Confidently Shamon
shirt & jacket TOMMY HILFIGER
There’s a certain confidence that comes with becoming yourself in real time.
At just 21 years old, Shamon Brown Jr. is stepping into adulthood with intention — grounded, emotionally aware, and unapologetic about who he is becoming. For years, audiences have watched him grow up as Papa, the soulful moral compass of The Chi, but off-screen, Brown is crafting a legacy far bigger than any one role. Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, the actor has emerged as part of a new generation of Black creatives building legacy on their own terms.
Whether he’s voicing Michelangelo in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, building his fashion label Shamonsta Clothing, or diving deeper into music, Brown moves with the quiet assurance of someone who understands that impact starts long before the accolades arrive. There’s charisma there; an undeniable charm that compliments the discipline and emotional depth he surprisingly possesses as a young man — and you’ll catch glimpses of it throughout this conversation.
For Kolor Magazine’sLegacy Issue, Shamon Brown Jr. reflects on growing up on our TV screens, representing Chicago with pride, navigating manhood in Hollywood, and why authenticity may be the most powerful legacy of all.
Photography: Elianel Clinton
Interview: Ammar Thomas
Styling: Nigel Isaiah
Grooming: Walton Nunez
Location: The 9 Studios
Special Thanks: Paramount Plus
KM: First off, let me say it’s truly a pleasure. I’ve been watching The Chi since season one, so in a way, it feels like we’ve watched you grow up in front of all of us. When you look back at the younger version of yourself who first stepped into the role of Papa, what are you most proud of — not just in how the character evolved, but in the man you’ve become over these years?
Shamon Brown Jr.: Personally, I’m most proud of everything I’ve received and absorbed over the years — the inspiration from my castmates, the crew, the creators, and everybody who’s come and gone throughout this journey. I’m proud of how I’ve carried myself through it all.
You hear stories about child actors sometimes going down the wrong path, becoming arrogant or entitled, but I feel like my foundation and the people around me inspired me to move a certain way — with morals, dignity, and respect for myself and others. The Shamon you see today, and even the Shamon you see on screen as Papa, is authentic in every way, on and off set.
KM: I’m glad you mentioned foundation and morals because the theme of this issue is Legacy. Usually, people ask older artists about legacy, but I think you’re the perfect person to ask because you’re building yours right now. What kind of legacy do you think you’re creating as a young Black man who started acting as a child?
Shamon Brown Jr.: I think it all goes back to where I’m from. I’m originally from the South Side of Chicago, and I’m on a show about the South Side of Chicago and the people in it.
A lot of times, when Black boys from Chicago are portrayed on television, it’s usually the gangbanger route, jail, or the troubled kid narrative. So for the start of my career to be a character who’s the complete opposite of that — I think that says something.
I want kids from where I’m from to know you don’t have to be in the streets or fit into whatever stereotype society places on us. It’s okay to be the pastor’s kid. It’s okay to be the funny one, the vulnerable one, the shoulder to cry on. It’s okay to have different interests and hobbies.
Even growing up, I was never really the kid following the crowd. Everybody around me wanted to play sports, but I wanted to audition for school plays and musicals. I always had my own vision for myself, and I think legacy starts there — having your own mind and your own direction.
KM: Papa has become one of the emotional and moral centers of The Chi. He’s grounded in a way that feels rare, especially considering the environment he’s growing up in. Has playing him changed your own understanding of masculinity, faith, friendship, or responsibility?
Shamon Brown Jr.: Definitely. I think masculinity is often portrayed as being overly tough, rugged, or emotionless, but another side of masculinity is authenticity — being honest about your emotions, how you feel, and how you show up for yourself and others.
Playing Papa reminded me of that. He never tried to be anything other than himself, and honestly, I think that’s one of the most masculine things about him.
Even on The Chi, you see characters who are viewed as “tough guys” having vulnerable moments. You realize these men are fathers, sons, people trying to navigate life the best they can. Papa’s strength comes from his honesty and emotional openness.
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KM: One thing I’ve loved about Papa’s evolution is that he’s remained true to himself. But as Shamon, do you feel a responsibility representing Chicago — especially knowing how often the city is stereotyped?
Shamon Brown Jr.: Absolutely. Being from Chicago, I feel like I have no choice but to represent it with pride.
A lot of people only associate Chicago with violence, but there’s so much culture, personality, and love there, too. Sometimes I’m helping cast members or crew understand the little details — how we say certain words, our slang, the music, the energy. Those little things matter because authenticity matters.
I always want to make my city proud. I know Chicago gets a bad reputation, so if I can be a light in that conversation, I’ll carry that responsibility proudly.
