Myles Frost
Myles Frost (born 21 July 1999) is an American actor.[1] He is nominated for the 2022 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (award pending) for his portrayal of Michael Jackson in the Broadway theatre production of MJ the Musical.[1]
Life and career
Frost is a native of Maryland and Washington D.C., and has spent his life moving back and forth between these two locations.[1] Raised by his mother, Charmayne Strayhorn a systems engineer, and his grandmother, a school teacher, he developed two enduring passions early in life: golf, beginning at the age of three, and piano, beginning at the age of five.[1][2] Growing up he sang and played the piano and drums at church, and he performed in an R&B cover band in middle school at local shopping centers. While attending Thomas Sprigg Wootton High School in Rockville, Maryland, he performed in school productions of the musicals Hairspray (as Seaweed), Legally Blonde (as Warner), and Cinderella (as Lord Pinkleton).[1] In 2017, while still in high school, he was a contestant on The Voice.[3]
After graduating from high school, Frost entered Belmont University in Nashville where he studied music technology for two years. He transferred from Belmont to Bowie State University as an audio engineering major, but ultimately left school when he was cast as Michael Jackson in the Broadway production of MJ the Musical.[1] Frost earned the role after Ephraim Sykes left the production late in the show's development, and the producers had to locate a new actor rapidly.[1] The production team auditioned many established actors, but none of them were working, and broadened their search.[1] A YouTube video of Frost the song "Billie Jean" from a high school talent show drew the attention of the producers, and he was invited to audition; ultimately winning the part.[1] Earning positive critical attention, Frost is currently nominated for the 2022 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (award pending) for his portrayal of Michael Jackson in the Broadway theatre production of MJ the Musical.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Michael Paulson (May 19, 2022). "Dancing to 'Billie Jean' Led Him to 'MJ.' Now He's a Tony Contender. Just five years after he performed as Michael Jackson at a high school talent show, Myles Frost is making his debut in a Broadway musical about the King of Pop". The New York Times.
- ^ Peter Marks (June 6, 2022). "Myles Frost was born to play Michael Jackson. A Tony nod confirms it". The Washington Post.
- ^ Karu F. Daniels (June 8, 2022). "Myles Frost's journey from 'The Voice' castoff to Broadway's 'MJ' leads to Tony award nomination". The Spokesman Review.