Miami is no stranger to culture. The city is practically built on being a destination for other to visit and steeped in a cross-cultural vortex of peoples from different places. So, seeing celebrities around town is not anything entirely unexpected. But I have to say, I’ve been extremely fortunate in celebrity sightings. During my time in Miami, I have happened to come across some of my favorite personalities in TV, film, and comedy. What’s even better is that every single idol that I’ve encountered has been extremely gracious in demeanor and generous in letting me grab a photo with them.
Below are some encounters I’ve had:
Morris Chestnut
Morris Chestnut is a phenomenal actor. He has a charismatic on-screen presence and can easily straddle the line between being a tough guy and comic relief. If you live around Miami, you’re probably familiar with his cool crime drama Rosewood, but he’s also been in a number of films including Boyz n the Hood, The Best Man, The Brothers, Ladder 49, and Think Like a Man.
Affion Crockett
Affion Crockett is one multi-talented individual. He’s am accomplished dancer, has written and starred in his own dance show, has appeared on a number of TV shows (including Curb your enthusiasm), has starred in a number of films (including Dance Flick, Soul Men, A Haunted House, and The Wedding Ringer), and he even released his own comedy album (Watch the Clone).
Felipe Esparza
Felipe Esparza is one of my favorite comics. Period. He works a lot of culturally prescient insights into his routines. He had his first break on Showtime talent search show and has career has grown astoundingly so since then. He’s been in two films (The Deported and I’m Not Like That No More) and several TV shows, but he’s best know for his stand-up. In the below picture, I caught Felipe after one of his shows.
Marcella Arguello
I caught Marcella in the same show that Felipe was in. She’s amazingly witty and real. In her material she tackles everything from race to gender to family. Marcella’s yet to get into a lot of films, but she’s been featured on number of shows and podcasts.
Erik Griffin
Erik Griffin is such a warm, affable guy. Most people would recognize him from Workaholics, but he does his own stand-up, as well. If you haven’t checked out any of his stuff yet, I’d recommend checking out Technical Foul: Volume One.
Leonardo
Leonardo is the natural leader of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. When the other Turtles are freaking out. Leonardo keeps his cool. he didn’t speak much when I posed with, but I could tell that was him just being real calm…
