It is a blessing and a dream for someone to be able to cultivate even one talent in their lifetime. Dwayne Moore is an upcoming creative from Queens, New York who’s diving headfirst into the industry with just about everything that he’s got. The 25-year-old graduated from Stony Brook University and has been working professionally in education for the past two and a half years as a ninth grade English teacher and college career counselor. “I love working with students, but one day I was in front of the classroom teaching and I just realized that this wasn’t something I was going to be satisfied with long-term,” Moore says. “I realized that I’m telling students to follow their dreams, and I’m not doing that myself — I didn’t want to be a hypocrite.”
Dwayne loved theater as a kid, but he lost some of his confidence as his peers got critical, and he eventually fell out of it. Searching for a career that would sustain him and satiate his passion, Moore acquired an acting coach so that he could curate his talent and learn how to use his skills before going on auditions. “As a Black man, acting is something [I] have to do on a day-to-day [basis], but [it’s about] learning how to use that in a professional way in front of the camera.” Currently, Dwayne has booked some short films, has signed to different agencies, and is building up a portfolio of reels so he can gain the experience he needs to climb the ranks of the industry.
Through his work on camera, he discovered modeling and commercial work. He had a mutual connection with Mykel C. Smith, a celebrity stylist, casting director, creative director and budding creative mentor who appreciated his look. Together, they launched the modeling aspect of Moore’s career by setting up shoots and learning more about what it takes to be in front of the camera. “[Modeling] requires vulnerability; some people think modeling is just standing in front of the camera, but you could stand in front of a camera and look like a deer in headlights or you can stand in front of the camera and really give someone something that they feel — that has a lot to do with posture, the intensity in your eyes, how gracious your movements are.” Through Smith, Dwayne got connected with Yanii Models, and he has done work with Verizon and various casinos and jewelry companies. Moore is still fairly new to the modeling scene having just signed to an agency over quarantine, but he’s looking forward to more auditions and callbacks in the future.
He recalls his first-ever modeling gig a couple of years back for Ashanti Fields, an independent designer based out of Brooklyn, and her label Tribal Truths Collection. Moore modeled in one of her fashion shows in downtown Brooklyn and the TTC catalogue. “[Modeling] wasn’t even something that was on my mind [at the time], but it was nice to be a part of it because they were such nice people and not everyone you come across is going to be so nice.” Just moments later he casually forgets to mention that he also co-designed two pieces in the show that he also modeled for. Though designing is also something Dwayne eventually wants to get into, it’s not at the forefront of his mind. “I need to focus my attention so I don’t get overwhelmed … I’d like to explore design in the future either as a collaboration or doing something myself,” he says. “I pride myself on being a student of the craft and being passionate — understanding colors, patterns, shapes, fits, you need to understand history before producing something.”
It’s understandable that clothing design might take a backseat when you’re trying to balance acting, modeling AND music. Music was another venture that Dwayne has had his eye on since high school. His music taste is very diverse, listening to the likes of Fall Out Boy, All American Rejects, Prince, Michael Jackson, LL Cool J, Drake and Beyoncé. Though he listens to all genres of music, Moore sees his brand skewing more toward pop music. “I create music out of personal investment, [the songs are] very real to me — [the music is] about romance and love, expressing gratitude for the people I love in my life.” With his first single and music video out for over a year, he’s working on his second music video now and he plans to release music very soon. He’s learning the business side of the music industry and learning how to market his music.
He has many goals on his list, but he would love to win an Oscar or Grammy — to work on a level where he’s able to do the art justice. “Winning an award doesn’t necessarily dictate the quality, but I would love to get booked to do a major biofilm or write a book.” The number one goal on his list, however, is to live life to the fullest. He hopes that his creative abilities will lead to travelling, seeing more of the world, and spreading positivity and love wherever he goes.
Dwayne cites Chadwick Boseman as a personal hero of his. Some people even call him Chadwick due to his striking resemblance to the late actor. “The way he put so much work into his craft, his untimely death added a sense of urgency in my mind because we can get so caught up and say ‘I’m going to do this tomorrow,’ but life is not guaranteed and [Chadwick] wanted to make sure that he didn’t take anything with him — he wanted to make sure that he gave everything he could while he was here and that was definitely motivating for me.” Dwayne also looks up to Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy for how they work on their craft and how dynamic and talented they are. He looks to them as examples of how he can perfect his own work.
He cites consistency and confidence as one of the keys to his preparation. “There are days where I’m just working on music or days where I work on scripts or auditions. [For] modeling, I do work in front of the mirror, and I have workout goals moving forward the more serious I get.”
Though consistency is important to him, he believes that what you consistently practice has to be rooted in confidence in order to be successful. “You have to believe that you’re worth your dreams and aspirations. You have to believe that you’re worth what you’re trying to manifest,” he says.
Dwayne is a strong believer in the law of attraction and it plays a strong role in how he produces his work and lives his life. He talks the present into the future so that he gets out what he puts into the atmosphere. “I talk the future into the present, and say ‘I’m going to do this, there’s no doubt in my mind about where I’m going to end up.’ The route is up to fate, but the destination is sealed.”
Though he is just starting out in a new field, Dwayne has learned the key to becoming the best version of himself is patience. “[You have to] be gracious with yourself, we’re so caught up on immediate results and satisfaction that we lose track of how important the journey is. All the mistakes I’ve made I used to get really frustrated [by], but ultimately everything you do isn’t immediately going to stick. You learn from the mistakes and you come at it again.
Self-confidence, hard work and tenacity have brought Dwayne Moore to this exciting new path in life. He has found fulfillment in pursuing dreams because he was bold enough to actually go after them. “I think what I learned is that you have to live in your truth and whatever your truth is to you you have to hold dear. For years and years [these are things] that I wanted to do, but I was just pushing off. You only have one life.” Many people are too fearful to go after what they want for the fear of failure or judgement. Dwayne stresses the importance of doing what makes you happy and creating the life you want to live the way you want to live it. “It’s really important to just believe in yourself. I’m in the very beginning stage of my career when things are coming together — it can be you as well. Regardless of what you’re doing, regardless of your career, it’s never too late. You still have years left to do something, and if you love it and it’s your passion and you believe in it, be unapologetic about following it and working toward it.”
For more about Dwayne, check out his website dwaynemoore.com, follow @dwaynemoore__ on Instagram, or email at info@dwaynemoore.com.