ART & CULTURE

STYLING
ORETTA CORBELLI

PHOTOGRAPHY
KEVIN SINCLAIR

"The motto that I live by is you're only as strong as your weakest link, so I become the weakest link if I'm unwilling to do my task."

Creative Director DAVID GARGIULO. Interview VIOLETA NICOLA.

You may know Greg Tarzan Davis from his role as Dr. Jordan Wright in the ABC medical drama Grey’s Anatomy. But be prepared to see much more of him as he is starring alongside legendary action star Tom Cruise in two highly anticipated blockbusters, Top Gun: Maverick, scheduled for release on May 27th, 2022, and Mission: Impossible 7, announced for July 14th, 2023.

Tarzan’s story is the enactment of the American Dream. Starting from humble beginnings in New Orleans, Tarzan loved movies and dreamed one day of going to Hollywood and becoming a star. He graduated from college in 2015 and decided to pursue another passion of his, children’s education, teaching 1st-3rd graders. Tarzan says, “I love children. They are our future, so we will have a better world if we shape them the right way. I am big on giving back to the youth and trying to be a person who can guide them the right way.”

Being the dreamer he is, Tarzan encouraged his students to follow their dreams, telling them they could be whoever they want. Yet he realized he was talking the talk but not walking the walk. So Tarzan decided to quit his teaching gig and fully dive into pursuing an acting career. He first landed acting roles in Chicago but then headed to the City of Angels, where fate intervened, and Tarzan’s application for Top Gun: Maverick landed on Tom Cruise’s desk. Tom Cruise saw something special in Tarzan and picked him for the role of Coyote in the sequel of the iconic aviation drama. As filming progressed, Cruise became a mentor and friend to Tarzan. He taught him the ins and outs of show business — how to act in front of the camera, and how to fly a jet! Because, why not? He is Tom Cruise!

It is evident that Tarzan was a good pupil and showed a knack for heart-pounding stunts as Tom chose him again as his co-star in the upcoming sequel of the smash-hit Mission: Impossible franchise.

All eyes are on Tarzan as he makes his move into the mainstream consciousness and the message that the teacher turned actor repeatedly told his young students resonates with us: follow your dreams. The American Dream is alive and well; you just need to believe in it and muster the courage to pursue your passions.

"No matter the journey or how long it takes, know there is no correct answer, so never compare yourself to someone else."

Violeta Nicola__ I understand your father was a boxer and your mother worked in telecommunications. It’s a fascinating family dynamic. What were your teen years like growing up?

Greg Tarzan Davis __ I was very motivated and driven in sports and academics in my teen years. My mom made sure that good grades would always come above anything else. I still remember her saying, “If you want to play football, basketball, karate, or anything else, make sure your grades are good.” I remember this time, when I didn’t do too well on a test, and she went, “You’re not playing in the game tomorrow.” I cried my eyes out, tried to convince my coach to come and talk to her, but she wasn’t budging. Fortunately, in the end, she let me play when she found out I would be able to bring the grade up. My teen years were full of discipline and activities.

VN __ After graduating college in 2015, majoring in education, you started as an elementary school teacher, teaching 1st-3rd graders. What have you learned from that experience?

GTD __ You learn so much from kids. What I learned as an actor is that I like to study people’s reactions, to see how they behave so that I can bring what I observe to the characters I portray. As an elementary school teacher, I learned that kids are the best because they have no filter. They’re just so innocent; they don’t put up a guard as adults do; children say whatever they feel at that moment. I’ve learned from them how to be free and never stop learning; honestly, they are the reason I started to pursue acting. How could I tell my students to follow their dreams when I was not doing it myself; so I took the plunge.

VN __ Tell me about your path to acting. What was your break in acting?

GTD __ My break? Honestly, I’m still searching for it. The pandemic has slowed everything down. I’ve been blessed because I’ve been working, but none of my new work has come out yet. I have Top Gun and Mission: Impossible that will be coming out soon. Currently, I’m playing on Grey’s Anatomy. You never know how things will work out at the end; just because you’re in a movie, that doesn't mean things will change for you. I feel like I’m still grinding and hustling as an actor. I’m still pushing to get up there with the rest of the icons.

VN __ What were some of the high points and low points in your career?

