By Anne M. Raso
As you know, Roshon Fegan, 19, is one of the most popular characters on the Disney Channel’s top-rated show Shake It Up and we recently shook it up with him in New York City—where he was in town for the Disney Channel “upfront” and other appearances. In Part 2 of our exclusive interview, we talk to this cutie from Shake It Up and Camp Rock 2 about his dressing room, his education (including not having to get tutored on the SIU set like the others), charity work, his family, his music studio and more.
Q: I have heard about how schoolwork is done on the set from your co-star Bella Thorne—the kids have two tutors and group off with them. But you are done with school, right?
Roshon: I am 19 so I don’t have to do school so I get to work on my music and focus on other things instead of sitting there with the rest of the guys getting tutored. (Laughs.) I do make fun of them like, “You have to do school!” (Laughs.) I was actually in regular school except for the last year, which was when I got home schooled. Most kids in the business do home schooling.
Q: What is your dressing room like on the set of Shake It Up? Is it painted a fun color and do you have a collection of anything in there that is on the shelves/
Roshon: My dressing room is painted very calm and relaxing colors. It is painted in olive green and black—two of my favorite colors. I turned my whole room into a music studio and I brought in all my equipment, so it’s great.
Q: Are you actually in the process of trying to sign a traditional record label deal?
Roshon: I have my own label and of course I am the first artist under it because, of course, I want to make my music first before I start helping others make theirs but I am definitely excited about working with other artists. I would like to help others grow their careers.
Q: So you are not looking for a major label deal?
Roshon: No, I do not think that is necessary until I get to that level. Right now, I am developing my fan base and my dad and I have our own entertainment company. We don’t have to go through all the “loops” that a traditional contract would entail. We can shoot the videos and record—I have a studio that I have been investing in since I was young—and so I have everything I need right now.
Q: Is your dad your manager?
Roshon: No, he just gives a little advice.
Q: What neighborhood of LA do you live in?
Roshon: I was born and raised in South Central and still live there.
Q: Is that a quick trip to the studio?
Roshon: Yes, it is only ten or 15 minutes away. It is downtown so it is really close. And I have a music studio downtown that is only five minutes away, so I stay there sometimes. It is a loft for music and living, so it works.
Q: Do you have brothers and sisters?
Roshon: Yes but they do not live with us (they’re older). My brother lives in Virginia and my sister just moved somewhere in California—Santa something, I cannot remember! Some weird place. (Laughs.)
Q: So no one else in the entertainment business?
Roshon: Just my dad. I have an uncle who made records in the early or mid 60s—his name is Johnny Fegan.
Q: Do you do charity events?
Roshon: Yes, I do a lot—the last charity event I did was a reading to kids on Dr. Seuss’ birthday. I went in and I read Hop On Pop to a bunch of kids in elementary school. A lot of celebrities came out and it was a really good time. I do the City Of Hope hospital every year and do their big pajama party…there are not just kids but some older people as well. A lot of Disney stars come in and meet the kids and make ‘em happy.
Q: What are your general future plans besides working on the show?
Roshon: I just want to do a lot of entertainment—I want to put it all together and develop a major empire with my record label and entertainment company called Three In A Ro Entertainment. There is no “w” on Ro—it is a play on my name and the fact that I am a “triple threat.” My dad works with me as the producer and director on the videos. I am producing music and stuff and building up a label. We are just doing what we can with the awesomeness we are given! (Laughs.) So I definitely just want to make a lot of music and produce my own music as well as a lot of other artists!
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| On The Teen Beat contributing writer, Anne Raso with Roshon. |
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