Shun Lauren shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Shun, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Who are you learning from right now?
In this season of my life, I am learning from myself through my relationship with God. I call this chapter The Season of Awakening and the Reintroduction of Shun. It has been one of the most challenging and redefining periods I’ve ever faced, marked by the profound loss of my beloved grandmother, Mary L. Colter.
My grandmother was more than a caretaker—she was my everything. From the age of eight until I turned eighteen, she raised me single-handedly. And even beyond that, she remained a constant presence in my life until I was 38 years old. Her journey came to an end on August 13, 2024, and with her passing, a new chapter began—one I never wanted to write.
Grief, in this Season of Awakening, has arrived in waves—each one a pivot, a shift in my understanding of life and self. Acceptance has been the hardest lesson: the realization that she is not coming back. Yet, her legacy lives on in me. Her unwavering work ethic, her prayers, her integrity, intelligence, and deep faith in God were gifts she instilled in me. She was my mother, my father, and my grandmother all in one. She was my protector, my buffer against life’s harshest disappointments.
Now, in her absence, I am faced with the responsibility of showing up for myself. This is the season I always dreaded—the moment I must become the new version of Shun. It is time to take ownership of the man I am becoming, to piece together the broken parts of my life using the tools my Granny gave me through our intertwined journeys.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I was born in Dallas, Texas, and my journey into the performing arts began when I was just eight years old. My love for the arts was sparked by my mother, who introduced me to music and movies at a young age. That early exposure planted the seed for a lifelong passion.
I got my start singing in talent shows in Port Huron, Michigan. Growing up in that region gave me a unique cultural perspective, and it was there that I began to discover my voice — both literally and artistically.
My grandmother played a pivotal role in nurturing my talent. She invested time, energy, and resources into my development, enrolling me in acting and modeling schools and taking me to auditions. Her support provided me with a sense of stability and purpose, and I’ll always be grateful for the foundation she helped build.
As a child and teenager, I spent countless hours rehearsing in my room, practicing songs and monologues, driven by a deep love for performing. That dedication carried into high school, where I became heavily involved in theater productions and received awards for my acting.
Today, I’m proud to say that those early experiences have led me to a professional career in film and television. I’ve appeared in films available on Amazon, Tubi and have exciting new projects on the horizon. Every step of this journey has been shaped by the people who believed in me and the passion that’s been with me since childhood.
In recent years, my journey as a professional actor has continued to evolve. Two of my latest film projects—King’s Ransom and Killin’ Jim Kelly—both debuted this year, premiering on Amazon Prime and Tubi. These roles have allowed me to deepen my craft, explore new dimensions of storytelling, and connect with audiences in fresh and exciting ways.
Both of my recent roles—King’s Ransom and Killin’ Jim Kelly—are vastly different, offering me the opportunity to stretch my craft in new directions.
In King’s Ransom, I play Tyrese Daniels, one of four college friends navigating the complexities of adulthood. This comedy-drama, directed by Tony Clomax, places relationships and romance at the heart of its story. Filming this project was an incredibly fun experience. I had the chance to showcase my comedic timing while working alongside a talented and energetic cast. Tyrese’s journey is one of self-acceptance—learning to be comfortable in his own skin and trusting that his friends will stand by him, no matter the circumstance.
On the other end of the spectrum is Killin’ Jim Kelly, a western directed by John Marrs. Set in the 1800s, the film follows Black cowboy Jim Kelly, known on the Texas frontier for killing cattle rustlers. When he befriends the widow of a murdered sharecropper and her daughter, he must decide whether to seek vengeance or leave behind a life of violence. I portray Will Walker, the sharecropper whose murder sets the story in motion. This role was deeply challenging, not only because of the historical setting, but also due to the emotional weight of portraying a man striving to build a better life for his family in a time of profound racial hardship. Will moves his wife and daughter from Ohio to Texas with hopes of opportunity, only to discover that intention alone doesn’t guarantee safety or success.