GTD __ It may sound cliché, but every high point is a step closer to my goal. My manager in California is like my mom away from home. Getting to meet her and work with her is a high point. Finding my agent was also a high point. As far as low points go, I won’t say that I don’t have low points because we all do, but I try to look at them as learning opportunities and hopefully grow from them. Whenever a door closed in my face, like not booking a job, it was frustrating, but I knew something better would come. That’s how it’s always been in my career; I’ve learned to take disappointments and look at them from a different perspective?

VN __ You performed in various stage plays and films throughout the New Orleans area, which landed you a guest role as Reece on the hit TV series Chicago P.D. How was the transition from New Orleans to Chicago?

GTD __ I wasn’t getting any work in New Orleans. In December 2015, I graduated from college and decided to pursue acting. I have to admit that it was slow in the beginning. I would submit myself all over the nation: Atlanta, Florida, Chicago, and so on. One day I got a call from a casting director in Chicago saying, “We’re interested in you coming out to audition for this role we have.” It ended up being my first acting gig. I didn’t know it was in Chicago, but you always say yes to new opportunities as an actor. It was challenging because the audition was the next day, so I drove from New Orleans to Chicago. It quickly became the norm as I was doing the drive 2-3 times per week. It was a journey for sure. I saw it as something that had to be done. People were looking at me like I was crazy for doing the drive, and I kind of went broke from it. I collected so much credit card debt for gas, renting cars, hotels, etc. I also got fired from my day job because I tried to be in two places at once, and it wasn’t working out. I had to figure out a way to make it more sustainable. I had to find a place to live there, and I needed a roommate to afford the costs. Fortunately for me, he ended up being a great guy, and we’re still friends to this day. It was a journey for sure.

VN __ Describe the moment you knew Los Angeles was the next step.

Jacket and pants PAUL SMITH, shoes SCAROSSO.

GTD __ I’ve always wanted to come to L.A. and be a movie star. I spent hours watching all kinds of movies growing up and dreaming about being in front of the camera one day. So I decided to visit LA with my brother, and I quickly realized this is where I want to be. It felt like home. It felt like the place where I could follow my dreams. When I was looking for a place to live in Los Angeles, I was actually in Chicago, so my brother had to go to the city and look for apartments for me. To be honest, I was skeptical at first, not knowing what he’d pick, but he made the right call. We found a spot, and as soon as I was done with the pilot in Chicago, I moved here.

VN __ You’ve played so many characters over the years. Is there one that stuck with you the most, that made you learn something new through a different lens?

GTD __ I wouldn’t say it was a character specifically, as much as it was the person I was working with, and that would have to be Tom Cruise. Working with this guy is magical. I can't even begin to explain the experience: learning how to fly a jet, combat training, working with weapons, and dirt bike riding. There is just so much Tom has taught me. Acting-wise, Tom taught me how to act in front of a camera, lens sizes, and more. He took me under his wing, and I feel very fortunate to call him a mentor and a friend. He also taught me how to conduct myself in business, interact with the fans, and the lifestyle he says I will enter once the movies are out. The life lessons I’ve learned from him are amazing.

VN __ Could you share any serious or funny highlights of working with Tom Cruise on these productions?

GTD __ There isn’t one moment; it’s all the moments! I can’t sum it all up in one moment because there are just so many. The focus that he has and the work ethic he displays is beyond comparison to anything I’ve ever seen. He’s so intense, so great. When he wants something, he gets it done. It's inspiring when you see him doing all of these incredible stunts. “If he can do it, I can do it” was the motto while filming Top Gun. I feel we were all motivated by him to push our limits. Honestly, we can have a whole interview where I talk about our time on set, and we’d be here all day.

VN __ So did you have to do your own stunts for Mission: Impossible 7?

GTD __ Hell yes, I did. When you work with Tom on set, you want to try and get up to his level, so obviously, I tried my best with the stunts. The motto I live by is, “You’re only as strong as your weakest link,” so if I’m unwilling to do something, I become the weakest link. Not only does Tom do it all for his joy but also for the audience's enjoyment, and I

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"No matter the journey or how long it takes, know there is no correct answer, so never compare yourself to someone else."

Coat COS, jacket and pants LEVI’S, shirt DARKOH, shoes SCAROSSO.

am learning how to do it for the audience as well. When it comes to filming, I understand how what you do on camera will reflect on the movie as a whole, so I always want to be the best version of myself. Tom handpicks his cast and crew; he’s very hands-on in the selection process. He studies the background and past projects of all cast members. Luckily, I didn’t have many past projects, so he didn’t have many chances to second guess his decision to pick me. I was able to finesse my way into working with him.

