Two years removed from a successful term on ‘America’s Next Top Model’ Keith Carlos seeks fresh pastures in the world of acting.

Keen to catch up with the entertainer as he prepares to make a foray into television and the ‘Chocolate City’ family, That Grape Juice sat down with him to discuss the latest chapter of his inspiring story.

In 2014, Carlos was crowned the first male winner of ‘America’s Next Top Model’ following the competition’s inclusion of male contestants the year before.

His ascension into television saw him stand miles away from what he calls an arduous childhood which threatened to become a difficult adulthood before football changed his life.

Football changed my life. It gave me a free education and introduced me to some great men who showed me that there was more to life than what I knew. That was important to me because they became father figures and coached me personally and professionally. Succeeding in the sport showed me that anything was possible. Being from where I from I knew going on that I would be judged so I was very careful with what I said because I was representing the Urban community. I wanted to show people that things can be different.

Winning the competition saw him beat out rivals Denzel Wells and Will Jardell and, thanks to the tact he reveals he set out to employ, avoid the firestorm that was their feud.

According to Carlos, the scene in which Wells seemed to question Jardell’s ability to sell products to male consumers as a gay model was more fictional than it was factual.

What people saw on TV was an extremely edited version of what happened. Denzel and I were having a conversation about masculinity within football and how athletes relate to fans. He made reference to Will’s decision to audition for the show in heels for a few minutes in what was a long conversation. The entire thing was edited to make it seem as if it was a huge moment when it wasn’t.

Wells, like Carlos, now seeks glory in scripted entertainment, bagging a starring role in the Tyler Perry production ‘If Loving You is Wrong.’

Carlos’ next project?

The film is the latest chapter in  Jean Claude LaMarre‘s ‘Chocolate’ tale and also stars the R&B singer Willie Taylor, Ginuwine, Robert Ri’Chard and Vivica Fox.

I’m playing a guy called SeduKtion who adds a lot to the sequel’s story and the characters from the original. This time around there is more emphasis on dance, performance and athleticism which I’m familiar with. It’s exciting. Right now, we’re in post-production. and I’ve got to say that the entire experience was eye-opening. I got to work with my boy Danny Mitchell who gives the money its flair  insight into the world of dancing. I think people are going to enjoy his performance.

Months removed from shooting the movie, the actor now gears up to conquer television.

He keeps mum about the biggest role he’s signed on to deliver but does speak openly about his experiences as one of Hollywood’s freshest African-American faces.

When going for modelling jobs and acting gigs I don’t use the ‘America’s Next Top Model’ title. I guess that may surprise people.

For me, it’s more about using the transferable skills I learned from football to get the roles I’m passionate about. Being coachable is one of those skills, but I do have to say that it can be tough as an African-American model with tattoos and isn’t 160 pounds. Fortunately, I’ve been offered roles that differ from each other and are extremely diverse which is awesome because I don’t want to be typecast as anything. I’m actually playing a marine biologist in the new show I’m working on.

As our conversation ends we arrive at the topic of legacy. Its one he reveals he thinks about often.

I aim to be a business mogul,  respected supermodel and a skilled actor.

More importantly though, I want to become a  great husband, father and leader within the next ten years, and build a legacy for myself that exists beyond entertainment.

I’ve overcome a lot by using the rejection and “no’s” I received to motivate me and really want to encourage people who grew up the way I did to do the same. Your life can change.

 I want to be remembered as a dream catcher, as someone who didn’t let the uncontrollable factors of my past control my future.

Interview by David Asante.

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