“Adam Irigoyen is finding his way to the top”
Exclusive Interview by Michael Aaron Gallagher of StayFamous.Net
Adam Irigoyen. Photo by Kevin Thomas.
“Never give up” – that’s the motto of actor Adam Irigoyen, who is best known as Deuce Martinez on the hit Disney Channel series “Shake It Up.”
Throughout his life, the quote has encouraged him to work hard to achieve his goals. From his grandfather’s reassuring advice to keep moving forward despite the challenges of his career, to the battle cries of the Greek and Roman movies he enjoys watching with his father, it is a theme that inspires him to achieve big things in Hollywood.
In a recent interview, he talked about how the slogan is a recurring message in his life.
“My parents gave me a book called ‘Rhinoceros Success,’ Irigoyen said. “The book was basically about lambs and sheep and cows. They’re always eating their grass and they see an opportunity pass by and they let it go. But when a rhino sees an opportunity he charges for it and never gives up…. that book kind of motivates me to never give up in my life, no matter what I do.”
Born in Miami Florida, the 14-year-old, bilingual actor first became interested in the entertainment industry when he was 8 years old.
“I was watching one of the stars of the Disney Channel do the Mickey ears,” he recalled. “I said that’s what I want to do. That’s what I want to be when I grow up.”
When Adam’s mother explained that it was going to take a lot of hard work, he told her, “I know it… but I know that’s what I want to do.”
After appearing in print advertisements and television commercials, his first big break came when he landed a small part on the Disney Channel show “Wizards of Waverly Place” and had the opportunity to work with Selena Gomez, Jennifer Stone and guest star Moises Arias (from “Hannah Montana”).
“I was really excited and nervous,” Irigoyen said. “Not only because it was Selena, but just because I watched the show. Selena obviously was great and I was a big fan of Jake [Austin] and David [Henry] and all of them, so it was very surreal for me when I got on set and started working.”
It wasn’t long after, that he landed an audition for a new Disney Channel series and had the opportunity to join the cast of “Shake It Up,” alongside Zendaya (who plays Rocky), Bella Thorne (who plays CeCe), Ainsley Bailey (who plays Dina) and Roshon Fegan (who plays Ty). The show, which is currently in its second season is one of the highest rated Disney Channel programs.
“I play Deuce,” Irigoyen said. “And Deuce is the cool, connected guy… He’s Rocky and Cece’s best friend. He’s also Ty’s best friend and he babysits Flynn a lot. So he has a relationship with basically everyone on the show.”
Actor Adam Irigoyen (second from the right) and the rest of the cast of “Shake It Up” on Disney Channel.
When he’s not on set, Adam likes to hang out with his family and play sports.
“I’m a really family-oriented kind of guy,” he said.
Even though he has a busy Hollywood career, Adam still takes the time to give back through his work for several charities, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and City of Hope. He has also worked alongside actress Brittany Snow (“Harry’s Law”) to help take a stand against bullying.
With a strong determination to succeed and a positive attitude, Adam is inspiring other young people to follow their dreams and quickly becoming a true Hollywood star.
Adam Irigoyen is finding his way to the top
Copyright 2012 by Michael Aaron Gallagher
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