VN __ With such anticipation for Top Gun: Maverick and Mission: Impossible 7, has it all soaked in how all eyes will be on you when the release happens?

GTD __ No, and you know why? Because expectations will make you feel hurt. I had expectations in June 2020 when it was first supposed to come out, and guess what? It got pushed back. I was crushed. Then again, the same thing happened in May 2021 and November 2021. It still doesn’t feel real. I have family members and friends asking me, “Are you really in the movie? Did you really do it?”

VN __ In 2021, you joined the venerable ABC medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, in which you play Dr. Jordan Wright. When did you first hear the news about getting this role? How did it feel to be a part of such an iconic show that is a staple in many households?

GTD __ I was at home when I heard that I had booked the role of Jordan Wright after auditioning for the part. On the callback, they said, “We loved your work. That was amazing; we’ll be in touch.” After I hung up the phone, I went to de-stress and chill, watching a movie and putting my feet up. Suddenly, I get a call saying that ABC wants me for the role. It was so exciting! Another milestone! I’ve never played a doctor before, and now I had one that was a recurring role. To say that I would be a part of such an iconic show as Grey’s Anatomy team was terrific! I couldn’t wait to tell my friends and family. But, I didn’t tell them immediately because I wanted to make sure I signed the contract before delivering the news.

VN __ As an actor with experience, I feel like you’ve seen this industry back and forth. What are some things you’ve noticed improved over the years? What still needs to change in Hollywood?

GTD __ For the things that have improved in Hollywood, I would have to say I am beginning to see more of myself on screen, also more lead women, and generally more diversity. One of the reasons I was even able to think about acting as a career is because I got to see people who looked like me on screen, which made me believe it would have been possible for me as well. This is one of the reasons I think representation is so important. Everyone deserves to be seen and have their story told. As for things that need to be improved, we can always improve. We’re in extraordinary times for the industry where we are pumping out a lot of content which is good because that means more jobs for people, thus more opportunities and different perspectives. What I miss would have to be the movies I grew up watching. I would love to see more of those being made. Even though I am a fan of blockbusters and current films, I miss the nostalgia and feel of the old movies. They are unlike any other piece of content. I’d also like to see more intimate films. I recently saw Marry Me in theaters, and I loved it. It was probably one of my favorite movies this year. I’m a sucker for rom-coms. I want to see more movies that get families out to the theaters and off the couch.

VN __ Despite your demanding life schedule, you manage a healthy relationship with Instagram. How has social media impacted your life and ‘voice?’

GTD __ I started off on social media and built up a large following by making skits and stuff like that, but I quickly realized I didn’t want to do that; I wanted to act. Social media was just for fun. When I got into acting seriously, I kind of let it go, but I am slowly picking it back up because I see that’s where I have the best relationship with my fans. I am a people person, so I love meeting new people and engaging in conversation. With all of these new projects coming out, it’s great to have social platforms where I can talk directly to people and get to know them.

Suit DAMARI, shoes SCAROSSO. *(left)* Trench COS.

VN __ Do you have any advice for aspiring talent of color pursuing a career in Hollywood?

GTD __ There are going to be ups and downs. The ups are great, but make sure you don’t go too crazy because you never want to feel like you have made it. There is always room for improvement, always a new challenge to face. I always tell anyone asking me about my journey that I never stop. There is always the road up ahead. Don’t look at anyone’s career timeline and compare it to yours. Some people are fortunate to get a role from the first try, and others have to go through countless auditions to land that one gig that will get them into the acting world. No matter the journey or how long it takes, know there is no correct answer, so never compare yourself to someone else. Your journey will be unique because you are unique. I always remind myself that someone else’s achievement doesn't diminish my own because the only person you have to be better than is your older version.

VN __ What causes are dear to your heart and hope to bring awareness to in the future through your platforms?

GTD __ I’m starting a nonprofit called “PYC: Perfect Your Craft” that caters to the youth to help them discover their true passion, as it took me a while to find mine. I believe that every person on this earth has a purpose; mine is assisting children in finding theirs.

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Photography Kevin Sinclair, Styling Oretta Corbelli, Creative Director David Gargiulo, Groomer Barbara Lamelza, Talent Greg Tarzan Davis (Portrait PR)