MiddleChild: What’s going on Jensen?

Jensen: I’m good. How are you?

MiddleChild: I’m good. Let’s get started. First of I became familiar with you when I would watch some of the older music videos like Lil Mo’s SupaWoman and Destiny’s Child’s Soldier. And then I know you were in Noah’s Arc and as of late the show Dante’s Cove, right?

Jensen: Right.

MiddleChild: And then I found out that you sing as well. So tell me what was the first thing you have ever done since you obviously have you foot in the entertainment industry.

Jensen: Well I started off doing extra work and videos. So you say that you’re familiar with me through music videos and for awhile that’s how most people were familiar as well. Just starting off in the business and not really knowing anybody or any real connections or having any family members in the business, I really started from the ground up. That’s how I started. I worked on Buffy The Vampire Slayer and The Parkers.

MiddleChild: You know what. I do remember seeing you in an episode of The Parkers. Their very first season, right?

Jensen: Yep. Their very first season. I worked on the whole first season. That’s actually how I earned my SAG card.

MiddleChild: Cool. So is the ultimate passion the acting or the music or the all around entertainment?

Jensen: I enjoy all around entertainment but I think I was actually put on this earth to do the acting thing.

MiddleChild: Well what I didn’t know is that you sang back up for Tyrese.

Jensen: Yea. I sang back up for Tyrese for about a year and went on tour with Brian McKnight for about two months as well. Traveled all over the United States. All over Canada.

MiddleChild: That’s cool. Well we have had both of them featured on the site as well, so it all works out together huh?

Jensen: Awesome. Yea. That was an awesome experience for me.

MiddleChild: Okay. Well I know that you got a lot of your fans through your work on Noah’s Arc and I’m hearing that there is supposed to be a movie. A few of your fans on my messageboard are wondering if you’re supposed to be apart of that movie.

Jensen: I’m thankful to Noah’s Arc for the fans that I do have because they have definitely been more than supportive in my career and anything else that I do. I am NOT allowed to say whether I am in the movie or am not in the movie.

MiddleChild: Okay. It’s one of them serious things.

Jensen: Yea. Unfortunately. I’m under contract. I can’t do what they don’t want me to.

MiddleChild: Okay. Well I’ll keep you out of trouble. But tell me how it feels to have all of this overwhelming support. Like you said you worked from the ground up into this thing. Did you ever think you would get to the point where people knew you on a first name basis and looked up to you or admired your work?

Jensen: No. No. This business is a hard struggle and my career has been a hard struggle. And that’s why I’m thankful for my fanbase because it makes it a little easier with anything I do because they know that I already have a support group behind me. So I can only stay humble and thankful for the people that support me.

MiddleChild: So since it’s been such a struggle, what’s been the hardest thing you have encountered so far?

Jensen: Wow. Just trying to book work. Just trying to make a living being in Canada.

MiddleChild: Now it’s obvious that you’re eye candy to a lot of people. Do you feel it’s difficult to sell your talent over your looks sometimes or is it easier?

Jensen: It’s definitely a struggle because people tend to look past the talent and want to see you naked instead. (laughs) Which is fine. I’m not going to always be young and be fit. So hopefully they’ll pick up on the talent.

MiddleChild: Was that a fear of yours at first? I mean I don’t know how brave I would be to sit on film with no clothes on all the time and show all that. Were there nerves at first or did you feel it was like a cost or whatever to get in the door?

Jensen: No. It really wasn’t tough. The semi nudity and taking off my shirt, it really comes very natural. The body is natural so I really didn’t have any fears. It’s just as natural as acting with clothes on.

MiddleChild: Another film you were in was Oprah’s “Their Eyes Are Watching God”. So you’ve been booking some great work. What would be the dream role for you?

Jensen: I would love to do an action feature film. A super hero would be…or even a super villain would be awesome. As long as it’s action. I like action and physical work.

MiddleChild: So do you kind of have a dark side? A villain? You worked on Buffy and then on the Dante’s Cove show you’re a vampire or something, right?

Jensen: I actually play a bisexual warlock.

MiddleChild: Okay. A warlock. So what’s your take on it? Do you have a dark side?

