IN CONVERSATION WITH RHYAN HILL

interview by JANA LETONJA

Rhyan Hill is stepping into the global spotlight with his role as Tito Jackson in Michael, the highly anticipated biographical film chronicling the life of Michael Jackson. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Graham King, the film traces Jackson’s journey from his early days in the Jackson 5 to becoming one of the most iconic performers in history. For Rhyan, whose background spans acting and high-profile dance performances alongside artists like Kendrick Lamar and Childish Gambino, the role marks a defining moment, blending his physicality, musicality, and emotional depth on one of the biggest stages of his career.

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tee LEVIS
trousers THE FRANKIE SHOP
necklace VITALY

Michael is such a monumental project. What was your first reaction when you landed the role of Tito Jackson?

Antoine and Graham told me in person that I got the role. At that moment, I wanted to moonwalk across the room, but somehow I managed to keep my excitement in check. The second I got home, though, I let it all out.

Michael Jackson has inspired so many people around the world, so being part of a film that celebrates his artistry is a dream come true. On top of that, getting to work alongside Colman Domingo, Nia Long, Jaafar Jackson, and so many others is truly the icing on the cake.

How did you prepare to portray a real-life figure with such cultural significance?

I prepared by diving into extensive research on Tito and The Jacksons. I read articles, watched interviews and performances, studied photos, listened to their music, and did anything I could get my hands on to truly understand and embody Tito. 

Along with that, I learned how to play the guitar, which Tito famously played in the group. That was super challenging, but I spent many hours practising to have it down.

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jeans LEVIS
necklace VITALY
tank HANES

What aspects of Tito Jackson’s personality or story did you find most compelling?

One thing I found compelling was how relaxed and reserved Tito was. Watching him perform, it was clear he was in his element because of his confidence and the ease with which he played. I particularly enjoyed his guitar solo moments. You could also see how much he loved performing with his brothers. 

I also appreciated the nurturing and playful relationships he had with his brothers and his sons. The story that stood out to me most was when Tito Jackson secretly played his father’s guitar. When his father discovered him, he recognised Tito’s talent, which ultimately helped spark the formation of the Jackson 5.

Did you feel a sense of pressure stepping into such an iconic family legacy?

There was a lot of pressure stepping into this role, especially since this is someone everyone knows and loves. At the beginning, I even struggled with imposter syndrome, but after putting in the time to study and rehearse, I built the confidence to know that I could do this. Everyone involved in the production was incredibly supportive as well, which helped relieve some of that pressure and allowed me to fully step into the role.

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shirt HOUSE OF GRAY
trousers THE FRANKIE SHOP
sunglasses RAY-BAN

The film covers such an important era in music history. How did you immerse yourself in that world?

The film follows Michael from The Jackson 5, through his discovery of his personal independence at the start of the BAD Tour. I immersed myself in the world through the research I was doing on Tito and The Jacksons. Constantly listening to Michael, The Jacksons, and other 80s legends helped me stay connected to the era.

Your background in dance is incredible. How did that influence your performance in the film?

Thank you so much. I trained in hip hop, musical theatre, jazz, and dancehall growing up, and all of those styles helped me with this role. Being able to naturally groove helped me pick up the choreography and blocking for the performances. I have a strong awareness of what my body can do, and the next step was figuring out how to dance and sing while playing the guitar. Once I found that balance, everything started to click into rhythm.

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tee LEVIS
jeans PAS UNE MARQUE
boots DR MARTENS
ring THE GREAT FROG
bandana STYLIST’S OWN

Having performed with artists like Kendrick Lamar and Childish Gambino, how did those experiences prepare you?

Dancing with those artists definitely helped me. In those environments, you have to be quick at picking up choreography and instantly adapt to changes. You also have to give your all and go all-in in every run. If you have a bad rehearsal one day, you go home and practice so you can show up even better the next day. Once you hit the stage or set, you feel on top of the world because you worked so hard. However, the most important thing is learning to trust an ensemble of dancers and knowing that you’re all in it together.

Your career spans both acting and dance. Do you approach storytelling differently through each medium?

I approach both of these media differently. For acting, I like to take my time and develop the backstory for my character because it helps me approach and make choices based on what I’ve created. For dance and choreography, the music fuels the storytelling. I allow my body to naturally do the work and move freely because I can hear the highs and lows in a song. 

How do you choose projects at this stage in your career?

At this stage in my career, I am still auditioning, which I love at times. However, before auditioning for a project, it has to resonate with my morals and beliefs. I also ask myself how it can elevate my skills and expand my range as an actor. 

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What keeps you grounded and creatively inspired at this stage of your career?

What keeps me grounded is being with friends and family because it’s always calming. I’m a guy who likes to have fun, especially when I am playing board games with them, because I get really competitive at that.

What keeps me inspired is watching other artists. I learn a lot from observing actors in TV, film, and theatre, so I can apply that to my own craft. I am also a writer and producer, so watching things helps my creative juices flow when I’m working on a script. As a choreographer and dancer, I love watching performances and music videos because it awakens me to create and move.

Looking ahead, what does this moment mean for you personally and professionally?

This moment means everything to me since this is a huge step in my career. I always wanted to be in a film where I could blend my love for acting, dancing, and singing together, and this was the perfect project for that. All the projects I’ve done, led and prepared me for this film, and I can’t thank the filmmakers enough for trusting me with this role. I still have so much more to do and am looking forward to what the future holds for me.

Audiences are going to be blown away and experience pure joy from what they see. They are not going to want to miss it in theatres on April 24th.

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shirt BROOKS BROTHERS
jeans LEVIS
shoes DR MARTENS
ring THE GREAT FROG
sunglasses RAY BAN
tie STYLIST’S OWN

TEAM CREDITS

talent RHYAN HILL
photography RETO STERCHI
styling ADAM BALLHEIM at THE ONLY AGENCY
makeup & hair THEA ISTENES for EXCLUSIVE ARTISTS using YSL BEAUTY
editor TIMI LETONJA
editorial director & interview JANA LETONJA