Check out our interview with Disney+ “Safety” Actor Elijah Shane Bell.
Elijah Shane Bell started off as a childhood model with his twin brother Isaac Bell, who is also an actor, and as the years went on into his teenage years is when the transition came into play from being a child model to becoming an actor.
Elijah always knew he wanted to become an actor; he was very big on watching his favorite actors/actresses in blockbuster films, such as Denzel Washington, Leonardo DiCaprio, Julia Roberts, Will Smith, Matt Damon to name a few.
Elijah landed his first role for Walt Disney Studio Pictures, “Safety” (2020) as a lead in the new Disney Plus streaming platform, directed by Academy award-winning director/producer Reggie Hudlin.
Follow Elijah @belltwins & @elijah.bell3
Hi Elijah, please tell us a little about you?
Hey, I am an Australian native, but raised in California. I am a twin and my twin brothers name is Isaac bell, I’ve spent all my childhood playing basketball before Acting became a huge part of my life. I actually turned down a division 1 scholar ship to pursue my acting career, it was a very hard decision but very well accepted in the end.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Intelligent, Independent, Goofy
How did you get started into acting?
I seen a childhood friend of mine Terrence Hardy on a tv show called “Ghost Whispers” and ever since then I fell to love acting.
How has this changed your life?
Safety changed my life in tremendous ways. Being apart of a heart warming movie with such a great director and cast, and not to mention it’s a DISNEY film and a great sports movie, we don’t get a lot of those now a days. Being able to be apart of a Disney movie has always been a huge dream of mine so getting to do that is such an amazing experience.
The first person to ever take a chance on me with acting is my coach and mentor Max Decker. Without him I wouldn’t really have a direction on how to go about really getting into my acting career. So I just want to give him a huge thank you. Love you Max.
What is the best and worst part of being an actor?
I love being able to just be somebody else and experience life through somebody else’s eyes instead of mine. Like how cool is it to Not be yourself for a period of time, just jump into somebody else shoes and live there life and find out there strength and weaknesses.
The worst part of acting would probably have to be, staying away from my family and dog for a long time.
Tell us about your work in the new Walt Disney Studio Pictures “Safety?”
Well I play a character name Marcus Heart a.k.a Pop and he also has a twin name Eugene Heart but he goes by Fresh. We are the best friends of Ray-Ray McElrathbey. We help Ray raise his little brother Fahmarr on campus.
How do you prepare for a role?
Depending on the role I prepare differently. But first I start with a back story and find out who my character is and were he was born and how his life is or is becoming, then I start to break down the script and find out what my ultimate Wants are in what I’m trying to get out of the other people in the scene. And then it just all falls down into really knowing the text and grasping all the dialogue.
How is working with your brother Isaac?
Working with my twin Isaac is so great because I always have that extra support when I need it and its just easy because we trust each other so much that it makes things so much fun and comfortable.
What kind of roles do you like or would like to play and why?
I love roles that are challenging and make me actually go into a deep dive research and find out all these interesting things about the character. For example Denzel Washington in Malcolm X The amount of research and studying he had to do to grasp down a person like that was so inspiring to me. I would love to play characters that Denzel Washington & Marlon Brando have played.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
The most rewarding part of my work would have to be making my family proud and just seeing them enjoy what I love to do.
How would your best friend describe you?
My best friends would say I’m a very positive person and one goofy individual.
What’s next for Elijah Bell in 2021?
There is a lot of stuff coming next in 2021. People are going to be very shocked for whats in store.
What is your favorite healthy food?
My favorite healthy food would have to be some type of greens. Something with a lot of Broccoli.
And your favorite cheat food?
My favorite cheat food would have to be pizza. Who doesn’t love a nice box of pizza.
How would you explain your fashion style?
My fashion style would definitely be describe as unique. I love fashion its like my other outlet to being something different.
What is your own definition of happiness?
My definition of happiness would be, to be happy with yourself. If you are happy inside and out then you are good as magic.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
Michael Jackson. He’s like one of the biggest inspirations to me.
Best advice ever given?
Denzel Washington- “Without commitment, you’ll never start, but more importantly, without consistency, you’ll never finish. Fall down 8x get back up 9 and keep moving forward.”
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years from now?
In 5 years I see myself continuing to grow as an actor and seeing myself work with some of the best in the Business making wonderful stories come to life.
Favorite song? Why?
My favorite song would have to be Thriller by Michael Jackson.
Where we can follow you?
You can follow me on Instagram @belltwins & @elijah.bell3
Favorite Singer/Artist: Michael Jackson
Movie: Peter Pan & Malcolm X
Travel Destination: Japan
Tv Show: Euphoria & Queens gambit
Book: A Streetcar Named Desire
