colour block sweater. Zara
opposite
colour block sweater. Zara
Jahi Winston is no stranger to hard work. The 19-year-old actor from Atlanta, Georgia, “understands[s] the importance of showing up and being 100 percent present,” something he brings to every project. Getting his first big break in The Upside at only 14, he has since gone on to play a variety of characters in TV and film. And though you may know him from previous acting roles, his skills expand seamlessly within the arts as he explores his creativity as a musician.
His talents collide beautifully in his new Netflix film, We Have A Ghost, which premiered earlier this year, and has since been streamed over 42,000,000 hours. The film, a horror comedy, follows Kevin and his family’s discovery of a ghost, Ernest (David Harbour), haunting their new home. Playing the role of Kevin, an angsty teenager passionate about music, Jahi’s performance is emotionally gripping. As Kevin embarks on a journey to uncover the nature of Ernest’s death, we see him come to life, creating an emotional bond with the ghost and reconnecting with his family. At its core, the film is charming, funny, and heartfelt, and Jahi manages to pull on the heartstrings of any viewer.
Catching up with Schön!, Jahi talks about connecting with fans, playing the lead character in We Have A Ghost, and releasing new music.
How did your previous projects help prepare you for the role of Kevin in We Have A Ghost?
I’m very young in my career, but I’ve been fortunate enough to have been given the opportunity to lead multiple projects and to work on projects with other amazing leading actors. I think the biggest thing I’ve learned from them is how to carry yourself as the lead of a film or show. Now that I’m a little older, I understand the importance of showing up and being 100 percent present – which is a lot easier said than done. So, it was gratifying to be able to bring those gems from my past experiences to portray Kevin.
black and white shirt. Alexander McQueen
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black and white shirt. Alexander McQueen
You worked alongside Anthony Mackie and David Harbour, two incredibly experienced actors in the industry. How did they guide you throughout shooting?
Working with Anthony and David was so much fun. The two of them are so different in how they approach their work, so I had to learn to adjust to their distinct energies throughout filming. I felt fortunate to be able to spend an equal amount of time with both of them and cultivate a unique bond with them as well. They’re both such veterans and for them to be so willing to play and do something very different from the work most people know them for says a lot about them. I learned a lot from the time I spent with those two.
Kevin has a typical Gen-Z reaction to seeing Ernest for the first time. Would you say that you’d react to seeing a ghost in a similar way or the complete opposite?
I’ve always been super interested in the supernatural, but I would definitely be a little shaken up if I saw a ghost in real life, I’m not going to lie. In the movie, Kevin is sort of a ghost, so his reaction to Ernest stems from the chaos he experiences daily. Given the circumstances, I can see how he would be unfazed by a dead guy living in his attic… I just don’t know if I would maintain that same level of composure!
This film delves into the addictiveness of social media in our society. While Kevin’s father and brother fall victim to this, Kevin is against it from the start. Would you say that your relationship with social media mirrors that of your character?
I think in recent years, I’ve grown to be less intimidated by social media. There used to be a time when I was a little apprehensive about putting myself out there in front of strangers, but now I’ve learned to use it as a medium to connect with my fans and reveal different aspects of who I am. I imagine Kevin would have similar feelings towards it – he’s an old soul and doesn’t really identify with a lot of “gen-z culture.” Social media is such a polarising medium, and it’s very easy to get swept up in the circus of it all. However, I think our movie does a great job of showcasing its absurdity without casting judgement.
blue top. Zara
white shirt. Ralph Lauren
plaid trousers. Urban Outfitters
platform shoes. Dr. Martens
opposite
blue top. Zara
white shirt. Ralph Lauren
plaid trousers. Urban Outfitters
platform shoes. Dr. Martens
This film is full of charm and satire, making it fun and heart-warming, but it also holds a great deal of emotional profundity. How do you interpret the underlying messages in the film?
Some of my favourite messages that I’ve received since the movie was released have been of people sharing their stories about their loved ones that have passed on and how the film spoke to them in such a profound way, which is not something I ever considered or thought about while we were making it. It’s certainly a fun, family movie, but I think, at the core, it’s a story about trauma and the way that past traumatic experiences can make you feel stuck or “trapped” like Ernest. It isn’t until you uncover some of those repressed memories that you can move forward in life. It makes me feel good knowing the audience is responding to the emotional nuances of the film just as much as everything else.
We Have A Ghost was a global hit — it was in the top 10 movies on Netflix in 93 countries, not to mention having been streamed for over 42,000,000 hours. Is this reception of the film something you had anticipated?
While we were in the process of making it, I was just hoping people would have a great time watching it. The world has been exceptionally sad and a little dark in recent years, so it makes me feel good knowing that we were able to bring a little light and escapism to people who might’ve been needing it.
You recently presented the ‘Youth Activist of the Year Award’ at the NAACP Image Awards. What was it like taking part in an awards show for such an empowering and inspiring organisation?
I was very excited to be able to present that award. I was nominated for an image award a couple of years ago, but it was during the time when it was virtual due to Covid, so I couldn’t attend the dinner. Being in that room for the first time with so many people I admire was really special. It was one big family love fest. I had a great time.
As seen in the film and your social media profiles, you are an incredibly talented musician. Are you planning on releasing more music any time soon?
I am. Hopefully soon… I am very passionate about music, and songwriting has always been an effective tool to express emotions and feelings I can’t articulate through conversation. So, I’m excited to let people see who I am outside of the characters I’ve portrayed on screen, and hopefully, they embrace me just as much.
There’s a lot more in store for you as an actor and musician. What can you tell Schön! about your upcoming projects?
I’m in the process of creating new music that I’ll hopefully be able to share very, very soon. I’m also looking forward to working on projects that will challenge me and allow me to grow as an actor. I’m excited to see what my creative life will look like over the next year and take my fans along for the ride.
colorful sweater. Kenzo
shoes. Alexander McQueen
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colorful sweater. Kenzo
shoes. Alexander McQueen
We Have A Ghost is streaming now on Netflix.
photography. Keith Saunders
fashion. Jnikkia Winston
talent. Jahi Winston
grooming. Jasmine Umrani
location. The Four Seasons Atlanta
interview. Amber Louise
