Ramon Reed is an actor who is known for his roles as Young Simba in The Lion King live and playing Owen in Disney Channel’s “Just Roll With It”. We chatted with him about these experiences, his cover of James Brown’s “Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto”, and more!

upfrontNY: What do you like most about acting?

Ramon Reed: I love the variation and characters you can play. I love playing different people and seeing how those people move, communicate, and how they interact with each other and their peers.

 

upfrontNY: You played Young Simba in the Lion King. Can you tell me about what that experience was like?

Ramon Reed: Being Young Simba on Broadway and the National Tour, I definitely built unbreakable bonds because when you are on tour those people become your family and you see them everyday. They become like your brothers, your sisters, your aunties, and your uncles. It is really a great family that I’ve acquired while on the tour and I have learned so much from those seasoned actors. They are amazing actors and singers.

 

upfrontNY: Were you a fan of The Lion King before playing Young Simba?

Ramon Reed Absolutely! The Lion King is legendary. To be a part of something so legendary, I have so much gratitude. I am a huge fan of the Lion King.

 

upfrontNY: Do you have a favorite song from the Lion King?

Ramon Reed: It would have to be “The Circle Of Life”. On the stage in the Broadway show, Rafiki sings “He Lives In You”. It is a reprise of what Mufasa was saying before he died and I really love that song.

 

upfrontNY: How did you feel being on stage?

Ramon Reed: I remember my first time performing as Young Simba very vividly. I thought I was going to be super nervous. We had to go through rehearsals and worked tirelessly to get the show perfect. I got on stage and automatically knew that was the place I was supposed to be.

 

upfrontNY: You are on Disney Channel’s “Just Roll With It”. Can you tell me about that show and playing Owen?

Ramon Reed: “Just Roll With” is a first of its kind. It blends improv with a sitcom. It is a comedy hybrid. We film in front of a live studio audience. Three times throughout the show a fog horn will go off and that tells the live studio audience that it is time to vote on whatever happens in the scene. Whatever they vote on we improv off it and it can be going down a chocolate slide or flying to another state, it can be anything.

 

upfrontNY: What has it been like giving the audience the power?

Ramon Reed:  I really enjoy it because, it brings another dynamic to the tv show and to tv in general. There are a lot of shows that film in fronat of a live studio audience, but you never see them. The fact that we put the power in the fans hands, I think is so great. I also think it’s great that we get to interact with them and that they are a huge part of making “Just Roll With It”.

 

upfrontNY: What has it been like working with the Disney Channel?

Ramon Reed: It is a blessing because it is something a lot of kids dream of and it is a channel that a lot of kids watch. For me, to be taking part in the legacy means so much to me.  I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have been given and I am going to take it and run with it. Disney is the greatest family ever.

 

upfrontNY: What is it like seeing yourself on tv?

Ramon Reed: I am a huge fan of the show. I really love the show and every Friday after we are done shooting in front of the live studio audience I come home and watch the new episode. It is really surreal.  

 

upfrontNY: Aside from acting, you released a cover of the song “Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto”. Can you tell us about that.

Ramon Reed: “Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto” was originally a Christmas song created by the legendary James Brown and as soon as I heard the song, I knew I had to do something with it. One day I was on the set of “Just Roll With It” and I was talking to my mom and my manager and said, I really want to do a Christmas cover song and I played them “Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto”. From there, we recorded it and I had so much fun doing it. I learned a lot because it was my first time being in the studio and it was an all around amazing experience.

 

upfrontNY: Do you have another cover you want to do or someone you want to work with?

Ramon Reed: I don’t know what song yet, but i know I want to work with PJ Morton, Miguel, Anthony Hamilton, Alicia Keys, Donald Glover, Lizzo, and Billie Eilish. 

 

upfrontNY: When you are not working, what do you like to do?

Ramon Reed: Playing video games, talking to family members and spending time with them, and going home to Charlotte, North Carolina. I am all about having fun.

 

upfrontNY: Is there an actor or actress you would like to work with one day?

Ramon Reed: I would love to work with Samuel L. Jackson or Angela Bassett. They are both really amazing and make great acting choices when they take part in a film. 

 

upfrontNY: We recently started a new year and decade. What are your goals for the next decade?

Ramon Reed: Continue to better myself and grow my brand and empower people day by day to go out there and do what they love.

 

Favorites

Animal: Bottle Nose Dolphin

Snack: Funyons and the Green Nature Valley Oats ‘n Honey Bar 

Color: Dark purple

Season: Summer

Movie: I haven’t seen this movie yet,but i think I am going to really like it, ‘Just Mercy’ , and I just saw ‘Harriet’. That was a really amazing movie, Cynthia Erivo did an amazing job in it.

Holiday: Christmas

Sport: Basketball