Julito McCullum has everyone’s attention, thanks to his role as Crim in the new movie that has all of Hollywood buzzing, Brotherly Love. McCullum plays alongside a star-studded cast, including Cory Hardrict, Keke Palmer, Quincy Brown and Eric D. Hill.
McCullum sat down with rolling out to give us the inside scoop on his bad boy character in Brotherly Love, getting his start in show business, and the top artists on his playlist. –lauren martinez
What can you tell us about your character in the film?
I play the antagonist in the film. My character’s name is Crim. He is the character who despises Cory Hardrict’s character, June. Crim is the one who tries to bring June down the whole movie. It’s unfortunate, because you are going to grow to love June and his family. I enjoy playing the bad guy because bad guys have more fun.
How did you prepare for your role in the film?
I have had a lot of experience because the previous roles I have played were bad guys. It was easy being in Philadelphia with these guys. We shot in Philadelphia for a little less than a month. This felt more like a family reunion than a movie shoot because I grew up with Keke Palmer. Our first jobs together were when we were young teenagers. Eric and I always had the same management and Cory has always been a good friend of mine. Overall, it wasn’t hard to prepare we just went out there and put our hearts on the screen.
How did you get your start in acting?
I never went to school for acting. I don’t know what it was, but I thank God for the talent. My mom wanted me to go to a performing arts high school but it didn’t happen. I have been acting since the age of 12, so when it was time to go to high school I wanted to go to a regular school because I had been doing it for so long. I would love to take classes because you can never have enough practice in this craft. There are huge movie stars who still get training, so that is definitely something I want to do. I went to public school, but I was never really in school because I was always shooting something. I would get home schooled on set a lot of times. If I wasn’t working, then I would go back to public school.
What do you do in your spare time for fun?
When I have time I like to read and write. I went to school for journalism in high school. I have a 4-year-old daughter named Madison, so she takes up all my time. The last book I read was Decoded by Jay Z, which was really good. I loved that he broke down all of his lyrics. You got to be in his mind when he recorded some of these classic records. I’m into the arts in general, especially when you have someone like Jay Z, whom I look up to.
Who are the top five artists on your playlist?
I would have to go with J. Cole and Drake, but Drake is definitely my favorite artist in the last few years. I don’t really know because music is all the same right now. I love R&B music from the ’90s. All I listen to all day is Jodeci’s Pandora station.
