Actor Jason Fernandes recently sat down with Pop Culture Unplugged to discuss his journey from soccer and plumbing to acting, his experience filming his latest romantic comedy, and what’s next for his budding career. Here are the highlights from our conversation:
From Soccer Fields to Film Sets
Jason’s path to acting wasn’t a straight line. He shared how a love for storytelling led him to transition from his early career as a plumber to the acting world:
“Plumbing was a great job, but it wasn’t something that fired me up in the morning. After recovering from a soccer injury, I started watching shows like Riverdale, and it clicked that acting was something I wanted to try. I took a class, realized how hard it actually was, and just stuck with it. Now, here we are.”
On His Soccer Roots
As a proud Portuguese Canadian, Jason grew up idolizing Cristiano Ronaldo:
“Soccer has always been a huge part of my life. I even got to see Ronaldo play at the Euros this past summer, which was surreal. I still watch every game I can, especially Champions League matches.”
When asked about his favorite rivalry in the sport, Jason laughed:
“As a Portuguese fan, Greece winning the 2004 Euro final still stings. Thanks for reminding me!”
Landing His Role in the Film
Jason auditioned for the part of Josh, a central figure in the romantic comedy. Despite stiff competition, his performance won over the producers:
“I auditioned and didn’t hear back for a month, so I figured it wasn’t happening. Then I got a callback with the director and producers, and another month later, I found out I booked it. It was pretty surreal.”
He described Josh as the grounded, studious brother who acts as a confidant for the protagonist:
“Josh is the voice of reason. He sees what’s good for his brother Peyton and helps him realize it. At the same time, Josh has his own love story and growth in the film.”
Working with the Cast
Jason shared his excitement about working with co-stars like Sienna and Noah:
“Sienna is such a talented actress, even at her young age. I learned so much from her. And Noah? We bonded over our love for soccer—his favorite player is also Ronaldo, so that was an easy connection. We built that brotherly chemistry off-camera too.”
Behind the Scenes
One of Jason’s favorite moments on set was filming the football scenes:
“It was amazing to be out there with real football players from the Westshore Rebels. We had their coach, Troy Island, giving us pointers on how to take a handoff and other details. I even got to pretend I broke their ankles in some scenes—pretty cool!”
On the Film’s Message
Jason described the romantic comedy as heartfelt and inspiring:
“It’s a feel-good rom-com that reminds you to follow your heart and dreams. Sometimes those two things go hand-in-hand, and this film captures that beautifully.”
What’s Next for Jason Fernandes?
Jason is keeping busy with new projects, including a Hallmark Valentine’s Day movie titled The Wish Swap:
“I just wrapped The Wish Swap. It’s coming out in February, and I even got to reunite with one of my co-stars from the rom-com. It’s been great to explore different types of roles and stories.”
A Look Ahead
When asked about his long-term goals, Jason revealed his aspirations to branch out behind the camera:
“I’d love to direct or produce someday, but for now, I’m focused on acting. Rom-coms have been a lot of fun, so I’m definitely open to more of those.”
How to Keep Up with Jason Fernandes
Fans can follow Jason on Instagram and TikTok (@ImJasonFernandes) for updates on his projects and behind-the-scenes glimpses of his life.
Jason Fernandes is carving out a dynamic career in Hollywood, blending his passion for storytelling with his love of sports. With new projects on the horizon and a growing fan base, this is just the beginning for the multi-talented actor.
Photo credit: Kristine Cofsky Photography