KM: You’re at a point now where younger people are looking up to you the same way you once looked up to actors like Cory Hardrict and Zendaya. How has stepping into that position changed you personally and professionally?
Shamon Brown Jr.: It’s surreal because I’m so focused on living in the moment that I forget people are actually watching me and are inspired by me.
We have new cast members this season — older and younger — who ask me questions all the time about acting, the industry, or how to navigate things. The biggest thing I tell them is to be themselves.
That’s all I ever did.
I had amazing mentors like Luke James, Jacob Latimore, and Curtiss Cook. Watching how they carried themselves with humility and grace taught me a lot, and now I want to pass that wisdom forward.
It’s honestly emotional for me sometimes because I haven’t even been in the industry that long compared to others, but knowing I’m making an impact already means everything.
KM: You’re clearly multi-talented beyond acting. What are some of the other creative spaces you’re stepping into right now?
Shamon Brown Jr.: I’m currently working on the sequel to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem since I voice Michelangelo. That’s coming to theaters next year.
I also make music — singing, rapping, songwriting — and I’ve been taking that much more seriously lately. I own a clothing brand called Shamonsta Clothing, and I’m also involved in entertainment consulting and music management.
Long term, I definitely want to direct, produce, and write as well. I want to build across multiple lanes, creatively.
KM: Voicing Michelangelo introduced you to a completely different kind of performance. What did voice acting teach you that live-action acting couldn’t?
Shamon Brown Jr.: It gave me a whole new respect for voice actors.
With live action, you can physically embody a character in different ways, but with voice acting, especially for a kids’ movie, everything comes through your voice and energy. You have to maintain consistency in tone the entire time.
And for Mutant Mayhem, we were the first Ninja Turtles project actually voiced by teenagers, so there was something really special about that. Seth Rogen and the team encouraged us to really lean into being ourselves.
It also taught me how important it is to protect your voice and your instrument as an artist.
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KM: Michelangelo and Papa are very different characters, but both bring humor and emotional balance to their groups. Do you see similarities between them?
Shamon Brown Jr.: Definitely. Both are kind of the lighthearted, funny ones of the group. Michelangelo has his brothers, and Papa has his people, too.
The biggest difference is really just the world they exist in — one’s a Ninja Turtle and the other’s a pastor’s kid from Chicago. But emotionally, they both bring heart to the people around them.
KM: A lot of child actors talk about adulthood arriving earlier than expected. Was there a specific moment when you realized, I’m not a kid anymore?
Shamon Brown Jr.: Honestly? The 12-hour workdays.
When you’re younger, there are limits on how long you can work. Once I got older, the responsibilities shifted — not just physically, but emotionally too. The storylines became heavier.
When Papa lost his father, I had to do those emotional scenes, including crying on screen for the first time; it felt like a real turning point for me as both an actor and a man.
But I was blessed to have incredible people around me helping guide that transition into adulthood.
KM: Growing up in this industry can put a lot of pressure on your sense of self. How have you protected your mental health and identity outside of the characters you play?
Shamon Brown Jr.: I think emotional intelligence is a huge part of it. I’ve always tried to stay open to conversations and learn from the people around me — my mom, my castmates, mentors, directors, everybody.
I always say I’m a sponge for information.
I write a lot. I pray a lot. Those are probably my two biggest things. I’m very intentional about expressing myself and not carrying negative energy onto set or into other people’s spaces.
This industry can take a toll on you if you’re not grounded, so staying emotionally available and spiritually connected has helped me stay balanced.
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KM: Since this is Kolor Magazine, we have to talk fashion. Give me your top three brands inspiring you right now.
Shamon Brown Jr.: I wear a lot of different things, but I’d definitely say Louis Vuitton — especially seeing what Pharrell Williams is doing there after what Virgil Abloh built.
I also love MSCHF. I wear their boots all the time. Their pieces feel like wearable art.
And honestly, Off-White will always inspire me too.
KM: Last question. When your career is all said and done, what do you hope people say about Shamon Brown Jr. beyond acting?
Shamon Brown Jr.: First and foremost, I hope people say I did everything I said I was going to do.
I want people to remember how I treated them, how I showed up for them, and the love I gave throughout my journey. I want to leave a lasting impression.
One of my biggest goals is helping bring people together creatively — building community in this generation the same way legends like Spike Lee, Denzel Washington, Michael B. Jordan, and Ryan Coogler have done.
I really believe there’s room for everybody at the table. I want to help create spaces where people can win together, and I hope that becomes a part of my legacy, too.
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