We filmed Killin’ Jim Kelly in Santa Anna, Texas, where the conditions were intense—scorching heat, swarms of bugs, and plenty of horses. Despite the challenges, the experience was unforgettable and deeply rewarding.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was when my grandmother discovered I could sing. I was eight years old and completely enamored with Mariah Carey. Her song Anytime You Need a Friend had just premiered on VH1, and I was glued to the television, captivated by her voice and presence.
Even then, I was unknowingly preparing myself—practicing and developing my craft before I realized I had a gift. I remember my Granny standing quietly by the door, eavesdropping as this big voice poured out of me. She lovingly said, “Shun, that was really good.” In that moment, without even realizing it, she sparked something in me—a belief that performing arts could be attainable.
My mother is also a gifted singer, and my early years in Dallas, Texas, before moving to Michigan to live with my father’s mother, were filled with music. Artists like Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Sade, Luther Vandross, and Stevie Wonder shaped my musical taste and inspired my passion for performance.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I believe I am now in a season of truly understanding and learning how to own my pain—through God, vulnerability, the support of family and friends, and therapy. These pillars are reintroducing me to the superpower of Shun. This is not just a return to myself, but a reawakening of the strength, purpose, and identity that grief tried to bury.
The walk through grief is not linear. It comes in waves—ebbs and flows that defy order or predictability. Grieving the loss of a loved one, the end of relationships, or unexpected life pivots doesn’t follow a set timeline. What I’m learning is that grief is a deeply personal journey, and no two paths look the same.
As I navigate this new normal, I’m being called to show up for myself in ways I never have before. When my grandmother was still here, I felt a profound sense of protection, unconditional love, and an unbreakable bond. Now, everything she poured into me—her wisdom, her strength, her faith—I must now carry and activate on my own.
One of the hardest truths about grief is accepting that you are forever changed. And with that change, relationships around you shift too. I’m learning to be at peace with people walking out of my life, and to surrender to God’s will for what I’m meant to learn, how I’m meant to grow, and ultimately, how I’m meant to elevate—for His purpose.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies my industry tells itself is that fame and success will make you happy. Through my personal journey, I’ve come to understand that happiness is fleeting—no one can be happy all the time. Even when success appears to be within reach, you often find yourself mastering the art of contentment rather than relying on the illusion of constant joy.
As an actor, I genuinely love what I do. The process of researching, studying, and ultimately becoming a character is deeply rewarding. It’s the craft—acting, dancing, singing—that fuels me, not the chase for fame. The pursuit of notoriety and external validation is, to some degree, an illusion. We often equate fame with success, but once achieved, it can reveal a different reality: one filled with incredible opportunities, yes, but also moments of loneliness and disillusionment.
The entertainment business is, in many ways, a world of smoke and mirrors. Behind the glamour lies a deeper truth—fulfillment doesn’t come from being seen, but from being connected to your purpose. Loving the work itself is far more sustainable than chasing the fleeting highs of recognition.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
The story I hope people tell about me when I’m gone is that Shun was not a man of talk, but of action, faith, and resilience. I hope my journey—though far from over—is remembered as one of perseverance, of moving forward through life’s hardest hits while staying rooted in purpose.
I want people to say that I held myself accountable, that I encouraged others to shine their own light, and that I always made space for authenticity. Shun was comfortable being himself. He didn’t compare his journey to anyone else’s, but he still showed compassion, empathy, humility, and kindness—no matter the platform he was given.
Shun was a leader. He had the capacity to make people feel heard and seen. He was a go-getter who proved that all things are possible, no matter what life brings your way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.me/shunlauren
- Instagram: sdc2013
- Other: Tik-Tok: @shunlauren1Actors Access: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/Shun
Backstage: https://www.backstage.com/u/shunlauren
Image Credits
Brent Weber Photo Noire
Jorge Wunch
Saint Rendevu Productions
