Joshua Colley on embracing creative curiosity
Joshua Colley truly loves what he does.
Even through a computer screen, Colley radiates a genuine passion throughout the conversation. He’s grateful for the journey he’s taken in the acting world so far and is palpably excited for the release of his latest project, Descendants: The Rise of Red.
When it comes to performing, Colley is very much a natural. Referencing the involvement of his parents in musical theater growing up, he seemingly doesn’t remember a time when he wasn’t singing or dancing. “I was practically born on stage,” Colley shares, smiling. “I’ve always been around it. It’s all I’ve ever known.”
Coat vintage DIOR, jeans and shoes SANDRO, scarf designer archive.
His family recognized his talent from an early age, encouraging his first steps toward becoming the seasoned actor he is today. “My mom told me, ‘You’ve got something here. Do you want to do it professionally?’” At just 11 years old, Colley took to the stage to perform in esteemed musicals like Newsies and Les Misérables.
While his childhood might have been shaped by Broadway, Colley has pivoted to the screen in the last two years — starring in the high school comedy Senior Year as well as television teen dramas like Love, Victor and Dead Boy Detectives. Learning to embrace the industry’s fluidity and unpredictability, Colley keeps himself grounded amidst the chaotic audition and casting process.
Colley is also honest, admitting that a lot of his job is simply a cycle of patience and rejection. “Know that your journey is your journey,” he reminds himself. “The right part will find you and is right for you.”
He embraces the challenges of the varied roles he’s inhabited, spanning across countries, historical eras and even accents. Colley targets the tone of the project to portray his characters as accurately as possible. “There are so many different genres of acting,” Colley observes. “There’s A24, really, really grounded [acting], and Disney movie [acting] where things are more heightened,” he says. “Nailing the tone is so important.”
Full look PRADA.
Colley approached the role of Teen Hook in Descendants: The Rise of Red with anticipation and massive respect for the franchise. As a self-proclaimed “huge fan” of Descendants and Disney Channel original movies, Colley was excited to take part in its extended stories. Colley was not at all intimidated, despite playing one of the most iconic fictional villains in his first franchise film. “I was more excited than anything,” he says. “I’ve always wanted to play a British character. I love doing a British accent.”
For someone who had grown up with the character of Captain Hook and even dressed up as him for Halloween, The Rise of Red was a full circle moment. “I’ve always known the character and my idea of the character. When I got the audition and the opportunity to take a stab at Captain Hook, I already knew exactly what I wanted to do.”
As Colley prepared for the role, he approached The Rise of Red as a separate, standalone entity from the previous three films in the franchise. “It’s a completely new story and a completely new world,” he shares. The new film builds on the themes and fantastical storylines from the previous films, while introducing new settings, songs and characters. “It’s so exciting to explore more of the world of Descendants and different characters in that world.”
With acting and singing already in his arsenal, Colley hopes to continue expanding his horizons when it comes to expressing his most authentic and artistic self. He sees the direction his career has gone so far as a gift. “It’s a really wonderful problem to have that you want to go back to work,” Colley says, reflecting on a journey that has spanned most of his life.
Jacket and jeans SANDRO, shirt vintage CHRISTIAN DIOR, scarf designer archive.
As he continues to balance shifts in his professional career, Colley allows himself to breathe whenever he can. He expresses gratitude for his past roles, as well as those he hopes to book in the future. “I’m going to be the most respectful and the most grateful for what I have in the moment,” he reminds himself. For Colley, appreciating the little things is one of the best ways to take on the entertainment industry.
In Colley’s eyes, storytelling is much more than a job. He also seeks out other ways to address his insatiable passion to create beyond his professional résumé. “In my downtime, when I’m not filming, I’m writing my own projects and doing my own creative endeavors, which I think is so important for people to do.”
“It’s fun to have people to bounce ideas off of,” Colley says. He values connecting with potential collaborators who are equally eager to make art for the sake of making it. “Creating your own opportunities is so important. I’ve been around so many writers and directors, and it’s really inspired me to look at that side of things. It’s nice to have something that can preoccupy you and motivate you to stay creative when you’re not actively on set.”
While Colley is a lover of the arts in the purest sense, he discusses his desire to dive into movie musicals and musical theater with his next projects. “I’m ready to blend singing and acting together again, because that’s really where I have the most fun,” he says.
Colley is open to virtually anything, a curiosity he hopes to hold onto as he pursues different roles. “I’m ready for whatever part comes my way,” he adds excitedly. For Colley, artistic exploration is the name of the game — both when it comes to developing his craft as an actor and expressing himself as a person.
“I’m exploring different facets of myself and what I want to do,” he shares. “I’m so eager to work and be creative.”
Photography IRENE CHEN
Fashion PATRICK SANTA ANA
Grooming PATRICK SANTA ANA
Words CALEB STINE
Layout ANDREW TRAN
Assistant JOHNATHAN LOPEZ and JARYN PIERCE
Retouch SOPHIA SHURKO
Location PATRICK SANTA ANA STUDIO
Special thanks to 42WEST
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