" To be able-bodied to represent a person of colour on a fantasy show like that — it ’s just mind - boggling and surrealistic and such an honor . "
Warning : spoiler forThe Lord of the Rings : The Rings of Powerahead !
During his high school operation at the iconic Shakespeare ’s Globe theater , Alex Tarrant woolgather of becoming a professional actor . Well , it ’s good to say those dreams came true ! He starred in a number of New Zealand show and films likeShortland StreetandFilthy Richbefore setting his pot on the US .
“To be able to represent a person of color on a fantasy show like that — it’s just mind-boggling and surreal and such an honor."
In recent class , the Māori , Samoan , and Niuean actor has portrayed Valandil inThe Lord of the Rings : The Rings of Powerand Kai Holman inNCIS : Hawai’i . I ca n’t wait to see what he does next !
For BuzzFeed’sVoices of the Pacificseries , I sat down with Alex to talk about his career , Pacific Islander representation in the industry , and more . With an infective laughter and such fond energy , he was a pleasure to chat with !
BuzzFeed: As much as I loved the originalLord of the Ringsmovies, they faced a lot of criticism over their casting — and lack thereof — of Māori actors. So, I was thrilled that theRings of Powershow moved in the right direction this time around. How did it feel stepping into the world of J. R. R. Tolkien and portraying Valandil, especially since filming for Season 1 took place in New Zealand?
Alex Tarrant : I never think that I would be part of this world , and if I was , I was certain I ’d be wear down some prosthetic or a mask of some sort . So when the audition make out across my table , I ’d done it think there ’s no opportunity that this is going to happen , so I might as well just go balls to the wall . [ Laughs ] Is that an expression ? So , I gave it a go . They were all sham - characters , so I did n’t know who I was go bad to toy . When I got accepted for a purpose , I did n’t know it was Valandil . As I was expire towards my make-up and hair appointments , I assumed that it was all going to be prosthetics , but they had a wig for me , and that was about it . From then on , I realized that this world is go to be very dissimilar from the films , and obviously , that ’s going to rub some mass the ill-timed direction . But to be capable to typify a person of colouring on a fantasy show like that — it ’s just mind - boggling and phantasmagoric and such an honour .
You really brought Valandil to life and turned him into a fan favorite. But in Season 2, he was killed, and I remember screaming at my TV when that happened! It was such a heartbreaking scene. Would you ever come back for a flashback or dream sequence?
dead . If they can bring me back , that ’ll be fantastic . But there were a few clashes along the fashion with the show that I was on at the time . And so , sure things could n’t work out . Somebody had to go , and it was me . I call back I always know that Valandil ’s out was go away to bump , but I also knew there was going to be some sort of epicness to it . I think , it feel a little bit premature , but notwithstanding , so thankful to be there . If I get asked back again , utterly , I ’ll be there .
Do you have a favorite behind-the-scenes memory on the set ofRings of Power?
There ’s two . The first one in New Zealand . I do most of my own stunt . So , I jazz the medical prognosis of grow to do my own conflict scenes and thing like that . My first big memory is go into our training quickness and learning how to sword competitiveness , and the moment I was hold the steel — I ca n’t even explicate it . From a physical vista , I was a dancer before an player , and I call up it ’s a braggy part of my winner inside the New Zealand industry . So , it was a fictitious character that I felt like I could really make the most of and really shine . Just the fact that we were there swinging swords , I was like , " I ’m right at rest home . "
The 2nd part was actually being in costume . We were walking onto the Númenórean set , and they had made a massive ship , the one that we first see all the three best friends on . I remember come out of the collapsible shelter and just seeing it there with the blue concealment behind it , recognize the scale of what I ’ve just step into , and feeling a little bit of impostor syndrome because I did n’t know if I could go up to this moment in my vocation . Those were some pretty special moments for me .
BuzzFeed : Well , you certainly did subsist up to it ! And you spoke about being a dancer before — I did n’t know that ! Do you recall the first moment that you realized you require to make act your vocation ?
