LAURA JOHNSON
Assistant Life Editor
Famous people go to school too. For junior Tahj Mowry, most famously known as the “Smart Guy,” a Disney Chanel TV show, it was important for him to go to college to get a well-rounded education. Attending Pepperdine, passed down from sister (Tia) to sister (Tamara) to brother (Tahj) proves just how down-to-earth the Mowry family is. Mowry explains what it is like being a true “artist among us.”
You seem normal. Are you normal?
“I am actually, very normal.”
How have you managed that?
“I don’t let what I do define who I am. My parents brought me up normal.”
So why Pepperdine?
“Well, actually I was at Georgia for my first year on a football scholarship. But then I decided not to play football anymore, and I took some time off. I always had wanted to go to Pepperdine, since my sisters went there, so it just seemed like a perfect choice. Plus, I grew up in the church.”
So the Christian ideals were important to you?
“Yeah, it was very important. I mean, I don’t think I am where I am today because of myself.”
What’s your major?
“Advertising, but I’m just a part-time student. I’m taking like seven or eight units. I am going to finish this major no matter how long it takes me. This is an ideal situation for me since I live pretty close to campus and just commute to class.”
What do you want to do when you grow up?
“I really want to be a director. Actually, that is what I really want to do. After Pepperdine I would like to go to the New York Film Academy. For me acting has been really easy, but with the entertainment business you never know.
I have been blessed to be continually working, especially coming out of being a child actor. I want it to always be part of my life but I want to space it out, respect it. I don’t want people to say, ‘Oh there he is again.’”
What are you working on now?
“Two things. One is another show, I can’t really talk about it except to say that it’s been bought for sure, so it’s a go. Oh, and it’s not on the Disney channel. And the second thing, well I can’t even mention that. That one is really vicious.”
Would you say you’re still the face of Disney?
“I was a couple of years ago. I’m older now, so I can’t stay there forever. I was on it everyday, I was that kid. I’m still a voice on “Kim Possible,” and my voice is actually part of this adventure ride at Epcot Center in Disneyworld.”
How was it growing up on TV?
“Kinda cool then weird. It’s interesting how people always act like they already know you. It’s all over the board really how people react to me. When I was younger it was a lot more obvious. Now, people recognize me from the movie I did last year with Ice Cube, “Are We Done Yet?” or, oddly enough, by my voice in “Kim Possible.” I just hope that no one sees me. It’s whatever.”
How do people react to you in class once they realize who you are?
“You know, everyone here is really cool about it actually.”
So would you say you have any creepy stalkers then?
“No. No creepy stalkers, although I will if you print where I live in this article.”
We know that your sisters were already stars, but how did you get into show business?
“I was this really outgoing, hyper kid growing up. I used to memorize all this stuff that was on TV and recite it. My mom saw my energy and saw the potential I had so she started me off by doing commercials.”
Unlike some of your Disney counterparts, you’ve managed to stay out of the tabloids and not go too crazy. How?
“All I have to say is that I am a low-key kind of guy.”
02-14-2008
