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Christian Isaiah was born in Virginia Beach on December 15, 2007, and early in life, he knew that he wanted to act, model, sing, and dance. At 18 months, Christian participated in his first modeling competition in a local contest and won 1st runner up and best smile. By 2yrs, Christian was posing for cameras every chance he got. By the time he was four years old, he was performing in school plays and programs. Christian was then invited to an International Presentation of Performers in Los Angeles, where numerous managers and talent agents scouted him. Not long after Christian’s mom retired from the Military, Christian and his mother relocated to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career.
Christian has always been wise beyond his years and athletic, discovering many other talents and gifts since moving to LA. His hobbies include modeling, singing, hip hop dance, soccer, football, basketball, tennis, taekwondo, baking, and collecting sports cars. He has received accolades in school, as well as in his extracurricular activities. In addition to numerous national television commercials and independent films, Christian can be seen in a recurring role on FX’s “Married,” TVland’s “Teachers,” a regular spot as a movie critic on Fandango’s “Reel Kids” and on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” in various comedy skits. He has only just begun, and his credits keep growing.
Christian Isaiah joined Showtime’s “Shameless” (www.sho.com) during season 8 and is as intelligent as his character. He plays the character of Liam Gallagher, and he does a beautiful job. Oscar-nominated actor William H. Macy stars as Frank Gallagher, a single father of six who spends much of his free time drinking at bars. The Gallagher children — led by oldest daughter Fiona (Emmy Rossum), who takes on much of the child-rearing responsibility due to her mother’s absence — manage to raise themselves in spite of Frank’s lack of parenting and unusual parenting style when he does choose to act like a father. The drama is an adaptation of the BAFTA Award-winning British show of the same name. Liam has experienced hanging out in a bar and outsmarting adults but manages to stay the course. Isaiah is a busy young man, but he spoke to Gemma Magazine about his character and his thoughts on the show overall when he had a moment.
How did you originally get into acting? When I was around 4 and 5 I used to be in plays at church and preschool and my mom noticed that I was a natural.
What do you love most about it? — even though you are very young, it comes so naturally to you. I love that I can be someone else and have fun, but at the same time bring a little of myself to the character.
“My number one favorite was Chadwick Boseman (R.I.P.) I was blessed to work with him and play a younger version of him in 21 Bridges. Denzel Washington, Idris Elba, Kevin Hart, and Vin Diesel, are at the top of my list. At the moment I really enjoy acting, so I see acting, directing, and producing in my future.” (Christian ISAIAH)
Do you train professionally and attend an art school here in Los Angeles? I don’t attend any regular training but I have a set coach and sometimes I get coached for auditions.
I love your role as Liam Gallagher on Showtime’s “Shameless”. How would you describe Liam? Street smart, book smart, and funny.
Why do you feel Frank and Liam are so close, despite the problems Frank has? Because Frank sees spending time with Liam as his second chance at righting the wrongs that he did with his other kids.
Photo: Marc Cartwright
Liam is considered one of the smartest of the Gallagher kids. Do you feel a part of this comes from being around his chaos, yet still having empathy?
Well, all the Gallaghers are smart, well with the exception of Carl (HAHAHA), but I think it comes from seeing how everyone else has been acting and sometimes you learn from other people’s mistakes.
What is the set environment like on “Shameless”? Set life is awesome and everyone is like a big family.
What is it like to work with William H. Macy? Do you run lines together and does he give you advice? William H. Macy, was the first person that I worked with and at first, he was in Character and a little scary, but he is an awesome man. We run lines we joke around and he has given me great advice and taught me techniques to help me. Working with him and this cast is the best acting class you could ever be in.
I’m assuming you do online school. What are some of your favorite subjects? Actually, I attend physical school not online, but because of COVID, it is online right now. My favorite subjects are the Bible, Video Production, and History.
Are you still filming commercials as well? Yes, but it has been a little slow during COVID, but I hope to do some more commercials soon.
Who are some of your favorite actors and do you plan to keep acting? My number one favorite was Chadwick Boseman (R.I.P.) I was blessed to work with him and play a younger version of him in 21 Bridges. Denzel Washington, Idris Elba, Kevin Hart, and Vin Diesel, are at the top of my list. At the moment I really enjoy acting, so I see acting, directing, and producing in my future.
ALL PHOTOS BY MARC CARTWRIGHT
You can keep up with Christian Isaiah by following him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christianisaia9/
We will be watching the future of this talented actor and hope you do too!