Sumter's Next Generation, presented by CCTC: SLT, CCTC's Jlynn Montgomery chases his acting dreams on local, national stages

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At just 22 years old, Jlynn Montgomery has already carved a path that most dreamers only imagine. A performer with a flair for acting, modeling and leadership, Jlynn radiates ambition, resilience and a love for the arts that has propelled him into opportunities on both local and national stages.

"I did my first play when I was 6 years old in the first grade," Jlynn reminisced about his start to acting. "We did this play, and Obama was just elected. I got to play Barack Obama; I was Obama and Martin Luther King Jr. in the play. Ever since then, I've had a rush for it."

Today, his dreams of one day gracing our TV screens are unfolding. A student at Central Carolina Technical College pursuing an associate degree in arts with a concentration in theater, Jlynn juggles a packed schedule. As the founder and president of the college's Performing Arts Club, he's dedicated to providing a creative space for others. Beyond the classroom, he's a regular at Sumter Little Theatre, where he's stretched his talent from comedic roles to more serious characters, such as his recent portrayal of Henry in "Next to Normal."

"This is [considered] my first adult role. I'm used to doing comedic roles. This time, I get to be the anchor. The whole family in 'Next to Normal' is dealing with trauma, they're grieving, stressing about getting accepted into college … they touch on all these different issues that people don't talk about in your everyday life. As the play goes on, I'm more so Natalie's anchor, I'm her safe space, so it's kind of different for me," he explained. "I wouldn't be able to do this play without Traci [Quinn]. I'm actually very appreciative that she was here because she would tell me like, 'I'm acting too much like Jlynn, you need to act like Henry,' and I would be like, 'What does that mean?' It took me a minute to get there. It was more so like with Traci - she coached me. She gave me examples of what other people would do as Henry. I would say Traci was a big support; she knew I could do it."

And that willingness to better his craft has allowed Jlynn's talent to extend far beyond Sumter. Under the DeAbreu Agency in Columbia, he's modeled in Los Angeles Fashion Week Festival, Columbia Fashion Week and Sumter Fashion Week as well as earned credited roles in major films like "God's Not Dead: In God We Trust" released in September. Jlynn also acted alongside big names like Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey and Jonathan Daviss in the Netflix series "Outer Banks." Though his appearance may have been brief, "The check said I was in it," he joked.

When asked how he managed to break into an industry that's notoriously competitive, Jlynn credited his experience and diligence to research. From acting classes to modeling gigs, he learned much of how he conducts himself in these spaces from putting himself out there. This also allowed him to navigate through negative stigma surrounding Black men in the entertainment industry. With more than 20,000 followers on TikTok, he's grown a following and, to a degree, earned the label of a public figure. But most importantly, Jlynn wants to be a role model.

"I genuinely feel like if someone was to look at me and be like, 'I want to be like you one day,' well, you can. I'm not gonna say it wasn't hard; it was hard. I have to audition for everything I do. So, being considered a public figure, it's actually an honor, but now with that honor, I have to carry myself a certain way," he explained. "The game isn't going to wait for you; you have to really work. If you really are passionate about what you do, you got to keep doing it until you get better, until somebody notices you."

Jlynn acted in four episodes in the recent season. Grateful for every opportunity he's been allotted so far in his career, he still dreams of roles crafted just for him in his favorite '90s sitcoms, like being cast as Tamera Mowry's son in a "Sister, Sister" reboot or starring in his own sitcom with nods to popular ones, like "Martin" and "That's So Raven."

"My goal is just to get in the room. I also have great faith in God, and God will get me there. Once he gets me to the room, it's up to me," he said. "What's not meant for me wasn't meant for me, and then I can just move on from it. Whenever one door closes, I feel like something bigger will open later."


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