Patience, as they say, is a virtue. It’s an excellent quality to be able to tolerate something that takes a long time. It is a learned skill that we must continue to practice, as the capacity for calmly enduring pain is known to be one of the keys to success. As Faly Rakotohavana sinks into his role as Kerry Washington‘s son, he has dreams of solidifying an “iconic character” role. The Unprisoned star understands that patience will soon be his best friend as he awaits what looks to be a very bright future.
Rakotohavana is a gent that comprehends the importance of patience and is self-aware in recognizing that he needs to work on his. That in itself is praiseworthy. “I’m not a patient person,” Faly acknowledged, “but we all need to practice patience.” The last few years have taught Faly much about himself, and discovering new hobbies has allowed for a healthy distraction from life’s lows. This distraction time lets Rakotohavana patiently prioritize what’s of importance; main mission versus side quests.
“Patience is hard, especially when all things seem as if they’re going wrong.”
Faly Rakotohavana on waiting for opportunites
Hobbies
It was extremely difficult for Faly Rakotohavana when the world stopped a few years ago. There was no work-from-home for actors and a rapidly increasing loss of self-worth. “Acting was all I knew,” Faly mentioned, “it was all I thought I was good at.” If it weren’t for finding a hobby during that rollercoaster, Rakotohavana revealed he didn’t know how life would have turned out. It wasn’t until he was introduced to rock climbing that he started feeling better. “The lows you reach are heartbreaking. It’s will-shattering. It’s soul-crushing,” he mentioned, “life can do that! Life is funny that way. It can take everything from you, and then it’s like.. just kidding, here you go!” It’s an experience that speaks louder than words can honestly describe.
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He defines hobbies as “side quests” and utilizes them to help with the main mission. Faly still prioritizes the main mission but makes sure to make time for side quests now. He has realized that you reap the rewards for the main mission via the side quest.
See also: Gent’s Talk: Acting, Directing & Facing Rejection w/ Alex Wyse
Role Models
Some of his role models are none other than Johny Depp and Chadwick Boseman. His main mission, thanks to Depp, is to acquire a character with the notoriety of Jack Sparrow. Boseman, in the groundbreaking film ’42,’ inspired Faly to think more about what acting is. “It pushed me into the world of theatre,” he noted. It was a film that really repositioned his view of acting. At that time, he realized that acting meant more than just an action flick. After that movie being an actor meant something with more substance.
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Faly’s parents have been very supportive since the actualization of becoming an actor set in. He’s grateful they moved from Texas to LA to help him pursue his acting ambitions. Rakotohavana says the move has not added extra pressure for him to perform; it motivates him. Because of the added support, and his sister entering the acting world, he aspires to bring everyone up with him. “My goal is to come up WITH my family,” Faly noted. With a few credits under his belt, Faly revealed that he would love to play a character who’s a psychopath next. He feels he’d really enjoy getting lost in such a role. “There’s so much creative freedom that comes from the concept of losing your mind,” Faly stated.
Moves on Screen
He is best known for his lead role in the Disney+ film Secret Society of Second-Born Royals. Rakotohavana played Matteo, an intelligent and shy second-born Royal with a slightly awkward superhuman ability. However repulsive it appears to some, it’s surprisingly more valuable than one can imagine. The film also starred Skylar Astin, Niles Fitch, and Peyton Elizabeth Lee.
Faly inches closer to his dreams with high praises from the Unprisoned cast, including co-star Delroy Lindo. The half-hour comedy, inspired by creator Tracy McMillan’s life, “UnPrisoned,” is about a messy relationship therapist who’s a single mom. It chronicles her life as it’s turned right-side-up when her dad (Delroy) exits prison and moves in with her and her teenage son.
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Feature Image by Lindsey Ruth
