Off Campus actor Stephen Kalyn stars in Verizon's new ad campaign, 'Simplicity is Sexy,' released Tuesday, marking his first major brand collaboration.
Kalyn's Commercial Debut
The one-minute spot is inspired by iconic Calvin Klein ads, particularly an Aaron Taylor-Johnson ad. Directed by Bardia Zeinali, known for Calvin Klein's 'Deal with It' campaign, the ad highlights Verizon's new Simplicity plan.
Kalyn expressed initial nerves but found the experience enjoyable. 'Doing a commercial is so different from what I do naturally,' he shared. 'I'm happy I got to do it with Verizon.'
Behind the Scenes Insight
Set to INXS' 'Never Tear Us Apart,' the ad features Kalyn addressing the camera with lines like, 'It's you. It's only you. You're the one,' while dancing and tossing his white tank top. Kalyn described the shoot as freeing, comparing it to dancing alone at home.
'There was a peak moment where I forgot everybody was there,' Kalyn said. His favorite part was dancing in leather pants, which his fiancée Victoria found amusing, urging him to 'get home right now.'
Verizon's Star-Studded Strategy
Verizon has increasingly featured celebrities in their ads. Earlier this year, actor Connor Storrie appeared in a short film directed by Nia DaCosta. Verizon's CMO Leslie Berland stated, 'We set out to blend nostalgia with current zeitgeist, and partnering with Stephen and Director Bardia Zeinali brought that vision to life.'
Kalyn's Rising Star
Kalyn's breakout role came in Amazon Prime Video's Off Campus, where he plays Dean Di Laurentis. The series is currently filming its second season in Vancouver. Kalyn, 28, noted the demanding schedule but expressed gratitude for the opportunity. 'It's such a privilege to work on commercials and ads,' he said.
As for future plans, Kalyn hopes for 'more and more opportunities to work and to do really cool movies.' He aims to take on another project shortly after wrapping Off Campus season two.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/off-campus-stephen-kalyn-verizon-ad-season-2-interview-1236628953/
