Jaden Michael is no athlete, but he knows a winning playbook when he sees it.
“I hope that more people are open to researching his motives,” Michael tells EW of Kaepernick.
And hopefully through that research you’re able to find the truth."
Jaden Michael.Credit: Marcus Smith/Netflix
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: What was your knowledge of Colin before this opportunity came your way?
Are you a football fan?
Were you a fan of his?
Jaden Michael in ‘Colin in Black & White.'.Netflix
And it was something that I was trying to do myself.
Stand up for children’s rights and mental health, among other things.
It was really beautiful and honorable seeing someone do that.
Since then, I started looking up to him.
So then what’s the reaction when the prospect of you playing Colin comes on your radar?
Oh, I was so frantic.
When did you first connect with Colin, and how surreal was that conversation?
The first time I spoke with him was during the auditioning process.
He’s 15, 16 years older than me and we have a lot of overlap.
But other things as well.
As you went through this whole experience together, what did that relationship turn into?
There’s no better resource to have than the man himself.
So having a professional in all three of those sports, it was welcomed and needed in my case.
But here I had someone who already had a birthday!
A lot of stresses come with a project of this magnitude.
These are conversations that need to be had.
And I think I settled somewhere in-between.
But how would you describe the Colin we’re getting here as a teenager?
He’s a normal teenager facing unreal circumstances.
And those circumstances built the legend that we see today.
The way that I attempt to conceptualize it is, he’s you.
He’s a regular teenager.
He’s had your life.
He’s been in your high school.
You’ve seen him play on the team.
Earlier you mentioned Ava, who has become one of the most respected filmmakers out there.
You have Colin but then she brings this totally different perspective and skillset to this.
What has it been like working so closely with her?
Ava’s the Gorilla Glue of the series.
She made the bridge between the sports side of Colin and who Colin is as a person.
Just connecting us all together, making sure we’re on the same page.
And she’s just beautiful in that way.
I think the best way to describe her is the diplomat.
Even in her directing style, she won’t say, “How about you do this?”
She’ll say, “I want to invite you to think about it in this way.”
And it’s like, “Alright, Ava, I’ll do it.
Don’t worry!”
How was it getting to collaborate with them and building these important onscreen relationships?
They’re lovely people.
I don’t know how else to describe it.
They want to know what you’re thinking and they want to work with you.
Just being in their presence, you’re like, “Oh, I learned something.”
I hope that more people are open to researching his motives.
And hopefully through that research you’re able to find the truth.
I hope people find their truth in who they are, in their purpose, in their future.
But, also, for those who don’t agree, maybe learn to accept a different opinion.
I feel like so many of the important details of Colin’s story have been conveniently lost.
Like, it was literally anex-Green Beret who suggestedhe start kneeling instead of sitting.
For you, was there something that particularly stuck with you from your research or conversations with Colin?
There’s this video that hit me like a ton of bricks.
That’s something anyone can find admirable.
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