Yes , I do . I went to two high schools . My first high school , I did n’t do too well . Second high schoolhouse , I terminate up witness theater , and it was n’t theater that I fall in love with . At first , I fall in erotic love with the community , and that ’s what kicked me in theater . And then I entered a high school rivalry where 20 students from all around New Zealand get the opportunity to travel over to the Globe Theater and perform Shakespeare on stage . It wasThe Winter ’s Tale . And I remember sitting outside of the Globe Theater with my friends , and we were just sitting , watching the water flow by in the Thames , and I retrieve aver to myself that this is what I want to do for the eternal rest of my lifespan .
You starred alongside Vanessa Lachey inNCIS: Hawai’ias Kai Holman. What connected you to that character?
Do you remember Beulah Koale ? He was inFive-0 . He ’s another New Zealand actor who I have always had big admiration for . I think of he got cast inHawai’i Five-0 , and I remember order to myself , " I promise I ’m next . " And so three old age go by , andNCIScomes on the table , and I remember understand the part description and just saying flat away to myself , " This is mine . " And within four days , I ended up reserve the purpose . A few complications . So I had it , and then it fall through my hands , and then I had it again . It fell through my hands . But eventually , we follow over here to Hawai’i , and so grateful to be here . And I ’m still in Hawai’i , by the way . We absolutely do it it here .
BuzzFeed : From dwell in New Zealand to now Hawai’i , what do you reckon the differences are as a Pacific Islander ?
That ’s a well head . It ’s interesting — I had a little routine of an ignorance accepting the role of Kai Holman . Because in New Zealand , we have this almost unsaid saying that if one of us wins , we all win . I total over here , and I earn that Hawai’i , it ’s not that it ’s different … In New Zealand , we have our own domestic manufacture . We get to rehearse ; we have a piazza to go inside our own industry . Over here in Hawai’i , that ’s missing . If you ’re a Hawaiian actor , you ’re straight into the international scene . In New Zealand , we get a place to be capable to learn and grow and fall down and get back up and try things , so that we have the power to find positive to step out into the international aspect . So I think coming over , I agnize how much of a disadvantage our Polynesian brothers and sisters are [ at ] . With that being said , I — myself and my beautiful married woman — we have been a part of an acting non - profit program calledICAN , and we ’re aid kind of even the playing field and upskill these actor . Because it ’s not for a lack of talent , it ’s just generate them a weapons platform to be able to be get a line .
FromVegasto the iconicShortland Street, you’ve been in many New Zealand shows and films. While Pacific Islander representation in the US is slowly but surely increasing, we’re not quite at New Zealand’s level yet, like you mentioned. What steps do we need to take to get there, and what do you hope to see in the coming years?
My big aspiration is to be able to tell a story of a fictitious character without having to justify where he amount from . But in order of magnitude to be able to do that , I think the step before is portion out our stories . So in New Zealand , we have the ability to share our stories to the wider New Zealand , and then those display can seep out into international territory , and they can empathise a little snatch more about who we are and where we fare from and what we experience . Over here in Hawai’i , I can see the twenty-four hours where they have their own domesticated manufacture , where they have a school to be able-bodied to upskill local actors and gang and put them into an manufacture that is domestic for Hawai’i , and through that , give them the confidence to be capable to make indisputable they have sex that they can share their gifts with the world .
When we were talking aboutNCISearlier, you spoke about essentially manifesting that role for yourself. So I’m curious, what would you like to manifest next?
So many ! [ Laughs ] recite Polynesian fib . There ’s so many people I bet up to , so many Polynesian torpedo , sportsmen . I would have it off to see films of Troy Polamalu , Jesse Sapolu , Tony Finau , Tua Tagovailoa . I ’d love to be able to aid share their stories in some style , shape , or form . But I ’m gunning for Boba Fett [ from theStar Warsuniverse ] . A new Boba Fett — I would lie with the opportunity for that .
Which Pacific Islander actors inspired you most on your journey?
Temuera Morrison , Cliff Curtis , Taika Waititi , Rena Owen . The Magasiva brothers , Pua and Robbie . Those are the chief one , especially growing up . And mature up , I never knew that this was a executable calling route for me , but the instant that I made the decision , it just clicked that there ’s already masses out there , I can just stick to their path , and so I ’m very thankful for them .
