DeVaughn Nixon has been acting since a very young age. He has appeared in film alongside Hollywood heavy weights Danny Glover, Kevin Costner and Arnold Schwarzenegger…to name just a few. DeVaughn is also starring in the upcoming Disney film “Prom”. Movie Mikes had a chance recently to speak with DeVaughn about “Prom” and his experiences in the film industry.
Adam Lawton: Can you tell us about your upcoming film “Prom”?
DeVaughn Nixon: “Prom” is really going to exciting! The movie is a story about High School and kids finding their emotions. It’s a very organic film that I think will register with both parents and kids. I play the character of Tyler who is one of the most popular guys in school and has the answers to everything. On the outside Tyler looks as though he has everything together but as the story unfold you start to see Tyler has some insecurities. Tyler is the type of character that sometimes you will love him and sometimes you hate him.
AL: How did you become involved with the film?
DN: I had heard about the film through a friend of mine and he thought I should audition for it. I brought it to my managers at the time, who then got me an audition. I went in and auditioned and that same day I got a call back to meet with the director the following day. After that I did some screen tests with other prospective cast members and a short time later I got the call to be in the film.
AL: You have been acting since you were very young. Was acting something you had always wanted to do?
DN: My dad was a professional basketball player and I had kind of grown up wanting to follow in his footsteps. I was playing basketball all the time but I was also acting. Acting was something that was always on the back burner for me. It wasn’t until I got my first real job that I knew I wanted to act full time. I just couldn’t picture myself in a 9-5 job where I
wasn’t being creative. By the time I was 23, I knew that I wanted to act full time.
AL: How was it working with Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston on “The Bodyguard”?
DN: That was a dream come true! We filmed half of the film in Los Angeles and the other half in Lake Tahoe. That was the first time I had ever seen snow which was an experience in itself. Working with Whitney was really great and she became like a mother figure to me on set and still is to this day.
AL: Can you tell us about your experience working on “Terminator 2”?
DN: That was awesome! I had gotten that job after the producers saw my work in “The Bodyguard.” I had a little bit of buzz going for me and I went in and auditioned and got the part. It was really great getting to work with Arnold. The cast was all really great! I remember Arnold was always picking me up with one arm. That movie was great. James Cameron is a genius.
AL: Do you have a role that sticks out as a favorite?
DN: “The Bodyguard” is something that I will always remember as it really is a classic film. However from my adult 
career I would have to say “Prom”. There is just such much going on in that movie. The whole set was just full of excitement and that really added to the experience. We have formed somewhat of a “Prom” family and we all hang out with each other.
AL: Can you tell us about some of your other upcoming projects?
DN: I just finished work on season two of “The Hard Times of RJ Berger” which was really great to be a part of. I had a cameo in an episode from season one and they brought me back for season two and I shot seven episodes. I really enjoy that role as I get to play a character that is totally the opposite of me. I have a small part in an upcoming film with Justin Timberlake titled “Now”. The film is a sci-fi thriller based in the near future where time is money. I think this film will be coming out shortly after “Prom”.
