Nineteen year old Cedric Williams Junior of Radcliff, KY is an aspiring actor who moved to LA to pursue his dreams. He says that people think he’s younger than he is and typically auditions for roles ranging in age from 14 to 18. If Zac Efron and Melissa Joan Hart are any indication of success, we know age doesn’t matter. Cedric says he has always enjoyed entertaining people and putting smiles on their faces, he then came to realize that he has a natural ability to act. Cedric’s goals are broad, ranging from the big screen to being in network television like Nickelodeon or the Disney Channel. He says his main goal is to inspire people and entertain them.
Cedric is “building his resume” by doing short films and student films. He is currently working on getting an agent. Cedric is managed by Hines& Hunt Entertainment for acting, and a new company called Billboard Talent for music. Cedric has taken acting classes at the Hollywood Film & Acting Academy, and John Robert Powers. Although he says he comes from a musically inclined family, Cedric is in the process of taking singing lessons to sharpen his skills. The fact that he has a music management group and no formal musical training is a testament to his talent.
The road to success is a windy one at best and the cool thing about all the people featured on Where it All Begins is the different routes people take to get where they’re going. These actors and musicians also don’t all strive to end up in the same place, they crave originality, and passion. Cedric says he has had some great mentors along his road and says, “Everyone should have a mentor in my opinion.”
A Big question to success in the entertainment industry is whether fame will change a person. The young stars featured on Where it All Begins are bound to change in some respects given their stages of life, however when I ask Cedric if he feels he has to change to be in the business he says, “It’s all being yourself and bringing your different and unique personality to the industry.” Cedric says he thinks about making it big and the fact that everything could change, “But that’s what comes with it,” says Williams Jr., “I’m just going to enjoy the journey and appreciate everything that comes my way.”
Cedric’s parting words are my personal favorite, words given to him by a mentor, “Take the words can’t, not won’t, don’t, maybe, never, or any negative words out of your vocabulary. What you think and speak will come into existence, if you have faith and trust in God and in yourself. You shouldn’t worry about making it in the Industry, because everything that you want to be you already are, you just have to try to find the right path to get there. Also, the true purpose in life is to always give to others and put them before you, that’s how you will truly succeed.”
Cedric’s final thoughts on the acting profession are also great advice for all those aspiring to be in the business. “Acting is an unknown profession. You don’t know where, when, how, why, or if you’re going to make it. It’s all fate. The only thing you know is that its what you want to do.” Cedric Williams Jr. is sure to be successful wherever his talents take him. He’s got a great start, and we look forward to following him along his road to success. Well, judging by his words, there is no point at which one defines success. It seems as if Cedric is already there.
