NBC’s “YOUNG ROCK”: PAVING THE WAY FOR PACIFIC ISLANDER STORIES

FREE PANEL (ticket required)

NBC’s hit show “Young Rock,” takes a comedic look back at the life and times of Dwayne Johnson’s youth. Join cast members and writers to find out what it’s like behind the scenes to bring these stories to life, all while paving the way for Pacific Islander representation on television.

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Virtual programs are available for purchase and may be viewed between May 12 – 22nd, 2022 but viewers will have a 24 hour window to watch the program once you hit “play.”

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About the Panelists:

JEFF CHIANG (Co-Creator/Executive Producer)

Jeff Chiang is the co-creator, co-showrunner and Executive Producer of “Young Rock,” NBC’s #1 comedy of 2021. Prior credits include ABC’s “Fresh Off the Boat,” where he served as a writer and Co-Executive Producer, ABC’s “Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23,” Fox’s “Enlisted” and “American Dad.” He attended the University of California, Los Angeles.

 

JOSEPH LEE ANDERSON (Actor, Rocky Johnson)

Joseph Lee Anderson is an actor, writer, director and Kansas City-transplant based in LA. Before working on YOUNG ROCK, he had appeared on Harriet, S.W.A.T., American Soul, Timeless, and much more.

Joseph is also a filmmaker, most known for directing The Jog, a short film which screened at many film festivals including South by South West!

 

STACEY LEILUA (Actor, Ata Johnson)

New Zealand based actor, writer, director and producer Stacey Leilua is of Samoan, Maori and English heritage. Her credits include directing at Kila Kokonut Krew, and acting on numerous Pasifika Theatre and Screen works. Stacey was in Wild Dogs Under My Skirt, which won a Wellington Theatre Award for Production of the Year in 2018 and Fringe Encore Series Competition in 2020. Stacey’s breakout role is playing the mother of Dwayne Johnson, Ata Johnson, in NBC’s Young Rock. She earned a Hollywood Critics Association Award nomination for Best Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series (Comedy).

 

ULI LATUKEFU (Actor, Dwayne Johnson in his 20s)

Australia’s Uli Latukefu made his American network television debut as Dwayne Johnson in NBC’s “Young Rock.” For film, he will next appear in Searchlight’s “Next Goal Wins” and the feature “Black Site.” Best known for co-starring in Netflix’s “Marco Polo,” additional credits include the award-winning Foxtel series “Devil’s Playground,” ABC’s “Sando,” Nine Network’s “Doctor Doctor,” Foxtel’s “The End” and ABC’s “Harrow,” and the film “The Legend of Baron To’a.” Uli can also be seen in Ridley Scott’s “Alien: Covenant” and Saban Film’s “Danger Close.” Uli made his Off-Broadway debut in “Peter Pan” at the New Victory Theater in 2013.