Matt Wade

AYDEN —- Nineteen-year-old Matt Wade has always had an interest in acting. In fact, his interest began locally when he first appeared in a commercial for Edward’s Pharmacy.

Now the Ayden-Grifton High School graduate will go on to bigger things when he makes his mark in California as a model/actor with Unified Management Company.

Matt, who is the son of Mr. and Mrs. CJ Wade and the grandson of Pet and Lou Jones, recently returned from California where he was introduced to several modeling companies,  six of which showed an interest, including Unified.

“I feel pretty lucky about going to that,” Matt said. “I was lucky to have six callbacks because some didn’t have any.”

Though Matt says he hasn’t signed anything yet, Al Onorato, the manager of Unified showed great interest and Matt is expecting to pack up and head to California any day now.

“I’ll be taking the next flight,” Matt said.

Before, Matt traveled back and forth to Raleigh where he took advanced acting classes with Barbizon Avanti. Now Matt hopes his luck will continue in California where he will continue talking with Unified and possibly sign a contract.

He is mainly interested in modeling but could eventually see acting as a potential career as well. 

“I still don’t think I’m that great of an actor,” Matt said. “(But) It’s something I could get used to because it’s something I’ve wanted to do.”

Matt said if he was signed and went on to California, he would definitely have to work on his southern accent. Matt said he hopes to take classes while in California to learn how to change his accent back and forth as needed for auditions. 

When the Ayden native arrives in California, he doesn’t expect success to fall in his lap. He will probably  have to get a night  job so that he can attend auditions in the daytime. Matt said he is even prepared for living off of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for a while if needed.

 And though Matt said the signing isn’t set in stone, he remains hopeful for that call that will put him on an airplane to his future.

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