can Expect
Michael Payton is a handsome black man in his 30’s, living in a town where he helps his parents run the family shop. Once an aspiring journalist himself, Michael decided to stay closer to home, where he can feel connected to his family.
With a promotion to head writer on the line, up-and-coming journalist Lena Jones (Morgan Dixon) is hoping to impress her boss with a new story before Christmas. Intrigued by a portrait of a woman painted by her late grandfather, Lena journeys to the small town of Pineville to uncover a forgotten tale of love. As she begins to discover the story she wants to write about, Lena begins to fall for Michael Payton as history repeats itself.
This is the first feature film for the New Jersey actor, who began his acting career at age 11 auditioning for the role of “Simba” for Broadway’s The Lion King. While he didn’t get the role of ‘Simba,’ he did finish in the top 15 out of 300 other hopeful children his age. This experience, he tells True Hollywood Talk, helped him understand, even at a young age, the drive and passion needed to survive in the entertainment industry.
Slater started his career as an industry wardrobe stylist for three to four years but quickly realized that being in front of the camera was where he belonged.
“I am a Leo, confident in my abilities and I can toot my own horn. I am a natural-born leader, so I was mentally prepared for the journey. I knew I would be okay, mentally.”
Slater has appeared in several commercials and print ads for reputable companies like Verizon, American Express, Facebook, Stella Artois, and Ford, among others. His passion for indie film and television has kept this young actor appreciative and humble as he journeys throughout the industry.
For Slater, whose mother was a single parent for most of his life, this is a proud moment. “I remember my mother telling me growing up, ‘son, I’m not going to be here forever, so you better find a good job that pays well with some benefits.’ That was her favorite line each and every time I referenced entertainment. So, I lived a regular life, went to school, and did things normal children did. But I was never complete.”
Look at him now.
A Christmas For Mary’ is produced by Hybrid Films and directed by David Decoteau. You can see the premiere of Slater’s first-feature film on December 8, on OWN. With all that’s been going on this year, this will be a much-anticipated release we at TrueHollywoodTalk can’t wait for!
