Taylor Zakhar Perez has certainly made a name for himself with his leading role in Red, White, and Royal Blue. The film adaptation of the popular book explores a secret love affair between Alex Claremont-Diaz, the first son of the United States, portrayed by Taylor Zakhar Perez, and Prince Henry, the heir to the British throne, played by Nicholas Galitzine. While the film is primarily a heartwarming romance, it also delves into the challenges of LGBTQ+ relationships in the context of domestic and international politics.
The success of Red, White and Royal Blue catapulted Taylor Zakhar Perez’s popularity, especially as the film became the #1 movie on Prime Video and led to a surge in Prime membership. However, his acting career extends back to 2012, where he has appeared in a diverse range of shows and films, showcasing his talents and versatility in the industry.
Taylor Zakhar Perez’s Family and Early Inspiration
Zakhar Perez, the sixth of eight siblings, hails from a large family. While there isn’t extensive information available about his family, Zakhar Perez has shared that his journey into acting was partly inspired by his sister’s involvement in the stage musical, “Annie.” He recounted how his sister performed in numerous shows of “Annie” during one winter season, and he accompanied his parents to watch her performances. This experience left a lasting impression on young Zakhar Perez, as he reflected, “She did like 40 performances of ‘Annie’ one winter… I went with my parents, and I was watching it like, ‘Ok, this is fun, I could do this.'” Subsequently, Zakhar Perez began working as a theater usher, distributing playbills to incoming audience members. (Source: Town & Country)
Taylor Zakhar Perez Dual Career
Zakhar Perez’s aspirations extended beyond Hollywood Career, as he possessed the potential to pursue a career as a professional swimmer. During his high school years, he was a valued member of the competitive swimming team. Such was his talent that he received a scholarship offer for swimming from Fordham University in New York City. However, he made a pivotal decision and opted not to accept the scholarship. Instead, he embarked on an academic journey at UCLA, where he pursued a major in Spanish and a minor in TV and Film. Although Zakhar Perez ultimately chose the path of acting over swimming, it’s intriguing to consider how different his career might have been had he accepted the swimming scholarship at Fordham University. (Source: Buzzfeed)
Taylor Zakhar Perez’s Debut Role on iCarly
Taylor Zakhar Perez’s journey in the entertainment industry began with a small but memorable role on the popular Nickelodeon sitcom, iCarly. He appeared in a guest role in season 5, episode 9, titled “iGet Banned.” In this episode, he portrayed the character Keith, who serves as Carly’s date.
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Although his role in this episode was minor, with just one line of dialogue, it marked the beginning of his professional acting career. Keith’s character quickly encounters an amusing mishap when he is unintentionally struck in the face by a lemon launched by T-Bo (BooG!e). While Keith may not have been a substantial character in the series, this role provided Taylor Zakhar Perez with a foothold in the entertainment industry, leading to further opportunities in his career.
Taylor Zakhar Perez’s Leading Role in The Kissing Booth 2
After making small appearances in various TV shows, Taylor Zakhar Perez finally landed his breakout role as Marco Valentin Peña in The Kissing Booth 2. In the film, Marco is introduced as a transfer student, and both Elle (Joey King) and Lee (Joel Courtney) develop an interest in him. To get Marco involved, they decide to revive the kissing booth.
Interestingly, Zakhar Perez was initially unaware of the immense popularity of The Kissing Booth on Netflix. Furthermore, he didn’t realize he was auditioning for the sequel. In his own words, “I had no idea it was such a phenomenon. I had no idea I was auditioning for The Kissing Booth 2 when I went in there!”
Regardless of his prior familiarity with the franchise, Zakhar Perez secured the role of Marco and, in doing so, found his breakthrough moment. The Kissing Booth 2 provided him with the opportunity to shine, allowing him to not only portray a significant character but also demonstrate his singing and musical talents. Marco is frequently seen singing and playing the guitar in the film.
Following the success of The Kissing Booth 2, Taylor Zakhar Perez reprised his role in the third installment of the franchise. Additionally, he continued to secure major roles in the entertainment industry, including his portrayal of Dustin in the film 1Up.
Taylor Zakhar Perez’s Musical Skills in The Kissing Booth 2
One of the notable attributes of Taylor Zakhar Perez’s character, Marco, in The Kissing Booth 2, is his remarkable talent as a singer and guitarist. While Zakhar Perez had a musical background and had performed in various musical productions, he had not previously played the guitar. Consequently, he faced the challenge of quickly learning how to play the instrument for his role in the film.
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According to Zakhar Perez, “I practiced my butt off.” His dedication to mastering the guitar was evident, and he worked diligently to acquire the necessary skills. He was particularly fortunate to have the film’s director, Vince Marcello, who possesses an impressive musical background due to his experience as an actor on Broadway.
Zakhar Perez’s hard work and commitment paid off, as he convincingly portrayed a skilled guitarist in the movie. His dedication to honing this skill added depth to his portrayal of Marco and enhanced the authenticity of his character’s musical talents on-screen.
Taylor Zakhar Perez’s Role as Shane Brody in Minx
After his breakout performance in The Kissing Booth 2, Taylor Zakhar Perez secured a significant role as Shane Brody in the comedy series Minx. The show follows the story of a young feminist and an adult magazine publisher who collaborate to create a women’s erotic magazine titled The Minx. Shane Brody’s character, a firefighter, later becomes a cover model for the magazine.
While Shane Brody’s appearance in the series may be brief, it plays a crucial role in the storyline, as he becomes The Minx’s first-ever model. This character allows Taylor Zakhar Perez to showcase his acting prowess by skillfully portraying both the humorous and compassionate aspects of Shane Brody’s personality. His performance in Minx adds depth and charm to the show, making Shane Brody a memorable character in the series.
Taylor Zakhar Perez’s Leading Role as Alex Claremont-Diaz in Red, White and Royal Blue
While Taylor Zakhar Perez has enjoyed a diverse acting career, he is most widely recognized for his portrayal of Alex Claremont-Diaz in the film “Red, White and Royal Blue.” The movie, available on Amazon Prime Video, gained immense popularity and acclaim, thanks in no small part to Perez’s charismatic performance.
In Red, White and Royal Blue, Perez’s character, Alex Claremont-Diaz, is the son of the first female US President, portrayed by Uma Thurman. The film explores the dynamic between Perez’s character and that of Nicholas Galitzine, resulting in palpable on-screen chemistry as they navigate their roles as both adversaries and eventual lovers.
The success of the film has solidified Taylor Zakhar Perez’s place in the entertainment industry. While there are no official updates on his upcoming projects, his performance in “Red, White and Royal Blue” suggests a promising future with more significant roles. Whether this includes his return for a sequel to “Red, White and Royal Blue” remains uncertain, but his career is undoubtedly on an upward trajectory.
Taylor Zakhar Perez’s Charitable Contribution
Beyond his acting career, Taylor Zakhar Perez has made significant contributions to charity and philanthropy. One noteworthy endeavor involved a partnership with a 3D technology company called Variant Malibu. Together with several fellow cast members from “The Kissing Booth 2,” they designed custom masks and sold them during the COVID-19 pandemic (as reported by Variety).
The proceeds from this charitable initiative were donated to each cast member’s chosen charitable organization. Taylor Zakhar Perez’s selected charity focused on the Hispanic community in Chicago, specifically aiding disabled children, as well as families with disabled children and adults. His commitment to charitable work demonstrates his dedication to making a positive impact beyond his work in the entertainment industry.
