Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcus Mack.
Marcus, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
It’s been quite the journey. I’ve had my hand in pretty much everything. Whether I was successful at it or not, “at least I gave it a try!”
That’s how I would look at it. After graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in May 2012, with a degree in Communication and minor in Theatre, I moved to LA 3 weeks later. I was an eager and ambitious 22-year-old that wanted to “make it” as did everyone else in the big city. What could I do to stand out? I asked myself this every day…and still do! So, I started off acting part-time and working at Best Buy full-time. Eventually scoring a small part as a Dalton Warblur on the FOX hit series, GLEE. Met several people on that set and made connections. Those connections led me to auditioning for major artists (Kelly Rowland, Faith Evans, JoJo, etc.) as a backing vocalist. Making callbacks were awesome, but not booking- put a damper in my spirit because my money was getting low and calling home wasn’t an option. So, then I knew I needed something more stable and something that would allow me to continue auditioning for TV/Music. Then came the idea of being a flight attendant. This industry has opened a lot of doors for me that I would never imagined it would until I got the job. I now model and have been able to travel for shoots and have done NYFW. I’ve been in French magazines (Malvie). I have been to 6 of the 7 continents. It’s just endless opportunities for me and has been the last 8.5 years that I have been doing this. I have recorded and released music with local producers in Atlanta and LA. Shout out to my homie, Rick Rose. Fast forward to 2021… DALLAS. I moved here with the idea that I wanted to get out of my comfort zone. New city, no family, no friends, no connections. Let’s start fresh and conquer my 30s head-on! So far, I have been successful in my own right! I have been doing more modeling work, freelance. Still pushing for representation. I still travel, still a flight attendant made friends. I’m happy. My time is coming! I can feel it and I’m proud to say that Dallas will be where I’ll be when that time comes.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth… kind of but not so much. I would say a little crunchy. Lol. I’m not a complainer. I have pretty much been the ‘dirt of your shoulders’ type of guy. If I can’t do anything about it, I just move on; no sense in dwelling. Most of the obstacles I have faced in my career or in life, in general, have been based around finances. I wasn’t poor growing up, but we were rich either. My parents worked as much as they had to do to make sure my family was A1 and were taken care of. I honestly couldn’t afford to move to LA when I went… my parents wanted me to stay home and wait to save money before I went. I was so determined that I sold my 10-year-old 2000 Malibu for $1000 and booked my one-way flight! Broke! Lol
Got to LA and I’m up against people who are out for the same thing. But my grind was just as tough. I was sometimes the only black boy in the room. I’ve heard the “you’re too dark, features are too strong” quite a bit. I’ve been proposed with opportunities in exchange for sexual favors or drugs also. I stayed true to myself and never let any of these things take me off my path!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a model, singer, and dancer. My current job career and source of stability is being a flight attendant. I’m known for my photos, my voice, and definitely my dancing and my humor 😌. I am most proud of the progress I’ve recently made over the last 1.5 years in modeling. I never let the negative remarks on my appearance get me down. It’s literally made me work that much harder. I went from being this little scrawny little 120 lbs., big head boy in high school and college; to a 198-pound fitness geek that loves to model and sing and dance everywhere! I’d say that personal goal trumps anything right now cause I’m in a great mental state these days! What sets me apart is my fearlessness to keep going no matter what. I have been involved in this entertainment bracket for so long – someone else would’ve just been okay with the flight attendant life. I am actually but I know my purpose is not fulfilled yet. So, I won’t stop until I reach my calling! Modeling, singing, acting, dancing… something where my gift can be shared with the world
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I am currently looking for dynamic and creative photographers who can take me out of my element.
Also, I am hoping to release music this year. So, music producers cause also reach me via IG for collaboration ideas and opportunities!
Contact Info:
- Email: iammarcusmack@gmail.com
- Instagram: @iammarcusmack
- Twitter: @iammarcusmack
Image Credits
@giannasnapped
@sireagle_
@mastermindfotoo
@eli_capture
