Jacob Latimore, the young star of "Black Nativity", opening nationwide on November 27th, visited the high school of Harlem Village Academies to chat with their students, inspiring those in the Arts Program to continue following their dreams.  The excited teenagers entered the auditorium anxious to hear the rising star speak, when he is introduced you'd forget you were in an assembly hall for it feels more like a sold-out concert.  The teens greeted Latimore with hugs, request for shout outs over Instagram, and questions concerning fame, music and inspiration.

We also had the opportunity to chat briefly with the rising star...

StageBuddy: When did you first discover your love for the arts?

Jacob Latimore: I started out doing music. My family is very musically inclined -- my dad and uncles formed a Gospel Quartet called 'The Latimore Brothers'.  When I was younger I grew up watching them and other artists.  My favorite group was B2K when I was little, I use to tie the bandana around my head and cut off the sleeves of my shirt, I was inspired and at the age of 9 that's when I started taking things into my own hands by recording.  My first song got picked up by Radio Disney and from there it's been hard work and dedication and when I was 13 I was signed to RCA Records putting out my first single called "Like Em All" (he sings a bit of the chorus and the teenage girls sing along with him)

JL: When you love what you do you make time for it.  I did two films this year so it basically occupied my whole year.  However I was able to create a mix-tape this year. JacobLatimoremixtapes.com I want people to hear my growth and maturity in my voice and make relatable music.

SB: What was the audition and filming process like for "Black Nativity"?

JL: A prior film I worked on called Vanishing on 7th Street, one of the producers (Joy Goodwin) from that film recommended me to the director Kasi Lemmons for "Black Nativity".  I found out later I was the first person the director saw.  I read the script over and over again,  getting connected with the circumstances and she liked my work.  From there we talked about the character and dialogue and once I was on set it was fluid.

SB: What were some of the challenges and highlights working on the film?

JL: Challenges were trying to find the emotion for the character Langston. He grows up not knowing his grandparents, not knowing he had a family outside of his mother and I've never had to deal with that.  I have a great relationship with my family, I had to dig really deep to find that disconnect.  Highlight was watching Forest Whitaker sing, my favorite scene is the last scene of the film were we are all in the church singing together.

SB: What makes this film important? 

JL: "Black Nativity" touches on the message that everyone has flaws, focusing on fate and forgiveness.  This broken family comes together through that spirit of forgiveness through the birth of Christ.  I think it will impact a lot of people's lives.

SB: What are some of the lessons you learned from being on set? 

JL: I watched and learned the value of hard work and what it takes to get into a role.  Forest Whitaker, I felt he was super focused on set.  I don't even think he cracked a smile that much.  He would smile only when we were at dinner.  On set he was always focused and  into the script.

SB: What's next for you?

JL: I'm in another film called "The Maze Runner" that comes out next year in March.  It's a teen film sort of like "The Hunger Games".  I'm really excited about a cameo in Kevin Hart's new film "Ride Along". I have some really funny scenes with him.

SB: Who are you looking forward to working with in the future? 

JL: I really want to work with Justin Timberlake, it's so rare that he does music because he does a lot of acting and when he puts out an album it's super special and I'd like to be a part of that project.  As far as acting, I've already had the opportunity of working with a few greats like Forest Whitaker so after working with him what more can you ask for?

SB: What advice would you give to young performers? 

JL: Keep God first and stay ambitious, stay determined to keep going.  A lot of my peers need to hear that nothing is going to be easy, lots of obstacles and people telling you no that you can't do something.  It's going to take years and years,  some people think it's going to happen overnight, they see the celebrities on TV and think WOW but they don't see the struggle before hand.

"Black Nativity" is out in theaters on November 27.