For Pacific Islanders, there are so many aspects of our cultures that we hold close to our hearts, from our foods to our dances to our tattoos. What’s your favorite part of your culture?
That ’s a sturdy question . I am three ethnicities . I am Māori , Samoan , and Niuean . With that being said , I love the mixture I can feel within myself . There ’s sure abilities that I know I get from each cultivation . But what I love the most about my culture is the sense of a strong community . And I mean it when I say : if one of us bring home the bacon , I ’m so proud of them .
Coming from New Zealand , it ’s interesting because I keep on get back to this idea of when one of us wins , we all win . We ’re very much shoulder to shoulder , hand to hand , move onward in this big approximation of the movie and television industry . The terminal ofMoana 2really struck us , just the idea of all of these island coming together . We have a beautiful , awing ally / wise man who says we ’re not divided by Edwin Herbert Land ; we ’re connected by water .
Do you have a favorite Pacific Islander food?
Oh , man . For food , I get it on palusami [ Cocos nucifera ointment wrapped in dasheen leave ] . And if it ’s dessert — I do n’t even make out if I can call it sweet — but panipopo [ coconut buns ] .
You’ve previouslyspokenabout learning the Māori language with your son, which I found very moving. I’m Samoan, and though my mom speaks the language, she didn’t pass it down to me so I’m trying to learn on my own. Are you still learning, and how important is it to you that your son connects with your Māori, Samoan, and Niuean cultures?
It ’s highly crucial , especially because we ’re so far away from New Zealand . We have the ability to be able to study about the Hawaiian finish . But the more I learn about the Hawaiian acculturation , the more I realize how out of touch I am with my own , and so it ’s interesting have three ethnicity , my ancestors come from three different places . I feel a connection to all , but I ’m correct in the middle , and I do n’t know which one to pursue first . But Māori has always been something that we ’ve spoken in our household as much as we can , and it ’s so important for my Word to be able to understand his culture , where he come from , and , most importantly , the linguistic communication .
BuzzFeed : I love that you ’re speaking Māori at home , which have common sense because you ’re from New Zealand . Have you ever conk to chat your other islands , Samoa and Niue ?
I would have sex to be capable to go one daytime . My female parent has never go there as well , and I think she ’s resigned to the idea that she will never make it to her rest home island . So , there will get along a time where I will surprise her . I ca n’t wait to be able to do that .
Your portrayal of Leo in the Canadian-New Zealand filmNight Raidersearned you a Vancouver Film Critics Circle nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Canadian Film. What did that recognition mean to you?
I did n’t know that !
Alex ’s wife and actor Luci Hare , off - projection screen : Yes , you did !
Really ? !
Luci : You live that !
I do n’t know . Wow . No , I palpate like I would have at least dab myself on the back if I knew that .
BuzzFeed : [ Laughs ] Well , I was exit to need what the recognition the meant to you .
you could experience it mightily now ! [ Laughs ] What an purity to be able to partake in the screen with our cousins , First Nation . We are so like . It was like I was hanging out with my cousins when I was on set . It was one of the best , most fulfilling experiences , one of my first times being over in international territory . So to learn that , whoa , such an honor .
If you could work with any Pacific Islander, who would it be?
I have always had a massive admiration for Cliff Curtis and his skill and his ability , his instinct , his hunch when it comes to character choice . And his experience — he ’s been a part of Hollywood , and I think it ’s very hard to be capable to break into that roofy . So definitely Cliff Curtis .
What advice do you have for young Pacific Islander creatives?
I genuinely conceive that authenticity is key , and we have very , very unique experiences , and it ’s something that give us the ability to set us aside from other actors within this manufacture . So keep chase your own singularity and authenticity .
Finally, what does being Pacific Islander mean to you?
Woah , it ’s a very good motion . I , connection , piss , community . That ’s such a big one to answer . I ’m going to ponder that probably for the relaxation of the day .
Thank you for chatting with us, Alex! Be sure to keep up with Alexhere.
you could read moreVoices of the Pacificinterviewshere .
