“I didn’t want to just be abs and a thirst trap,” the actor also tells TheWrap
When Darren Barnet first auditioned for his role on Netflix’s YA series “Never Have I Ever,” the name of his character was just “Paxton Hall.”
But when creators Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher found out that he had Japanese heritage, they asked the actor if he’d be interested in incorporating that into his character. And so, Paxton Hall-Yoshida was born — the good-looking jock with a heart of gold who becomes the object of protagonist Devi Vishwakumar’s (Maitreyi Ramakrishna) affection in the first season of the coming-of-age comedy.
When wardrobe designer Sal Perez heard Barnet speaking Japanese to assistant director Yuko Ogata, Fisher approached him to see if he’d be down to incorporating his heritage into the character. “I was like ‘Let’s do it!’” Barnet told TheWrap in a video-chat interview. “And the next thing I knew, had a hyphenated Yoshida at the end.”
The 29-year-old actor, who’s had small roles on shows like “SWAT” and “Criminal Minds,” said this is the first time he’s explored his heritage on screen.
“The first role I ever did in L.A., I was playing a Chicano East L.A. gangster. I’ve always been ambiguous where I’ve been cast, and called in for roles that are Middle Eastern (or) part Native American, and I love doing that,” said Barnet, who even played young Jack in a 2017 episode of “This Is Us.”
“But I’ve never had the opportunity to bring my Japanese into it,” he said, noting that he spoke the language with his grandmother growing up and studied it for two years in school. “It’s something I’m super proud of… I’m really happy that they included it.”
Oh, and Barnet wants to make one more thing clear. Although his character is clearly meant to be a heartthrob, the actor believes Paxton deserves to be seen as more than just a pretty face.
“That was my biggest fear. I didn’t want to just be abs and a thirst trap, you know?” he said. “It was also diving into something I dealt with in high school I’m not gonna say I was a teen heartthrob at my high school — I was actually shy,” he said. “I didn’t go to parties ever, I wasn’t at the cool functions. I was a kid very much judged by his cover, I feel. I don’t know how many times I was told, ‘Hey, before I met you I thought you were a real jerk, but now I realize you’re nice.’”
“Never Have I Ever” is now streaming on Netflix.
Watch the video interview above.
17 Stars Celebrating Cinco de Mayo With Their Own Tequila Brands (Photos)
The bars will be empty this Cinco de Mayo, but the good news is there are several celebrities who would love to sell you a bottle of their own personal tequila! Whether you’re drinking alone or with a quarantine buddy, here are 17 stars with tequila brands who will be toasting to themselves this year.
Stephan Jenkins of Third Eye Blind via Getty
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Star(s): Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
Brand: Teremana
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Star(s): George Clooney and Rande Gerber
Brand: Casamigos
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Star(s): Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul
Brand: Dos Hombres
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Star(s): Sammy Hagar and Adam Levine
Brand: Santo Mezquila
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Star(s): Rita Ora
Brand: Prospero
Prospero Spirits
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Star(s): E-40
Brand: E. Cuarenta
E. Cuarenta on Facebook
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Star(s): AC/DC
Brand: Thunderstruck
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Star(s): Toby Keith
Brand: Wild Shot
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Star(s): Justin Timberlake
Brand: Sauza 901
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Star(s): Sean Combs
Brand: DeLeón
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Star(s): Carlos Santana
Brand: Casa Nobles
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Star(s): Chris Noth
Brand: Ambhar Tequila
Fox News
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Star(s): Rammstein
Brand: Rammstein
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Star(s): Charlie Sheen
Brand: Don Sueños
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Star(s): Michael Jordan
Brand: Cincoro
Michael Jordan with Mark Smith via Getty Images
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Star(s): Nick Jonas and John Varvatos
Brand: Villa One
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Star(s): Third Eye Blind’s Stephan Jenkins
Brand: SUMMERGODS
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These actors may tilt a few, but singers seem to love the stuff
The bars will be empty this Cinco de Mayo, but the good news is there are several celebrities who would love to sell you a bottle of their own personal tequila! Whether you’re drinking alone or with a quarantine buddy, here are 17 stars with tequila brands who will be toasting to themselves this year.
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