Cliche Magazine Oct/Nov 2014 | Page 77

of which is set to be published later this
year. His book of poetry, @McKinley
Freeman Volume 1, was inspired by his
Twitter followers.
“I asked for my followers to
tweet me one word, and I would write a
poem out of the first 10 I received. I was
hoping for at least 10 and got over 300.
I was inspired by what everyone was
sending my way and decided to publish
the poems I came up with. People are
entitled to their own interpretations, and
if it helps one person, that’s awesome,
because that’s really what it’s about.”
Freeman wanted to explore
some other sides of the industry and
found himself writing a short film after
he saw how his grandmother was dealing
with Alzheimer’s and dementia. He’s
currently organizing the filming process.
“I wanted to work on the
representation of these diseases and
shed light on a familiar subject in a new,
unexpected way,” he said. “As for right
now, it’s a process, but I hope to take it
to festivals.”
These other pursuits have taken
him away from working in finance for a
profession, but it is still part of his life.
“I still use parts of it in my day to day,
whether it’s coming up with potential
fund-raising strategies for future projects
I want to produce or dabbling in the

stock market. All the pieces really work
together,” he said. “I think if you hustle,
and you’re out there busting your butt
to make things happen, you have to use
all the pieces you can to devise a plan or
strategy to get closer to where you want
to be.”
As if he wasn’t busy enough,
Freeman is also actively involved with
the Boys & Girls Club of America and
Covenant House. “If we can’t provide
an environment for kids where they can
dream, then what are we doing? We need
to remind kids that they can achieve
anything, and they don’t have to be
anyone but themselves. It’s important to
remind them that they all have value and
life is better with them in it.”
And sometimes, when he finally
finds the time to sit down, Freeman has
some shows he likes to turn to, of which
Game of Thrones is a go-to. “I would love
to be on a show like Game of Thrones.
The places are beautiful, and there is so
much action. People die every week, so I
don’t know who I can like, because I feel
like they all have to leave,” he laughed.
He’s keeping busy and pursuing
his passions, but as for what’s next?
“Auditions. The only guaranteed work is
auditions,” laughed Freeman. “You have
to love what you do, and this is what I
love.” BY ANJELICA OSWALD

©James Lee Wall

celebrate?!’ I said, ‘I’m gonna finish
making this bacon and eggs and go to
the gym.’ [laughs] I was very grateful
and excited about the opportunity, but I
believe at some point, to maintain peace
of mind no matter what comes, you find
a place mentally that is grateful, whether
you book a role or not.”
Since then, it’s turned into
something that he could do without
acting classes, and he’s stayed.
Prior to his role on All My
Children, Freeman’s last role was as
the “Scarecrow” in The Wizard of Oz
in elementary school. Since his stint on
All My Children, he’s had guest spots
on Criminal Minds, NCIS, Bones, and
General Hospital. He did a stint on
Days of Our Lives from 2008-2011.
He was also in the 2012 film End of
Watch starring Anna Kendrick, America
Ferrera, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Michael
Pena.
This
summer
wrapped
Freeman’s second season on VH1’s Hit
the Floor where he plays Derek Roman,
captain of the L.A. Devils basketball
team. The third season is set to premiere
in May with 10 episodes. “I’m really
excited about what happens next because
all of the p &