Jensen: I guess there’s a dark side to Jensen. I’ve always been a little different and I guess it kind of shows in the work that I’m hired for. It was funny for awhile… my brother and I thought we might be vampires. (both laugh) I definitely live a nocturnal life.

MiddleChild: So what’s the best part of living in this business?

Jensen: Living my dreams.

MiddleChild: And what’s the worst part? What would you say is the down side to it?

Jensen: What is the down side. [pause] Wow.

MiddleChild: So you feel there is a downside to it?

Jensen: Uhm. I guess not. I mean I don’t really feel there is a downside because I feel like I was put on this earth to entertain and so for me I don’t think there is a downside.

MiddleChild: Okay. Well you’re one of the ones in the world that is definitely comfortable in their own skin. It shows from the roles you choose and the things you get to do, was there ever a time that you weren’t so comfortable with yourself?

Jensen: Uhm, When I was in high school I wore glasses and I got picked on a lot…naw. I’m just kidding. (laughs) I would like to think that I’ve always been fairly comfortable with myself. I never got picked on or anything.

MiddleChild: So anyone from the past coming back trying to be your buddy now seeing that you’re “Jensen Atwood”?

Jensen: Naw. I was just kidding. No one has ever bothered me. I’ve always had a positive spin on life no matter what was going on. So people that were in my life are pretty much still in my life.

MiddleChild: So what’s going on with you now as far as your work. What type things do you have on standby?

Jensen: My biggest project right now is a series called “Marco”. I’m producing it and starring in it. Right now I’m just trying to get it off the ground. Trying to get it off to television station near you.

MiddleChild: What made you want to invest in this project?

Jensen: It was a role I believed in. I thought it was a role that was needed. It’s based on father/son relationships. Which is not on television and it’s really just me trying to take control of my own career instead of just waiting on people to offer me things. I can go out and do it myself.

MiddleChild: So what’s more demanding? Shooting a television show or a movie?

Jensen: Wow. I mean I guess it just depends on the role. I think they both can be very demanding. Yea, I think it just depends on the role.

MiddleChild: Is there anything that you think you can’t tackle?

Jensen: Yea. I didn’t think I could tackle Noah’s Arc, but I’m thankful for the people that believed in me that were a part of Noah’s Arc and the people that didn’t believe in me that were a part of Noah’s Arc. (laughs) I just gave it all that I had and was just thankful that the audience had a positive response to it. Then there are other roles that they may be not so sure I can pull off but I would still like the chance to try.

MiddleChild: That’s what’s up. So what’s the best piece of advice that you’ve ever received?

Jensen: The best piece of advice? “Don’t give up.” Yep. That’s probably the best piece of advice I’ve ever gotten and more than one person has given me that advice. I have a cousin actually that’s incarcerated right now and his words stuck out to me the most as far as that I’ve invested so much into this already and that I shouldn’t give up on something I’ve invested so much in.

MiddleChild: Well definitely keep at it. You have fans. I know you would come up as a topic of conversation on my messageboard a few times and I had wanted to get in touch with you awhile back, so to find out we had a mutual friend was cool and I knew I could reach you then.

Jensen: Yea. Awesome. Scholar’s a cool dude.

MiddleChild: That he is. So what’s the best way for your fans to keep in touch with you?

Jensen: Well the biggest way right now is through my fansite on myspace and also through my website Jensen@jensenatwood.com. They can email me there. It’s been a struggle to get it off the ground.

MiddleChild: Well if you need help with that you know I got you.

Jensen: Alright. Definitely.

MiddleChild: So what’s going on with the music? Are we going to get a Jensen Atwood album?

Jensen: Well let me see what I can and can not say about my music… I’ve been in talks with a few people about getting my music thing off the ground. Right now I’ve just been focused on my acting, but the music will happen. So it’s not completely dead.

MiddleChild: That’s cool. Well I’ll be looking for it because I haven’t heard you sing yet. So that should be interesting.

Jensen: Definitely.

MiddleChild: Well you have a good one Jensen. I’ll get back at you later.

Jensen: Alright. You too.