Jessie T. Usher checks in to talk about his show Survivor’s Remorse, what he whips up for date night and playing Will Smith’s son in Independence Day: Resurgence.
On playing Will Smith’s son in the Independence Day sequel
Look, I’ve idolized Will and his career, since I became really serious about acting. I used that to better my performance…. I watched the original film in a whole new light. Honestly, I think it really didn’t hit me, the significance of the movie, until I was a teenager. You realize how big of a deal it is. Now it’s a colossal deal because they’re making the second one exactly 20 years later and I get to be a part of it. It’s a pretty big move and I’m beyond excited to be in it.
On getting the coveted role that propelled Big Willie to stardom
With Independence Day, there was more of a relationship I’d developed with Harold Kloser, the executive producer. He liked me and thought that I’d be great for the role. He’d already seen what I had done in Survivor’s Remorse. I did one on-camera read for the studio and that was it.
On auditioning for Survivor’s Remorse
I did six auditions over a few months. Yeah, something like that. I did three or four camera tests with Ronreaco and Erica Ash and Tichina Arnold, and they kept flying them out. Every time it would be me and three or four or five other guys all testing. It was just like, “Oh man.” It was exhausting. They kept changing the lines and switching up the scenes on me. They really tested my skills.
On who cracks the most jokes on set
Man, you know what? It depends on the day. Most of the time, it’s Mike Epps that keeps me cracking up. But Erica is really, really funny. I’m not going to lie. She’s gotten crazier as time goes on. I think she probably cracks jokes more fluently, but when Mike starts going the whole set is done. Nobody can work when Mike starts ripping. RonReaco is pretty funny too. When you watch the show, his character is very serious, but when we’re on set Reaco is a clown.
On making date night special
I bake all the time, especially if I’m doing the whole date night thing. You get a chance to be really creative. You can design and baking seems more like art to me. I’ll cook a full meal and then I’ll bake. I’ve made apple pies and peach pies from scratch. So, usually most girls get super lucky, they get the full package. [Laughs]
