Stevel Marc; Don’t let struggle become your identity

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

“I haven’t laughed this hard in a long time!” I exclaimed as I wiped tears from my eyes. “When you get to Toronto at the end of the year, you have to come and pay me a visit,” I requested during my interview with Stevel Marc, a young Jamaican actor/model who happens to live in South Africa. It had taken a bit of arranging, but thanks to a mutual friend Hugh Anthony, finally I had an opportunity to sit down with this young man who has done the unthinkable and created a beautiful life for himself in Africa.

 “Now is not the time to standstill. Find your purpose: pursue it passionately, timelessly, persistently, and diligently.” ~ Stevel Marc (September 18^th, 2019)

Stevel Marc was born to Jasmine Williams and Carlton McDonald and raised in Portland Jamaica. Stevel just happens to be one of those fortunate individuals who knew what he wanted to do from an early age, and went out and did it. He recalls his last few years in Jamaica, where he attended Titchfield High School,

“I really loved that school; so glad that I have been able to represent it the way that I have.” At the tender age of 16, Stevel’s modelling career began after Dwight Peters of Saint International Modeling Agency discovered him; this was shortly before he was honoured as Mr. Titchfield in 2000. Stevel was presented with an opportunity to model in New York, and possibly South Africa, and he did not pass on that opportunity.

“What did your parents have to say about you going abroad at such a young age,” I inquired. “I have a lot of love and respect for my mom,” Stevel began telling me, “ She trusted the young man that she raised; she knew it was a great opportunity for me, so she told me to go and make her proud,” and just like that Stevel Marc entered the modelling industry.

He left Jamaica at 15 almost 16 years of age. His first stop was New York, and then South Africa where he resided for six months. He did some work in the UK, and headed back to South Africa. His travelling didn’t stop there; he also was able to do some work in Asia, different parts of Europe, L.A., but for some reason, he kept being drawn back to South Africa. Upon settling in South Africa, he was signed with the internationally recognized Ice Model Management as well as Artist Connection. As the youngest Jamaican model in South Africa, he began to carve out a niche for himself by showcasing his capabilities through various television and cinema commercials including: Revlon (featuring Halle Berry and Eva Mendes), Coca Cola, KFC, Nescafé, Standard Bank, Nashua Mobile and the South African Broadcasting Corporation.

His talents were not limited to modelling; he also did work as a voice over artist and has lent his voice to: Samsung Mobile, Budweiser, Malibu Caribbean Rum, Toyota, Highveld Stereo, Pigg’s Peak Casino, Standard Band and the South African Tourism Board to name a few. This was a transition period for him, and he began to also do work in radio and as an emcee. As life had it, he had come to South Africa to be an editorial model, and ended up doing more commercial modelling, along with radio work and working as a part-time emcee. He knew there was more to give, so he moved on to a new career; acting.

 “Keep creating. Keep dreaming. Keep loving. Keep hoping. Keep forgiving. Keep praying” ~ Stevel Marc (September 13^th, 2019)

Stevel was in his early twenties when he began to audition for film roles. He had already begun to work on his acting at the Johannesburg Civic Theatre, and in 2008, he enrolled at the New York Film Academy and TVI Actors Studio in Los Angeles, California to study and complete his study of film and acting. His first feature film debut was a success; Of Good Report won 13 awards, and received international acclaim. He moved on to roles in: The Triangle (2005), the Challenger Disaster (2013) staring Oscar winner, William Hurt; My Zulu Promise (2013), The King’s Rock (2014), Anything for Wifey (2014), Hometown (2014), Trinity (2014), and Adaption (2014).

Most recently, Stevel shot a short film with Latvian director Richard Slesers for the RØDE competition and is currently staring in a series called “The Professionals,” where he plays an Intelligence Officer named Tyler “Trig” Raines. The show is diverse and is represented by an impressive ensemble of South African stars. Stevel has taken the lead in 9 out of 10 episodes shot so far. The series stars Hollywood A-List Talents Brendan Fraser (The Mummy), Tom Welling (Smallville), Elena Anaya (Wonder Woman and Saïd Taghmaoui (American Hustle).

In true Jamaican fashion, Stevel cannot just have one job; he has also opened up Stevel Marc Photography, and has authored the book Refined Player, a journey through life that explores manhood by answering questions like: How do you meet the woman without having met the girl? How do you meet the man without having met the boy? What is masculinity? When does the young boy become a man?

For some reason, I think Stevel has more tricks up his sleeve, and I am hoping to learn more when he comes to visit Toronto, Canada at the end of the year. It is remarkable how dedicated this young man has been, and how far he has come from that 16 year old who jumped on the plane heading out to fulfil his destiny.